POE question's

[missingmyguy 4]

For anyone whos gone through a point of entry to activate the visa, I need advice. I will be doing POE in Canada, since we have US customs in many of our airports, so my questions are:

1)what all do I need I have my unopened envelope and visa, but should I bring anything additional?

2) I'm only bringing a carry on and 1 suitcase the rest I wil ship before I go, and thats only 5 or 6 boxes im taking, and I shipping this now, via mail before I go a few weeks prior. SO when I go to the airport do I fill out customs forms for whats in my suitcase and carry on and do I check my bags in before customs as usual???

Or does a visa applicant have to do something diffent? Or is it just the usual flight steps?

3) I know international flights are 2 hours check in before hand (with out immigrations), so ontop of the required check in how early should I arrive, to get through and do customs. 4 hours before flight? I worry about line ups ect..

thanks in advance

[ricnally 258]

Go to the airport early. Don't know if they will check you in 4 hours before, but definitely try for 3 hours before.

Look at Shipsmart for sending your stuff vs mail. Technically, they're not supposed to allow your stuff over the border until you've activated your visa. Your stuff might get hung up in customs, if you try to send it early (and you might have to pay!).

[missingmyguy 4]

Hmmm..I only have about 4 or 5 small boxes of clothes...im keeping nothing, but a few years tax papers and my clothes) but I cant really ship it later, I need my clothes, and I have no one to ship for me. So I dont think it will be an issue for me to ship stuff...hopefully. even if I have to pay customs. It wont be much. My main stuff will be in my suitcase.

Anyone know about how to do POE?? Do we check our luggage in as usual?? Or are we required to do something different?

[mrsashko 16]

At point of entry - your customs form is only for what you have with you.

When you ship your other stuff - your postal carrier should ask you to fill out a customs form as well. That form is only for what is being shipped.

[missingmyguy 4]

Thank you. So I assume I go in and check my bags as usual, then proceed to customs or do I need to bring my bags to customs?

[mrsashko 16]

Thank you. So I assume I go in and check my bags as usual, then proceed to customs or do I need to bring my bags to customs?

That depends on the airport configuration.

I would assume that in Canada - you would check you bags at registration(leave bags there) and then go through security checkpoint and then through passport/customs control. (Again, this is only assumption)

[Ash.1101 1,755]

From what I've seen in the Canadian forums, the people who have shipped stuff to themselves usually ship it the day before or the day of leaving. It WILL get hung up in customs. You will have to send your shipping provider a copy of your I-94 and a scanned copy of your stamped visa, once that's all relayed to customs, customs will release the package.

Most people do it as closely to when they come into the country as possible. The longer your boxes sit in customs, the better chance something could get lost.


Other than that, you'll just need your sealed envelope and passport, nothing other than that. And I believe you just check in your goods like normal.

Lastly, I would say try to be there 3 hours early just in case.

[Pitaya 2,576]

~Moved from K1 Process to Working & Traveling During US Immigration Forum~

~Similar topics are often discussed at this forum~

[missingmyguy 4]

Thanks for all the advice. I figured I dont mind shipping my boxes regular post and paying customs as needed, the forms seem alot of work to save a bit of duty....as I only have a few hundred dollars worth of used clothes im taking, but instead ill get another suitcase and take it that way, I dont have much. Ill just bring an itemized list of my suitcase for customs officers.

I sorta figured id check bags in as a usual trip, but just wanted to be sure. Id hate to check them in then be told I needed them.

[MASH 172]

From what I've seen in the Canadian forums, the people who have shipped stuff to themselves usually ship it the day before or the day of leaving. It WILL get hung up in customs. You will have to send your shipping provider a copy of your I-94 and a scanned copy of your stamped visa, once that's all relayed to customs, customs will release the package.

Most people do it as closely to when they come into the country as possible. The longer your boxes sit in customs, the better chance something could get lost.

Other than that, you'll just need your sealed envelope and passport, nothing other than that. And I believe you just check in your goods like normal.

Lastly, I would say try to be there 3 hours early just in case.

Is the I-94 you get that at the airport or do you print and fill it at home ?

[Shauneg 762]

Is the I-94 you get that at the airport or do you print and fill it at home ?

Its all digital online. Just google I-94 form print out.

[mrsashko 16]

Is the I-94 you get that at the airport or do you print and fill it at home ?

I-94 are no longer given at the POE. You have to go online and print one yourself.

Here is the link, just in case: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/

[MASH 172]

I-94 are no longer given at the POE. You have to go online and print one yourself.

Here is the link, just in case: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/

I tried the site and it tells me to put passport # and so on and they said not found

I'm confused?

[k_stacky 65]

I tried the site and it tells me to put passport # and so on and they said not found

I'm confused?

Have you entered the US yet? if you haven't, then there's no electronic i-94 to "find" on the website. And if you have entered recently, it's probably not logged into their systems yet.

Edited November 16, 2015 by k_stacky

[MASH 172]

Have you entered the US yet? if you haven't, then there's no electronic i-94 to "find" on the website.

That is what it says so I don't know how to print something when I haven't gone to the US yet on the visa but the I'm seeing a lot of POE reviews saying they had to stamp the I-94 but how can I when I can't get the paper to begin with 0-0

That is what it says,so I don't know how to print something when I haven't gone to the US yet on the visa, I'm seeing a lot of POE reviews saying they had to stamp the I-94 but how can I when I can't get the paper to begin with 0-0