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Easy way of crossing over the US border?

Easy way of crossing over the US border?

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Old Nov 27th 2012, 6:21 pm
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Default Easy way of crossing over the US border?

I live in Vancouver, waiting on my PR. But the last time we crossed over the border it took FOREVER, I had to go fill out a customs form and pay $6.

Is there any way that I can have that ready for them before I go and just give it to them as we cross the border? Instead of having to go park up and wait for two hours?
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Old Nov 27th 2012, 6:35 pm
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Default Re: Easy way of crossing over the US border?

Originally Posted by Screenwriter
I live in Vancouver, waiting on my PR. But the last time we crossed over the border it took FOREVER, I had to go fill out a customs form and pay $6.

Is there any way that I can have that ready for them before I go and just give it to them as we cross the border? Instead of having to go park up and wait for two hours?
No. You need to go in and do finger prints / pictures too.

You can check crossing times before you leave on the CBSA and US customs web-sites.
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Old Nov 27th 2012, 9:30 pm
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Default Re: Easy way of crossing over the US border?

Originally Posted by Screenwriter
I live in Vancouver, waiting on my PR. But the last time we crossed over the border it took FOREVER, I had to go fill out a customs form and pay $6.

Is there any way that I can have that ready for them before I go and just give it to them as we cross the border? Instead of having to go park up and wait for two hours?
Get the train - you do US immigration at the station in Vancouver.
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Old Nov 27th 2012, 11:24 pm
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Default Re: Easy way of crossing over the US border?

Fly. Last time it took me under 10 minutes at Bellingham.
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Old Nov 27th 2012, 11:34 pm
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Default Re: Easy way of crossing over the US border?

I guess it just depends what time you go. Last time we went on a Saturday morning and we'll be doing the same this time. It just sucks because I am going to be holding up the 3 other canadians in the car!
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Old Nov 28th 2012, 2:10 am
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Default Re: Easy way of crossing over the US border?

You could go on your own a few days/weeks before. Get your I94, it's valid for 3 months. Then you could just cross the border with your Canadian friends without holding them up.
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Old Nov 28th 2012, 6:10 pm
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Default Re: Easy way of crossing over the US border?

Originally Posted by ninaDGBCA
You could go on your own a few days/weeks before. Get your I94, it's valid for 3 months. Then you could just cross the border with your Canadian friends without holding them up.
I think you still have to get photographed and fingerprinted.
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Old Nov 28th 2012, 6:18 pm
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Default Re: Easy way of crossing over the US border?

Originally Posted by MrWindUpBird
I think you still have to get photographed and fingerprinted.

Not if you get the I94 before you intend going with your Canadian friends. You would just give your passport at the border like the rest.
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Old Nov 28th 2012, 9:49 pm
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Default Re: Easy way of crossing over the US border?

Originally Posted by MrWindUpBird
I think you still have to get photographed and fingerprinted.
No, you do the fingerprints and photo when you fill the I94 form in. Then they staple it into your passport and stamp it. It's valid for 3 months and within that time you can cross over to the US as many times as you like. Just need to show your passport, the US border officers will check that the I94 is still valid and ask a few questions and that's it, all whilst sitting in the nice warm car . Once you know that you won't be crossing again before the I94 expires you can give it back to the Canadian border officers.
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