| - Does he need a visa to enter Canada?
I can't say for sure, but I'd be very surprised if he didn't.
- If yes, does it have to be obtained in a Canadian consulate in advance
or can he get it at the border?
I don't know if it's *possible* to get one at the border, but
it's *always* best to arrange it in advance. If nothing else,
it'll save you a long wait at the border.
- Since my brother can get into trouble with the Soviet authorities
because of the visit (they don't like it if somebody applies to go
to one country and visits something else, as in this case), is it
possible to get a visa stamp on a separate form instead in a passport?
I'm pretty sure it is, but your brother might seriously consider
going "by the book" and squaring things with his own government
in advance. I suppose it's in the realm of possibility that his
travel plans to the US may be jeopardized if they thought he
might try to sneak off to Canada. Obviously, it's up to him;
he knows his own government better than I.
- Does he need to notify the US Immigration that he will be coming
back to the US?
Almost undoubtedly. I'm sure that INS doesn't like Soviets (or
*any* aliens, for that matter) coming across the border without
notification. Best thing to do is ask them: the Boston area
INS information number ("Ask Immigration") is 723-3202. I also
found two numbers for "Federal Information Center", in case
you have other questions: 223-7121 and 565-8121.
- Is there the Canadian consulate in Boston?
Yes. It's listed under "Canada" in the Boston White Pages. In
the back of the phone book, at the end of the "Blue Pages",
is a list of all consulates in Boston. The Canadian Consulates
General are at Copley Place, phone number is 262-3760. There's
also a listing for the Canadian Government Office of Tourism
(536-1730), but the Consulate number is a better bet; the
O of T would probably just pass you along to the Consulate
anyways.
Your best bet would be to start off with the Federal Information
Center number, and find out just what would be involved in arranging
this short trip. They may be able to tell you the best way to
proceed further. It may be a short cut to just go straight to INS
and the Canadian Consulate, but there may be aspects to this that
you or I haven't thought of. It's their job, after all, and since
you're paying their salary, you might as well use the resource.
--- jerry
|