POE question

[Shawna and James 4]

Im on hold with CBP to ask this question but I thought I would post it here too. HOPEFULLY I get my visa this week. In theory, hubby should be in Niagara Falls, NY Monday night (again as long as the visa arrives on time), and we are hopefully planning to drive from Niagara Falls, NY to Arkansas. So here is my question. My dad is going to pack his car up and drive me across the border, meet up with hubby and switch my stuff to his car and then we will start on our trip. The thing is, my father works until 11pm Monday night, and so we would be looking at crossing sometime between 11pm and midnight. Is there going to be a problem with this? I dont know if the immigration part of CBP keeps certain hours? Any suggestions would be appreciated. thanks!

[Saylin 1,605]

Im on hold with CBP to ask this question but I thought I would post it here too. HOPEFULLY I get my visa this week. In theory, hubby should be in Niagara Falls, NY Monday night (again as long as the visa arrives on time), and we are hopefully planning to drive from Niagara Falls, NY to Arkansas. So here is my question. My dad is going to pack his car up and drive me across the border, meet up with hubby and switch my stuff to his car and then we will start on our trip. The thing is, my father works until 11pm Monday night, and so we would be looking at crossing sometime between 11pm and midnight. Is there going to be a problem with this? I dont know if the immigration part of CBP keeps certain hours? Any suggestions would be appreciated. thanks!

Look at this page: http://apps.cbp.gov/bwt/ and find the port name where you're planning on crossing. The second column lists the hours they're open till, most are 24 hours.

[HeatDeath 430]

Call ahead to the PoE and let them know your plans. That way they can try to make sure someone is on shift at that hour who knows how to do a K-1. In the worst-case scenario, you could be stuck there for several hours until someone who knows how to do a K-1 gets in.

Edited July 6, 2011 by HeatDeath

[Shawna and James 4]

I finally got through to the cbp and they directed me to that site you linked saylin, thanks

Looks like Im headed to the Peace Bridge or the Lewiston one... Rainbow is only open till 9pm. Now I just need my visa to arrive! Im mostly packed..

[Saylin 1,605]

I finally got through to the cbp and they directed me to that site you linked saylin, thanks

Looks like Im headed to the Peace Bridge or the Lewiston one... Rainbow is only open till 9pm. Now I just need my visa to arrive! Im mostly packed..

According to the site, Rainbow is open 24 hours a day, just like Lewiston and Peace Bridge. The only Niagara Falls POE that isn't open all the time is Whirlpool (7am - 11pm).

Good luck with POE! Hope your visa arrives soon

[Shawna and James 4]

the info the lady on the phone gave me was from here:

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/ny/0901.xml

and it says under facilities and crossings that the rainbow bridge is till 9pm. I wonder why there is conflicting information?

[Saylin 1,605]

the info the lady on the phone gave me was from here:

http://www.cbp.gov/x...rts/ny/0901.xml

and it says under facilities and crossings that the rainbow bridge is till 9pm. I wonder why there is conflicting information?

Hmm, that's definitely weird that the info is different on the two pages. I'm thinking that the page you linked might be outdated because on the Border Wait Times page, underneath the '24 hours/day', it says 7/6/2011 (today's date). This page is being constantly updated, so I'd go with that. But if you were thinking of going through Rainbow, I'd call them to make sure.

[Shawna and James 4]

well Id prefer to go through rainbow because its a 5 min drive from my house whereas buffalo is an hour.. lewiston Im not sure..15-20 I think.

[Saylin 1,605]

well Id prefer to go through rainbow because its a 5 min drive from my house whereas buffalo is an hour.. lewiston Im not sure..15-20 I think.

Wow, 5 minutes? I was an hour from the closest POE.

Definitely call Rainbow then and ask their hours. And mention you're activating a visa.

[Shawna and James 4]

will do! I keep praying tomorrow will be the day I get the email so I can get my visa from dhl friday. if I dont hear from them either tomorrow or friday we will have to put the move off at least another week. I just want to be with hubby. I miss him a lot. I had to go through crappy medical emergencies this month without him Its hard.

[Saylin 1,605]

will do! I keep praying tomorrow will be the day I get the email so I can get my visa from dhl friday. if I dont hear from them either tomorrow or friday we will have to put the move off at least another week. I just want to be with hubby. I miss him a lot. I had to go through crappy medical emergencies this month without him Its hard.

Wow, that must have sucked. I can only imagine.

Have you tried called DOS for an update on your case? See if your visa has been printed or not.

Good luck, good luck, good luck.

[Krikit 1,163]

Don't get processed through the Rainbow Bridge. They are for tourists and aren't as seasoned as Peace Bridge or Lewiston. And Lewiston isn't that tops, either. The Whirlpool Bridge is a dedicated NEXUS user crossing, so no POE there.

[BlueBonnet 84]

According to the site, Rainbow is open 24 hours a day, just like Lewiston and Peace Bridge. The only Niagara Falls POE that isn't open all the time is Whirlpool (7am - 11pm).

Good luck with POE! Hope your visa arrives soon

The border is 24 hours, never closes. However the immigration office is only open - my POE was from 7am - 11pm - but the border was still open 24 hours. I hope this answers your question.

[Shawna and James 4]

Wow, that must have sucked. I can only imagine.

Have you tried called DOS for an update on your case? See if your visa has been printed or not.

Good luck, good luck, good luck.

no... not to be a n00b but..is there a certain number I call? and do I just need my mtl number as reference?

[Saylin 1,605]

no... not to be a n00b but..is there a certain number I call? and do I just need my mtl number as reference?

For DOS, call 202-663-1225. Press 1 and then 0. A "visa specialist" will come on. Then tell him/her that you had your interview on so-and-so date in Montreal and were wondering if your visa had been printed yet. They'll then ask for your case number. They might also ask for your name or other info, but definitely your case number.

Hurry though if you're gonna call today as they close at 5pm ET which is in under an hour.

Edited July 7, 2011 by Saylin