Visitor Visas for USA and Canada for Australian Citizen
I'm a little confused by the US and Canadian Visa systems. I am wanting to travel around the US for approximately 2 months and then travel to Canada for approximately 4 months.
Do I need to apply for a B1/B2 visa for the US? I'm under the impression that if I enter the US on the VWP, that I can only stay a maximum of 90 days in both the US and Canada. Does this apply even if I get an ETA for Canada, which can allow me to stay for up to 6 months?
Any help or info would be greatly appreciated - I feel like I'm going around in circles!
Best Answer
In the comments, some have noted difficulty finding official sources. I've found this, at https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/visit/visa-waiver-program.html:
Trips to Canada, Mexico, or nearby Islands
If you are admitted to the United States under the VWP, you may take a short trip to Canada, Mexico, or a nearby island and generally be readmitted to the United States under the VWP for the remainder of the original 90 days granted upon your initial arrival in the United States. Therefore, the length of time of your total stay, including the short trip, must be 90 days or less. See the CBP website. Citizens of VWP countries* who reside in Mexico, Canada, or a nearby island are generally exempted from the requirement to show onward travel to another country* when entering the United States. Learn more on the CBP website.
I infer from this that if you enter the US on the visa waiver program and then go to Canada within 90 days:
If you return to the US within the 90-day period, you will get somewhat less scrutiny from the border officer, at least because you are being considered for admission for a shorter period.
If you return after your 90-day period has elapsed, you will enter with a new 90-day period. You will get as much scrutiny from the border officer as you would if you were entering from any other country. If not much time has elapsed since your 90-day period expired, the officer will consider whether you're trying to game the system. This is true whether you're entering from Canada or from any other country.
If you don't return to the US, there's no problem whatsoever.
The "CBP website" links point to http://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/frequently-asked-questions-about-visa-waiver-program-vwp-and-electronic-system-travel. There's nothing on that page about short trips to neighboring countries, however.
Pictures about "Visitor Visas for USA and Canada for Australian Citizen"
Do Australian citizen need visa for Canada?
Do Australian citizens need visa for Canada? Australian tourists and business travelers do not require a visa to visit Canada for up to 6 months. A Canadian visa is also not required by Australians in transit through the country on the way to another destination.Do Australian passport holder need visa to USA?
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of certain countries, including Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa, if certain requirements are met.Can you use a visitor visa for both Canada and USA?
That is, of course, if you are not visa-exempt or your country of origin is in the US Visa Waiver Program. The most commonly issued visa to travelers is the B1/B2 visa, the Visitor Visa. It allows its holder to cross the US border and stay there for up to one year.How long can an Australian stay in Canada on a tourist visa?
Most visitors can stay for up to 6 months in Canada. If you're allowed to enter Canada, the border services officer may allow you to stay for less or more than 6 months.AUSTRALIA TO USA ON STUDENT VISA | DOCUMENTS AND FEES
More answers regarding visitor Visas for USA and Canada for Australian Citizen
Answer 2
If you do the following:
- Enter the US
- Stay for two months
- Go to Canada
- Stay for four months
- Leave North America without setting foot in the US
Then you'll be fine with VWP and ETA. The caveat is that the US visit clock does not stop running while you are in Canada, so if you return to the US more than three months after you initially entered, then you would violate the terms of the VWP entry.
Of course, if you go to Canada first (without transit in the US), then the US visit clock won't start running until you actually enter the US. Qantas has a direct flight between Sydney and Vancouver.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Ketut Subiyanto, Uriel Mont, Ketut Subiyanto, Ryutaro Tsukata