Points of Entry Contact Information

[July09Bride 1]

Is there a location where we can find out the contact information for the various POE locations? There is one particular border crissing that I prefer, but I want to make sure the process the K1 at this particular crossing. In addition, if we can't cross there, then I'd like to contact our 2nd POE choice.

Thanks, everyone for your help with this!

[MrsCat 6]

Not sure if this is what you're looking for, but here ya go. It has the contact information for each POE.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/

[July09Bride 1]

Not sure if this is what you're looking for, but here ya go. It has the contact information for each POE.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/

MrsCat,

That's perfect! Thank you SO much! Only bummer is... the port where we (he) wanted to enter isn't listed... I wonder why? It isn't a major POE, but it does exist. Hmmm....

Thanks again!

[bluegreen 0]

Not sure if this is what you're looking for, but here ya go. It has the contact information for each POE.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/

MrsCat,

That's perfect! Thank you SO much! Only bummer is... the port where we (he) wanted to enter isn't listed... I wonder why? It isn't a major POE, but it does exist. Hmmm....

Thanks again!

I had that issue and so I called the closest one and they gave me the correct number. Try that! I also found that many of the numbers for the smaller POEs filtered through to the same person in the end.

[July09Bride 1]

I actually called today after school, and spoke with a real-live person at the POE where we wanted to go. He said, since there's only 2 CBP officers on staff at any one point (told you this was a small POE) that they can't do paperwork for Visas. <sigh> I asked him, if the number of officers went up in the summer due to the volume of traffic that goes through there. His response was actually funny... he said, "No, not more officers, just more cars."

Where we want to cross is a "Class B" POE and is strictly for basic entry. We have to go to a "Class A" POE. That's where they do the Visas.

Oh, well. I learned something new this evening.

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

I actually called today after school, and spoke with a real-live person at the POE where we wanted to go. He said, since there's only 2 CBP officers on staff at any one point (told you this was a small POE) that they can't do paperwork for Visas. <sigh> I asked him, if the number of officers went up in the summer due to the volume of traffic that goes through there. His response was actually funny... he said, "No, not more officers, just more cars."

Where we want to cross is a "Class B" POE and is strictly for basic entry. We have to go to a "Class A" POE. That's where they do the Visas.

Oh, well. I learned something new this evening.

HUH????

I never knew this????? Ok, have to check the list....we always cross at Buffalo??? The things you learn!

[JillA 2]

I actually called today after school, and spoke with a real-live person at the POE where we wanted to go. He said, since there's only 2 CBP officers on staff at any one point (told you this was a small POE) that they can't do paperwork for Visas. <sigh> I asked him, if the number of officers went up in the summer due to the volume of traffic that goes through there. His response was actually funny... he said, "No, not more officers, just more cars."

Where we want to cross is a "Class B" POE and is strictly for basic entry. We have to go to a "Class A" POE. That's where they do the Visas.

Oh, well. I learned something new this evening.

HUH????

I never knew this????? Ok, have to check the list....we always cross at Buffalo??? The things you learn!

Buffalo is good, but tip: if you're activing your visa on a weekend, or even a weekday get there early!! I went to Queenston Lewiston on a Saturday AM at 5. There was no one there and we were in and out in half an hour. If you go later morning/midday, there are so many shoppers and you have to line up and wait which you don't really want to do when you're super nervous and doing a visa!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Was your preferred POE one of the ferry crossings between Ontario and Michigan along the Detroit River? When I activated my K-1 I went the week before to the Algonac ferry crossing to ask them in person if they did K-1s. The border official reassured me that they did indeed do them and it wouldn't be a problem. So, we showed up the following week and a different border guard was on duty. She refused to do the K-1 and we ended up having to travel north to Sarnia/Port Huron. When we finally got the visa activated there they told us that Algonac could indeed do the K-1 and were surprised that they wouldn't. So, I think it is up to the individual border guards whether or not they want to be bothered. I had done everything I could to verify that we would be processed at Algonac but luck of the draw was we got the lazy border official. If I had had any idea that would happen we would have headed for Detroit and saved ourselves nearly 5 additional hours of travel as well as the aggravation.

[July09Bride 1]

Was your preferred POE one of the ferry crossings between Ontario and Michigan along the Detroit River? When I activated my K-1 I went the week before to the Algonac ferry crossing to ask them in person if they did K-1s. The border official reassured me that they did indeed do them and it wouldn't be a problem. So, we showed up the following week and a different border guard was on duty. She refused to do the K-1 and we ended up having to travel north to Sarnia/Port Huron. When we finally got the visa activated there they told us that Algonac could indeed do the K-1 and were surprised that they wouldn't. So, I think it is up to the individual border guards whether or not they want to be bothered. I had done everything I could to verify that we would be processed at Algonac but luck of the draw was we got the lazy border official. If I had had any idea that would happen we would have headed for Detroit and saved ourselves nearly 5 additional hours of travel as well as the aggravation.

Yes, but it isn't Algonac or Detroit River... it's Marine City, MI / Sombra, ON across the Black River (that becomes the Detroit River). We too will go through Port Huron. How was your experience going through Port Huron, Kathryn??

[♥Stiggy♥ 0]

Was your preferred POE one of the ferry crossings between Ontario and Michigan along the Detroit River? When I activated my K-1 I went the week before to the Algonac ferry crossing to ask them in person if they did K-1s. The border official reassured me that they did indeed do them and it wouldn't be a problem. So, we showed up the following week and a different border guard was on duty. She refused to do the K-1 and we ended up having to travel north to Sarnia/Port Huron. When we finally got the visa activated there they told us that Algonac could indeed do the K-1 and were surprised that they wouldn't. So, I think it is up to the individual border guards whether or not they want to be bothered. I had done everything I could to verify that we would be processed at Algonac but luck of the draw was we got the lazy border official. If I had had any idea that would happen we would have headed for Detroit and saved ourselves nearly 5 additional hours of travel as well as the aggravation.

Yeah, it must be upto the individual. Ive heard of two different people crossing through no-where NewBrunswick, one person got through activating their K1 , but the POE officer had no idea how to do it, but he did it... and I remember them saying it took a while.

Then another person went through and was told they didnt do them

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Port Huron was fine. Very knowledgeable and professional - and even courteous. The POE officer made a big point of telling me to make sure I didn't leave the US without my AP or green card as it was one of the saddest parts of his job to turn back Canadian spouses who had left without that permission. Whole process took less than half an hour and they didn't even inspect the vehicle or look at my list of items I was bringing with us - which included 6 cats and a number of houseplants (with the phyto sanitary certificates). You'll have no problems.

Come to think of it, it wasn't Algonac, it was Marine City where we initially crossed and had been told they could process a K-1 - not Algonac. Sorry for the confusion - it was 5 years ago now! - the one across from Sombra, not Walpole Island. I used to cross very regularly through both those POE when I was dating another American back in the 90s - he lived in Mount Clemens and I lived in Chatham so it was more convenient going those routes than by Detroit or Port Huron. Port Huron from London is definitely a more convenient POE for you as well as a nicer, cleaner facility than Detroit.

Edited March 14, 2009 by Kathryn41

[July09Bride 1]

Port Huron was fine. Very knowledgeable and professional - and even courteous. The POE officer made a big point of telling me to make sure I didn't leave the US without my AP or green card as it was one of the saddest parts of his job to turn back Canadian spouses who had left without that permission. Whole process took less than half an hour and they didn't even inspect the vehicle or look at my list of items I was bringing with us - which included 6 cats and a number of houseplants (with the phyto sanitary certificates). You'll have no problems.

Come to think of it, it wasn't Algonac, it was Marine City where we initially crossed and had been told they could process a K-1 - not Algonac. Sorry for the confusion - it was 5 years ago now! - the one across from Sombra, not Walpole Island. I used to cross very regularly through both those POE when I was dating another American back in the 90s - he lived in Mount Clemens and I lived in Chatham so it was more convenient going those routes than by Detroit or Port Huron. Port Huron from London is definitely a more convenient POE for you as well as a nicer, cleaner facility than Detroit.

He used to live in the Glencoe area and that's how I became so familiar with the Marine City crossing. They're so nice there! I crossed there so often, that they even noticed when I got a new vehicle. LOL It was funny, because when they saw me (us) coming, it was almost laffable, because we knew that they knew us and we knew that they were doing their jobs by going through all the questions. At times, they even joked with us that they had to ask us the questions, because they'd toss in statements such as "again" or "this time".

Anyway, thanks SO much for your insight to the Port Huron POE. I hope our trip through there is as easy as yours! We're hoping for a trip through there at the beginning of June (or close to that!).

Edited March 14, 2009 by July09Bride

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

Buffalo is good, but tip: if you're activing your visa on a weekend, or even a weekday get there early!! I went to Queenston Lewiston on a Saturday AM at 5. There was no one there and we were in and out in half an hour. If you go later morning/midday, there are so many shoppers and you have to line up and wait which you don't really want to do when you're super nervous and doing a visa!

Jill- we do cross at Lewiston. I always leave at 3-4am, and hit the bridge by 5am. I've never had more than a few cars. We will likely do it on a week day. Is it open 24 hours? I read somewhere that their office hours are 8,30am.... but then somewhere else I read that Lewiston is 24 hours?

I totally plan on doing it early. I can't believe that they let you cross with all your belongings? I mean at that point, it's a temp visa and you're not married yet? I'm not complaining!

Edited March 14, 2009 by poprocks

[JillA 2]

Buffalo is good, but tip: if you're activing your visa on a weekend, or even a weekday get there early!! I went to Queenston Lewiston on a Saturday AM at 5. There was no one there and we were in and out in half an hour. If you go later morning/midday, there are so many shoppers and you have to line up and wait which you don't really want to do when you're super nervous and doing a visa!

Jill- we do cross at Lewiston. I always leave at 3-4am, and hit the bridge by 5am. I've never had more than a few cars. We will likely do it on a week day. Is it open 24 hours? I read somewhere that their office hours are 8,30am.... but then somewhere else I read that Lewiston is 24 hours?

I totally plan on doing it early. I can't believe that they let you cross with all your belongings? I mean at that point, it's a temp visa and you're not married yet? I'm not complaining!

I left Oakville at 4:30am on a Sat and got to Lewiston a bit past 5.... 0 cars were there at that hour, 0 people in secondary. It was an awesome time to go, as not only did I have to activate my K1 but had to import my car too! And I went to so much trouble doing up my packing list (I had a 17 foot Uhaul) with SO much furniture and stuff they never even ASKED me what was inside the truck! Like not 1 question. It was a breeze. It really is the best time to go when it's not busy. It is open 24 hours, it has to be. You can cross there 24/7 so secondary is always open.