Documents and process for first entry on visa
May 16th 2019, 5:40 pm
#1
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Documents and process for first entry on visa
Earlier this week we received our passports back with visas (L1-A and L2) and flying to JFK tomorrow for just 5 days for now. We are not popping the champagne until successfully over the border... Just had a few questions on this first trip.
.
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- We will still complete a customs arrivals form as visitors and queue in the same line as ESTA holders?
- What documents might be requested in addition to the I-797? We will take copies of the job offer letter and recent payslips per the company lawyer's advice, and copies of our marriage certificate and translation.
- We also have active ESTAs. Do we need to do anything to ensure our entry is on the visas instead?
- Will we receive any documentation? It looks like the I-94 is no longer issued and instead you can download a copy of latest from https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov?
- On a related note, does anyone know how quickly I-94 will be available online? We want to apply for L2's EAD while on this trip.
- I'll be attending some work meetings while over and my wife (L2) will be attending a conference, however our primary reason for visit is not business so we'll say no on the customs form. However if asked by an agent what our travel purpose is, will it confuse things to say more than "moving here and doing some research of places to live etc"?
May 16th 2019, 5:58 pm
#2
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Re: Documents and process for first entry on visa
1. You still have to complete a landing card. No, you do not enter the ESTA queue as you are not entering on the VWP. Follow the ordinary non-USC, visa queue.
2. Shouldn't need any more than that and it's very unlikely you'll need any of that unless they feel like scrutinizing you for some particular, not-normal reason.
3. Just. Don't go through the ESTA queue.
4. No. i-94s are electronic. Wait a 48 hours after you landed to check it was issued properly (mistakes happen often)
5. As above.
6. As always with CBP offers, only answer the questions you are asked. If s/he asks what you're doing here, tell the truth concisely. What you quote will be fine.
2. Shouldn't need any more than that and it's very unlikely you'll need any of that unless they feel like scrutinizing you for some particular, not-normal reason.
3. Just. Don't go through the ESTA queue.
4. No. i-94s are electronic. Wait a 48 hours after you landed to check it was issued properly (mistakes happen often)
5. As above.
6. As always with CBP offers, only answer the questions you are asked. If s/he asks what you're doing here, tell the truth concisely. What you quote will be fine.
May 16th 2019, 6:03 pm
#3
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Re: Documents and process for first entry on visa
Great, thanks for the swift response shiversaint!
May 17th 2019, 4:39 am
#4
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Re: Documents and process for first entry on visa
I have been on a GC since 2011 so things may have changed since then before that I made frequent entries on my L1a.
I am not sure what an ESTA line is, I have used Global Entry for Many years now, but I don’t recall seeing more than 3 lines, 1 for USC and GC holders. 1 for Airline Crew and Diplomats, 1 for everyone else, i.e. VW and Visas. I understand that some L1 holders can now apply for Global Entry as well. As to the purpose of the trip, who is paying for the trip? Would you be coming if it was not for work? In any case that question is more relevant for VW (ESTA) as they stamp WB or WT, they don’t do that for an L1.
I am not sure what an ESTA line is, I have used Global Entry for Many years now, but I don’t recall seeing more than 3 lines, 1 for USC and GC holders. 1 for Airline Crew and Diplomats, 1 for everyone else, i.e. VW and Visas. I understand that some L1 holders can now apply for Global Entry as well. As to the purpose of the trip, who is paying for the trip? Would you be coming if it was not for work? In any case that question is more relevant for VW (ESTA) as they stamp WB or WT, they don’t do that for an L1.
Last edited by tht; May 17th 2019 at 5:05 am.
May 17th 2019, 11:18 am
#5
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Re: Documents and process for first entry on visa
You'll likely have to tell the airline staff when checking in that you're using your visa and not ESTA.
May 17th 2019, 2:09 pm
#6
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Joined: Apr 2001
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Re: Documents and process for first entry on visa
If biometrics, prints and photo, are needed for your EAD, will you still in the US to do them?
Last edited by Rete; May 17th 2019 at 2:44 pm.
May 17th 2019, 2:59 pm
#7
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Posts: 502
Re: Documents and process for first entry on visa
Earlier this week we received our passports back with visas (L1-A and L2) and flying to JFK tomorrow for just 5 days for now. We are not popping the champagne until successfully over the border... Just had a few questions on this first trip.
.
.
- We will still complete a customs arrivals form as visitors and queue in the same line as ESTA holders?
- What documents might be requested in addition to the I-797? We will take copies of the job offer letter and recent payslips per the company lawyer's advice, and copies of our marriage certificate and translation.
- We also have active ESTAs. Do we need to do anything to ensure our entry is on the visas instead?
- Will we receive any documentation? It looks like the I-94 is no longer issued and instead you can download a copy of latest from https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov?
- On a related note, does anyone know how quickly I-94 will be available online? We want to apply for L2's EAD while on this trip.
- I'll be attending some work meetings while over and my wife (L2) will be attending a conference, however our primary reason for visit is not business so we'll say no on the customs form. However if asked by an agent what our travel purpose is, will it confuse things to say more than "moving here and doing some research of places to live etc"?
2. I have only ever been asked to show the I-797 or I-129s, and usually not even those.
3. Really simple. I always hand my passport opened at the visa page to the CBP agent. That way you can be sure.
4/5. The I-94 seems to be available almost instantly. I'm pretty sure last time I checked it in the taxi queue before I'd even left the airport. It's worth doing so as sometimes mistakes are made. I'm on an L-1B but the customs agent recorded my entry as L-1A. I just phoned my lawyers and they sorted it out.
6. Just keep your answer short and to the point. There's nothing unusual about what you're doing and it won't raise any concerns.
Jun 17th 2019, 10:42 pm
#8
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Re: Documents and process for first entry on visa
Very slow - but just to follow up on this for anyone's future reference looking in.
1. We arrived into JFK terminal 8 and there were 2 different queues. As GeneralPowerpoint stated above, one was for US Citizens, Permanent Residents and Returning ESTA travellers and the other was for "all other visas" which we were directed to. We queued for approx. an hour here.
2. The CBP agent looked at the I-797 and passport only.
3. I done as advised and handed the passport open at the visa page.
4. I-94 was electronic only.
5. I didn't check until 2 days later but it was updated by then for the L-2. My travel history was updated but the I-94 still had my old entry. I called JFK directly and the helpful agent spotted the mistake and fixed it while on the phone. I was able to refresh the site and see it updated immediately.
6. The CBP agent asked briefly what my job was and that was it.
1. We arrived into JFK terminal 8 and there were 2 different queues. As GeneralPowerpoint stated above, one was for US Citizens, Permanent Residents and Returning ESTA travellers and the other was for "all other visas" which we were directed to. We queued for approx. an hour here.
2. The CBP agent looked at the I-797 and passport only.
3. I done as advised and handed the passport open at the visa page.
4. I-94 was electronic only.
5. I didn't check until 2 days later but it was updated by then for the L-2. My travel history was updated but the I-94 still had my old entry. I called JFK directly and the helpful agent spotted the mistake and fixed it while on the phone. I was able to refresh the site and see it updated immediately.
6. The CBP agent asked briefly what my job was and that was it.
