Can I travel from Canada to USA without passport?
#16
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Not merely technically. There have been some whopping fines levied on individuals who have crossed and failed to report in. Some of those people live in towns on the border and have walked or driven across the street to their neighbors for year. The act of borrowing a cup of sugar has become a 45-minute mess.
#17
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Not merely technically. There have been some whopping fines levied on individuals who have crossed and failed to report in. Some of those people live in towns on the border and have walked or driven across the street to their neighbors for year. The act of borrowing a cup of sugar has become a 45-minute mess.
#18
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: SkyPesos -> MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 666
Yup Scan the back of the nexus card in the area where you usually put your passport in. Takes a couple of seconds but the system recognizes its a nexus card.
#19
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York
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Destination - United States (US)
Passport
Passport required.
Passport Exemptions:
Nationals of Canada with a NEXUS Card embarking in Canada or USA.
Passengers with an Authorization for Parole of an Alien into the United States (Form I-512).
Nationals of Canada with a temporary passport.
Passport
Passport required.
Passport Exemptions:
Nationals of Canada with a NEXUS Card embarking in Canada or USA.
Passengers with an Authorization for Parole of an Alien into the United States (Form I-512).
Nationals of Canada with a temporary passport.
All Canadian Citizens entering the United States by AIR are required to present a valid passport, or a NEXUS card when departing from Canada. Please be advised that if arriving in the United States on a flight not pre-cleared by the CBP in Canada, Global entry kiosks cannot be used by passengers only holding a NEXUS card, and the regular inspection lanes have to be used.
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...al-information
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...al-information
Last edited by samwise6222; Mar 18, 2019 at 2:00 pm
#20
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: SkyPesos -> MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 666
Nexus program rules state:
https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/term-eng.html
At all times, a member must carry his/her membership card, as well as all required travel and identification documents, including:
- personal ID;
- immigration or citizenship documents; and
- any other documentation that is required to enter Canada (e.g.: a letter of consent from the parent/legal guardian not traveling with the child(ren).
Eligibility following violation:
- May be eligible to (re)apply after one year has elapsed since the violation.
NOTE: The one-year period begins from the date that the violation occurred.
#21
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Join Date: Dec 2003
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Is the OP a U.S. or Canadian citizen with an "enhanced" driver license? If so, he should be able to cross the border by train, bus, or car (including rental car) without a passport.
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...e-%28edl%29%3F
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...e-%28edl%29%3F
#23
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YVR
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You can travel across the land border with just your NEXUS card.
But when flying, the answer is most likely no, for multiple reasons.
To enter the USA at the airport, you need your passport, the Global Entry machines require it, and any customs agent can/will ask you for it. Even if you can get through there without your passport, I think the gate agent can ask for it. Even if you get past THAT, you're likely to be asked for your passport when boarding the flight from the US back to Canada, and I've had my Nexus card rejected (either rightly or wrongly) in that situation multiple times before. Arriving back into Canada you could just use a NEXUS card.
But when flying, the answer is most likely no, for multiple reasons.
To enter the USA at the airport, you need your passport, the Global Entry machines require it, and any customs agent can/will ask you for it. Even if you can get through there without your passport, I think the gate agent can ask for it. Even if you get past THAT, you're likely to be asked for your passport when boarding the flight from the US back to Canada, and I've had my Nexus card rejected (either rightly or wrongly) in that situation multiple times before. Arriving back into Canada you could just use a NEXUS card.
#24
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 142
I was recently at the check in counter for a flight from Boston to Montreal, Air Canada. The man behind me did not have his passport with him “It is in DC” and was refused his boarding pass. He argued and argued, asked the staff to call the embassy, etc. He did not get on the plane. Apparently he was used to driving over the border sans passport and thought it okay to fly without it too.
#25
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SF Bay Area
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Yes, you can do so illegally, at many places, by simply crossing the open border.
As far as legal options, yes, this is also possible. One of the most famous places to do this is at the Haskell Free Library and Opera House: https://www.atlasobscura.com/article...s-tiny-library Entering from the US is straightforward. Those entering from Canada are guaranteed safe passage, but they have to walk past some cameras and a US border guard, and leave the same way they came in (i.e. go back to Canada). But some immigrant families who have members who aren't able to cross into the US do meet here.
As far as options for entering the US and visiting more than just one building, yes, this is possible, by land. If you are a US citizen under 15 years of age, you can show your original birth certificate, consular report of birth abroad, or naturalization certificate. Those over 15 may present an enhanced driver's license or trusted traveler card (i.e. Global Entry) for access, again for travel by land only. https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...2For-to-travel
For air travel, you'd have to present a NEXUS card in lieu of a passport. If you're not part of NEXUS, then you need a passport.
As far as legal options, yes, this is also possible. One of the most famous places to do this is at the Haskell Free Library and Opera House: https://www.atlasobscura.com/article...s-tiny-library Entering from the US is straightforward. Those entering from Canada are guaranteed safe passage, but they have to walk past some cameras and a US border guard, and leave the same way they came in (i.e. go back to Canada). But some immigrant families who have members who aren't able to cross into the US do meet here.
As far as options for entering the US and visiting more than just one building, yes, this is possible, by land. If you are a US citizen under 15 years of age, you can show your original birth certificate, consular report of birth abroad, or naturalization certificate. Those over 15 may present an enhanced driver's license or trusted traveler card (i.e. Global Entry) for access, again for travel by land only. https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...2For-to-travel
For air travel, you'd have to present a NEXUS card in lieu of a passport. If you're not part of NEXUS, then you need a passport.
#26
Join Date: Jan 2016
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Also worth noting that like Canadian citizens and legal permanent residents are guaranteed entry to Canada the same does I believe hold for a US citizen at least.
If you can get to the border, they cant legally deny you entry. Depending upon time of day, mood of agent and what you have on you this might take 2 minutes or hours/days.
And of course there is no way your getting on a plane without a passport or Nexus. The chance of getting on a plane with only Nexus seems up for debate.
As an aside, I require my passport and PR to get on a plane to Canada. But Ive never had to show my passport once I get TO Canada Machines and agents alike are happy with the PR card.
Hopefully OP can report back once they are allowed to.
If you can get to the border, they cant legally deny you entry. Depending upon time of day, mood of agent and what you have on you this might take 2 minutes or hours/days.
And of course there is no way your getting on a plane without a passport or Nexus. The chance of getting on a plane with only Nexus seems up for debate.
As an aside, I require my passport and PR to get on a plane to Canada. But Ive never had to show my passport once I get TO Canada Machines and agents alike are happy with the PR card.
Hopefully OP can report back once they are allowed to.
#27
Join Date: May 2016
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#28
Join Date: Jan 2016
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Last edited by jc94; Mar 19, 2019 at 6:15 pm
#29
Join Date: Jul 2011
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Oh, forgot to mention that there is a second crossing point (other than the Haskell Free Library And Opera House) where one may cross into the US from Canada without a passport. And this one doesn't even require seeing a CBP officer. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyder_...order_Crossing The town of Hyder, Alaska has no checkpoint whatsoever (there are no road connections between Hyder and the rest of the US). However, if taking the flight from Hyder to Ketchikan, one must go through an immigration and customs check, making this the only domestic flight I'm aware of that one must go through immigration and customs.
#30
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 4,066
I learned something new yesterday. Prior to boarding my flight to YEG, the UA gate agent announced that all passengers must present a valid passport OR a Nexus card along with their boarding pass when boarding the flight. I asked the gate agent about this, stating I never heard this before. She mentioned it's not new but maybe most gate agents just mention a passport.