Port of Entry - driving into the US from Canada

[smh5636 0]

Hi All,

We finally got the visa approved and are happily planning Ludovic's arrival in NY!! We are going to have to drive down from Montreal because he will be bringing furniture etc...

Is there anything specific we should know about crossing the border by car rather than flying into an airport? It seems that most people fly so we're just curious if anyone has any tips, or pieces of advice?

Thanks in advance!

Sara & Ludovic

[Jonara 0]

Where is your fiance from? Is he flying from France to Canada then drive down to NYC?

Edited July 4, 2009 by Jonara

[Bobby+Umit 161]

Hi All,

We finally got the visa approved and are happily planning Ludovic's arrival in NY!! We are going to have to drive down from Montreal because he will be bringing furniture etc...

Is there anything specific we should know about crossing the border by car rather than flying into an airport? It seems that most people fly so we're just curious if anyone has any tips, or pieces of advice?

Thanks in advance!

Sara & Ludovic

No special requirments, it would be the same as flying.

Just ensure the CBP takes care of the K-1 stuff. (you could even probably call ahead and inquire on the paticulars)

[smh5636 0]

Thanks for the speedy replies!

Ludovic has been living/working in Montreal since October, but had his visa processed at the Embassy in Paris (most recent 6-month plus residence).

Thanks for the idea to call ahead - we'll see what they have to say.

Happy 4th of July to everyone! What a day to be checking the forums on visa journey ;-)

[Kathryn41 3,205]

We crossed by car. When you pull up at the border state you are activating a K-1 Visa. You will be directed to secondary inspection. You hand them the passport with the visa in it and the brown envelope he got from the Consulate. They will open the envelope and go through the contents, put an I-94 card in the passport (keep that - you will need it for AOS) - you will pay $6 for the I-94; stamp the Visa and hand write a date 90 days from your entry date. That is the day by which you need to get married. Outside of waiting for other people to be processed, the whole thing should take about half an hour.

Have a list of what personal belongings he is bringing with him. It doesn't have to be too detailed - ie, box of summer clothes, box of winter clothes, bedside table, 5 boxes of books, office chair, desk, bookshelf, etc. You should also include the serial numbers of anything electronic such as a computer, printer, etc. In all likelihood they won't even look at the list but you are required to have one available.

Good luck.

[Krikit 1,163]

Hi smh5636. I'm going to move your thread to the Canada forum. A wide majority of us had a land POE so you'll find some good info there. If he has a vehicle to import there are additional steps to take. But, basically, the process is just as Kathryn says.... with a few minor differences between each POE. You'll find some who have crossed where you intend to, and also some who are French citizens who crossed. Check out the pinned topic at the top of that forum and you'll find some helpful information in there also.

Have a safe trip!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hi All,

We finally got the visa approved and are happily planning Ludovic's arrival in NY!! We are going to have to drive down from Montreal because he will be bringing furniture etc...

Is there anything specific we should know about crossing the border by car rather than flying into an airport? It seems that most people fly so we're just curious if anyone has any tips, or pieces of advice?

Thanks in advance!

Sara & Ludovic

The procedure is about the same, they will likely have you go inside to be processed. You will likely be using the Champlain border crossing (Rt 15/Rt 87) I go through there all the time, it is maybe 10 minutes from my house, wave as you go by!