Make way for readers | Crossing the border quickly and well

Quebecers had been bored of their escapades on the roads of the United States… but less of the wait at customs every long weekend. Here are some tips, sent in particular by readers as part of an appeal to all, so that everything goes well at the border as the National Patriots’ Day holiday approaches.

Simon Chabot
The Press

More and more travelers

Last month, for the first time since March 2020, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) welcomed 1 million travelers in a single week, during the Easter holiday. Although they have not reached their pre-pandemic levels, cross-border travel is on the rise with the relaxation of health measures. And the arrival of fine weather will undoubtedly accelerate the pace. In particular on the road, because unlike last summer, Canada and the United States no longer require a negative result for a screening test to cross the border between the two countries.

Choose the right time

“The Canada Border Services Agency will not put the health and safety of Canadians at risk to reduce border wait times,” a spokesperson said in writing. And because measures are still in place, adds the Agency, “waiting times at entry points could be longer”. At least, it’s clear. The best way to avoid wasting precious hours of your leave waiting at customs is to postpone or extend your getaway by a day. If this is impossible, it is better to at least leave earlier on the way. Early, as in “very, very early: before 6 am”, writes the traveler Renée Giroux. For the return, the regulars offer two solutions: return before noon on the last day of vacation… or after midnight.

A paid detour

“Consider going through the least frequented entry point in the region,” the CBSA also suggests to travelers who fear having to wait at the border. But you have to check the opening hours of the secondary posts… which often close their barrier around 4 p.m. To guide travellers, the governments of both countries publish wait times at some, but not all, stations on the web. Still, says Nicolas Ryan, spokesperson for CAA-Quebec, it’s worth a look. “I remember a trip where friends who had checked the waiting times passed in 20 minutes at a post a little further, when we had to wait 3-4 hours, which is extremely painful. Meriane Bergeron, who lives in Haut-Richelieu, owns a boat in the United States. Normally, she crosses the border at Lacolle, but not when the line gets longer. “When there is too much waiting, we go to Rouses Point, a secondary customs which is unfortunately still closed with the COVID-19, she explains. We hope it will reopen, as it was very convenient for locals. »

The “pathway theory”

At the main border crossings, such as Lacolle, Saint-Armand or Stanstead, motorists have become accustomed to keeping to the right, where new lanes gradually appear as they approach the gates, towards the United States as to Canada. With each new lane, the line splits and the cars keeping the right gradually gain ground, in theory at least. Note: lanes also appear on the left near the American customs which is at the end of Highway 15…

The Grail is called Nexus

Most of the readers who wrote to us with advice on how to get through customs quickly had one word in mind: Nexus. This card, issued to “pre-approved low-risk” travelers by border authorities in Canada and the United States, provides access to dedicated lanes at major ports of entry. A week after the US border reopened for non-essential travel last fall, “the line stretched for a long time,” recalls retiree Gilbert Vézina, who owns a condo in Florida. Thanks to the reserved lane, “two minutes after our arrival, we had passed”, he enthuses. The card is also valid at airports, where it is very practical, assures Mr. Vézina. Only problem: the steps to obtain the famous card are spread over at least four or five months. Too late, therefore, to try to get his in time for the summer. Especially since only registration centers located in the United States have reopened. And appointments for an in-person interview, an essential step, are very rare. Note: Nexus lanes are not always accessible. At the beginning of May, at the Stanstead post, the reserved lane to return to the country was only open from Monday to Friday, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.… and not on public holidays. Not ideal for the upcoming long vacation.

Vaccines and ArriveCAN mandatory

The Canada-US border has reopened to tourists, but only properly vaccinated travelers can still cross for now. The vaccines administered in Canada are all recognized by the United States and the booster dose is not required. Even if they do not systematically ask for it, American customs officers may require proof of vaccination. The VaxiCode application allows you to present a recognized “travel document”, but there is also a way to obtain it separately on the Government of Quebec website. To return to Canada, travelers must still use the application. ArriveCAN, otherwise they may have to self-isolate for 14 days, regardless of their health or vaccination status. As of April 3, 94.2% of travelers who entered Canada by road used the app, compared to 99.7% for those who arrived by air.