I-94 help (US border)

[yellowberry]

Hi there

I need some help/advice with regards to the I-94.

Here is my situation:
- In July 2008, I went to Buffalo and crossed the US border and had a white I-94 card stapled to my passport (foreign passport). I had my fingerprints and photo taken, etc.

- I did some shopping etc and returned back to Canada on the same day. On my way back, the Canadian immigration officers did not take my I-94 NOR did they stamp anything into my passport.

- Only recently did I only discover that the I-94 is still in my passport, and it had expired a long time ago (August 2008). I want to go back to the US for a trip to Vegas, etc.

Should I-
- Mail back the I-94 to the London, Texas location per the CBP website? (DHS - CBP SBU
1084 South Laurel Road, London, KY 40744). I heard it would take 3-4 months to process. See link here (http://help.cbp.gov/cgi-bin/customs.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=752&p_created=1077641280&p_sid=RGQ8g3Hh&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX 3Jvd19jbnQ9OCZwX3Byb2RzPTAmcF9jYXRzPTAmcF9wdj0mcF9 jdj0mcF9zZWFyY2hfdHlwZT1hbnN3ZXJzLnNlYXJjaF9ubCZwX 3BhZ2U9MSZwX3NlYXJjaF90ZXh0PUktOTQ*&p_li=&p_topview=1).

- Keep the I-94 in my passport and just show it to the US immigration people with some proof that I was in Canada other than a passport stamp (e.g. letter from employer, bank statements, etc)


If you have had a similar experience, and if you have mailed in an i-94 OR shown up at immigrations with a I-94 at the border, please share your experience / advice.

Thanks!

[terribly]

Hey.

I've had this happen twice (that I've had to mail back my I-94w to them).

First time I was actually past the date, as I didn't notice it was still in my passport until much later.

I mailed it back to them with a brief letter explaining when I left and that I've been in Canada since leaving. I also explained the proof I sent along. FWIW, I think I sent bank statements showing transactions in Canada since leaving, and a paystub showing that I'd worked in Canada since then.

I obviously traveled to the US after having to mail back my first I-94w; despite it being late, I had no trouble crossing. That said, there was a significant period (a year?) between me mailing it off and then trying to cross again.

I imagine this is a pretty common occurrence. From what I understand, this is more to let the US know that you haven't snuck in and stayed in the US somewhere. Just explain what happened and show some proof. The farther back you can go, the better. If you can show you bought gas in Canada on the way home that day or something, perfect. Then be sure to photocopy the whole thing, including your I-94w, the letter and your proof, and keep it with you for the next time you cross. As mentioned, I had no trouble, but it was a while afterwards; I'm not sure how quickly they turn these things around.

[tkyoshi]

It's pretty common if you cross by land.

On the BC/WA border, if you live in Vancouver they usually leave it in your passport so you can keep crossing till it expires. When it expires they just take it out and send you in to get a new one.

But depending on location say if you then flew to Edmonton then flew out from there, you might get a haggling. But generally in border cities they aren't too strict on it. But to be safe you can just mail it back to them.

[Ebola]

Hi there

I need some help/advice with regards to the I-94.

Here is my situation:
- In July 2008, I went to Buffalo and crossed the US border and had a white I-94 card stapled to my passport (foreign passport). I had my fingerprints and photo taken, etc.

- I did some shopping etc and returned back to Canada on the same day. On my way back, the Canadian immigration officers did not take my I-94 NOR did they stamp anything into my passport.

- Only recently did I only discover that the I-94 is still in my passport, and it had expired a long time ago (August 2008). I want to go back to the US for a trip to Vegas, etc.

Should I-
- Mail back the I-94 to the London, Texas location per the CBP website? (DHS - CBP SBU
1084 South Laurel Road, London, KY 40744). I heard it would take 3-4 months to process. See link here (http://help.cbp.gov/cgi-bin/customs.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=752&p_created=1077641280&p_sid=RGQ8g3Hh&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX 3Jvd19jbnQ9OCZwX3Byb2RzPTAmcF9jYXRzPTAmcF9wdj0mcF9 jdj0mcF9zZWFyY2hfdHlwZT1hbnN3ZXJzLnNlYXJjaF9ubCZwX 3BhZ2U9MSZwX3NlYXJjaF90ZXh0PUktOTQ*&p_li=&p_topview=1).

- Keep the I-94 in my passport and just show it to the US immigration people with some proof that I was in Canada other than a passport stamp (e.g. letter from employer, bank statements, etc)


If you have had a similar experience, and if you have mailed in an i-94 OR shown up at immigrations with a I-94 at the border, please share your experience / advice.

Thanks!

What's your citizenship.

You have to request the I-94 be removed by a Canadian BSO on return, it's not automatic.