My H (U.S. citizen) just had a stressful experience crossing into Canada at the Alaska /Yukon border. H is driving our son’s car to MN. Our son is moving from Alaska to MN. S realized several weeks ago that his passport was expired and he was told there was a huge backlog for renewal and he would not be able to get it renewed in time for the move. He was also told there was absolutely no way he could enter Canada without a valid passport. H has a valid passport, so he offered to drive S’s car down while S flew to MN. (S considered shipping his car, but it costs a lot.)
Both S and H talked to Canadian border agents separately in the last couple weeks. They said H had to have certain documents, auto title, permission to drive the vehicle, itinerary, etc. Just driving across. No sightseeing, etc. H carefully planned every stop, had reservations for overnight stays. When he got to the border, the agent told H that S could’ve crossed without a passport (??) (with DL and birth certificate), but it was unnecessary for H to drive S’s car. Agent said H and S “didnt do their homework,” --but what he said contradicted what they were told on the phone.
After a lot of talk/delay, agent let H enter Canada, but told H he had to stay only on a particular designated route-- that would add another day to his drive. (Not feasible). Agent said H could not stay in any motels or B&Bs–that he had to sleep in his car (a sedan) for 4 nights?? A family who had just moved to Alaska and crossed through Canada (in a camper) told S that, when they entered Canada they were asked to show that they had enough food for their entire trip to Alaska, because they would not be able to enter any stores or restaurants in Canada. (H does have food and water…)
Believe me, I tried my best to veto this trip. I just knew it wouldn’t go right. H is now somewhere in the Yukon…
I believe you can do land/sea crossings into Canada without a passport with other documents (birth certificate/certificate of naturalization, ID) but slapping down a passport is just easier.
The whole thing about sleeping in your car, not buying food is ridiculous. Do they allow you to buy gas?
I think it would have been easier to sell the car in Alaska.
Wowser @atomom!
@atomom I’m sorry your DH is having difficulties. There are also restrictions on Canadians stopping in certain provinces or territories, depending on where they started their trip. Certain areas of the country, including the Yukon, Saskatchewan and Manitoba have had very low covid numbers and they don’t want anyone, not matter their nationality, from bringing it in. Americans and Canadians who don’t follow the rules are subject to massive fines.
This website gives the requirements to cross the border by land/sea or air. Your son didn’t need a passport. https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/western-hemisphere-travel-initiative
I sent my ds’ US passport in for renewal in mid-June. It was set to expire in December. I was hoping to get the new one by Christmas. I got the new one back in 2 weeks. I guess the length of the wait depends on where your processing center is.