Finally Home!

[cdn_gewels 0]

Hi Everyone!

Just thought I'd give you a quick little update. I am finally home in Florida! I crossed over at the Thousand Islands, ON on Monday, February 15th. I called the POE weeks before and was told the best time to cross would be Mon-Fri between 8-4. I imported my car, so the officer I spoke with over the phone said that this would be the time I would have the most experienced officers.

We arrived at the border at 8:35 AM. I told the officer at the booth I was activating my K-1. I was then told to park to the right and head into secondary. My father and I were the only ones there at the time. I was called up to the counter in minutes and gave the officer my passport and packet. He was a newbie so a more senior agent was guiding him through. At one point, there were 4 officers checking over everything. They asked me simple questions like our wedding date, my fiance's address...

I was also importing my 2006 Kia. Another officer was working on that paperwork. He said that there would be an import charge, but I then told him that I had called back in December, spoken with an officer and was told that I would not be charged as I was on a K-1, even though my car was Korean. I had the date, time and officer's name from my call. The officer said he would look into it.... worked on his computer for a while, then never charged me and put "0" for charges on my paperwork for the car.

Once the car stuff was over, I sat for a bit and was then called back up to the counter where I was given back my passport with the I-94 inside. The officer called it my "meat and potatoes." He said that if I had any issues that I could contact Customs at the Orlando International Airport. He also confirmed that I knew what to do after I was married, etc.... and that was it.

We were there for an hour and then headed back onto the road. They never went through my car and never asked for my inventory list, even after I advised them that I had one.

The drive was long... 2200 kms.... but it was such an awesome feeling pulling up in front of the condo and walking in to greet my anxious fiance!

[Sam and Ben 2]

Yay! Welcome to Florida!

It was a loooong drive, eh? Sounds like it was longer than mine, even... did you do it all in one trip?

Very glad to hear that things went smoothly for you, and that you're safely home.

[OBX 51]

Nice to hear your POE was uneventful. Welcome to America.

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Congrats!

[TimandJoyce 1]

Glad you had a good POE, and that your finally there! Welcome to America!

[CDAgirlMI 51]

Welcome to the US!

[redmen99 1]

THANK YOU for posting this! My hubby and I were just debating which border crossing to use, Peace Bridge or Thousand Islands. (His stuff is in storage in Courtice so Thousand Islands would be a better option.) We were thinking of going the Peace Bridge route since I haven't seen any reviews on Thousand Islands until now. Its good to know this is really an option now.

Oh, and welcome to the US!!!

Edited February 18, 2010 by redmen99

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Welcome to the US and congrats on a smooth POE!

[Married2009 32]

Grats and glad you are home!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Congratulations on a smooth POE - welcome to the South!

[cdn_gewels 0]

Thanks everyone! It's good to be home.

Yay! Welcome to Florida!

It was a loooong drive, eh? Sounds like it was longer than mine, even... did you do it all in one trip?

Very glad to hear that things went smoothly for you, and that you're safely home.

We did the drive in 2 days. We stopped to sleep in Virginia. We drove for about 11-12 hours each day. We had some yucky weather in PA, MD, and VA, but it was smooth sailing into the Carolinas. I felt like the road would never end!!!

THANK YOU for posting this! My hubby and I were just debating which border crossing to use, Peace Bridge or Thousand Islands. (His stuff is in storage in Courtice so Thousand Islands would be a better option.) We were thinking of going the Peace Bridge route since I haven't seen any reviews on Thousand Islands until now. Its good to know this is really an option now.

Oh, and welcome to the US!!!

I don't think I've ever come across a review of the Thousands Islands crossing either, but, all went well. Good luck!!!

[Kimbear 53]

congrats!! glad things went smooth and quick for you!

[antda 13]

Hi Cdn_gewels,

Congrats on your successful POE and thanks for sharing your experience here on VJ!...

Welcome to Home to America, Cdn_gewels!...

Wow, what a long drive, indeed! Enjoy the warm weather in Florida now!

Good luck with the rest of your immigration journey too!

Ant

P.S. Cool about crossing at the Thousand Islands...It's a nice area...Famous for the Islands and Salad Dressing....lol......

Hi Everyone!

Just thought I'd give you a quick little update. I am finally home in Florida! I crossed over at the Thousand Islands, ON on Monday, February 15th. I called the POE weeks before and was told the best time to cross would be Mon-Fri between 8-4. I imported my car, so the officer I spoke with over the phone said that this would be the time I would have the most experienced officers.

We arrived at the border at 8:35 AM. I told the officer at the booth I was activating my K-1. I was then told to park to the right and head into secondary. My father and I were the only ones there at the time. I was called up to the counter in minutes and gave the officer my passport and packet. He was a newbie so a more senior agent was guiding him through. At one point, there were 4 officers checking over everything. They asked me simple questions like our wedding date, my fiance's address...

I was also importing my 2006 Kia. Another officer was working on that paperwork. He said that there would be an import charge, but I then told him that I had called back in December, spoken with an officer and was told that I would not be charged as I was on a K-1, even though my car was Korean. I had the date, time and officer's name from my call. The officer said he would look into it.... worked on his computer for a while, then never charged me and put "0" for charges on my paperwork for the car.

Once the car stuff was over, I sat for a bit and was then called back up to the counter where I was given back my passport with the I-94 inside. The officer called it my "meat and potatoes." He said that if I had any issues that I could contact Customs at the Orlando International Airport. He also confirmed that I knew what to do after I was married, etc.... and that was it.

We were there for an hour and then headed back onto the road. They never went through my car and never asked for my inventory list, even after I advised them that I had one.

The drive was long... 2200 kms.... but it was such an awesome feeling pulling up in front of the condo and walking in to greet my anxious fiance!

Edited February 19, 2010 by Ant+D+BabyA

[bankermai 1]

CONGRATULATIONS!!

[Dan and Ali 3]

Congrats on a successful POE! And welcome home