Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Abashiri]

My wife just got her Canadian PR card and we are gonna fly to Canada. We were wondering if she will have to apply for a visa or anything if we want to drive through the US...

PS.. we applied for her PR card in January and got it in May - not bad!

[Ya-ta Boy]

For a definitive answer, call the US embassy. Most likely the information they give you will be a tad more accurate than the guy on here who will say that he's never been in your situation, but his co-worker's friend heard from a drunk guy in the bar that...

[Abashiri]

Obviously you have never tried calling the US embassy.

[crazylemongirl]

I would think that she would still need a visa as she is travelling on a korean passport. Just because she has residence doesn't make her a canadian citizen and they are the ones with the visa free travel.

Try looking on the embassy website for details.

[pegpig]

Well, isn't that special. With one swing of the bat you ruined my weekend. We sent in my wife's application back in November and are still waiting. We, unfortunately, went through some company that took care of most of the application crap for what I consider a ridiculous fee. (Don't ask.)

We don't plan to head back to Canada until November or so, so we have time. But, obviously as we near that time we'll get more and more concerned. I think I may have to keep this little secret to myself for now. Else, I think my weekend could really suck.

I would think that she should have no problem entering the US. PR is almost the same as citizenship. There are only a few things they don't qualify for, but you probably knew that. Just my opinion, which isn't worth much when dealing with immigration of any kind.

Congratulations.

[canadian_in_korea]

I think crazylemongirl is right, she isn't a canadian citizen so she might need a visa. Your best bet is to e-mail the american embassy i've done it a few times and they get back to you within a day or two.

[funplanet]

Yes, she can....any landed immigrant of Canada can travel to the US just like a Canadian citizen...

no sweat

[funplanet]

my apologies....I just called an immigration lawyer friend and he said that, due to the Patriot Act, et al...the rules have been changed...

she will need a visa as Korea is not a participant in the VWP

[hellofaniceguy]

Absolutely not...she needs a visa. Koreans are not in VWP..Visa Waiver Program and will not be for a few years still to come. If that. Koreans get their act together...and they could get VWP status.

[funplanet]

the law USE TO BE that any Canadian landed immigrant could enter the US w/o visa, regardless of citizenship...

but, thanks to the "war on terror" it's no longer allowed

[Bulsajo]

I can give you the definitive 1st-hand answer: NO. She will need to apply for a visa.
Be prepared to make an appointment at the nearest consulate and shell out money at every step of the way.
My wife (a 3yr PR) just got a 10 year visa last year and that was at least in part due to my employment, as well as hers.
We know of PRs who have been refused a visitor's visa to the US for no reason other than the Immigration official was not satisfied with the interview in terms of the PR's employment status in Canada and the reasons for travel to the US.

"Permanent residents of Canada must have a nonimmigrant visa unless the permanent resident is a national of a country that participates in the visa waiver program (VWP), meets the VWP requirements, and is seeking to enter the U.S. for 90 days or less under that program."

South Korea does not "particpate" in the Visa Waiver Program.

http://www.usembassycanada.gov/content/content.asp?section=can_usa&subsection1=borderissues&document=borderhelp_temporaryvisitors

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1759.html#1

http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html

[Bulsajo]

[Abashiri]

Wow! Thanks for all the info! I guess it was a good idea to ask on Dave's!