Travel to US then Canada.... things required?

[Munter]

Ok I am being sent by work to the US for a week on Monday then on to Toronto. Ummm fun.

All travel I have done so far has avoided the US. So what do I need to do? I seem to remember something about a website you need to fill in so they can check you out before you arrive.... Do I need to find that. A simple google turned up nothing easy to follow.

Any other hints to speed up things in airports. (No I dont yet know what my flights are, but likely LHR start and Richmond finish with a bounce off AN-Other airport)

[Plotloss]

The only thing you need to get into the US is a biro.

To fill in your I94W on the plane

Oh and ideally, in customs when you land in the US, be entirely dour faced and humourless, dont smile, it puts them on edge.

[130R]

Passport
Don't mention the word "work"

[Munter]

130R said:

Passport
Don't mention the word "work"

Wont the briefcase, bowler hat, suit and umbrella alert them?

[JMGS4]

Munter said:

Ok I am being sent by work to the US for a week on Monday then on to Toronto. Ummm fun.
All travel I have done so far has avoided the US. So what do I need to do? I seem to remember something about a website you need to fill in so they can check you out before you arrive.... Do I need to find that. A simple google turned up nothing easy to follow.
Any other hints to speed up things in airports. (No I dont yet know what my flights are, but likely LHR start and Richmond finish with a bounce off AN-Other airport)

The new pre-registration starts in january 09 I believe. You'll find out how civilised Canada is after you experience US immigration and customs. Even the americans are totally peed off with those $5-an-hour morons (a burger-flipper is more intelligent)!!!!

[tinman0]

You can enter on "business" I believe, but never sure what "business" really means.

[youngsyr]

Take your time going through customs, I rushed and was first off the plane as I only had 3 hours in LA before my transfer and was hoping to get to a local mall.

Surprise, surprise I got pulled for a luggage inspection.

[MrVelox]

A Tri-Band or ideally a Quad-Band phone.

A Passport

Money, things are much cheaper here than in the UK, go shopping.

An open mind. Leave the notion that the country and people are anything like what has been drilled into your head back home.

Where are you going to be staying?

Oh, and welcome to America!

[2something]

As others have said you aren't allowed to go there for 'work', but you are allowed on 'business'.

Saying that, when asked as JFK I said was working there for a couple of weeks, then couldn't work out why the immigration guy kept on asking me about walking (think accents). He then asked me where I worked and what I did, then let me through with no fuss.

But it's easier not to say working in the first place, it definitely raises a red flag.

[Munter]

youngsyr said:

Take your time going through customs, I rushed and was first off the plane as I only had 3 hours in LA before my transfer and was hoping to get to a local mall.

Surprise, surprise I got pulled for a luggage inspection.

Ah ha. Had not thought about it but I'll have to do customes at AN-Other then before catching the internal flight. Makes sense I just didn't think about it.

[Munter]

MrVelox said:

Where are you going to be staying?

Oh, and welcome to America!

I've got next week in richmond virginia. But that'll all be business. Then on the Friday I fly out to Toronto and have the weekend there before more business Mon-Wed and flying back on the Wed night.

Basically I'll be seeing at least 4 Taxis 2 hotels and 2 office blocks, and inbetween offices I get to explore Toronto.

[130R]

tinman0 said:

You can enter on "business" I believe, but never sure what "business" really means.

I once mentioned to US customs by mistake that I was there for "training and some work" and was told in no uncertain terms that I was there for "training". You are not allowed to work at all except to negotiate a deal or attend a conference or something like that.

[MrVelox]

Richmond... fk.. not a hell of a lot to do there really.

Some suggestions tho... while you are here, have a proper burger. www.fiveguys.com Fantastic and the chips are available with malt vinegar if ketchup isn't your thing.

Toronto is a nice town, Canadian immigration can be a bh however. Shame you wont have some more free time tho.

[Highway Star]

130R said:

tinman0 said:

You can enter on "business" I believe, but never sure what "business" really means.

I once mentioned to US customs by mistake that I was there for "training and some work" and was told in no uncertain terms that I was there for "training". You are not allowed to work at all except to negotiate a deal or attend a conference or something like that.

eh?

He probably thought you meant you were there 'to work' (i.e. get a new job without a visa) rather than 'on work', if you get my meaning.

I go to the States all the time for work and never have any trouble with immigration. Just be honest about what you are there for, be polite and you'll have no trouble.