Returning home for a visit

[Gambler]

Been here (in florida) for a tad over 5 years and kinda getting the itch for a visit home to Ontario. I have my green card, just sent off the papers to get my Canadian passport. From what I've been reading, I don't really need my passport yet, my green card, Florida licence, should be enough to get back in the States. But what about getting into Canada? Is anything needed for this end? Will they (Canadian Customs) be doing a check on me as a U.S. resident seeing how I've been out of the country for so long? Reckon I'm just curious as to what some of the questions they might be asking!

[waterwaterwaterloolooloo]

They will probably check but everything should be okay as long as you have some kinda of proof you are a Canadian citizen. Do you have your birth cert?

[Gambler]

I have my birth cert, but don't have my Ontario licence which has long expired.

[Reba]

are you driving or flying?

If you're driving, you should be fine, but if you're flying, you'll need a passport when returning to the US.

Your green card should say on it that you're Canadian. Mine does.

[waterwaterwaterloolooloo]

For some reason I assumed he was driving haha. But yeah if you are flying, you have to have a passport. You driver's license isn't going to make a difference really in this case. Your birth cert. will be fine at any land border along with your green card.

[exsailor66]

Keep this in mind. Everything may be fine right now, but make plans to stay in Canada longer, if need be, due to a red alert status. Getting back into the U.S. may be a bit stickier then.

Just a thought.

Good luck,
Mike

[waterwaterwaterloolooloo]

red alert status? what are you talking about? There is no indication of a red alert (severe risk) coming and even if it was in place, do you honestly think they are going to close borders? They are merely going to be more suspicious at the border and they will practice more discretion. The poster has nothing to worry about.

[exsailor66]

Firstly, a red alert could happen in an instant. Do you have a short memory?

I lived in Windsor, ON when 9/11 happened. Even now, it would take time for the added security (ie. National Gaurd.as in the past) to get out of bed, put on their uniforms, get a briefing, and man their posts.

When 9/11 happened, there were thousands of cars and trucks lined up to get accross. They were lined up all the way to Maidstone. The Red Cross and Salvation Army had to set up portable toilets and hand out water bottles and sandwiches, and that didn't happen right away. And, don't count on getting a hotel room when there is that much pressure on their availability.

All I was doing was warning that they may wish to make contingency plans in case their return to the US is delayed.

That's what I'm talking about. The poster has something to CONSIDER (not worry about, as you put it). And, if I were traveling across the border, I would take tons of I.D., including utility bills from the US address. More is better.

And, as I said,"Just a thought".

Cheers,
Mike