Whistler 14/15 general questions
Honestly, I’d rather fly, but I keep hearing different things from people. I’m sure there is a way to get around it but knowing my luck I’d get caught out!
What are you dates. I will have a quick look around…
Thank you for the offer, but I bought my train tickets yesterday. I get to vancouver on the night of Mon 17 Nov. I should be in Whistler from the Wednesday.
Has anyone here had any experience of traveling through America first before heading to Canada on a working visa?
I’ve just been informed on another forum that I could have issues at JFK. The Visa Waiver Program apparently doesn’t allow people to travel through the US to Canada on a long term basis. I could be sent home to but a different plane ticket to Vancouver.
Don’t tell America you have a working visa in Canada… why do they care?
Just get your USA visa, travel and when you go to Vancouver then get your Canadian working visa.
My 2 cents though, Do your work in Canada before you travel. You’d be surprised how much money you spend while “working” at a ski resort lol.
I think it might be the lack of a return flight that they care about?
It’s not much travel and It’s all paid for except food and the tattoo I’m booked in for in LA. I’ve got £6000/$10500 already put aside for whistler so hopefully that’ll see me through along with the job.
Hmm maybe. I drove into the states without a return flight but that wasn’t too bad.
Can you use the flight to Canada as a “leaving the country”?
Apparently not as you have to leave a any joining countries like Mexico and Canada. This is what was posted on the other forum
It looks like it could depend on how nice the border agent is feeling that day.
“OK depending on how things work you just might have an awkward moment.
If a UK citizen travelling on a UK passport and have an ESTA your journey into the USA CANNOT END in a contiguous country i.e. Canada. On arrival in the USA CBP will be asking how long visiting the country and if you have a return ticket as per this
Who is eligible to apply for admission under the Visa Waiver Program?
You are eligible to apply for admission under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if you:
Intend to enter the United States for 90 days or less for business, pleasure or transit
Have a valid passport lawfully issued to you by a Visa Waiver Program country
Have authorization to travel via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization
Arrive via a Visa Waiver Program signatory carrier
Have a return or onward ticket
Travel may not terminate in contiguous territory or adjacent islands unless the traveler is a resident of one of those areas
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/WebHel…ine_Help_1.htm
So the US CBP COULD deny you entry into the USA. Perhaps you might want to reconsider your travel plans.”
John,
I don’t think you will have a problem.
Showing you have a job in Canada and or a working visa should be enough.
I left the US on the last day of my US working visa. I technically didn’t obtain my Canadian visa by the rules (i was living in the states and sent my aus passport back to australian, mum forge my sig on the papepwork for the canadian visa….)
I also had visa concerns when I travelled to the Mexico (the whole you have to put two boarders or an ocean between you and the US) and got waved thru.
yes technically they can challenge you but if you can show reason hat you are leaving the US you will be fine.
I know it is easy to say but don’t stress!
I have traveled from the USA to Canada before, and validated my Canadian work visa on entry without issue. Granted, the rules might have changed but I really can’t imagine it being a problem. Call the Canadian embassy or immigration department in your country if you need to confirm.
Found this info a few months ago so emailed one of the US Embassies and this is the message I sent and the reply I got.
I am from Australia and commencing a working holiday in Canada in late october and already have the Canadian Working Holiday visa. I am going to be transiting via LA in the USA and have realised now that it seems I will need a visa as cannot travel under the visa waiver program as I will be in Canada for over 90 days. Is this correct? In this case do I need to apply for a B2 visa?
Reply
Thank you for your email.
Please note that you are not eligible to apply for the ESTA travel permit since you will be working in Canada.
Please review our link on how to apply for a visa http://www.ustraveldocs.com/au/au-niv-visaapply.asp
Please also note the B1/B2 visa validity for Australian passport holders could be for 1 year (no issuance fee) or for 5 years ($27.50 issuance fee).
Kind Regards,
Visa Unit (MS)
US Consulate General Melbourne, Australia
553 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004
Web: http://canberra.usembassy.gov/nonimmigrant-visas.html
Call Center Tel no.: 1300 139 399
Note: Applicants should not pay for travel arrangements (e.g., airfare, hotels) without having a valid visa in their possession. If a visa is approved, in many cases the visa is issued within two business days of the interview. Other applications may take as long as two or three months to process. The Consulate General is unable to guarantee the issuance of a visa before specific travel dates, so applicants are advised to not pay for any travel arrangements before receipt of their visa.
We welcome your feedback!
The Consular section is constantly looking for ways to improve the way we provide information to you relating to Consular services. If you have any suggestions or would like to share your experiences of the website, please email them to: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
So I coughed up and paid the $200 for a 5 year USA tourist visa to be sure
Thanks for all the help. I’ve emailed the US embassy in London to try and get a clear answer. I’d rather not get turned away at JFK if I can avoid it.
If I need to go through all that hassle i’m fairly sure i’m going to cancel as much of my American trip as possible and just go straight to Canada. The cost of trips to London for the interview, another police check, visa fee etc won’t make it worthwhile for 10 days.
Or just fly into Toronto and drive down via Buffalo. They don’t mind if you have the same way in and out. (I went to Seattle before my season started.)
I’ve already paid for my flight to NY and accommodation there. I’ve been told on that other forum that if I buy a flight from the US to Canada then I should be alright. Hopefully I can get away with getting a flight from Seattle to Vancouver. I’ll already be heading there anyway, so it wouldn’t change any of my current plans.
I’ve emailed the US embassy and i’m going to see what they say then make a decision.
So now I have a new issue! I have just found out that there’s no staff accommodation left at Four Seasons, although I bet there was 19 days ago when I replied immediately after receiving the form.
Short of buying a new plane ticket straight Vancouver at an earlier date, I can’t get to Whistler before November 20th. What are my chances of finding affordable accommodation then? Ive searched the usual, kijiji, craigslist, piquenewsmag and a few rental sites. They’re all expensive as a single tennant and they’ll probably all be gone by the time I arrive anyway.
Does anyone know if the WB has staff accommodation available after the season has started?
Yeah, that’s a tough one. Most places that will available around then won’t really be listed right now, as landlords are probably looking for tenants starting a lease for October 1st. I’m kind of in the same situation right now, playing the waiting game. I do believe opportunities will come up but it definitely is stressful waiting.
I think Whistler Blackcomb is pretty good at getting people into staff housing, but you need to be employed by Whistler Blackcomb. Do you have a fallback option for work?
I don’t have another option for work yet. I’ve read in a few places that WB tend to hire again later in the season due to people moving and injuries etc. I was thinking I could afford an expensive place to live for maybe one or two months then hopefully get a job at WB and move into staff housing then.