If a Thai national is flying to Canada from Thailand via the U.S. (transit only) with a Canadian tourist/visitor visa, would he also need a U.S. visa if landing there in transit?

If a Thai national is flying to Canada from Thailand via the U.S. (transit only) with a Canadian tourist/visitor visa, would he also need a U.S. visa if landing there in transit?

Yes, any entry into the USA, even transit only, requires a Visa or if eligible a VW.

Extrace From www.uscis.gov Until further notice, all in-transit passengers and passengers

on progressive flights will be inspected at the first U.S.

port of arrival. This supersedes previous in-transit passenger

processes. These new procedures also require CBP inspection of progressive flights (flights clearing passengers at more than one port) at the first port.

Have a great week.

Peter

If a Thai national is flying to Canada from Thailand via the U.S. (transit only) with a Canadian tourist/visitor visa, would he also need a U.S. visa if landing there in transit?

Yes, any entry into the USA, even transit only, requires a Visa or if eligible a VW.

Extrace From www.uscis.gov Until further notice, all in-transit passengers and passengers

on progressive flights will be inspected at the first U.S.

port of arrival. This supersedes previous in-transit passenger

processes. These new procedures also require CBP inspection of progressive flights (flights clearing passengers at more than one port) at the first port.

Have a great week.

Peter

So, does this mean that people flying to Canada via USA will basically have clear custom's inspection twice -- once in the USA and then again in Canada, or does it mean that the USA customs officials are now doing the job for Canada Customs Department in these situations? (Or have totally misinterpreted the above post?)

My normal route back home is usually via Chicago O'Hare then Toronto.

Yes you will need to go through immigration and customs.

But I have found that when customs Canada at Pearson In TO see that I have passed through USA customs, they usually just wave me through with a nice "Welcome home sir"

My normal route back home is usually via Chicago O'Hare then Toronto.

Yes you will need to go through immigration and customs.

But I have found that when customs Canada at Pearson In TO see that I have passed through USA customs, they usually just wave me through with a nice "Welcome home sir"

TWOV = Transit With Out Visa

Following from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, if you can understand the gobbleygook, just confirms what was posted earlier that the program has been suspended, you need a visa. That's $130 added on to the cost of your ticket, unfortunately!

Mac

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/iti_transit.xml

Transiting the U.S.

TWOV and ITI Programs

(10/02/2007)On August 7, 2003, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs published regulations suspending the TWOV and ITI transit programs based on credible intelligence concerning a specific threat of exploitation of the TWOV and ITI programs by terrorist organizations.

The TWOV and ITI programs remain suspended indefinitely. The Department of Homeland Security is presently promulgating interim regulations to reinstate a security-enhanced transit program.

Progressive Clearance Program

All progressive clearance passengers will have their passports processed by CBP at the first port of arrival; their luggage will be processed at the second port of destination.

Progressive clearance passengers must retain their stamped Customs declaration so that it can be presented to Customs officials at the appropriate U.S. port of final destination.

Stopover passengers who board at the first port will have their Customs Declaration top stamped "Domestic," for presentation at the subsequent U.S. port of arrival.

These procedural changes for the Progressive Clearance Program does not apply to flights arriving from the following countries: Afghanistan, Egypt, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

Carriers are required to enter into a Progressive Clearance Agreement with CBP Headquarters prior to commencement of progressive clearance privileges. Carriers are instructed to contact the CBP port director at the first port of arrival for the port-specific Progressive Clearance Agreement.

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You have to go through US immigration and security for your onward journey into Canada. BTW when I flew into San Francisco for my onward connection to Toronto, I had to collect my luggage in San Francisco, go through US immigration and inspection, and then recheck my luggage and then go through the whole bording security "thing" again, even though I was just transferring planes. Make sure that your carry on luggage does not contain any liquids in bottles over 100 mlt. and fits into a baggie that is supplied at the airport. The US inspectors follow the law to the letter regarding carry on luggage and limits, and are not as lax as the rest of the world. Upon landing in Canada, you have to go through Canadian immigration and customs. Be aware that if you are a male travelling alone, you will likely be asked to show your laptop computer for inspection if travelling with one at Canadian customs.