USA visa at Canadian border.

[Rick_Riding]

Can anyone give me advice on this situation. Preferably from experience and not just speculation.

I'm planning to enter Alaska on the visa waver system ie. 3 month stay. Cycle down into Canada and spend up to 4 months there.

Leaving Canada by land border. Is it possible to get another 3 month visa on arrival or if not can i get another visa for the US before leaving Canada? (is this possible at the border?)

Thanks for any help with this.

[John Nelson]

What is your nationality?

[DaveB]

Assuming you are not a US citizen, you could contact the  US INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) and get the official answer.

[Rick_Riding]

UK, national.
Was just wondering if anyone had done this in the past. I always like to have a good idea what the answer might be before I ask the question. I've a good idea it isn't that simple, but wonderd if people had found any flexibility for touring cyclists.

[Mark Manley]

I looked into this a couple of years ago and the bad news seems to be that once you enter any US territory your 3 months starts and will keep on running until you leave North America, that is the US, Canada and Mexico, only then can you return and ask for another 3 months.
You can apply for a full tourist visa in the UK before leaving but your period of entry will still be at the discretion of the immigration officer, do not expect them to be understanding of your trip and if you have no home in the UK, job or return ticket they will not let you in at all, make sure all that is in order.

[DanL]

It is a sad state of affairs when someone wants to do the right thing and be legal and to not be rushed when doing a tour and a anyone not caring can cross illegally stay as long as they want. 

[AlbertoC]

We cycled with some folks down in South America who, with a EU passport and starting up in Alaska, got another 3-month stamp when crossing from Alberta to Montana on the gdmbr - they all said the officials were very relaxed at that particular crossing. I myself will be doing the very same thing in about a month, and can report back when I re-enter the US.