Crossing Canadian border by land - green card holders

[Anonymous]

We are going to Vancouver - flying to seattle from DC and crossing over by land. My parents are permanent residents. I am reading on Canadian border sites that permanent residents do not need passports, and can only show their green cards.
Does anyone have experience with this?

Also - my passport (US citizen) never gets stamped when crossing the border by land. What about foreign passports - do they get stamped when crossing by land?

[Anonymous]

I found this.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=593&t=16

It might be best to spend the time on the phone and find out right from them.

[Anonymous]

You can cross into Canada without a passport, you just can't get cross back without one.

[Anonymous]

op here. i found this. if you are crossing by land, you do not need a passport - these links say.

http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5023-eng.html#s2x4

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1191/kw/permanent%20residents%20-%20documents%20needed%20to%20enter%20us

[Anonymous]

I'm a green card holder who has pretty frequently crossed land borders into Canada (spouse from a border state).

No way would I ever leave the US or attempt to cross any international border without my passport. That just seems so imprudent.

[Anonymous]

Canadian here- You need a passport. Canada isn't done Mickey Mouse country.

[Anonymous]

*isnt some

[Anonymous]

Canadian again- I'm sorry but this question is very frustrating because Americans know NOTHING about Canada. Anyways some helpful less snarky info: You will not be allowed in Canada without a passport. If by some miracle they let you through and they won't because it's against the law, you don't be able to leave Canada. US customs it the border by Vancouver is no joke. Plus you will wait a long time. You should fly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Canadian again- I'm sorry but this question is very frustrating because Americans know NOTHING about Canada. Anyways some helpful less snarky info: You will not be allowed in Canada without a passport. If by some miracle they let you through and they won't because it's against the law, you don't be able to leave Canada. US customs it the border by Vancouver is no joke. Plus you will wait a long time. You should fly.

You are probably the angriest Canadian I've ever encountered. Chill out, please. OP is doing her research. Just help her out with any info you know and stop getting so worked up.

[Anonymous]

OP here. IT clearly says in these two links that Permanent residents DO NOT REQUIRE a passport to enter Canada by land. you do need a passport if you fly. The same about going back - US link says - you DO NOT NEED a passport to go back to the US if you are permanent resident. Am i wrong?

http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5023-eng.html#s2x4

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1191/...nts%20needed%20to%20enter%20us

[Anonymous]

OP here. Just called Canadian border services. My parents will need a green card and a driver's license (US) to cross into Canada by land. They will only need a green card to cross back into the states (called US border services).

[Anonymous]

OP is here. We came back from vacation. Parents only needed green cards - nothing else. You can enter Canada and enter the US with JUST green cards, no passports, no other IDs required.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP is here. We came back from vacation. Parents only needed green cards - nothing else. You can enter Canada and enter the US with JUST green cards, no passports, no other IDs required.

Huh. Turns out Canada is some Mickey Mouse country after all.

[Anonymous]

Why wouldn't they bring passports?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why wouldn't they bring passports?

Yea, this. It's not like the passport is 500lbs and 40 inches wide. Just throw it in the bag and be done with it.