Visa Exemption for Canadian Landed Immigrants Eliminated

As of March 17, 2003, any Canadian landed immigrant who is national of a British Commonwealth country or of Ireland will be required to present a valid passport and a nonimmigrant visa when applying for admission to the United States.

Traditionally, individuals who were: (1) permanent residents of Canada (also known as landed immigrants) or of Bermuda; and (2) who were citizens of a British Commonwealth country or the Republic of Ireland, were not required to possess a passport or a visa in order to enter the United States. However, effective March 17, 2003 this waiver will be eliminated, and such individuals will in fact be required to present passports and nonimmigrant visas in order to enter the United States.