Passport to visit Windsor?

[rrasco 1,312]

I want to go to Windsor when I'm up there for the WC. Anyone know if I need a passport for a border crossing? We used to be able to go to/from Mexico without them, but I hear you need one now so I was curious if the same goes for the Canadian border.

Edited November 25, 2013 by rrasco

[dmbongreyst 14]

Yes, passport is required to now go to Canada.

[sleepwalker 512]

Off topic, but does anyone when know when (the year) they started requiring this? I remember them talking about it after 9/11, but I went up to Windsor in 2005 without a passport.

[The Secret 304]

I want to go to Windsor when I'm up there for the WC. Anyone know if I need a passport for a border crossing? We used to be able to go to/from Mexico without them, but I hear you need one now so I was curious if the same goes for the Canadian border.

I'm a Windsor boy, born and raised.... Don't waste your time crossing the border to visit Windsor.

[55fan 5,133]

Off topic, but does anyone when know when (the year) they started requiring this? I remember them talking about it after 9/11, but I went up to Windsor in 2005 without a passport.

My parents went to Alaska in the summer of 2007. They had ordered passports, but they came the day after they left. They were allowed to pass through Canada due to a grace period that was agreed upon by the two countries because of the number of people applying for passports due to the new law.

Based on this, I'm going to guess the summer of 2007.

Heck, I've never had a passport and I've lived in Canada, although that was back when the Leafs were Stanley Cup Champions, so that may have changed things.

Edited November 25, 2013 by 55fan

[Detroit40oz 21]

I wanna say the passport thing started in 2010.

In Michigan you can get an enhanced license/id (costs around 40 bucks) and it works the same as a passport for ground travel between US/Canada and US/Mexico.

I'm not sure if they're only sold in border states, but if you can get one it would be the fastest/cheapest option.

Everyone you're with will need one though.


Alternately you're allowed into Canada without a passport or enhanced license but need it to get back into the US, so if you don't mind being detained for a few hours by border patrol, they'll probably let you go once they figure out you aren't a terrorist or drug mule.

Edit: The last time being in Ontario without a passport for me was May 2009 while camping with some people. We hit the bar in town to catch the Wings series against Chicago that weekend. It was a yearly thing and then by the next year we weren't able to do it because not everyone could cross. Either way, it's understandable why the law kicked in, but its still dumb. Its really no more secure than just needing a current ID and birth certificate.

Edited November 25, 2013 by Detroit40oz

[rrasco 1,312]

Cool, my thread moved itself to the water cooler, you know, because everybody visits this forum.

Thanks for the replies. Guess I should start working on that passport thing if I want to go. Not that I expect to see anything amazing, I've just never been to Canada, so I'd just like to visit to say I've been for the most part. I'll be in the Detroit area until Jan 5th so I gotta do something. Only other time I went, flew in on Friday, went to SCF on Saturday, flew home on Sunday...didn't get to see anything.

[Echolalia 2,961]

I agree there isn't much fun in Windsor. Its where all the 18 year old Michigan kids go to party, unless you're into that scene.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

I saw an episode today of Border Security: Canada's Front Line (into it's second season), which airs on both the National Geographic Channel and DTour. It is truly amazing how stupid some people can be when it comes to crossing into another country.

Windsor has a casino and a shiny new arena. I don't know if they demolished "The Barn"; it's where the Cougars played their first season since Detroit didn't have an arena.