going through US customs/immigration in Canada?

[freedream]

Hello all,

 

I found a pretty cheap flight coming from PEK to SFO but it stops in Vancouver, Canada.

 

I understand since it'll be his first port of entry outside China, that he'll have to clear US customs and immigration in Canada then.

 

Does anyone know about this? Is it a BAD IDEA to do that?

 

Should I just have him fly direct to SFO from PEK? (no stopovers in other places)?

 

any experience with this or suggestions will be helpful...

[Randy W]

Hello all,

 

I found a pretty cheap flight coming from PEK to SFO but it stops in Vancouver, Canada.

 

I understand since it'll be his first port of entry outside China, that he'll have to clear US customs and immigration in Canada then.

 

Does anyone know about this? Is it a BAD IDEA to do that?

 

Should I just have him fly direct to SFO from PEK? (no stopovers in other places)?

 

any experience with this or suggestions will be helpful...

 

 

If going through customs in Canada, he may need a transit visa for Canada. Check also to make sure that US Immigration can handle his visa type at that location.

 

Other than that, once he passes through customs, it's just as if he's taking a US domestic flight.

 

But it may just be more complicated than it's worth.

[freedream]

wow, sounds like it haha.

 

For $75-$80 more he can fly straight through to SFO. Probably worth the extra hundred or so bucks.

 

Thank You for the reply!

 

Hello all,

 

I found a pretty cheap flight coming from PEK to SFO but it stops in Vancouver, Canada.

 

I understand since it'll be his first port of entry outside China, that he'll have to clear US customs and immigration in Canada then.

 

Does anyone know about this? Is it a BAD IDEA to do that?

 

Should I just have him fly direct to SFO from PEK? (no stopovers in other places)?

 

any experience with this or suggestions will be helpful...

 

 

If going through customs in Canada, he may need a transit visa for Canada. Check also to make sure that US Immigration can handle his visa type at that location.

 

Other than that, once he passes through customs, it's just as if he's taking a US domestic flight.

 

But it may just be more complicated than it's worth.

[warpedbored]

If the flight has a stop in Canada the airline won't let him board the plane in China without a transit visa. This happened to some people I know here in Portland. they ended up losing the money for the plane ticket and had to book another flight. It doesn't appear difficult to get and is free. This is from the Canadian embassy's website in China.

Transit Applicants

Transit visas are valid only for transit by air through Canada to another destination. The maximum stay in Canada is 48 hours.

 

If you are not transiting to another destination; if you are remaining for more than 48 hours; or if you will be doing business in Canada, you must apply for a "Temporary Resident Visa". Transit visas are not issued to persons intending to stop in Canada to visit.

 

Applicants must submit the following additional documents:

 

 

A letter from the invitor in the country of destination, or a letter of intent stating the purpose of your trip.

A copy of your air ticket and travel itinerary. Please indicate the number of times you will be entering Canada, and the date(s) and time(s) for each entry.

A valid visa for country of final destination and a copy of the visa.

A letter from your employer indicating your name, position, salary, and that your travel to the destination country has been approved for the purpose indicated in the invitation letter. This letter must include the employer¡¯s name and address in Chinese characters as well as the telephone and fax number.

Note: There is no processing fee for a transit visa.

http://geo.international.gc.ca/asia/china/.../default-en.asp

[Missingyou]

You will need a transit visa, without that, you cannot even get on the plane in China in the first place. The check in counter will look for that. To my understanding, you can apply for the transit visa, but the price may not worth it, since if you fly directly to US, it might be just $50 more compare to spending your $$ for transit visa.

 

If you have a US Visa, Canada transit visa is pretty easy to obtain. The Candian Consulate in Beijing will not ask too many questions. You just fill out the applications then send it in, wait for a week to 10 days, you will have your passport w/ visa in the mail.

[freedream]

Well, I'm glad I asked

 

I think just paying about 100 bucks more to go straight from PEK to SFO is well worth it.

 

thanks for the invaluable advice!

 

If the flight has a stop in Canada the airline won't let him board the plane in China without a transit visa. This happened to some people I know here in Portland. they ended up losing the money for the plane ticket and had to book another flight. It doesn't appear difficult to get and is free. This is from the Canadian embassy's website in China.

Transit Applicants

Transit visas are valid only for transit by air through Canada to another destination. The maximum stay in Canada is 48 hours.

 

If you are not transiting to another destination; if you are remaining for more than 48 hours; or if you will be doing business in Canada, you must apply for a "Temporary Resident Visa". Transit visas are not issued to persons intending to stop in Canada to visit.

 

Applicants must submit the following additional documents:

 

 

A letter from the invitor in the country of destination, or a letter of intent stating the purpose of your trip.

A copy of your air ticket and travel itinerary. Please indicate the number of times you will be entering Canada, and the date(s) and time(s) for each entry.

A valid visa for country of final destination and a copy of the visa.

A letter from your employer indicating your name, position, salary, and that your travel to the destination country has been approved for the purpose indicated in the invitation letter. This letter must include the employer¡¯s name and address in Chinese characters as well as the telephone and fax number.

Note: There is no processing fee for a transit visa.

http://geo.international.gc.ca/asia/china/.../default-en.asp

[freedream]

It is a good thing I asked. I was going to have him buy this ticket through Canada...

 

I think a direct flight is more attractive at this point-- worth a few extra bucks.

 

Thanks much for the info! appreciate it much

 

If the flight has a stop in Canada the airline won't let him board the plane in China without a transit visa. This happened to some people I know here in Portland. they ended up losing the money for the plane ticket and had to book another flight. It doesn't appear difficult to get and is free. This is from the Canadian embassy's website in China.

Transit Applicants

Transit visas are valid only for transit by air through Canada to another destination. The maximum stay in Canada is 48 hours.

 

If you are not transiting to another destination; if you are remaining for more than 48 hours; or if you will be doing business in Canada, you must apply for a "Temporary Resident Visa". Transit visas are not issued to persons intending to stop in Canada to visit.

 

Applicants must submit the following additional documents:

 

 

A letter from the invitor in the country of destination, or a letter of intent stating the purpose of your trip.

A copy of your air ticket and travel itinerary. Please indicate the number of times you will be entering Canada, and the date(s) and time(s) for each entry.

A valid visa for country of final destination and a copy of the visa.

A letter from your employer indicating your name, position, salary, and that your travel to the destination country has been approved for the purpose indicated in the invitation letter. This letter must include the employer¡¯s name and address in Chinese characters as well as the telephone and fax number.

Note: There is no processing fee for a transit visa.

http://geo.international.gc.ca/asia/china/.../default-en.asp