French citizen with Canadian residency to go to the US for the day
As a French citizen, living in Canada with a permanent residency, what kind of visa do I need if I want to go in the US for a day (or may be a few days)?
I also have a Canadian driving license, it that makes any difference
I would be going by bus or car from Canada, not by plane or boat (apparently the mode of transportation can be of significance).
Best Answer
I am now a Canadian citizen but before that, I was only a national of a Visa Waiver country, with Canadian PR status.
You just bring your passport (and PR card) and make sure to buffer at least an hour if it's a busy crossing for parking your vehicle and filling out the I-94. The PR card isn't actually needed to enter the US, but it's a must to re-enter Canada.
In fact, if the dollar is at parity, I suggest avoiding land crossings during daylight hours until you get your citizenship, because the border line up takes forever and then the I-94 wait on top of that can really ruin your day. I obtained my citizenship while the dollar was worth more than 95 cents US, and I estimate I immediately saved at least 90 minutes per border crossing thanks to my Canadian passport. When I got my Nexus card a year later, I saved at least an extra half hour.
It really sucks that Canadian PRs are treated differently from citizens at the land crossings, even if they are VWP nationals. Canada treats green card holders the same way they treat US passport holders, i.e. you just flash your documentation at the booth and be on your merry way, no need to get out of the car.
With the exchange rate at 81 cents now (as of Jan 2015), I don't think wait times will be what they used to be, so you may not really need 1 hour. But better safe than sorry :)
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Can I travel to USA with French residence permit?
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP), administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in consultation with the State Department, permits citizens of 38 countries, including France, to travel to the United States for business or tourism for stays of up to 90 days without a visa by applying for an ESTA authorization.Can I travel to US with my Canadian residency?
Canadian permanent residents may need a non-immigrant visa to enter the United States. You must obtain this visa from the U.S. authorities before entering the country.Do Canadian permanent residents need a visa for USA?
Permanent residents (landed immigrants) of Canada must have a nonimmigrant visa unless the permanent resident is a national of a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), meets the VWP requirements, and is seeking to enter the United States for 90 days or less under that program.Does a French citizen need a visa for USA?
French citizens who intend to visit the United States of America for tourism, transit, or business-related trips of up to 90 days are not required to obtain a visa. Travelers from France can apply for a 2-year visa waiver under the US ESTA authorization instead.Pathway To French Citizenship
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