I've been trying to get information on a couple of questions, tried the US Government website but the answer to my question came back as I had posted it under others (I couldn't find a category that it seem to fit) I did not get an answer. I wonder if anyone on this forum has asked a similar question and gotten an answer. The first question was about what constitutes a "day" in the US, we often go across for fuel or spend the night leaving the next morning. I'm not sure if the fuel trip is a day or if we have to count the day we leave after spending the night in the US as a day, anyone know for sure? The other question was I wanted to know if transit through the US from one destination in Canada to another in Canada counted, I believe I read somewhere that days in transit to Mexico were not considered days in the states.

My guess would be they are going to count a "DAY" as each separate date you enter the U.S.To do otherwise would be burdensome to them.

You enter the USA and buy gas and leave, the computer says one day. You enter the USA and spend the night, then leave in the morning, the computer says two days.That's how they add them up. If you keep really good records you can try to argue but.....

No, ed6713, it has nothing to do with a Canadian law it has to do with a limitation on the time that I can spend in the US, we monitor our days so I really want to know what counts. If you look at my post I wasn't asking for an opinion, I was asking if anyone knew. I did try to get an answer from border services for what I thought was a simple question wasn't answered, I was hoping that someone might have had more luck than I did. I've been told by others that a quick border crossing doesn't count only after an overnight, so I was looking for an answer from someone who has actually asked this question and gotten an answer. Since as of yet there is no sharing of border crossing information, the US knows when I enter, not when I leave, Canada knows when I come back, but not when I left.

Check with this guy, I am quite sure he knows: PackerBacker, A Canadian who spends a great deal of time in the USA.

Days in the US | Good Sam Community

11 Replies

mamestra
Explorer
Oct 04, 2014
As a Nexus card holder I am well aware that my license plate is photographed go into both countries, according to the Canadian Snowbird Association that information has not been shared which is the reason for the formal agreement that is in the works. Mike I think that you are probably correct about using the same border crossing if that is the case I'll cross at Peace Arch and return via Sumas if it will save a day, it would be nice to know definitively what the policy is.
Gruffy
Explorer
Oct 04, 2014
Well, I hate to burst your bubble but when you enter the USA a camera records your license plate. When you leave the USA a camera records your plate. You've heard of facial recognition? the software has been modified to read license plates.

When your passport is scanned all your crossings are displayed on the monitor. I have often had many ineresting discussions about my many crossings.

Although there has not been a formal agreement, information has been shared for many years.
Artum_Snowbird
Explorer
Oct 04, 2014
I would have to interpret it as saying if you are travelling east/west and use the United States as your roadway, not using the same border crossing, then that would not be a counted day.

But going down at the Peace Arch and returning at the truck crossing would not qualify.. it would be a day no matter how many hours.
mamestra
Explorer
Oct 04, 2014
Thanks Harvard, I was unsure how they would handle this section.2. Days you were in the United States
for less than 24 hours when you were traveling between two places outside the
United States. Was not sure if coming from Vancouver and going to Vancouver fit that definition. I just want to make sure that I follow the letter of the law.
Harvard
Explorer
Oct 04, 2014
Answer is given in detail on Form 8840
mamestra
Explorer
Oct 04, 2014
Thanks pawatt, how can I contact him?
pawatt
Explorer
Oct 04, 2014
Check with this guy, I am quite sure he knows: PackerBacker, A Canadian who spends a great deal of time in the USA.
mamestra
Explorer
Oct 04, 2014
No, ed6713, it has nothing to do with a Canadian law it has to do with a limitation on the time that I can spend in the US, we monitor our days so I really want to know what counts. If you look at my post I wasn't asking for an opinion, I was asking if anyone knew. I did try to get an answer from border services for what I thought was a simple question wasn't answered, I was hoping that someone might have had more luck than I did. I've been told by others that a quick border crossing doesn't count only after an overnight, so I was looking for an answer from someone who has actually asked this question and gotten an answer.
Since as of yet there is no sharing of border crossing information, the US knows when I enter, not when I leave, Canada knows when I come back, but not when I left.
Gruffy
Explorer
Oct 04, 2014
You enter the USA and buy gas and leave, the computer says one day. You enter the USA and spend the night, then leave in the morning, the computer says two days.

That's how they add them up. If you keep really good records you can try to argue but.....
ed6713
Explorer
Oct 04, 2014
a

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Days in the US

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