Crossing to US via Queenston/Lewiston, Niagara

[Brenda2010 1]

Hi all - just to let you know that I drove across/activated my visa on Dec. 27th.

Waited 45 mins to be seen by a customs officer, handed over my secret package from the embassy, then waited another 20 mins while he puzzled through it. Seemed to be the first time he'd seen a K1 fiancee visa - much throwing up of hands, muttering, asking his colleagues questions. Didn't ask me anything other than when we intended to get married and that was it - took my fingerprints, stamped my passport, stapled in a document with my arrival date and a 3 month expiration date (have to be married within that date), charged $6 for the honour, and that was it.

He didn't ask to see any additional paperwork, no health records for my cat who I had with me, nor anything on the car I'm importing.

He told me next steps were for me to visit my local immigration office, get the EAD/AP, then apply for SSN but from what I've read on here I can apply for the SSN within a couple weeks of arriving - don't need to wait for the EAD/AP, right?

Should I have asked him for anything else? Other than the document he stapled in my passport?

I was thrilled at the time that it was all so easy but now have the sneaky suspicion I should've done/asked for something else...

[Inky 1,110]

Yep you can go to the ssn office in about 2 weeks and apply, I got married soon after I entered and we applied for my SSN in my married name and were able to get it that way instead of maiden.(one less thing to change lol)

Bring your car import documents the officer gave you to the DMV/registrar and get your plates done, they will cost a little more the first time around because you are registering the car new and have to pay for the plates. It was less $$ when just renewing the tags.

You wont "visit" your immigration office, you will just apply for AOS, EAD, AP by mailing the packet in to chicago lockbox (address on the instructions) That has to be done after your married tho because you need to include the copy of the marriage certificate!

[Brenda2010 1]

Yep you can go to the ssn office in about 2 weeks and apply, I got married soon after I entered and we applied for my SSN in my married name and were able to get it that way instead of maiden.(one less thing to change lol)

Bring your car import documents the officer gave you to the DMV/registrar and get your plates done, they will cost a little more the first time around because you are registering the car new and have to pay for the plates. It was less $$ when just renewing the tags.

You wont "visit" your immigration office, you will just apply for AOS, EAD, AP by mailing the packet in to chicago lockbox (address on the instructions) That has to be done after your married tho because you need to include the copy of the marriage certificate!

Thanks for the clarification and speedy reply! The officer didn't give me any car import documents but assume the DMV/registrar will have them. Gonna try that next week, one step at a time...

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Be sure to keep that card he stapled in your passport safe as well - that is the famous I-94. now that you have used your K-1, that document is your proof of legal status in the US. Make a number of copies of both sides of it because you will be required to submit them in the variety of immigration applications you will be filling out soon. You will also need to show it at the SSN office. Get your card as soon as you can and worry about changing your name on it later. You may also need the I-94 as proof of your legal status in order the get the car importation/ DL issues resolved as well.

Congratulations!

[Krikit 1,163]

Thanks for the clarification and speedy reply! The officer didn't give me any car import documents but assume the DMV/registrar will have them. Gonna try that next week, one step at a time...

You're going to have to go to the nearest POE to import your car properly. The DMV will not register your vehicle without it. Check out this thread for additional info. Make sure the foreign vehicle importer at the tag office notes that the odometer reading is in kms (and your resultant ownership) if your vehicle is not the type that switches back and forth between metric and the US system of measurement.

[OBX 51]

You're going to have to go to the nearest POE to import your car properly. The DMV will not register your vehicle without it. Check out this thread for additional info. Make sure the foreign vehicle importer at the tag office notes that the odometer reading is in kms (and your resultant ownership) if your vehicle is not the type that switches back and forth between metric and the US system of measurement.

You will definitely need those papers.

When I POEd I was not asked about my vehicle; it is not part of the immigration process per se. I had to bring it to the officer's attention and was the forwarded to another officer that dealt with the import papers.

[Brenda2010 1]

Oh boy. I knew it, I just knew I'd missed something! Damn, damn that customs officer, and me for not following up on that.

Thanks all for your help, I'll let you know how it goes...

And thanks for the heads up on the I-94, will make copies this morning!

[shawna7 4]

Its been 3 years since I POE ..they did not import my car at the border crossing either..I didn't know to ask( I was a newbie back then..lol) at any rate I registered my car in South carolina no problem..they took away my Ontario registration and ownership and issued me a new one..I don't know whether there was different rules a few years ago..or i got lucky..

[HisGirl 0]

I crossed at the Queenston/Lewiston entry also and didn't have a problem. I was there at 3am, so I was the only person they had to process. Was very quick and didn't ask me any questions!

[OBX 51]

Its been 3 years since I POE ..they did not import my car at the border crossing either..I didn't know to ask( I was a newbie back then..lol) at any rate I registered my car in South carolina no problem..they took away my Ontario registration and ownership and issued me a new one..I don't know whether there was different rules a few years ago..or i got lucky..

Maybe you got lucky.

I traded my Canadian vehicle in when I moved to NJ. When I was filling out the paperwork at the dealership they didn't ask me for any documentation from the border at all. I thought it was a bit weird as they knew it was Canadian vehicle but I figured they knew what they were doing. Sure enough a few weeks later when they were trying to register the car so they could resell it they called and asked for the missing papers.

[Krikit 1,163]

I think you got lucky too, Shawna. Just don't try to sell it! lol

See last paragraph of this link.

[shawna7 4]

I think you got lucky too, Shawna. Just don't try to sell it! lol

See last paragraph of this link.

oh no!! I hadn't thought about that! although I do have the new ownership(registrstion..whatever they call it here )