What can we expect at the POE- Peace Bridge- Buffalo

[CANtoUSlove 3]

Hi all!

My husband's interview is less than a month away in Montreal, and I got approval from my office to "telework" that week so I can attend. The plan is, I'll fly up the 6th, we'll drive to Montreal, have the interview, and once his passport is ready for pick up, drive down in his car with all of his stuff.

I was just curious of other people's experiences with the POE at the Peace Bridge, so we can be as prepared as possible. Should he have an itemized list of all of his belongings? Will it be a problem if I'm there with him?

So excited to be at the end of this long journey, but got a few more little bumps in the road before it's smooth sailing.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

[Ryan H 3,813]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Canada regional forum; OP is asking for experiences about a specific border crossing into the US from Canada.

[alizon 77]

We didn't cross at the Peace Bridge, but we did do a land border entry together with all his stuff packed in a (rental) car, so maybe our experiences will be similar:

We didn't need a list of what my husband had with him. The guards processing our paperwork didn't even ask us about what was in the car. There were some guards wandering through all the traffic driving up to the border who asked us who was moving to the US and what were they bringing, but we just mentioned a few things (bike, clothes, computer) and that satisfied them. My guess is they assume you're not importing more than you should be if your stuff fits in a car. I don't know what the process of importing a car is like since ours was a rental.

The two of us traveling together wasn't a problem at all.

[canada_socks 97]

I crossed at the Peace Bridge last September! It was pretty painless...we went on a Sunday which I do not recommend (actually one of the guards told us the weekends are the worst for immigrating). It is best to go during the week. We had a 3 hour wait. I had an itemized list of everything I brought with me and they didn't ask to see it, and they didn't look at the van either. I did bring my cat with me and the one guy asked to see the cat, just to verify that it was indeed a domestic cat and not some other animal. No biggie really. Just have your paper work ready! Being there with your husband won't be an issue at all. Mine was with me (my fiance at the time). They asked us both some questions when they did my biometrics. They lady who processed our visa was really nice. I think her name badge said Sauders? Something like that.

Oh and don't look out the windows. My husband did that and a guard told him to get away from them. Kinda silly if you ask me!

[Hugglebuggles 60]

I used the Peace Bridge when I came over on my K-1 (3 years ago yesterday!) We crossed early on a Saturday morning, around 7 and it only took about 45 minutes. There was only 1 other person in secondary, crossing on a student visa. The officer had done a couple K-1's before, the Peace Bridge is a busy border crossing, so they encounter this stuff all the time. I had a list of my belongings, but they never asked. My husband was there with me and that was perfectly fine. The officer even stamped his passport to commemorate the day.

I've always used the peace bridge as my crossing of choice, in all the years I've crossed there I've never had an issue. They're all very professional.

[Krikit 1,164]

I did Peace Bridge also. Best POE in the Niagara area. No need to bring an itemized list. If he is importing a vehicle he will have to let them know so it doesn't get forgotten. They charged me $6 for the I-94 but I've read where some people haven't been.

You can find reviews at the POE Review page:

http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/poereviews.php?&poe=CDN-USA%20Border

Congratulations!

[CANtoUSlove 3]

Thank you everyone! This makes me feel much more at ease. :)

I'm curious about his car... It's a US car that he bought when he was in college. I'll post on here if there's anything different with it.

So excited!