Visa questions

MadSambuka

Hi!

I'll be travelling to the US on a J visa in a few months time..just wondering if i'll have to queue in the airport for clearance even with a visa as i'll be flying with american and they don't pre-clear in Dublin! or will I be able to walk on through? Rather annoying.

Also, when my visa expires, can I exit via Canada and return to Ireland from there or will I have to leave directly to Ireland?

WexCan

You'll still need to queue up to get fingerprinted, photographed, stamped etc.

I imagine leaving through Canada should be fine.

MagicMarker

You'll have to go through customs like all non-americans.

I don't know how it works for America but for Canada you don't actually get the Visa until you arrive in the country. So you go through the rigmarole of customs and then off to another part where you show your papers and they give you your visa.

You can leave from Canada if you want but when you go through the border be sure to have all documents in check, it might be good to have a flight booked already from Canada as proof that you'll be leaving.

MadSambuka

Thanks! Do I need a visa for Canada? Only planning on staying 2/3weeks?

MagicMarker

MadSambuka wrote: »

Thanks! Do I need a visa for Canada? Only planning on staying 2/3weeks?

Nope.

WexCan

They should be able to give you a standard tourist stamp at the border.

Our man in Havana

Indeed.

Be prepared for a trip inside the office and some tough questioning. The Canadians are a lot tougher than the US. Also be sure to surrender your I94 slip to the Canadian authorities. Otherwise your exit from the US will not be recorded correctly which will lead to problems in the future when attempting to enter the US.

MadSambuka

What kind of questioning? Would it be worth my while?

Our man in Havana

There is no problem, it just might take a while at the border. Any time I have travelled to Canada from the US I had to go into the office to be questioned. The questions are nothing bad or anything. They will ask for proof of funds and proof of any hotel bookings. Depends on the officials really. Most of them are friendly, but they take their jobs seriously.

If travelling by bus make sure the bus will wait for you to be processed. US and Canadian citizens would be processed on the bus in seconds, but you could cause delays. I would recommend getting a bus to the border and another bus from the border after you are processed.

MadSambuka

oh, ok grand! Would it be easier to fly it? Or is bussing handier?

Our man in Havana

Flying is way easier if you have the money.