Re-entering US by land from Canada on a tourist visa

[ineedadisplayname 529]

17 hours ago, Boiler said:

Parents are not visiting they live here

 

How long is sister visiting

Nah looks like they are visiting....

[W199 463]

19 hours ago, EternalForeigner said:

 

We’d like to road trip and part of the road trip would be in Canada but would be short maybe 3 days max then back to US. Assuming sister is given a 6 months stay after arriving into the U.S., would that make her re-entry into the US from Canada by land easier or more difficult?

 

does her having that stamp make her entry possibly scrutinized or more or less by officers at the border? Sourly nowadays with things being super strict at borders especially on land. 

 

looking forward to your insights 

It is quite common for tourists coming to the USA to take a side trip, especially a road trip to Canada. The border agents see it all the time, and are used to it. Therefore, no, simply having a B2 stamp is in of itself inot a red flag. Its just part of her tourist itinerary which you just need to explain regardless. In fact, having the stamp is proof of her itinerary.  Only issue would be if you are not really a tourist.

[TBoneTX 47,501]

Perhaps query the CBP agent at U.S. POE specifically and closely about your intentions in regard to Canada.  Ask for the CBP shift supervisor to be included, if there's any doubt or question.  You need clarity, and the very fact that you're asking indicates honorable intentions on your part.  Then, presuming that the CBP supervisor gives outright or qualified approval for your Canada detour, you can state this to any agent who's suspicious when you would try to re-enter the U.S. from Canada.

 

Bear in mind that a total stay of less than 6 months might be all that's approved.

 

Above all, do NOT wait until the last day (or two) of authorized stay before leaving the country.  Weather, flight problems, and political unrest can cause delays leading to overstays, which would be disastrous.

[EternalForeigner 58]

On 5/7/2025 at 9:17 PM, TBoneTX said:

Perhaps query the CBP agent at U.S. POE specifically and closely about your intentions in regard to Canada.  Ask for the CBP shift supervisor to be included, if there's any doubt or question.  You need clarity, and the very fact that you're asking indicates honorable intentions on your part.  Then, presuming that the CBP supervisor gives outright or qualified approval for your Canada detour, you can state this to any agent who's suspicious when you would try to re-enter the U.S. from Canada.

 

Bear in mind that a total stay of less than 6 months might be all that's approved.

 

Above all, do NOT wait until the last day (or two) of authorized stay before leaving the country.  Weather, flight problems, and political unrest can cause delays leading to overstays, which would be disastrous.

I know this is a couple of months late but how do I go about querying the U.S. PoE before driving up to Canada?

 

And if anyone else was wondering my sister was granted a 6-month stay after my family came into the U.S. They were sent into secondary but only asked to see proof of outward travel for my sister and they didn’t ask for anything else. Nothing was mentioned at all or asked that made reference to my family’s precious entry at YYZ nor were they asked any info that was said at that entry. 
 

It doesn’t seem like we’ll be crossing into Canada at least not this time around and I know things have been less than encouraging. But I wanted to ask to make sure we have all our bases covered in terms of possible red flags. It hasn’t been all that helpful seeing the news from back in March-May about the added scrutiny at the two borders between WA and BC. 
 

This trip to the PNW is in August meanwhile her US stay is authorized until late December for what it’s worth. We’re very painfully aware about the need for her to not overstay and wouldn’t do anything like trying to take a detour close to her time being up. That’s why I wondered if a quick detour in August and then driving back in (while all our luggage and stuff is still at our hotel in Seattle/Bellingham) and her having a stamp until December and sainting she isn’t trying to get a new U.S. entry would be more assuaging to officers possibly. I know anything could happen (for better or worse) but thought this would be the best possibly presentation if we ever elect to go for it. That plus a litany of things we could show in case they ask again about what she’s doing for the rest of her stay (medical appointments, ticketed events, her flight itinerary, etc.).

Edited Wednesday at 07:51 AM by EternalForeigner

[Boiler 47,460]

How long is the planned visit to the US?

[TBoneTX 47,501]

18 hours ago, EternalForeigner said:

how do I go about querying the U.S. PoE before driving up to Canada?

Phone the port office and ask for the Shift Supervisor.  Visit cbp.gov to find a list of the ports.

[EternalForeigner 58]

17 hours ago, Boiler said:

How long is the planned visit to the US?

June to December. 
 

Meanwhile the possible detour, to reiterate, is in August just for a day trip into Vancouver during a trip in the PNW.  

Edited Thursday at 05:48 AM by EternalForeigner

[Boiler 47,460]

That is a long trip

[Dashinka 25,849]

5 hours ago, EternalForeigner said:

June to December. 
 

Meanwhile the possible detour, to reiterate, is in August just for a day trip into Vancouver during a trip in the PNW.  

I agree with @Boiler, this is a long trip.  I would probably forgo a side trip to Canada particularly in the PNW.  With your sibling being here 6 months, CBP up there might scrutinize her a bit more relative to how she can be off work for so long.  There was a high profile case where someone was denied entry due to working on a B2 visa.

 

Good Luck! 

[EternalForeigner 58]

On 7/17/2025 at 5:11 AM, Dashinka said:

I agree with @Boiler, this is a long trip.  I would probably forgo a side trip to Canada particularly in the PNW.  With your sibling being here 6 months, CBP up there might scrutinize her a bit more relative to how she can be off work for so long.  There was a high profile case where someone was denied entry due to working on a B2 visa.

 

Good Luck! 

Thanks. She’s no working and she’s here with my family (she’s disabled and can’t work) and yes I know how it all looks to CBP I don’t need for all of it to be rehashed and I know it’s something that can be brought up all the time. Though throughout the times they’ve been here (which were many) her work stuff was never asked about. Usually it’s a clash of her being on a tourist visa, disabled, needing to be with my parents who have green cards and thus needing to come and go all the time (which a lawyer said is the only thing we can say) and it seems like they were assuaged re:parents when we told them we’d apply for entry permits. 
 

I know a day trip into Canada and then coming back in can slay’s raise these potential questions again. During their U.S. entry they were taken to secondary but were only asked to show her return ticket after my parents told them she’s here for trips and medical appointments (which they didn’t ask for proof of). 
 

Their entry this time though was easier compared to the experience at YYZ last year in terms of scrutiny. 
 

either way it doesn’t seem like we’ll be going for Canada this time around.