11 December 2008
Amb. Wilkins Discusses U.S.-Canada Relations in Farewell Webchat
Ask America webchat transcript, December 11
Ambassador David Wilkins, U.S. envoy to Canada, answered questions in a farewell Ask America webchat on December 11, as he prepared to end his tour in Canada and return home. His responses covered the visa program, tourism and other topics.
Following is the transcript:
(begin transcript)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of International Information Programs
Ask America Webchat Transcript
Guest: Ambassador David Wilkins
Date: December 11, 2008
Time: 9 a.m. EST (14:00 GMT)
Webchat Moderator: U.S. Ambassador to Canada David H. Wilkins has devoted the last three and a half years to building up and enriching what he considers to be the best and most productive bilateral relationship in the world, that between Canada and the United States. As he prepares to leave the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa to return to his home in the United States, Ambassador Wilkins is pleased to participate in this web chat in order to answer your questions and engage in discussion with you on Canada – U.S. relations during his tenure as well as in terms of what he foresees for the future.
Ambassador David Wilkins: Thank you for joining us! I look forward to receiving and answering your questions.
Question [Wayne Clarke]: If I want to work permanently in the USA, do I need a work visa? If so, how easy is it to get one? and also, do I need a US address? Thank you
Answer [Ambassador David Wilkins]: Thanks for your question. There are a couple of distinctions between working temporarily and permanently in the United States. For temporary work in the U.S., which can usually run no longer than three years, a non-immigrant visa is necessary. In that case, the prospective employer files the necessary paperwork, and only then is the interview with a U.S. Consular officer scheduled by the applicant. The applicant does not need a U.S. address. For permanent work [staying indefinitely in the United States], you would need to be a legal permanent resident. Good luck with the job search and your career!
Webchat Moderator: We continue to take your questions. Thank you.
Q [Ada]: Some visa officers treat visa applicants disrespectfully or condescendingly. They also make arbitrary, unfounded decisions. Is there a way to complain about inappropriate behavior and incidents?
A [Ambassador Wilkins]: It sounds as if you or one of your acquaintances has had a negative experience with a Consular officer, and I'm sorry to hear that. Our officers receive lots of training in how to deal with the public, and leaders at the Department and at our Embassy and Consulates here in Canada make every effort to insure that visa interviews are conducted in a courteous and professional manner.
If you believe that you were not treated respectfully, you should fax your complaint to the attention of the Consular Section Chief of the Embassy or the Consulate where you were interviewed. Our Consular Chiefs take such complaints very seriously and will review the file and respond.
To the second part of your question -- unfounded and arbitrary decisions. Sometimes our officers are not able to issue a visa to a prospective traveler. This may be due to the way our U.S. immigration laws are written and not because the officer is making an unfounded or arbitrary decision. Under our legislation, the officer must ascertain whether the applicant is qualified for the specific type of visa sought -- but it is the applicant who must prove to the officer that s/he is eligible for that visa. So, the "burden of proof" in this case is on the applicant who must provide sufficient information through documentation and responses to questions to convince the officer that s/he is qualified for the visa and that the laws of the United States will be obeyed once the visa is issued. What may seem unreasonable to a disappointed visa applicant could simply be the officer's responsibility to adhere to the immigration laws of the United States.
Q [krsujeet]: I am indian resident working as a sw engineer with an Indian company and has come to Vancouver for Business trip till 10th January. I want to visit US for 1 week for tourism purpose. So is it possible to get the visitor visa in such short period of time? i dont have any relatives in US and i will go there on my own expenses? For getting visitor visa interview date, whom should i contact? Thanks
A [Ambassador David Wilkins]: I hope you're enjoying your time in Vancouver. It's a really lovely city. I can understand that you'd want to take advantage of being in North America to visit the United States as well. There are a couple of issues here. First, it is possible to be interviewed for a tourist visa here in Canada. But ideally, you should be interviewed in your home country, India. The reason for that is that the officers serving in India are more familiar with the educational, economic, and social structure of that country and its residents; so they're better placed to make an accurate assessment of the applicant's eligibility for a visa. An Indian applicant being interviewed here in Canada may have a more difficult time proving his or her qualifications for the visa.
If you decide you want to apply for a visa while here in Canada, you need to go to www.nvars.com to make an appointment for an interview to obtain non-immigrant visa. All our appointments are made through this on-line appointment system. You'll have to record certain information and then the system will indicate the next available appointment at your nearest consulate or Embassy. Each consulate has a slightly different average waiting time for appointments, and the wait times can vary depending on the time of year. The necessary visa application forms are available on-line as well, at www.evisaforms.state.gov along with other information about the process.
Q [Seth 2]: I am a US citizen. I married a Thai national, who is now residing with me in Canada on a work permit. We want to visit my family in the US next summer. Does she need a visa?
A [Ambassador David Wilkins]: Congratulations on your marriage! I wish you and your spouse years of happiness together. As your spouse is a Thai national, then yes, she would need a visa. You could apply for a non-immigrant visa so that your spouse could visit as a tourist, or you could file an immigrant visa petition for your spouse. If you plan to move to the U.S. together permanently, your spouse would need the immigrant visa.
Best of luck to both of you!
Webchat Moderator: Thank you for your questions. The Ambassador continues to review them.
Q [CC]: Hello sir. Thank you for your time. Are there any main items on your "unfinished" list?
A [Ambassador David Wilkins]: Glad you are able to join us. Well, I've been traveling to the provinces over the past few weeks, saying farewell to friends and colleagues all over this beautiful country. I've also been speaking about the achievements of the past several years. I think we have made a lot of progress and have a lot to be proud of. I'll continue representing the United States until my departure on January 20, and I must say, that this experience -- serving as U.S. Ambassador to Canada -- has been one of the privileges of my lifetime.
As far as unfinished business, like any good friends, the relationship between the United States and Canada is ever-evolving. We are currently facing a global economic crisis which will have an impact on both our countries and who knows what challenges we will face in the future. But, as in the past, I'm sure that the U.S. and Canada will work together cooperatively to solve any issues that come our way.
I'm confident in the continuing strength and vigor of the U.S.-Canada relationship, and I'm optimistic about the future. I will remain Canada's biggest fan!
Q [Tony]: Do you think America need to adopt Visa Waiver Program [VWP] with some African countries?
A [Ambassador David Wilkins]: Thank you, Tony for your question. The Visa Waiver Program [VWP] is a program that permits citizens from certain countries to travel to the U.S. for up to three months for business or tourism without first applying for a visa from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate overseas. The program encourages travel and trade with the countries in the program. The requirements for a country to be admitted to the program are laid out in our laws and include considerations of how well citizens of that country meet our general immigration requirements, the security of the travel documents issued by that country, the level of information sharing between our countries and other considerations of policy and security. As we continue to develop our relations with many African countries, and as they are able to meet the requirements laid out in statute, the United States may consider them for admission to the program.
Comment [Yolanda]: thank you and i appreaciated your answers to my question.
A [Ambassador David Wilkins]: You're welcome, Yolanda!
Q [Amy]: I am 18 and a Canada citizen and i wish to visit my Boyfriend in the Us for a period of a month and a half an i would like to know if i need to apply for a visa and if so what do i need to do to apply and how do i apply?
A [Ambassador David Wilkins]: A Canadian citizen needs a current valid passport to fly to the United States for a month and half visit as you described. Having a passport is a good idea even if you are crossing at a land border. A passport will be required at land border crossings as of June 2009.
Q [Yolanda]: as caregiver and now i'm waiting for my permanent residence. while waiting that pr can i visited in u.s? i had some friends and classmate i want to visit there just to spend my vacation...can i be permitted? what is a requirements? or shall I wait for my status here in Canada for my permanent residence?
A [Ambassador David Wilkins]: While a person legally in Canada on a work permit can apply for a U.S. tourist visa it probably would be better to wait for your permanent residence status to be granted before asking for a visa. The consular officer needs to evaluate your ties to Canada and that event would be an indication that you intend to stay here longer.
Q [CC]: Where do you see the future of U.S. - Canada relations?
A [Ambassador David Wilkins]: I believe that this unique relationship that exists between our two nations will continue to grow and get stronger. Our countries share a lasting peace, the world's most vibrant trade relationship and family, cultural and historical ties that go back centuries. I think that all of that will continue long into the future and I have no reason to doubt that our countries will remain steadfast friends?
Q [azadeh]: Dear Sir. I am US permanent resident and I applied for Nexus program. I also have dual citizenship: British and Iranian. My family live in Canada and I plan to go to Canada several times per year, and that is why I applied for Nexius. Am I qualifed for it? or for Iranian citizen is going to be denied?
A [Ambassador David Wilkins]: All U.S. and Canadian citizens, as well as landed immigrants from Canada and United States permanent residents are eligible to apply for the Nexus Program. Each applicant must list their citizenships and go through the Nexus review process. For your convenience, here is a link to the application.
Best of luck to you!
Q [Dianne Bump]: I am dating an American man who was refused entry to Canada in July 2007. He has one misdemeanor ~ he was asked to voluntarily leave Canada and needed to sign a document as such. What can we do to resume our relationship? What do we have to do now?
A [Ambassador Wilkins]: The Canadian border authorities, Canada Border Security Agency, would have to answer the question about his reentering Canada. You can enter the United States by air if you are a Canadian citizen with a valid passport.
Q [Josh Wissehr]: I need to know how to get a work visa for Calgary. I’m in San Diego California and planning to move to Canada till June.
A [Ambassador Wilkins]: Hello, I believe that is a Canada Border Service Agency [CBSA] question since you will be working in Canada. I’ve linked the website for your convenience.
www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html
Q [Patrick]: I just would like to know if you think that increasing the security measures and creating difficulties for Canadian to enter USA via cars is really helping the relationship between our two Countries? And would you agree that a simple Canadian Driver license presented at any borders of our two countries should be sufficient for Canadians to enter USA at anytime they feel like it?
A [Ambassador David Wilkins]: Thank you for your question. As you know, the United States and Canada have enjoyed a long relationship of trust and openness. However, the threats that face both of our countries after September 11, 2001 have meant that we must take steps to ensure the security of our countries. These steps include having a better knowledge of who is entering our country and for what purpose. While it is certainly true that the vast majority of visitors to the United States are coming for legitimate purposes, we must also ensure that we do not inadvertently admit someone who would mean us harm, and we do have the requirements to enforce our immigration and other laws, just as Canada does for its visitors. This includes having a better means to identify the identity and citizenship of travelers. That is what our Congress has required and that is what we are doing.
However, we have taken many steps to ensure that we do so while facilitating travel. We accepting a variety of documents, including working with the Canadian government to develop enhanced drivers licenses for Canadian citizens that would be sufficient to apply to enter the U.S. As we work to implement these measures, I am sure that the U.S. and Canada will continue to enjoy the close relationship we have shared.
Q [mufaddal husainy]: i am an indian residing in USA, got changed visa status recently, can I travel to CANADA for stamping new visa. Thank you.
A [Ambassador David Wilkins]: You do have two options. You can return to your native country or you could apply in Canada to change your visa status. Each option has advantages and disadvantages including the cost of travel and the waiting time for an appointment. Each case is unique and I wouldn't want to advise you specifically one way or the other.
Interested in working in Canada: I just want to know what is necessary to apply for jobs in Canada. I am a ex Director of IT and am looking for gainful employment anywhere an opportunity presents itself. What is the background check procedure for me and my family. I have a member that has a felony but has served their time, off of probation and actually retirement age. 61. I would like them to come with me if possible. We have heard that they will not be accepted in Canada. Is this true? Thank you for your time
A [Ambassador David Wilkins]: That's solely a question for the Canadian authorities. For information on immigration to Canada, you should check www.cic.gc.ca the website for Citizenship and Immigration Canada. You can also check http://jobs-emplois.gc.ca for information about jobs with the Canadian federal government.
Q [Kanpitcha]: I want to know how long if i have appointment and how much that you will cost me. I'm an exchange student and I want to go to Florida with school. Thank you very much.
A [Ambassador David Wilkins]: The appointment fee is US$131. Presuming that there are no problems with your application a visa could be printed and available for pick up the next afternoon, but each case is unique and there is no guarantee that your visa would be adjudicated that quickly.
Q [Theo]: Greetings. As you move to the end of your tenure, where will you go from here? Private sector?
A [Ambassador David Wilkins]: Susan and I plan to move back to our home in Greenville, South Carolina and spend as much time as possible with our two sons, daughters-in-law and our two new twin grandbabies -- Whit and Clary.
My background is legal and political and I plan to go back and enter the legal field.
Q [Theo]: But more important...how will you ever find poutine in your home state South Carolina :)
A [Ambassador David Wilkins]: I probably won't be able to find it, but I do know how to make it!
Though I still prefer shrimp and grits.
Comment [Dianne Bump]: Thanks for all your questions!
Ambassador David Wilkins: This is Ambassador Wilkins signing off. Thanks for all your questions
Webchat Moderator: We wish to thank Ambassador David Wilkins for joining us. The webchat is now closed.
(end transcript)
