Does an Irish visitor to Canada need a visa for a day trip to the US?
My wife and I are traveling to Canada from Ireland (We are Irish citizens). We would like to visit Seattle in the USA for one night. Will we need a visa? If we do where do we apply?
Best Answer
Are you going by land or by plane or boat?
If flying or going by boat you will need to apply for an ESTA as you are Irish citizens, Ireland is a visa waiver country. Certain ferry crossings count as land crossings though which I have pointed out further down in my answer.
If you are going by land you won't need an ESTA. You will be given an I-94W by the CBP officer when you get to the border.
If you are a citizen of a VWP country, and you are traveling by land to the United States, you do not have to apply for ESTA. If you are coming to the U.S. by air or sea, you DO have to apply for ESTA. If you are not a citizen of a VWP country, you are required to have a visa, and therefore ESTA does not apply to you.
Edit: as Henning Makholm pointed out
VWP citizens do not need an ESTA to travel on the ferries between Vancouver and Victoria, BC and Washington state. They are treated as a land border port.
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Can I visit the USA with a Canadian tourist visa?
Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Tourist or business travelers who are citizens of participating countries may be eligible to visit the United States without a visa. Visits must be 90 days or less, and travelers must meet all requirements. Citizens of Canada and Bermuda generally do not need visas for tourism and visits.Can Irish citizens travel to USA without visa?
Irish citizens can apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) visa waiver to travel to the United States. The ESTA allows citizens of Ireland to visit the U.S. for tourism, business, transit, medical and short study purposes without a visa for up to 90 days per visit.Can Irish citizens travel to Canada without visa?
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If you are a Canadian citizen, you do not need a visa to enter the US unless you plan to work, study, invest or immigrate. Canadian citizens should carry a valid Canadian passport when entering the US or transiting through the US to another country.Canada Visitor Visa 2022: A Guide On How To Apply
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