In June I am going to Canada for 5 weeks, I have already got my ETA for Canada, but as I will be changing planes in the states, do I need an ESTA, I cannot find the answer to this, I will not be leaving the airport in between flights.
Canada via USA
- Thread starter trackrat
- Start date
Yes you need an ESTA,
If you don't have a VISA, and you don't have an ESTA - most likely you won't be able to board the plane,
Mod Edit:-
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/
Last edited by a moderator:
Funnily enough I did this last week. UK >> Charlotte >> Chicago >> Toronto >> UK
You need both an ETA and ESTA. the person who booked my flights didn't realise we needed an ETA to get into Canada and I spent a worried 10 minutes applying for one online at the check in 45 minutes before the flight was due to depart. Got on just in the nick of time.
You need both an ETA and ESTA. the person who booked my flights didn't realise we needed an ETA to get into Canada and I spent a worried 10 minutes applying for one online at the check in 45 minutes before the flight was due to depart. Got on just in the nick of time.
Dunno if it has changed as this was a little while ago but last time I visited Canada I just turned up at the border and was processed in minutes.
I think quite recently they made some changes, any airline flying to the United States has an automated link with the TSA that won't allow a passenger to check in for their flight, unless they have an ESTA or VISA, AFAIK (one of my friends forgot to do his ESTA and it almost wrecked our trip as he couldn't check in, he had to apply for one at the airport
)I visited Canada a few years ago and didn't need to file an eTA. However, the rules were changed recently and the requirement to file an eTA when flying to or via a Canadian airport was made mandatory as of November 2016. Here's a link to some further information: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas-result.asp?country=GBR&result=2&q3=
US classes Transit as essentially entering the country so you'll still have to go through immigration and screening even though you aren't actually staying in the US. In part because transiting anywhere in a lot of US airports means you re check in out side the secure area - i.e. you can just walk out into the street and get a cab to town if you wanted.
Wow, didn't realise this, could easily catch a lot of people out I guess. Would have thought if your onward destination was outside the US they wouldn't care, but thinking about it when you enter the US there is no alternative route for passengers in transit until after Customs.
Good spot, added the direct link.
Soldato
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Where the flights a lot cheaper than flying direct to Canada?
It caught me out 3 years ago when my return flight from Mexico was via Atlanta and they didn't let me board the plane
Had to buy a single ticket back via Germany a few hours later instead...£400 wasted!
I've been told I'd have to do this several times on different trips (even by airline people insisting on taxiing to the gate that EVERYONE has to pick up their bags and re check). So far I've never had to do it, flying through from the UK or Canada - they've always gone straight through. Still obviously had to go through immigration and then back through customs in most cases though.
The airport I am going to in Canada has no direct flights to the UK, so had no choice but to change planes.