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British tourist detained by US authorities for 10 days over visa issue

(www.theguardian.com)
205 points n1b0m | 3 comments | 10 Mar 25 18:32 UTC | HN request time: 0.001s | source
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Svip ◴[10 Mar 25 19:57 UTC] No.43325275[source]▶
Frankly, I wouldn't dare to overstay my tourist visa in the US either 10 or 20 years ago. The articles notes "four month", a standard US tourist visa for an ESTA country (e.g. the UK) would grant 90 days upon arrival; any travel within Canada counts too. Canada, however, grants 180 days, helping explain why Canada may not have seen an issue. Whenever travelling elsewhere for more than 1 month, check _everything_; including your travel insurance, most only last 60 days.
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toast0 ◴[10 Mar 25 19:58 UTC] No.43325294[source]▶
> helping explain why Canada may not have seen an issue

The article seems to indicate that Canada did have an issue:

> Canadian authorities told her to go back to the US and fill in new paperwork before returning to cross into Canada.

It seems that she was detained after re-entering the US upon being refused entry into Canada.

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1. Svip ◴[10 Mar 25 20:01 UTC] No.43325337[source]▶
Ah. I missed that; maybe Canada only recognises the US visa stay if one entered the US first. I did this research back in 2017, and I may misremember some details.
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2. sergers ◴[10 Mar 25 20:49 UTC] No.43325914[source]▶
i think she was "working" but potentially unpaid/compensated in lodging staying a t https://www.workaway.info/ (which was reported by the BBC where she was staying)
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3. toast0 ◴[10 Mar 25 22:57 UTC] No.43327091[source]▶
This site now has a popup for the US

> Important information about visiting: United States > If you are NOT a US CITIZEN and are planning to visit to work, volunteer or study, YOU WILL NEED THE CORRECT VISA. To find out more information you need to contact the embassy in your home country BEFORE traveling.

But a quick look around near me looks like work for immigration purposes, so someone on a tourist visa to the US should not be participating.