US Canada Border Immigration on Amtrak Train

US Canada Border Immigration on Amtrak Train - View Of Niagara Falls And The Cityscape At Night

I am on H1 visa living in Seattle and planning to go for some vacation to Vancouver by Amtrak train.

I have few questions regarding immigration happening.

  1. Where would it happen at Canada Side, while entering into Canada?
  2. Where would it happen at USA Side, while entering back into USA?


Best Answer

Seattle to Vancouver

When arriving at the train station and checking-in your passport and documents will be checked. Your documents will also be checked when arriving at Vancouver.

The Amtrak website provides some guidance for this:

When Travelling

The form of identification you carry with you on your trip should be the same piece of ID that you selected and provided details about when you made your reservation.

You must carry the original, valid identification document. Copies, expired or otherwise invalid documents will not be accepted. Each passenger must have his or her own ID.

It is recommended to arrive 1 hour before departure.

Amtrak Cascades from Seattle to Vancouver - What is the border crossing like northbound? summarises this nicely:

For reference this train does Canada Customs clearance on arrival at Pacific Central Station in Vancouver, not at the border.

Vancouver to Seattle

There will be a check at the station in Vancouver and another customs check when the train arrives in the USA.

It is also recommended to arrive 1 hour before departure.




Pictures about "US Canada Border Immigration on Amtrak Train"

US Canada Border Immigration on Amtrak Train - Freight Train during Day
US Canada Border Immigration on Amtrak Train - People Walking Near Train
US Canada Border Immigration on Amtrak Train - Splashing Niagara Falls and yacht sailing on river



Can you cross the border on Amtrak?

Permission to enter the US or Canada is granted solely at the discretion of Customs and Immigration officers. Accordingly, possession of required documentation and providing Amtrak with required information in no way guarantees entry into the United States or Canada.

Do you need a passport to go to Canada on Amtrak?

To enter and leave Canada, all U.S. citizens must carry proof of citizenship such as a valid passport or passport card. Noncitizens must have a valid passport, visa or alien card that permits entry into Canada.

How does the border crossing work on Amtrak?

Amtrak and Greyhound are the long-distance carriers of last resort for undocumented and blacklisted travelers.



Crossing the Canadian Border Aboard Amtrak




Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Javon Swaby, Pixabay, Andre Furtado, Ryutaro Tsukata