Im off to Canada next week but only staying for a few days before I venture south to the states on my XT(already in my mates garage in Calgary). I have bought a one way ticket and have just found out that I will either need an entry visa, or a Canadian passport to get in on a one way ticket (Im UK citizen). I have read up a little on it and some people get in without it and some get refused or have to buy a refundable return (hassle!).
Anyone got away with it or got tips for getting around it?
Cheers

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www.onepistononeworld.com

Hi Wink,

That's news to us - we fly to Montreal in July - we will also be on XT's and heading for the States and the TAT.

Would you be so kind as to keep us posted.

Paul

Will do Paul. Not sure if Gatwick has got self check in as i thought that might make it a bit easier. Just going to blag it and try and prove that i am not staying there for long. I think the USA is very hot on 1 way tickets, Canada not so bad.

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www.onepistononeworld.com

Hi Winklepie

Did you recently ship/fly the bike into canada? if so, make sure you have some documentation proving that your bike is already in Canada - air way bill or port paperwork etc etc. The immigration guys generally are very helpful, just make sure you have something to show them to back up your story and you should be good.
also have your mate in Canada's name, address and phone number on you too, just in case they want to verify your story (very unlikely)

if you need a hand with anything, PM me, im in banff.

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Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca

Thanks Gipper

The bike has been sitting idle in his garage for a year since my last trip so no import docs etc. I do have a Carnet for Oz and NZ which starts in Sept too show i will be leaving Canada. I have my friends details etc to bail me out but i would be surprised if i get much hassle. All will be revealed Wednesday!

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www.onepistononeworld.com

Don't worry about it, we had the same worries last September when we started our trip. The airline warned us, the Canadian commission suggested we would need a return ticket, or evidence of onward travel.

On arrival at Toronto we were quizzed by the customs, taken to a room for further questions and then allowed in.

At no time did they actually want to see any onward travel info, or bike shipment info. The just wished us luck and waved us on.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tst...ter/004673.php

As UK citizens we get away with a lot more than other :-)

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http://www.ytc1.co.uk

I am a Canadian citizen (resident in Canada) and I am not aware of any rule that states that you need either a visa or a return ticket to enter the country.

A possible concern that the Canadian Customs and Immigration people might have - and it is a reasonable concern - is that you either might not be able to support yourself while in Canada (and thus become a burden on the public purse), or; that you have no intention of leaving Canada and intend to remain here as an illegal immigrant.

The solution to both of the above potential problems is quite simple - just don't give the Customs officer who does your initial screening any reason to have either of the above concerns.

If you are travelling on a British passport, there is very little reason to suspect a priori that you intend to overstay your welcome in Canada. It's not as if you are coming from some place like Sri Lanka or Zimbabwe and would want to claim refugee status or settle here illegally. So, just look 'normal' when you go through Customs (meaning, dress half-decently, have a clean shave, don't look like you are an indigent) and you should have no problems in that respect.

The other concern of Immigration might be whether or not you have sufficient funds available to purchase a return ticket to the UK. Flights to the UK from Canada are not expensive, generally speaking, if you have some money with you, some credit cards with you, etc. that will be sufficient to put their concerns to rest.

Hope this helps.

Michael

Well folks, i'm in. Had to go through immigration and answer a load of questions but nothing to taxing. Once i had explained what i was up to and they had varified my friends address etc all was ok. They actually seemed quite interested in it all. Went through to pick up my panniers, handed in my entry form and then got all the same questions from that guy! It did take a while but as long as i didnt have to buy a return ticket or get the 'finger', i'm happy. Just got to get the XT running then let playtime begin!!!

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www.onepistononeworld.com

Bring 10 years trying to find Canada and Alaska and the truth is that every time I read a post about the area I have pangs of conscience.

Sorry, wrong post.

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"Old enough to know better, young enough to not care"
2003 Honda XR650R, 2005 Aprilia RSV1000R, 2008 KTM 250XC