Hi friends,
I will be going to Windsor (with work permit) in August. I am coming with my wife and 8 months old baby. Now I am living in Belgium. I have few questions regarding air travel.
one option is to go to Detroit from Brussels with one change in NY. Another option is to go to Amsterdam by train (2hrs) and catch a Air Canada flight to Toronto and to take train (3 hrs)/ shuttle (5hrs) from there to Windsor
I am planning to take US visit visa. so that I can go via Detroit.
Merits for Detroit route is I can give all my check in luggage in Brussels airport and travel with only hand baggage up to Detroit.
In the Toronto route I need to take all luggage ( 4 suitcases + hand baggage) with me in train up to Amsterdam and once again from Toronto to Windsor. We have kid with us so its difficult to handle that luggage.
Only drawback with Detroit route is I have to pass through US immigration. I do not know how much hassle it is in terms of standing in queues etc and later crossing the Canadian border at Ambassador Bridge.
Can anybody suggest which route is better?
Thank you in advance
Location: Western Hemisphere
Posted on: 20-07-06 21:33:55
Quote:
Originally posted by skyleuven
one option is to go to Detroit from Brussels with one change in NY. Another option is to go to Amsterdam by train (2hrs) and catch a Air Canada flight to Toronto and to take train (3 hrs)/ shuttle (5hrs) from there to Windsor
Looks like NY JFK will be your port of entry based on what you have said above. Therefore, although your luggage will be tagged and checked-in till Detroit, you will have to clear immigration, claim your baggage, and clear customs at NY. Then you can "drop" the bag off at transit so your bags will continue to DTW.
From JFK to DTW, it will be a domestic flight.
You can also fly from Toronto to Windsor. There are about 4 to 7 flights a day from Tor to Win. Again, your port of entry is Tor where you have to clear imm, claim bags and clear customs before dropping off again for the final connection.
Don't they have flights from Brussels to AMS (although, it would be a real short one)? AMS to DTW has a lot of flights, especially during summer.
If you enter US, you will be a transit passenger. Assuming you hold an Indian passport, you will be required to fill in an I-94 and then be fingerprinted, photographed per US-VISIT regulations. Immigration is not all that difficult, yes, there might be lines, but that depends on the time of arrival and how many flights have come in at the same time.
Also, the US immigration may ask you to show proof of continuing travel to Canada and your would-be status in Canada.
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Dimple2001
Hi dimple,
Thank you very much for the detailed info. I did not know that I had to claim the baggage at JFK. It was really essential to plan the connecting flight timing. Connecting flight gaps ranging from 2 hrs to 5 hrs. I will choose longer gap one to be able to finish all these formalities. I shall be able to show the proof of continuing journey to Canada and would be status.
I am planning to take a US visit visa rather than transit visa so that it will be useful in future also. I think so transit visa is only valid up to transit area to take a connecting flight heading to a Canadian destination in the airport and with that they don't allow me to enter Detroit city to head towards Windsor. am I correct?
I will take US visit visa saying I am going to visit US to spend few weeks’ holidays but actually i will go straight away from DTW to Windsor. At the most if we are tired we may stay there in DTW for one day. I hope it is not a problem if I say that during immigration clearance.
apart from baggage handling advantage DTW route ticket is only € 505 per person. also many many flights are there from BRU to DTW by Delta, continental and American airlines. They take 2X32kg check in baggage up to destination;.
There are no direct flights from BRU to TOR. Best option is to go to AMS to take direct flight to TOR. BRU-AMS-TOR-WIN route costs € 750 per person if I take trains before and later. If I take flights BRU-AMS and later TOR-WIN it may be around €1100 per person. I did not consider taking these short flights; not because of cost alone but they don't take more than 20 Kg check in baggage (Europe domestic flight, Canada domestic flight) whereas check in luggage is 2X32Kg for AMS-TOR flight. Since i am relocating and having lot of luggage i can not take these domestic flights. As I said earlier trains allow me to take 2X32 Kg with me but handling is problem.
Despite all this I was thinking this route only to Avoid US immigration. But from your message I find it may not be a problem.
Is this DTW route preferentially used by windsorites those who have US visit visa?
Thanking you once again and look forward for your opinion.
Location: Western Hemisphere
Posted on: 21-07-06 12:31:31
Quote:
Originally posted by skyleuven
I am planning to take a US visit visa rather than transit visa so that it will be useful in future also. I think so transit visa is only valid up to transit area to take a connecting flight heading to a Canadian destination in the airport and with that they don't allow me to enter Detroit city to head towards Windsor. am I correct?
I don't think there is a transit visa. You will be issued a visitor B2 visa to transit through US.
Once you clear immigration and customs, there's nothing stopping you from entering US. There are no restrictions.
However, normally, the allowed duration of stay is stamped in the passport and in the I-94. In your case where it is a transit, I am not sure how long they would let you stay in the US. That stamp will pretty much decide your legal stay in the US, whether it is 24 hrs or 24 days.
Quote:
I will take US visit visa saying I am going to visit US to spend few weeks’ holidays but actually i will go straight away from DTW to Windsor. At the most if we are tired we may stay there in DTW for one day. I hope it is not a problem if I say that during immigration clearance.
Just say you are going to Windsor directly. Do not offer alternate plans. Keep it simple.
Quote:
Despite all this I was thinking this route only to Avoid US immigration. But from your message I find it may not be a problem.
Have you already obtained your visa? Looks like you have not. While you visit the US consulate for the visa application, you will be asked all these questions as to why you are interested in entering the US. That interview, if there is one, will give a good idea what you are faced with and what you can expect at the US port of entry.
Quote:
Is this DTW route preferentially used by windsorites those who have US visit visa?
DTW is preferred airport for Windsor residents. I don't know about people who need US visa to enter US. DTW is a major intl airport that caters to people in SW ON and MI, northern Ohio and NE Indiana. Same as people from Vermont (or is it Maine) going to Montreal Intl airport.
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Dimple2001
Hi
Thank you once again,
There is transit visa. text from web link is given below (http://brussels.usembassy.gov/transit2.html)
categories of visas
Transit Visas (C)
Transit visas are meant for travellers who intend to pass in immediate and continuous transit through the U.S to another country. In general, travellers in transit through the United States require valid C visas, unless they are eligible to transit the United States visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.
Your travel booking showing you intend only to transit the U.S. must have been booked in advance in order to qualify for a transit visa. Please note, however, that an airline ticket is no guarantee that a visa will be issued.
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Also visitors visa B2 is valid for 10 yrs. This visa can be used to actually go outside to airport. Though this visa gives only right to seek entry to US but not guarantee that and admission is very much dependent on convincing the immigration official. but normally not problematic and they allow to go once you have this visa.
I have yet to get visit visa. I have invitation letter from friends in USA. based on that I will apply so that I keep using this visa to visit US in future also it is what other guys are doing. I think so visit visa can be used for transit purpose but not vice-versa. In fact I can say that I am going to Canada so that they may give me short time this time.
one smaller question. If i take shuttle bus from DTW to Windsor will he wait for me at boarder if it takes longer time because it is first time and many formalities have to be completed than a regular border crossing people? How about taking a taxi; how much they will charge?
Thanking you
Location: Western Hemisphere
Posted on: 21-07-06 13:44:31
Okay...I learnt something new. I wasn't aware of the transit visa. Thanks for that info.
I am aware of the visitor visa. A 10 year visitor visa is not automatic. It all depends on the issuing post and the issuing officer. My parents once got a 2 year visa while at the same time my mother in law received a 10 year visa. So it all depends.
You are correct. You can use the B2 to transit, but cannot use transit as visit visa.
Are you sure there is a shuttle from DTW airport to Windsor? Or are you refering to the Tunnel Bus that runs between Detroit downtown (20 miles away from the airport) to Windsor downtown via the tunnel?
Shuttles normally will not wait for you. They have to maintain time and schedule. So, if you take the shuttle, you will have to continue on using a taxi from the border.
There are taxis at the airport. Look into the DTW airport website and you will find info on taxis and limos and stuff. You can either call them or maybe the rates are posted on the web.
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Dimple2001
ya there are many shuttle services. one is
http://www.robertq.com/Airbus/index.html which charge $32 one way from DTW to Windsor.
but now I also found taxi service which charge $57 +
http://www.metroairporttaxi.org/aboutus.htm
I hope this info is useful to others also.
Thank you for your help.
