do you have to have a certain amount of cash when crossing border? (Ketchikan: credit card, how much)

[cory_larousse]

this might sound like a weird question but i know i was on some website and i remember seeing it stated that you can't get into alaska without a certain amount of cash on you or you can't move to alaska without proving you have a certain amount of cash in the bank...? now i'm google searching this and can't find that same information.

also once when an associate and i were going from bangor maine into canada the canadian border patrol asked me how much money i had on me and interrogated me when apparently they thought it was too little. it ended up being a moot point because my associate had a misdemeanor on his criminal record so he couldn't get into canada so we turned around and drove back to bangor. (yee haw.)

does anyone know if canadian border patrol or U.S. border patrol on the alaska side ask you how much money you have on you and how much are you supposed to have?

thanks for the info.

[Grannysroost]

Originally Posted by cory_larousse

this might sound like a weird question but i know i was on some website and i remember seeing it stated that you can't get into alaska without a certain amount of cash on you or you can't move to alaska without proving you have a certain amount of cash in the bank...? now i'm google searching this and can't find that same information.

also once when an associate and i were going from bangor maine into canada the canadian border patrol asked me how much money i had on me and interrogated me when apparently they thought it was too little. it ended up being a moot point because my associate had a misdemeanor on his criminal record so he couldn't get into canada so we turned around and drove back to bangor. (yee haw.)

does anyone know if canadian border patrol or U.S. border patrol on the alaska side ask you how much money you have on you and how much are you supposed to have?

thanks for the info.

It's Canada, not Alaska, and can go to their website to get amount from US or border something, I forgot, am thinking about $1500....but sure someone will help out if you don't find...

[starlite9]

Years ago it use to be $500.00 per person, but they also will ask if you have credit cards and such... Regardless, they do ask if you look like you don't have any....

[Moose Whisperer]

You have to be carrying enough for a one-way plane ticket home!

[rotorhead]

The issue is the crossing from the US into Canada. They basically want an excuse to turn you back if you look penniless, so that you don't end up being a financial burden on the Canadian taxpayer when they have to haul you back to the US.

With the US, the issue is typically the other way around. If you show up at the border with a suitcase full of cash, THAT'S when you can expect to be answering some questions.

To be fair though, the "are you carrying more than $10,000 worth of cash" question gets asked by Canadian customs too, and tragically, I always have to answer 'no'.

[Jerseykat]

From the Canadian Borders services site: Why some people cannot enter or remain in Canada?reason.....Financial They are unable or unwilling to support themselves and their dependants. (**now they don't specify how much or what is needed for this**)
The Alaskan office of economic developement has on it's site the following
regarding entry into Canada:
Money
Although there is no set standard on monies required for entrance into Canada, the visitor must have sufficient funds to cover his cost of living per day for the planned length of stay. The visitor must have return transportation fare to his country of origin. (There have been reports of a visitor being turned back for lacking $150.00 in cash.)

[akck]

No. No. No!!! You're all wrong. The new poster needs to send $2,000 in cash or good funds to the City-Data New Visitor Fund c/o my bank account. The funds are kept in safekeeping in case the OP has problems and needs to leave the state. Just submit the proper paperwork and you'll see the funds in about 6 months to a year.

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by cory_larousse

this might sound like a weird question but i know i was on some website and i remember seeing it stated that you can't get into alaska without a certain amount of cash on you or you can't move to alaska without proving you have a certain amount of cash in the bank...? now i'm google searching this and can't find that same information.

also once when an associate and i were going from bangor maine into canada the canadian border patrol asked me how much money i had on me and interrogated me when apparently they thought it was too little. it ended up being a moot point because my associate had a misdemeanor on his criminal record so he couldn't get into canada so we turned around and drove back to bangor. (yee haw.)

does anyone know if canadian border patrol or U.S. border patrol on the alaska side ask you how much money you have on you and how much are you supposed to have?

thanks for the info.

We crossed into the Canadian border returning back to AK in late May. We were asked how much cash we had on us. He also asked how many credit cards we had on us, as well as any debit cards; then he asked how much we had in the bank for the debit cards. We usually only carry a $100 in cash on us when crossing the border. I felt his questions on how much we had in the bank were a bit much but what can you do.

The Canadian agent had my info pulled up on the computer and even said to me, "I see you've been married before, did you find the right one this time?" I said to him, my first husband was killed in a motorcycle accident. He said, oh sorry to hear that, but as good a way to go as any. Strange....but I kept my mouth shut.

I don't believe you have to have any amount of cash to enter Alaska. Matter of fact, when crossing into the Border here in AK. we have never been asked that question.

[stiffnecked]

I saw a car load of 18 and 19 year olds turned back when trying to get off the ferry in Prince Rupert. From what I over heard the driver of the car said the gas tank was full, they had $50 between the 4 of them and they were only going to Prince George to party for the weekend. They either got turned back for lack of funds or maybe it was because someone had tried to break out the passangers side of the front windshield with a big rock or a baseball bat. I don't see how they were able to see out of the windshield to begin with.

Needless to say they got turned around and put back on the ferry to Ketchikan...

[BudinAk]

Originally Posted by cory_larousse

this might sound like a weird question but i know i was on some website and i remember seeing it stated that you can't get into alaska without a certain amount of cash on you or you can't move to alaska without proving you have a certain amount of cash in the bank...? now i'm google searching this and can't find that same information.

also once when an associate and i were going from bangor maine into canada the canadian border patrol asked me how much money i had on me and interrogated me when apparently they thought it was too little. it ended up being a moot point because my associate had a misdemeanor on his criminal record so he couldn't get into canada so we turned around and drove back to bangor. (yee haw.)

does anyone know if canadian border patrol or U.S. border patrol on the alaska side ask you how much money you have on you and how much are you supposed to have?

thanks for the info.

Several years ago (about 15), I was driving from Alaska, through Canada, to the lower 48. At the border, the Canadian official asked me if I had "sufficient money" to pay for my trip through Canada. I showed him my travelers checks in the amount total of $1000. He nodded, and waved me through. Don't know how much is required...I just guessed. Don't know if this is still the practice today...


Bud