POE

[jola83 19]

So I'm almost set to go ,I fly out on Saturday morning from Heathrow:-),I'm pretty sure I remember reading on here that I should be giving a form to fill in from the person who I check my luggage into a Heathrow ??I know I would have the little boarding card to fill when I was traveling by data,is this form different to that? I can't seem to find the post I read it

[lost_at_sea 995]

You'll complete a customs declaration on the plane (blue form).

If there's another form, I don't know it and didn't do it. :/

[Avery Cates 1,141]

I don't believe I've heard of any special form. I know they give you the Customs declaration on the flight about an hour or so before you land usually. I don't think you need anything else other than your sealed envelope from the embassy.

[nobbie 105]

I came in a month ago and just told them at check in I was on a visa when asked, other than that just the customs form as normal and the envelope from the embassy, thats it.

[Jeannie & Al 18]

You'll complete a customs declaration on the plane (blue form).

If there's another form, I don't know it and didn't do it. :/

I came in a month ago and just told them at check in I was on a visa when asked, other than that just the customs form as normal and the envelope from the embassy, thats it.

Really? Harumph - I'm stumped. I remember my now hubby saying that they gave him the normal blue customs form on the plane but he had requested an additional white form but the flight attendants said he didn't need it...checked again after landing and someone said he didn't need it but when he got to the front, he did need to fill it out afterall. I remember reading about the form here and telling him I think..he doesn't remember what it's called though...

[Jeannie & Al 18]

Okay - I just found the section that I had sent him before and it does mention the white form:

5.1)... The airline staff ask if I need a visa waiver or if I'm traveling on a visa. Which form should I ask for?
A.. You are entering on a visa. You will need to fill out the "white" form. This will have the I-94 attached. This should be filled out at the departing airport or on the plane. Don't wait until you arrive in the US to fill it out or it may delay you.

I wonder if something has changed? but I know ours came after Lost at Sea?

I did find that whole section interesting to read if Jola or anyone wants to read it..it's entering the US on a K-1 visa:

http://www.visajourney.com/faq/k1k2visa-enter.html#5.1

[A Lost Iguana 1]

I believe that the I-94 is electronic now and that you do not fill it out out as you enter the country. (Many years ago when I held a J-1, I would have to fill one out and have it stapled into my passport every time I returned to the US.)

Edit: here's the link to request your I-94 number: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/request.html (If my memory serves me right, the visa is just to allow immigration to let you to enter, the I-94 was the document that captured your legal status.)

Edited October 31, 2013 by A Lost Iguana

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

The I-94 card used to be handed out on the plane to anyone with a visa. Several years back green I94W cards were given to those on visa waiver. When ESTA got fully automated, the I94W cards were no longer used. It became automated (2010 maybe?).

So back to the I-94 for those with visas. You filled out the top and bottom and turned it over at immigration.

CBP made notes on you entry type (K1), wrote your 90 day entry date on it, tore off the bottom half and either stapled it in the passport or handed the small stub to you. It was your proof of entry and status. You used it to get a SSN. You mailed a photocopy with adjustment of status.

In May/June 2013, the I-94 went fully automated. No card to fill in. The info all comes from scanning the passport. The passenger has to do nothing. After arrival, you go online to retrieve a computer printout to use for Social Security or including with AOS.

Everybody on the plane (Americans, VWPs, visa holders) gets a customs form to fill out just before landing. It is white with some blue top border. It where you list items you are bring in...souvenirs from your trip, booze from duty free, gifts for grandma... That is turned in after you go through immigration, process the visa, and pick up your checked luggage. You pass by a customs agent and turn in the form,

[Jeannie & Al 18]

The I-94 card used to be handed out on the plane to anyone with a visa. Several years back green I94W cards were given to those on visa waiver. When ESTA got fully automated, the I94W cards were no longer used. It became automated (2010 maybe?).

So back to the I-94 for those with visas. You filled out the top and bottom and turned it over at immigration.

CBP made notes on you entry type (K1), wrote your 90 day entry date on it, tore off the bottom half and either stapled it in the passport or handed the small stub to you. It was your proof of entry and status. You used it to get a SSN. You mailed a photocopy with adjustment of status.

In May/June 2013, the I-94 went fully automated. No card to fill in. The info all comes from scanning the passport. The passenger has to do nothing. After arrival, you go online to retrieve a computer printout to use for Social Security or including with AOS.

Everybody on the plane (Americans, VWPs, visa holders) gets a customs form to fill out just before landing. It is white with some blue top border. It where you list items you are bring in...souvenirs from your trip, booze from duty free, gifts for grandma... That is turned in after you go through immigration, process the visa, and pick up your checked luggage. You pass by a customs agent and turn in the form,

Thanks Nich-Nick - I am sure you are right as I trust your word. I will say that Newark is probably screwy because he did have to fill a form out when he got to the customs officer that they said he should have already filled out. Maybe someone at Newark didn't realize this was automated at the end of August. We were able to download that I-94 a week or two after he arrived and applied for the SSN # with it. But I'm thinking Jola is probably safe with just the blue customs form. Sorry for any confusion.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I kinda lost the Newark plot so here's a little more explaining.

There are two parts to entry

1) Immigration officer(s)- stamps passport, does finger prints, asks why you are entering the US, etc. And immigration (likely in a secondary room) also opens the white envelope and processes your K1. Before this summer they also took the I-94 form you filled out and gave back half. That is the form that got automated.

2) Customs officer (after immigration and after getting luggage) looks at the customs declaration form and keeps it. You are to list and value items brought in on the back . You answer questions on the front about having food, insects, plants, soil...been on a farm. See example here http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/sample_declaration_form.xml. The customs guy can also send you to have your luggage searched. Usually they take the form and waive you through.

So Jeannie, it is correct to have a form still for the customs guy and that's who you said asked for a form.

[Avery Cates 1,141]

I was wondering when exactly the I-94 came into play, as I read we need it for the SS number but I hadn't heard about it before that.

So if I understand correctly, it will be filled out and a copy given to her when she goes through the process at the POE?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

So if I understand correctly, it will be filled out and a copy given to her when she goes through the process at the POE?

Incorrect.

[Avery Cates 1,141]

Incorrect.

Got some correct information then?

[Berty 74]

The answers are in posts 7 and 8.

[Avery Cates 1,141]

The answers are in posts 7 and 8.

So it is.

Been reading this immigration stuff for so long I'm not even reading it right the first go around anymore.