Need help, have to go to Canada tomorrow for business.

[NedFromYork]

Driving across. Have my passport, have my hotel confirmation. Do I need info on who I am meeting and where?

Need anything else to.get across?

Should I take some petty Canadian cash, convert $20 USD to Canadian just to have?

Does EZ-Pass work in Canada?

Main credit card is corporate Mastercard.

THANKS!!!

 

[ClarkstonMark]

You will be asked why you are coming and where you are going. But a verbal answer is usually sufficient. I just started carrying an invitation letter, but have never had to pull it out.
You don't need cash, cc is fine.

 

[ILLINOISLION]

Tim Hortons.....you’re going to Tim Hortons to get a latte for outraged Bob !

 

[lein]

Double check things like car insurance.

 

[john4psu]

Cell phone plan good for all of North America without any surcharges?

 

[Sullivan]

Driving across. Have my passport, have my hotel confirmation. Do I need info on who I am meeting and where?

Need anything else to.get across?

Should I take some petty Canadian cash, convert $20 USD to Canadian just to have?

Does EZ-Pass work in Canada?

Main credit card is corporate Mastercard.

THANKS!!!

I'd try to minimize how much cash you exchange. Most of the places that exchange currency take advantage of you.

For the most part, try to use your MasterCard -- credit cards generally provide you with the best exchange rate.

 

[psuro]

Driving across. Have my passport, have my hotel confirmation. Do I need info on who I am meeting and where? They may ask, but if you know whom you are meeting and where, that should be sufficient for verbal answer.

Need anything else to.get across? Don't bring drugs. They just legalized marijuana and don't want the competition.

Should I take some petty Canadian cash, convert $20 USD to Canadian just to have? No, you are fine.

Does EZ-Pass work in Canada? I don't think so.

Main credit card is corporate Mastercard. You should have no problem.

THANKS!!!

Oh, and I think radar detectors are still illegal in Canada.

 

[Agoodnap]

Canadian Customs are very touchy about bringing "samples" into Canada. Try to not have anything that looks like it is "for sale" and if they ask (they will ask) tell them you don't have anything that will be left behind.

 

[Nitt1300]

if you have a DUI or anything else like that on your record you won't get in- Canada doesn't tolerate a-holes

 

[psuro]

if you have a DUI or anything else like that on your record you won't get in- Canada doesn't tolerate a-holes

pfft....I have been there. Lots of times.

 

[Nitt1300]

pfft....I have been there. Lots of times.

they like your sig pics

 

[pandaczar12]

Driving across. Have my passport, have my hotel confirmation. Do I need info on who I am meeting and where?

Need anything else to.get across?

Should I take some petty Canadian cash, convert $20 USD to Canadian just to have?

Does EZ-Pass work in Canada?

Main credit card is corporate Mastercard.

THANKS!!!

Agree with most of what others have posted. You don't need cash, just be honest at the border. I don't remember any Canadian toll roads, and I've been all over. Get your phone plan changed to international calling, and let your credit card know where you will be traveling. Make sure to stop some morning at a Tim Horton's... and if you miss your turn, just drive 1000 more feet (0.3 km) to the next Tim Horton's.

Where are you going in Canada?

 

[pointingdogsrule]

Make sure that you don't take any "live-bait" such as minnows (NOT allowed). Oh, that's right you are going on business

 

[Ct. Lion]

if you have a DUI or anything else like that on your record you won't get in- Canada doesn't tolerate a-holes

This is 100% accurate and not to be taken lightly. They have what is known as the "Undesirables Law". If you have a criminal record of most any kind you have to go through extra steps to get that cleared before you will be allowed entry. This got very tightly controlled after 9/11 primarily at the road crossings. Flying in is easier.
I lived in Buffalo for six years in the late 70s and 80s and crossing into Canada was very easy. A few questions, maybe show a drivers license, etc. Now it is not and if they pull you over for more questions they have access to a lot of U.S. information.
I used to lead fishing groups into Canada to fish the un-colonized areas of northern Quebec. Prior to 9/11 no problem getting everyone across the border. After 9/11 the Canadian customs would pull us over if it looked like we were sportsmen and if anyone had a DUI they were denied access and one vehicle had to turn back. Other kinds of criminal records had different consequences. At first, I stopped travelling in groups and finally I just stopped doing these group fishing trips.

 

[NedFromYork]

Cell phone plan good for all of North America without any surcharges?

Yes, thank you.

 

[NedFromYork]

Where are you going in Canada?

Ottawa

 

[kgilbert78]

Tim Hortons.....you’re going to Tim Hortons to get a latte for outraged Bob !

Eh, we have them in Ohio--only thing wrong with them is corporate got rid of the butter tarts.

 

[kgilbert78]

Agree with most of what others have posted. You don't need cash, just be honest at the border. I don't remember any Canadian toll roads, and I've been all over. Get your phone plan changed to international calling, and let your credit card know where you will be traveling. Make sure to stop some morning at a Tim Horton's... and if you miss your turn, just drive 1000 more feet (0.3 km) to the next Tim Horton's.

Where are you going in Canada?

Toronto has toll roads--with EZ pass. Not sure about other areas. Not sure a US EZ pass works in Canada--but they have the license plate recognizer like the Mass Tpk and bill you.

 

[Agoodnap]

If you need to send a Fax, I've heard this is the place to go.

http://www.barefax.com/

 

[CF LION]

I flew into Ottawa once and made that mistake at customs by telling them the truth that I was there on business. Had to buy a NAFTA work permit. This was shortly after NAFTA went into effect so I have no idea if they still require this.

 

[sluggo72]

I flew into Ottawa once and made that mistake at customs by telling them the truth that I was there on business. Had to buy a NAFTA work permit. This was shortly after NAFTA went into effect so I have no idea if they still require this.

I have heard this too. I think I would just be visiting, and tell them where you are staying.

 

[Obliviax]

you've gotta do me a favor.

I interviewed with a company in Toronto about five years ago so drove up twice in two weeks. The Peace bridge is a toll bridge....a dollar at the time. There are something like 30 booths you can pull into to pay the toll. So I pull up, unsure what to do, and hesitate. As I look at the toll taker, he looks at me and says "Make your move" like we are Glenn Ford and Gene Autry in a draw. So a week later, driving up, I pull into a booth. As luck would have it, same guy. He looks at me, I look at him, and he says again "make your move!". I start laughing and give him my money. So, when you pay your toll driving over the bridge, hesitate a second and see if the guy says "make your move".

 

[Pardlion]

Driving across. Have my passport, have my hotel confirmation. Do I need info on who I am meeting and where?

Need anything else to.get across?

Should I take some petty Canadian cash, convert $20 USD to Canadian just to have?

Does EZ-Pass work in Canada?

Main credit card is corporate Mastercard.

THANKS!!!

I got diverted to the office when I told the officer at the booth that I was coming in for business. They asked me a bunch of dumb questions like “why can’t a Canadian do what you do” and then sent me on my way. I cant recall if I had an invitation letter that time.

 

[Obliviax]

I got diverted to the office when I told the officer at the booth that I was coming in for business. They asked me a bunch of dumb questions like “why can’t a Canadian do what you do” and then sent me on my way. I cant recall if I had an invitation letter that time.

The proper response is "Officer, what is this all aboot?"

 

[Nitt1300]

I hear they are building a wall and are going to makes us pay for it

 

[Obliviax]

I hear they are building a wall and are going to makes us pay for it

Good news is, it is half done! I've got 60 feet of back yard, 60' of cliff, and 60 miles of water to Canada. If those Canucks attack, I am the first line of defense. Wolverines!

 

[Dixi]

I visit Canada (BC) via car every year on leisure, and I used to visit via air (YYZ) on business as a temporary "business visitor" and coming from the USA you don't need any additional paperwork if you meet that category. Look it up on the immigration site.

I would recommend being 100% truthful as they will know a lot more about you than you may expect. I purchased a shotgun a few years ago (my only firearm) and on my first trip back after that they were asking me questions about it. They may also ask you about your last visit and what that visit was for, so be prepared to answer that.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

The proper response is "Officer, what is this all aboot?"

I’m not your buddy, guy!!!

 

[massimoManca II]

Oh, and I think radar detectors are still illegal in Canada.

Who the hell still uses a radar detector?

 

[Nitt1300]

Who the hell still uses a radar detector?

 

[massimoManca II]

Meh, F-35... #overpricedjunk

 

[Nitt1300]

Meh, F-35... #overpricedjunk

F35s are cheap- that's an F22

 

[NedFromYork]

I flew into Ottawa once and made that mistake at customs by telling them the truth that I was there on business. Had to buy a NAFTA work permit. This was shortly after NAFTA went into effect so I have no idea if they still require this.

For a meeting? I'm not "working" per se.

 

[pandaczar12]

For a meeting? I'm not "working" per se.

I've never had a problem going to another country for "meetings".

 

[sluggo72]

For a meeting? I'm not "working" per se.

you mean you are going for educational purposes?

 

[NedFromYork]

you mean you are going for educational purposes?

No, business meeting.

 

[sluggo72]

No, business meeting.

well if its a business meeting, why do you say you arent working?

 

[pandaczar12]

No, business meeting.

If they ask if you are working, just be truthful that you are going for a meeting. A meeting is obviously something that could be accomplished remotely, so be prepared to answer why you are attending in person. Something like "we want to foster the customer relationship by meeting face to face."

I don't know what line of work you are in, but mine raises a lot of eyebrows when entering another country. So when they inevitably ask "what do you do", I tell them the truth, but not all the specifics. (i.e. if you design cruise missiles, tell them you work for an aerospace firm)

Also, be truthful about anything you might be bringing back with you. If you picked up some maple syrup and some small souvenirs... they won't care.

 

[Agoodnap]

You should be careful.

 

[psuro]

Tell them you are there to pay homage to Terry Fox.