Preparing for POE what should I expect?

[Chris&Rebecca 1]

So I am going through my Port of Entry in a few days and I am looking for some advice.

I am preparing a list of everything I am bringing with me, but I really want to know what to expect when I get there. I understand we will have a bit of a wait while they process the paperwork but should I expect any forms back? What kind of questions if any do they ask? I'm nervous and would love some friendly advice!

[Inky 1,111]

That depends are you importing a car? If so then you will be getting quite a stack of paper for the import of your car that you need to keep with you and bring to the registrar of your state to register and plate your car.

You will get an I-94 stapled into your passport, you need this for AOS its very important. Make sure they give you it.

Other than that you wont get anything else, your visa package is taken from you and forwarded on to the USCIS.

Really no reason at all to be nervous. You don't have to really do anything cept smile and chat and make sure you get the I-94.

[CeCeJa 0]

hey, i did mine just a week ago so here goes. I was ushered in the visitors section, did finger print and took a picture at the primary section of immigration. The officer then placed my documents into a bag and directed me to go to a special room for secondary processing. I was in the room for about 45 minutes to an hour due to the traffic there. You will again be finger printed and asked to sign a document twice. A stamp will be placed in the passport and it is valid for a year until the actual permanent resident card shows up in the mail. You will be handed a paper and instructed to visit your local Social Security Office to apply for a Social Security card regardless of you stating it on the immigration form.

Regarding questions, i dont know your situation but they asked me why my mom didnt file sooner and if she is a citizen. Paperwork, just bring the sealed envelope that they gave you, (along with your passport of course .

Hope this helps and good luck to you all.

[Flames9_RN 358]

hey, i did mine just a week ago so here goes. I was ushered in the visitors section, did finger print and took a picture at the primary section of immigration. The officer then placed my documents into a bag and directed me to go to a special room for secondary processing. I was in the room for about 45 minutes to an hour due to the traffic there. You will again be finger printed and asked to sign a document twice. A stamp will be placed in the passport and it is valid for a year until the actual permanent resident card shows up in the mail. You will be handed a paper and instructed to visit your local Social Security Office to apply for a Social Security card regardless of you stating it on the immigration form.

Regarding questions, i dont know your situation but they asked me why my mom didnt file sooner and if she is a citizen. Paperwork, just bring the sealed envelope that they gave you, (along with your passport of course .

Hope this helps and good luck to you all.

\

Sounds like you have a cr-1//ir-1 visa--op has a k1. They will ask very basic questions, usually in a very relaxed manner. best of luck

[CeCeJa 0]

actually, i was in the f2a category.

[Inky 1,111]

hey, i did mine just a week ago so here goes. I was ushered in the visitors section, did finger print and took a picture at the primary section of immigration. The officer then placed my documents into a bag and directed me to go to a special room for secondary processing. I was in the room for about 45 minutes to an hour due to the traffic there. You will again be finger printed and asked to sign a document twice. A stamp will be placed in the passport and it is valid for a year until the actual permanent resident card shows up in the mail. You will be handed a paper and instructed to visit your local Social Security Office to apply for a Social Security card regardless of you stating it on the immigration form.

Regarding questions, i dont know your situation but they asked me why my mom didnt file sooner and if she is a citizen. Paperwork, just bring the sealed envelope that they gave you, (along with your passport of course .

Hope this helps and good luck to you all.

Sorry this is incorrect. Please please please read the visa type before advising on what will happen. The OP will get no such stamp in their passport that acts as a green card.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

It should be very straight-forward. When you pull in at the border, they will ask your purpose. You will say you are activating a K-1 visa (the word activating isn't quite accurate but it is the best description) and moving to the US. You will be directed to Secondary inspection. Park and leave your car unlocked (there may be someone there to direct you or there may not be). Go inside to the counter. Have with you your passport, the brown envelope and your lists for your belongings. If you are importing your car, have the ownership/registration and your letter of compliance.

Tell the official at the counter that you are entering the US on a K-1 fiancee visa. The border official at the counter will take the brown envelope from you and start processing you by opening the envelope, reviewing the contents, looking at your passport, fingerprinting you, asking you basic questions (address in the US, etc.) typing out forms, stamping your visa with a stamp listing the date and sponsor's name, and then stapling a piece of square card called an I-94 onto the same or next page as the K-1 and it's stamp. (This is not an I-551 stamp). There will be a date 90 days in the future on the I-94 and possibly on the K- 1 stamp as well. You will pay either $6 or $7 US for the I-94 document. Make sure that the information is listed correctly, that it says K-1 and the date is 90 days in the future. Check for correct spelling. If there are errors, insist that they be corrected. (There usually aren't). Look after that document - after you use your K- 1 to cross the border, it becomes your proof of legal presence in the US. You will need copies of it for future immigration paperwork as well. You will not receive the brown envelope back nor will you receive any of the documents or items in the envelope. The envelope will be forwarded to USCIS where it will later be matched up with your AOS application'. (You won't see any of it again until you have your Naturalization interview if you decide to become a citizen - your file will be quite large by that time ).

They may or may not look at your lists and they may or may not go through your vehicle. You probably won't know if they go through your vehicle or not unless they say something or you notice something.

There will be more paperwork if you are importing a car (I didn't so will leave those details to others). You may then be told about the terms of your entry to the US to make sure you understand them, and that you are not able to return to Canada until you have a green card or an AP - or you may just be told Welcome to America and sent on your way. Your part of the process should take about half an hour, but if there are other people being processed at the same time your wait may be longer.

Good luck!

Edited December 25, 2011 by Kathryn41

[Flames9_RN 358]

actually, i was in the f2a category.

Point is you should see what type of visa the person has, as it is a different process for each visa type. Looking at ur timeline, no 1 can tell what you did.

[Chris&Rebecca 1]

Thank you to those who responded appropriately to my question! You have been so much help in relieving the stress of moving, I will make sure I get a I-94! And I am not importing a car so I get to skip that step. Thanks again

Edited December 25, 2011 by Chris&Rebecca

[nickoxxy 2]

I am preparing a list of everything I am bringing with me...

Does the same rule (making a list of everything) apply to IR1 case? Me and my wife would be entering the USA via Port Huron this Friday (I'm a US citizen and just driving my wife from Toronto).

[Flames9_RN 358]

Does the same rule (making a list of everything) apply to IR1 case? Me and my wife would be entering the USA via Port Huron this Friday (I'm a US citizen and just driving my wife from Toronto).

Yes one should have somewhat of a list. Many times they dont even ask for it or even look in the car. But their are times when they do ask for a list and do look in the car.

[nickoxxy 2]

Yes one should have somewhat of a list. Many times they dont even ask for it or even look in the car. But their are times when they do ask for a list and do look in the car.

Thank you. But what's the purpose of that list? For approximate value of the goods being brought into the country And what's the list itself, like bunch of goods's entries with the estimated price or what?

When I was entering the USA as a GC holder - no one even cared to ask me about what sort of powder was in one of the bags - could have looked as a drug (that was anti-flue medicine brought from Ukraine), let alone the luggage at all. And I never being asked to show any sort of list or something like that. And I didn't have anything with me. That was long time ago, back in 2005, so the rules might have changed.

Even if you're asked what are you bringing in, one can always present it verbally, and it's up to BPO either to check it (again, for what reason - drugs?) or to take at face value.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Thank you. But what's the purpose of that list? For approximate value of the goods being brought into the country And what's the list itself, like bunch of goods's entries with the estimated price or what?

When I was entering the USA as a GC holder - no one even cared to ask me about what sort of powder was in one of the bags - could have looked as a drug (that was anti-flue medicine brought from Ukraine), let alone the luggage at all. And I never being asked to show any sort of list or something like that. And I didn't have anything with me. That was long time ago, back in 2005, so the rules might have changed.

Even if you're asked what are you bringing in, one can always present it verbally, and it's up to BPO either to check it (again, for what reason - drugs?) or to take at face value.

I can only pas on my experience, which was Dec 2004. I made a table on MS Word. Had the item, approx value, Serial # if it was electric! I didnt list every single item, but grouped things together. The Customs guy at the Maine POE looked at my list (as he was playing solitaire on the computer) Said it was more than he would do if it was him and stamped it. Didnt even look at my Uhaul truck! Just a general list wil prob suffice! And its a very good chance you will have the exact same experience back in 2005. But does one want to make that general list in the comforts of your home with a beer, or being rushed at the POE?

[nickoxxy 2]

I can only pas on my experience, which was Dec 2004. I made a table on MS Word. Had the item, approx value, Serial # if it was electric! I didnt list every single item, but grouped things together. The Customs guy at the Maine POE looked at my list (as he was playing solitaire on the computer) Said it was more than he would do if it was him and stamped it. Didnt even look at my Uhaul truck! Just a general list wil prob suffice! And its a very good chance you will have the exact same experience back in 2005. But does one want to make that general list in the comforts of your home with a beer, or being rushed at the POE?

I liked your answer ! Especially, where it was said about the game the officer played ! Remembering all the details of you entering the USA - that is awesome !

Well, since my wife is gonna take with her only the minimum of items (my Corolla is not U-Haul or Budget truck at all ), I guess, making a list is 50/50: just clothing, shoes etc. Well, I'll tell her about that hand-written list or we'll make it together once I'm in Toronto.

Thank you again !

[Flames9_RN 358]

I liked your answer ! Especially, where it was said about the game the officer played ! Remembering all the details of you entering the USA - that is awesome !

Well, since my wife is gonna take with her only the minimum of items (my Corolla is not U-Haul or Budget truck at all ), I guess, making a list is 50/50: just clothing, shoes etc. Well, I'll tell her about that hand-written list or we'll make it together once I'm in Toronto.

Thank you again !

It was a very easy POE--even though the POE officers in Maine had never seen a CR-1 visa before! they had to get out the big black book of knowledge AND call another POE station! But it all worked out. They asked very basic questions in a very non-threatening manner!