Transiting the US from Canada to Caribbean

[Beakster]

Hi,

I plan to sail from Kingston Ontario Oswego NY, enter the US, and the stay in the US until I hit Florida, then jump off to the Bahamas.

My understanding was, like with driving, I officially enter the US when I arrive, then I can go where ever I want, and I only need to speak to officials again when it's time to depart the US.

Ive recently been advised this is not the case with a boat transiting the Erie canal. Apparently the boats location needs to be constantly updated by telephoning ahead, and the number to call and procedures change frequently throughout the US.

I'm also advised I may need a US Cruising permit, but I'm not clear on why, or if I do. I assume that permit was for people travelling along the border and making multiple US/Canada entries during the course of a short trip?

Any info much appreciated

Thanks

[dougweibel]

As I am a US citizen with a US boat I really don't know all the procedures. I'm sure someone else will chime in shortly. It is not like taking your car across the border.

Unfortunately my understanding is from a procedural standpoint the US is not the easiest place to cruise on a foreign boat.

You will also need to get a cruising permit when you get to the Bahamas.

[5BTM]

https://www.help.cbp.gov/s/article/A...language=en_US

[sv_pelagia]

You will need a cfuising permit.


Each time you enter a new CBP "zone" going south, you need to give them a call...However, NOW I think you must do this (more easily) using the ROAM app.


When you leave the USA, you should cancel your cruising permit, unless you will be returning (and then exiting) USA with 12 months of first entry.



IF I have this wrong (it could be out of date), please correct me (nicely, of course)

[boatpoker]

The second article on this page will tell you all about "US Cruising Licenses", note,they are not "permits".
Cruising the Great Lakes, ICW, bahamas, Erie and New York canals

[deblen]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

The second article on this page will tell you all about "US Cruising Licenses", note,they are not "permits".
Cruising the Great Lakes, ICW, bahamas, Erie and New York canals

Great resource!/Len

[Montanan]

Canadians do not need a visa to enter the USA from Canada. But I perceive you will need a B1/B2 visa to reenter the USA arriving from the Bahamas by private vessel [or plane].

The Bahamas are a non-contiguous territory [that is not the USA / Canada / Mexico].

An alternative is to sail back to Canada, via Bermuda, or a long slug off the east coast of the USA.

The B1/B2 visa is issued at the USA embassy or consulate in Canada and must be obtained prior to arrival to the USA, it is obtained prior to leaving Canada. A B1/B2 visa is NOT issued at the border.

You will need to schedule an interview appointment at the embassy or consulate. Extremely long waiting list for such appointments. There are six Canadian locations that offer USA visa appointments.

Ditto as to visas for passengers and crew on board that are not American citizens or permanent residents [Greencard status] of the USA.

Check with the nearest USA consulate or the embassy for guidance.


FYI:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/u-s...lays-1.7301250

"Canadian residents who require a visa to visit the United States face the longest wait times in the world.

A CBC News analysis of wait times for appointments to obtain U.S. tourist visas shows that while wait times in countries like India and Mexico have been improving since November 2022, wait times in Canada have been getting worse.

Six of the 10 longest wait times around the world were recorded at the U.S. embassy and consulate offices in Canada that offer visa appointments.

Currently, those who apply for a B1/B2 visitor visa appointment in Ottawa or Quebec City face the longest wait times in the world — 850 days. Halifax is not far behind at 840 days, followed by Calgary at 839 days. Getting a visa appointment in Toronto takes 753 days, while in Vancouver it's 731 days.

Wait times can fluctuate from day to day. Earlier this month, Toronto had the longest wait time in the world — 900 days."

. . .

"In 2022, the average wait time around the world was 167 days, while the average wait time for Canadian residents was 345 days. Today, the average global wait time for a U.S. visitor visa appointment is 151 days — but the average wait time for Canadian residents has ballooned to 810 days."

. . .

"Across Canada, our embassy and consulate teams are processing a record number of visas," the embassy said in a media statement. "In 2023, the U.S. Embassy and consulates in Canada issued more than 230,000 non-immigrant visas, the highest number ever." Eh.

Sorry.