Windsor - Detroit Border Crossing Tips

The toll for the Detroit-Windsor tunnel is a little less expensive, and it leads the passenger to downtown Detroit (East Jefferson Street) or downtown Windsor (Goyeau Street). The bridge toll is a little more expensive, and it leads the passenger to the I-75 freeway (Detroit) or Huron Church Road (Windsor). The wait time at both the Tunnel and the Bridge vary throughout the day. You may find an estimate of current wait times here.

For visitor travel and work commutes, people generally pick the route that gets them to their destination quickest. 

For visa processing purposes, we recommend the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel as it tends to be less busy because there are less commercial vehicles (transport trucks don’t fit in the tunnel).

Here are the current toll rates for the Ambassador Bridge.

Here are the current toll rates for the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel.

You must provide proof of your Canadian citizenship upon entry to the U.S. 

By Air

You must present either a passport (valid for the duration of the stay) or a valid NEXUS card. This requirement applies to children as well.

By Land or Water

Canadian citizens aged 16 years and older must present one of the following documents:

• A valid passport;
• A Trusted Traveller Program card;
• An enhanced driver’s license (EDL) or enhanced identification card (EIC) from a province or territory where a U.S. approved EDl/EIC program has been implemented; or
• A Secure Certificate of Indian Status.

Canadian citizens aged 15 years and under must present one of the following documents:

• A passport;
• An original or copy of a birth certificate;
• An original Canadian citizenship certificate.

Entering Canada by Air, Land, or Water - proof of COVID-19 vaccination is not required

Entering U.S. - proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required for non-U.S. citizen non-immigrants. Note that many visa types, including the TN visa, are non-immigrant visas and therefore fall within this requirement.

Yes, your Canadian spouse may visit you in the US while their permanent residence application is in process. However, they may need to have stronger evidence of ties to Canada to cross the border. The border officer will want to satisfy themselves that the visit is temporary.

Yes, your American spouse may visit you in Canada while their permanent residence application is in process. However, they may need to have stronger evidence of ties to the United States to cross the border into Canada. The border officer will want to satisfy themselves that the visit is temporary. Canada has the concept of “dual intent” where a person can have intent to immigrate to Canada and also temporarily visit, at the same time.

The NEXUS program is designed to speed up border crossings into Canada and the United States for low-risk, pre-approved travellers. The NEXUS program is very popular with people who frequently cross the Canada-U.S. border (such as TN visa holders) because it allows them to use a special line when crossing through customs. This line is usually much quicker than the ordinary customs lines. In order to be processed through the NEXUS line, all travellers in the vehicle must have a NEXUS card.

More information on the NEXUS program can be found here.

Yes, this is recommended.

That depends on your country of citizenship. If you are a citizen of a country that participates in the United States’ Visa Waiver Program, you can cross into the United States as a visitor once you complete an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) application. 

If your country of citizenship is not one that participates in the Visa Waiver Program, you are first required to get a visitor visa from USCIS.

That depends on your country of citizenship. If you are a citizen of a country that is visa-exempt, you will not need a visitor visa to enter Canada. If you are flying from the U.S. into Canada, you will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to board your flight to Canada. If you are entering Canada by land or seat, you will not need an eTA to enter Canada.

If your country of citizenship is not visa-exempt, you will need a valid visitor visa and an eTA (if flying) to enter Canada.

That depends on the country of citizenship of your family members. If they are citizens of a country that participates in the United States’ Visa Waiver Program, they can cross into the United States as a visitor once they complete an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) application. 

If their country of citizenship is not one that participates in the Visa Waiver Program, they are first required to get a visitor visa from USCIS.

The amount of goods you can bring back without paying any duty or taxes depends on whether you qualify for a personal exemption as well as the length of time you were outside of Canada.

Generally speaking, if your cross-border shopping trip was less than 24 hours, no personal exemptions apply. The full list of exemptions can be found here.

If the food is unopened and commercially packed, it will generally be admissible (excluding meat and meat products). Some fresh fruits and vegetables are allowed, but you usually may not bring citrus, bananas, tomatoes, or peppers (even if grown in the U.S.). The full list of what you may and may not bring can be found here.

If you have been away from Canada for 48 hours or more, you are allowed to bring one of the following amounts of alcohol (0.5%+ alcohol by volume) free of duty and taxes:

• Wine up to 1.5 L (est. two bottles of 750 ml each)
• Alcohol beverages up to 1.14 L (est. one large standard bottle of liquor)
• Beer or ale up to 8.5 L (est. 24 cans or bottles of beer or ale, 355 ml each)

You may be inadmissible to Canada for serious criminality, which means you could not enter Canada. If that’s the case, you should contact an immigration lawyer to see what options might exist for you. Sisu Legal offers Criminal Inadmissibility services. Our paid Strategy Sessions can be booked here.

Secondary inspection is a normal part of the cross-border travel process, and secondary referrals should not be viewed as an indication of wrongdoing. You may be referred for a variety of reasons, including:

• Undergoing a random inspection;
• Paying duties and taxes on goods;
• Determining your admissibility or the admissibility of goods in your possession;
• Visa processing - for example, TN visa processing at the port of entry;
• Answering more in-depth questions;
• Completing or processing paperwork to support your entry or the entry of goods in your possession;
• Reporting currency or monetary instruments of $10,000 or more;
• Verifying your declaration and/or documentation.

Lying to a border officer can have serious consequences. This can include permanent inadmissibility, deportability, and not being granted citizenship (if you are a permanent resident). 

If you intentionally misrepresent the nature or value of your goods, you may also be criminally charged or fined. We would recommend you reach out to a criminal law lawyer if you find yourself in this situation.

When you cross through customs, lower all windows on the driver’s side of the vehicle. Remove sunglasses, and turn off the radio. Be prepared to hand over all documentation (e.g. passports, student visas, details related to country of residence) for all passengers to the customs guard. Answer all questions truthfully and respectfully, but do not provide more information than what is requested. Respond to all requests (for example, to open your vehicle trunk) without delay.

Yes, that is allowed.

Generally speaking, no. You will need to get a bank account in the U.S., or sign up with a Canadian bank for one of their cross-border banking packages.

Yes, you will be required to file tax returns in both Canada and the United States. We strongly recommend that you work with a tax preparation specialist who is familiar with the taxation regime of both countries. Feel free to contact us if you would like a referral to a cross-border tax specialist.

U.S. immigration law is very clear that anyone who works or earns an income in the U.S. must have proper work authorization by the U.S. government. Working while physically present in the U.S., even for an employer located abroad and even if paid to a foreign bank account, is still considered work by the U.S. government.

Individuals must have proper work authorization from the U.S. government in order to perform work in the United States. However, business visitors are permitted to perform a narrow scope of duties in the United States, including:

• Attending business meetings, conferences, or seminars; 
• Procuring investment opportunities;
• Interviewing potential employees or business partners; 
• Entering into lease agreements;
• Presenting product at trade-show or expo; 
• Unpaid speaking at an event;
• Attending meetings to sell products made abroad;
• Receive training that will assist with position in foreign company;
• Receive technical info/direction from U.S. counterparts;
• Represent foreign company in negotiations with U.S. companies; and
• Consulting with business associates.

Business visitors are permitted to perform a narrow scope of duties in Canada, including:

• Buying Canadian goods or services for a foreign business or government;
• Taking orders for goods or services;
• Going to meetings, conferences, conventions, or trade fairs;
• Giving after-sales service as part of a warranty or sales agreement;
• Being trained by a Canadian parent company that you work for outside of Canada;
• Training employees of a Canadian branch of a foreign company;
• Being trained by a Canadian company that has sold you equipment or services.