Passport questions

[nfotiu]

Anyone have any advice or experience in this area.

Okay, I guess I'm kind of stupid. The way the date read on my passport I thought it said that it expired in 07-Mar-2009. But it actually expired in 2007-Mar-09. So... I have plans to go to Canada in October with my 2 yo son who has an American passport.

I thought I had time to get my passport renewed by mail, which is what a Canadian living in the US is supposed to do. But, today I got my application returned saying that my photo wasn't of natural skin tone (WTF?). Now it is too late to apply by mail.

The guy on the passport phone told me that I can get into Canada with an expired passport or a birth certificate, but he wasn't sure the airline would let me on. He said I could get an urgent passport done once in Calgary.

Now this is going to be tight timing because I arrive in Calgary at 12:30 on friday, the monday is a holiday, and I leave Tuesday at noon.

Anyone get a urgent passport before? Am I going to have enough time, the website says 24 hours.

Anyone travel from the US to Canada on an expired passport?

I also have a green card if that makes any difference.

Funny thing is, I went to Canada and back last year on an expired passport without knowing it and no one said anything.

[The Ditch]

Someone correct me if I am wrong because I probably am but I thought as of recently the US required everyone arriving by air to present a valid passport to get into the country, including their own citizens. So it could be a problem getting back into the US, I don't really know about getting into Canada though.

[Jayems]

Originally Posted by The Ditch

Someone correct me if I am wrong because I probably am but I thought as of recently the US required everyone to present a valid passport to get into the country, including their own citizens. So it could be a problem getting back into the US, I don't really know about getting into Canada though.

I read somewhere that upwards of 70% of Americans don't have a valid passport. I'll try and find the link.

Hmm... it seems the numbers jump around a lot.
http://www.gyford.com/phil/writing/2...ny_america.php

[The Ditch]

http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/

this states you need a passport. Wait, maybe not

Originally Posted by Website

All U.S. citizens including children must present a passport or secure travel document when entering the United States by air.

No idea what the bolded part is referring to.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by The Ditch

http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/

this states you need a passport. Wait, maybe not



No idea what the bolded part is referring to.

My plan is to get a passport while in Calgary if there is enough time. I am just hoping that I can get to Calgary and won't be stopped by the airline or Canadian customs. And also once I'm there, that Friday at 1pm->Tuesday at noon is long enough to get an urgent passport with a holiday monday sandwiched in there.

Hmm, I wonder if a green card is a secure travel doc as far as the US is concerned? I doubt it.

[Tilley]

My two bits: If your Green Card is valid you should be able to get back into the country. Whenever I have returned to the U.S. they seem more interested in my Green Card than my Passport. It looks like they use the passport to verify visually that you are who you say you are and use the Green Card to ensure you are legally allowed to enter the country.

My last trip to Canada I renewed my passport while in Calgary and didn't have it with me when I crossed the boarder (driving though). They wanted to see my Green Card though.

Don't mistake this as a guarantee, but bring your Driver's License, Green Card and expired Passport and you might be o.k. Try to get your expired Passport back when you renew and see if the customs officials spot the problem.

[ah123]

If you have everything ready (pictures, forms, etc), it can be done. My sister in law needed a passport to travel to Africa for a family emergency. She went to Harry Hays at 9am and had a passport by 1pm (she was leaving for Africa at 6pm)...ofcourse, it might be that they were just sympathetic because of the family emergency

[nfotiu]

Thanks everyone. Some good info.

The website above let me to this, which makes me think I don't even need a passport to go either way and I should just send in my application by mail again and not waste half of my already short vacation in passport offices.

Foreign nationals that are lawful permanent residents of the U.S. must present a Permanent Resident Card (“Green Card”, INS Form I-551), a Reentry Permit (if gone for more than 1 year), or a Returning Resident Visa (if gone for 2 years or more) to reenter the United States. U.S. LPRs are not required by the U.S. to have a passport for travel, although most foreign destinations will require you to have one to enter their country. (LPRs that are out of the U.S. for more than 180 days are subject to new immigrant inspection procedures as per 8 USC 1101.)

http://help.cbp.gov/cgi-bin/customs....i=&p_topview=1

[ping]

Originally Posted by Tilley

Try to get your expired Passport back when you renew and see if the customs officials spot the problem.

From what I understand, if your passport has been expired for less than a year then you have to give them your old one. In nfotiu's case, since it's been expired for longer than a year, he shouldn't need to return it. At least, that was my experience when I did my passport last month.

Originally Posted by nfotiu

The website above let me to this, which makes me think I don't even need a passport to go either way and I should just send in my application by mail again and not waste half of my already short vacation in passport offices.

If you do decide to get a new passport while in Calgary, see if you can fill in the form online and then print it off. Definitely speeds up your visit!

[CubicleGeek]

Originally Posted by ping

From what I understand, if your passport has been expired for less than a year then you have to give them your old one.

You don't need to return an expired passport period. Here is the excerpt from the application form I just recently filled out:

"Enclose any Canadian passport or travel document issued to you within the last FIVE (5) years."

My old passport expired less than a year ago and they never asked for it.

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by ah123

If you have everything ready (pictures, forms, etc), it can be done. My sister in law needed a passport to travel to Africa for a family emergency. She went to Harry Hays at 9am and had a passport by 1pm (she was leaving for Africa at 6pm)...ofcourse, it might be that they were just sympathetic because of the family emergency

I know someone who recently got their passport on the same day as the application as well. if you choose to go this route, make sure you contact your references, and that they will be available for the passport office to call them -- because they WILL be called.

Going the same day route pretty much doubles the cost of the passport, $80 extra, something like that anyway.

As far as waiting times, it shouldn't be to bad. It can vary from day to day, but when me and my wife went to get ours back in May, we literally just walked in to the Harry Hays, and straight to the counter. No wait at all. So, if you are lucky, a quick trip to the passport office to apply, and a quick one to pick up the passport.

[OBCT]

Originally Posted by nfotiu

Thanks everyone. Some good info.

The website above let me to this, which makes me think I don't even need a passport to go either way and I should just send in my application by mail again and not waste half of my already short vacation in passport offices.

... ... ...

http://help.cbp.gov/cgi-bin/customs....i=&p_topview=1

I'm not sure that's right. In the quoted part (not included in your quote above, in this post) it says, "Foreign nationals that are lawful permanent residents of the U.S. must present a Permanent Resident Card (“Green Card”, INS Form I-551), a Reentry Permit (if gone for more than 1 year), or a Returning Resident Visa (if gone for 2 years or more) to reenter the United States. <snip>" Unless you're a "foreign national", I don't think this applies. Or am I reading it wrong?

[icarus]

Airports and border officials scan passports so it's not a question of someone being lazy and not noticing, it will beep to their attention if there is an issue.

How far do you live from Washington? Could just go to the Canadian Embassy there. I just got a new passport from the Consulate in Sydney and it took three weeks or less, I would imagine it would take even less time in Washington.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Ok a few questions.

You are a citizen of what country?

You live where?

Where are you traveling to?

Incase I don't get back to you in time. In order to travel TO Canada you need the following.

If you are a Canadian citizen. You just need to prove you are a citizen. A birth certificate showing you were born on or after Feb 27th 1977 and government sanctioned picture id (driver licence, PAL, ect) is prima facia evidence of Canadian citizenship. An expired passport is prima facia evidence.

If you are a US citizen. You need a birth certificate and government sanctioned picture id to enter Canada. You do NOT need a valid passport to enter Canada if you are a US citizen.

If you are a US permanent resident. You need to have a valid US permanent resident card.

All these docs are suffecient to seek entry into Canada. Going back to the USA is a different story.

[nfotiu]

I am a Canadian citizen/US Permanent Resident with a green card.

This is what I am understanding now:
Birth certificate or expired Cdn passport to get into Canada.

Green card to get back into US.

[Canada 02]

bump

i've had my passport app. rejected twice because my photos had issues (shadow and the slightest glare on the rim of my glasses)

where can you get a Canadian passport photo taken reliably in the USA?

[maverickstruth]

While I can't suggest any places in the states, one thing I can suggest is to take your glasses off for your passport photos. Most places in Canada won't even take the photo with the glasses on -- it's like asking for an automatic rejection.

Other suggestions: have the passport place take the photo as bright as they can without the background changing colors or skin tone, pixelating or causing shine on the face; put on some makeup and/or baby powder before the photo to reduce shine as much as possible.

And if all else fails, try to find a place that will guarantee that any rejected picture will be retaken for free. Sometimes, even photos that would seem perfect are getting rejected (rumor has it that this is because of the backlog, the passport folks are buying themselves more time by rejecting photos for any and all reasons).

[LChoy]

Are US and Canadian Passport picture standards the same? Although it's more expensive, I usually get my photos done at the same building the passport office is at. There seems to always be a photoshop in the Federal buildings for that purpose

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by lchoy

Are US and Canadian Passport picture standards the same? Although it's more expensive, I usually get my photos done at the same building the passport office is at. There seems to always be a photoshop in the Federal buildings for that purpose

yes, the US and Canadian passport photo standards are different; plus i live in the States, 4 hours from the nearest Canadian consul, so the option you propose is not feasible

[ken0042]

Having recently experienced issues here with my g/f's pictures for her Filipino passport, the one tip I would suggest is try an actual photography studio; and pick the one closest to the Canadian Consolate Office.

Pay a little extra but you'll get it done right.