Travelling through the USA with Work Documents

[myfavouritescar]

Hi Everyone,

I'll be travelling through the USA, Canada, and Mexico in a few months with multiple border crossings on my way to the UK. I'll be entering these countries under Visa Waiver programs for Australian citizens. I have a work visa for the UK and I intend to settle there following my trip. Would it make my life much more difficult to carry work documents (think CV, Portfolio etc) through the USA even though I have a work visa and an outbound ticket? Am I better off posting these things to the UK prior to me leaving Australia? I'm wary of posting my portfolio as it has irreplaceable documents in it but I'm obviously not wanting to be refused entry to the USA based on shady looking circumstances. Anyone done anything similar?

Thanks

 

[Hvr]

I say send them to the UK, if for some reason the LOTFAP or Canadian officials searched your possessions and found these documents they would probably turn you around to immediately board the plane back to Australia.

 

[mella2007]

I have travelled with work documents to the US before and encountered no problems, however I wasn't going to any other countries and had a set itinerary for my stay.
I agree to send them forward also. With going between the US and Canada sometimes is enough hassle within itself, and to save yourself any dramas that may occur...better to be safe then sent home.

 

[Mal]

Only going to be a potential issue if your bag is searched (and its never happened to me in the us or Canada) but agree there is a Big risk in taking them. Your visa would help (say you are on a Holiday before arriving in the uk) but remember under the vwp you have no right of appeal.

 

[The Rok]

Send them DHL to the UK. It won't get lost.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Agree with all here. DHL.

 

[Deleted member]

Unless they take up their own suitcase , what's the problem. ?
It's not like you get o the border and say, " look I have all these work documents with me on holiday, but I am not working" put them in a sealed envelope , stick them in the bottom of your suitcase and don't discuss them.

 

[QF WP]

I agree with the majority, send to UK first and don't have the possibility of your holiday going pear shaped.

You can track the parcel so you'll know where they are at all times.

 

[Deleted member]

I agree with the majority, send to UK first and don't have the possibility of your holiday going pear shaped.

You can track the parcel so you'll know where they are at all times.

And when it gets lost regardless of tracking , your next move is?

 

[Fantic125]

And when it gets lost regardless of tracking , your next move is?

His luggage is more likely to be lost by the airlines than a registered parcel with DHL.

 

[The Rok]

And when it gets lost regardless of tracking , your next move is?

Perhaps I'm being naive but of the billions (slightly made up figure, markis10 will no doubt quote the real one soon. ) I have NEVER heard of DHL losing a package. Ever!

 

[Sprucegoose]

Perhaps I'm being naive but of the billions (slightly made up figure, markis10 will no doubt quote the real one soon. ) I have NEVER heard of DHL losing a package. Ever!

never, but FedEx on the other hand.............

 

[mella2007]

never, but FedEx on the other hand.............

Never had anything lost with Fedex. For good tracking Fedex and DHL are the best....TNT's tracking system is a joke

 

[Sprucegoose]

Never had anything lost with Fedex. For good tracking Fedex and DHL are the best....TNT's tracking system is a joke

you have never watched Castaway?

 

[Fantic125]

you have never watched Castaway?

But it was delivered in the end! :

 

[myfavouritescar]

Thanks everyone, I'll find a trackable postage service! Don't want to chance it!

On a side note when going back into a previous ESTA is it just the airline and flight number? No dates?

 

[mella2007]

Thanks everyone, I'll find a trackable postage service! Don't want to chance it!

On a side note when going back into a previous ESTA is it just the airline and flight number? No dates?

You mean to see if you need to reapply or not? Update your passport number?

 

[myfavouritescar]

You mean to see if you need to reapply or not? Update your passport number?

Well I logged in to my current ESTA which is still valid until 2014 wanting to make sure it was up to date so I wouldn't have any problems but all I could change was Airline/Flight number not any dates ie of expected arrival. Is that correct?

 

[serfty]

In my experience you get to change far more than that, including addresses. I'll check mine.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi Everyone,

I'll be travelling through the USA, Canada, and Mexico in a few months with multiple border crossings on my way to the UK. I'll be entering these countries under Visa Waiver programs for Australian citizens. I have a work visa for the UK and I intend to settle there following my trip. Would it make my life much more difficult to carry work documents (think CV, Portfolio etc) through the USA even though I have a work visa and an outbound ticket? Am I better off posting these things to the UK prior to me leaving Australia? I'm wary of posting my portfolio as it has irreplaceable documents in it but I'm obviously not wanting to be refused entry to the USA based on shady looking circumstances. Anyone done anything similar?

Thanks

Unless you are unable to speak there won't be a problem!

You have a work visa for the UK which you are able to show if you are asked any questions, and you (presumably) have an onwards ticket to the UK departing the USA.

'I'm on holiday on my way to the UK where i will be living and working' is a perfectly good explanation. If you had different circumstances (no onwards ticket etc) that might be a different story.