the BMB

Hey guys, I am in a bit of a bind and figured seeing as all of my other (albeit slightly more snowboarding related) questions have been answered on here without too much fuss I would have another swing and see if i couldn't have another hit...

My problem goes something like this: I am travelling to Canada at the end of this year for 6-9 months to work in the snow (as a great deal of Australian's seem to do), and am going to be heading to Panorama, hence I will be flying to Calgary. The cheapest flights I can get at this stage are with a stopover in LA on the way there, and Chigago on the way back, which would be all good, except for where my problem comes in, which is the Visa Waiver Program...

As far as all of the information I can get so far tells me, when I enter the US (even for a stopover) the 90 days of the VWP starts counting, and because I am only then going in to Canada, and it isn't considered "leaving" the US, the 90 days will continue to count up until it obviously expires halfway through my trip...

In further to that, (again as far as I am aware) the 90 days do not reset while i am only in Canada, and according to the consulate website, my best option when coming back through the US is to "convince the official who will be interviewing you that you are not trying to "game" the system", or actually getting a US visa which as far as I can see wouldn't really have a point to it, seeing as in total I will be in the US for all of 8 hours over 6-9 months...

Basically what I am wondering is whether any SH (or other international) folk have had any experience with this (i.e. trying to convince immigration officials of your innocence) before, or whether anyone in the US knew someone who knows someone (or even themselves) who would know more about this issue, and from that whether it would be worth the $300 odd I am saving on the airfare just to go with the more expensive option and not stop in the US...

Hopefully you can get through the wall of text, any help would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks again,

Bangabain

hey

i can't technically help you with the visa stuff, but being a person who hates airlines, airline travel in general and especially american customs, i don't think paying an extra 300 for the peace of mind of not worrying about it sounds too bad to me.

I'd pay up to $320 for peace of mind.  Oh wait, that is what I pay for an ounce of prevention.

I can get you an ounce much cheaper...

 

Cheers for the quick reply drjcv, I think I will end up going with the direct route just for as you said the peace of mind of knowing I'm not going to have to worry about it...I think I was more just after confirmation that US Customs are actually difficult to deal with (which you have provided) as I haven't really had any issues/experience of reasoning with customs etc before so yeah...

Anyway thanks again,

Bangabain

Now when you fill out your customs / immigration form for the U.S., you normally write something like "transit to Canada" when you're asked to list the address of the place you're staying.

I think normally the immigration officers understand that to be transit and you are not starting the "90-day clock", so to speak. Otherwise, i think explaining the situation to the officer will normally clear things up.

this sounds like something your consulate could answer for you

i'm pretty sure it's 90 days in a year total stay in the US and not what you think
you got nothing to worry about