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Travel question

Tina

Veteran

Our daughter is travelling to Wisconsin on Wednesday with plans to be married there on Friday evening. She has all of her paperwork in order and her flight is booked. They had a prior date of April 25 but that didn’t work out for obvious reasons.
Our dilemma is regarding travel for us. Do any of you have information regarding travel to the US from Canada with a passport only? The customs office did say that you could travel with a passport and didn’t need a visa but that doesn’t really make sense to me that they would allow travel of the sort we are asking about. This is hard. We would love to go! But... it seems risky to book and pay for tickets, check baggage and then be refused by customs. That would be devastating on multiple levels.
Thanks for any insight anyone can share.

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24 replies

Latest reply was from Tina

SarahD8

Veteran

My question would be whether you would be allowed back in to Canada from the US. My understanding was that Canada's border controls were quite strictly prohibiting nonessential crossings right now -- but it might be different for returning Canadian citizens/residents.

With apologies to any Wisconsinites on the forum, my reaction to the idea of traveling to that state in particular right now is -- yikes.

Anonymous

How were you planning to get to Wisconsin from Canada? As far as I know, and my husband works for Air Canada and is very up to speed on travel issues, the border (driving or flying) is not open unless you're travelling for essential work . There is also a 14 day quarantine period still required for anyone in that essential work category. I'm confused ! Did things change ?

Tina

Veteran

Thank you Lisa and Sarah.
We didn’t think it was possible but when our daughter spoke with the customs agent he said people didn’t need a visa and that made us wonder if it was possible, at the same time it did not really make sense to us despite wishful thinking. We had planned to fly. We are resigned to not going at this point and, Lisa, your response (considering your husbands profession) validates our decision. This is the kind of information I’m looking for.
Sarah, the only info we can find regarding returning to Canada is a mandated 14 day quarantine.

Runcarla

Veteran

The last time I travelled to the US (October) a Visa was not required. I can’t see a visa being required for Canada/US cross border travel - when things open up again. ATM the borders are ‘closed’ for all but the most essential and exceptional reasons.

Runcarla

Veteran

Here is what the gov’t ‘says’.

https://travel.gc.ca/

Tina

Veteran

Yes, I realize that under normal circumstances a visa isn’t required. This info was given to her last week, thus the question.
ETA Yes, Carla, i’ve read all of that. Thanks!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Why not just book it with travel insurance? Then you might be able to go or you might get turned back with money refunded, but you will not be stuck with lingering doubt over the years.

I'm curious--are they going ahead with the full reception, etc, or holding back on some of that until travel clears up? If no one from Canada can go, and if she grew up there, would they consider a first anniversary party near you?

JAileen

Veteran

Wisconsin was the crazy place where as soon as their high court overturned the stay at home order, they crammed into bars. Of all places, that is not a place I would go willingly. Can your daughter relocate the wedding?

https://www.usatoday.com/story.....aotic-risk

Tina

Veteran

FashIntern, no they will have the wedding according to their community guidelines, including any food that is served.
She is okay with the absence of friends and other family, she knew they couldn’t come regardless of circumstances due to distance and cost. Her expectations are low but even those can’t be met right now. They’ waited a long time and with paper work still to be done after their marriage, they can not wait indefinitely.
Great suggestion for a reception at the 1 year mark! Will keep it in mind:-)
Re: Insurance, i don’t know that it would cover circumstances we are very well aware of and at this point could add a lot of extra stress. I did contemplate it. It’s just so risky all around.
I think we are all coming to terms with this.
Thanks for the reply.

Tina

Veteran

JAileen, the location is not in a densely populated area. Appleton is the closest city and that is 20 minutes.

Toban

Veteran

The US-Canada border is closed (in both directions) to non-essential travel until May 21 (Thursday).

https://www.canada.ca/en/publi.....rictions_1

It is unclear if it will be extended. Visas are not needed for Canadians travelling to the US. It is unclear what documentation for “essential” travel.

Tina

Veteran

Toban, it’s looking a lot like the border closure will be extended.
I guess I was hoping someone here might know of someone who went through as a non-essential traveller, if that is even a possibility. There seems to be some room for interpretation especially now that things are starting to open up a bit more. Delta is flying to Minneapolis 4 days a week (IIRC) from Edmonton, AB. That seems like a lot considering there isn’t supposed to be much travel happening.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

They've just announced the border will remain closed until at least June 21:

https://www.cnn.com/travel/art.....index.html

I have no personal info about any of this but I would not try to go - it's highly unlikely you'd be successful and if you were you might get stuck in Wisconsin. I've been to the Appleton area and it's not densely populated, you're right, but the numbers in Wisconsin right now are trending back up and more rural areas are the hotspots right now. I wouldn't even travel to get married right now but that's just me. If by some chance they let you through and then let you back in Canada, looks like you'd have to be in a mandatory isolation for 14 days after getting home.

I'm sorry you'll miss it; that sucks. Hopefully they can do some kind of live-streaming and have a party with everyone in the future.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Appleton is the closest city and that is 20 minutes.
My dad grew up in Calumet County!

Jules

Veteran

I’m so sorry you’ll miss the wedding. I doubt travel insurance ever covers border/visa issues, let alone right now. But two people making the decision to be together despite barriers is still an occasion for joy.

Echo

Veteran

Appleton has had 71 cases, and although they say there are only 15 currently infected, it was community transmission, meaning they don't know where it came from. If I were your daughter, I'd go to City Hall at home and get married. Of all the places to go, Wisconsin is likely not the best choice (says a Wisconsin resident). Last weekend, after the Supreme Court decision, the bars were packed; it was ridiculous and dangerous. We won't know until at least two weeks have passed what sort of effect that had on total number of cases.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Well said, Jules. I'm so sorry, Tina. It sounds heartbreaking. Congrats to your daughter, though!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Congrats to your daughter today! No one forgets their wedding, but hers will be especially memorable. I wish the happy couple a long life of love.

Tina

Veteran

Thanks FashIntern! Plus, so cool about your dad growing up in the area!
Thank you Laura, Jules, Suz and FashIntern for the empathy and well wishes!
Echo, she is there now! So far so good!

She had a short time of panic when the customs officer questioned her eligibility but was able to make her flight and arrive safely in Milwaukee after a layover in Minneapolis. It made it clear to us that we would not have made it through which is a comfort (of sorts).
She will indeed have a wedding to remember! As for me, well, the meltdown(s) have come and gone. I want her to know that it’s okay. As surreal as this seems it is life right now. As FashIntern and Jules said, it is still
a joyous occasion and I think they are doing an excellent job of making the most of it!

Eliza

Veteran

All my best to you and your family. This is poignant; wishing the couple much joy in their lives together and all of you the chance to celebrate together when circumstances allow.

Tina

Veteran

Thank you, Eliza. They are married!
We were able to watch via Facebook live so at least we had that. We are looking forward to visiting when the time is right.

Anonymous

Congratulations to the new married couple. A safe celebration later will be more joyous when there is less worry.

Bijou

Veteran

So glad you were able to watch via Facebook.

I admire your daughter putting the joy of being married to the person that she loves ahead of having a 'wedding day'. I am sure you will be able to celebrate in a meaningful way without the stress that the potential border issues and possibility of catching Covid would have brought.

Tina

Veteran

Thank you so much, Joy and Bijou! We admire our daughter for her good attitude. We needed her to be okay and she needed us to be okay and I think all of us could honestly say that we were.

It was a beautiful wedding! She made her own dress. I will ask if I can share a picture here once she has them.