POE Experience - fun but left me w/ questions

[coldwatersurf 5]

I thought i'd just make a post just for my POE experience.

i crossed the Blaine truck crossing border @ about 8pm. I got the first check point. I have been crossing the border as a weekend regular so I started explaining to my sister that the first officer we're going to get is in training cuz there were 2 people in the booth and it was taking quite a bit longer than normal. I explained to the trainee that I have 2 vehicles traveling w/ me and gave them our passports and told us to go to the office. I parked my car and the officer in the parking area was kinda a sarcastic mean guy. My sister was like "what the?" lol. i told her to ignore it. that guy is sarcastic and friendly for what you're gonna get. lol

The first guy I got in the office had a mean look and all. I explained why I was there. Then he looked a bit confused and walked around. I told my family that he's either going for break/or his shift ends in 5 mins OR he just doesnt know how to process my K3. turns out he's going to be on his break soon. lol. So he passed me on to this really friendly and helpful guy. While I was waiting with my dad and sister I had explained, there were a bunch of officers standing around and not busy at all so they started talkin to us and asking us about my K3 experience and all that. We cracked jokes here and there. It was fun.

However I think i got an oldschool border patrol b/c I wasnt familiar with the process he was explaining to me. Basically, he said my papers were fine and its just going to take a couple of minutes. They took my finger print and took my picture. then while he was filling out papers, he said I didnt even need to take the fingerprints on my case so its less papers and its going to be faster process.

When everything was good to go, he explained that the I-94A card I have stapled on my passport is a temporary green card until I receive my I-551 in the mail. the I-94A card expires on April 23, 2011. Once I receive the I-551 card then I am a permanent resident in US. Then I asked them if i need to apply for AOS? and the other guy said yes once the 2 year is done. Then I asked them if I need to apply for EAD? then the guy said you can walk in in the Tukwila office. then I asked them what the process was with the paper work b/c at this point I'm pretty sure I'm not suppose to get a I-551 GC but I didnt want to ask too many questions and thought I can just research it b/c im pretty confused myself @ this point and I'll just roll with the punches. They said they will take my paperwork, forward it to the closest Service Centre, they will look at it, I'll be contacted with biometrics interview, and get my GC. While Im waiting, the card they stapled is what allows me to be in US. Then I asked them about importing my car and the guy almost forgot to tell me about the compliance letter and i reminded him. lol. he told me i can import my vehicle in Seattle but he doesnt know if they do inspection. He said they do inspection and that its better for me to go there and it takes 5 minutes.

Ok great, i leave and they said congratulations and enjoy my stay. took 30 mins.

Now here are my questions based on that temporary card:

1. I was going to send my application for EAD on monday. Do i still need to do that?

2. I am filing AOS on january, and applying EAD first. What do I do next based on the information you just read?

3. I was going to apply for EI today but its weekend. Can I just do the online application?

4. What does I-94A card let me do in US? on the back of the card, it says - WARNING: a nonimmigrant who accepts unauthorized employment is subject to deportation. Important Retain this permit in your possession; you must surrender it when you leave the US. Failure to do so may delay your entry into the US in the future.

It says multiple entry visa?

[minnew 4]

I thought i'd just make a post just for my POE experience.

i crossed the Blaine truck crossing border @ about 8pm. I got the first check point. I have been crossing the border as a weekend regular so I started explaining to my sister that the first officer we're going to get is in training cuz there were 2 people in the booth and it was taking quite a bit longer than normal. I explained to the trainee that I have 2 vehicles traveling w/ me and gave them our passports and told us to go to the office. I parked my car and the officer in the parking area was kinda a sarcastic mean guy. My sister was like "what the?" lol. i told her to ignore it. that guy is sarcastic and friendly for what you're gonna get. lol

The first guy I got in the office had a mean look and all. I explained why I was there. Then he looked a bit confused and walked around. I told my family that he's either going for break/or his shift ends in 5 mins OR he just doesnt know how to process my K3. turns out he's going to be on his break soon. lol. So he passed me on to this really friendly and helpful guy. While I was waiting with my dad and sister I had explained, there were a bunch of officers standing around and not busy at all so they started talkin to us and asking us about my K3 experience and all that. We cracked jokes here and there. It was fun.

However I think i got an oldschool border patrol b/c I wasnt familiar with the process he was explaining to me. Basically, he said my papers were fine and its just going to take a couple of minutes. They took my finger print and took my picture. then while he was filling out papers, he said I didnt even need to take the fingerprints on my case so its less papers and its going to be faster process.

When everything was good to go, he explained that the I-94A card I have stapled on my passport is a temporary green card until I receive my I-551 in the mail. the I-94A card expires on April 23, 2011. Once I receive the I-551 card then I am a permanent resident in US. Then I asked them if i need to apply for AOS? and the other guy said yes once the 2 year is done. Then I asked them if I need to apply for EAD? then the guy said you can walk in in the Tukwila office. then I asked them what the process was with the paper work b/c at this point I'm pretty sure I'm not suppose to get a I-551 GC but I didnt want to ask too many questions and thought I can just research it b/c im pretty confused myself @ this point and I'll just roll with the punches. They said they will take my paperwork, forward it to the closest Service Centre, they will look at it, I'll be contacted with biometrics interview, and get my GC. While Im waiting, the card they stapled is what allows me to be in US. Then I asked them about importing my car and the guy almost forgot to tell me about the compliance letter and i reminded him. lol. he told me i can import my vehicle in Seattle but he doesnt know if they do inspection. He said they do inspection and that its better for me to go there and it takes 5 minutes.

Ok great, i leave and they said congratulations and enjoy my stay. took 30 mins.

Now here are my questions based on that temporary card:

1. I was going to send my application for EAD on monday. Do i still need to do that?

2. I am filing AOS on january, and applying EAD first. What do I do next based on the information you just read?

3. I was going to apply for EI today but its weekend. Can I just do the online application?

4. What does I-94A card let me do in US? on the back of the card, it says - WARNING: a nonimmigrant who accepts unauthorized employment is subject to deportation. Important Retain this permit in your possession; you must surrender it when you leave the US. Failure to do so may delay your entry into the US in the future.

It says multiple entry visa?

4. I can't help you with the rest of your questions, but I do know that K-3 is a multiple entry visa, it allows you to travel back and forth to Canada as you please before applying for AOS and getting your GC. I had a friend on a K-3 in ND, but I don't think they knew about VJ. ONCE you apply for AOS as a K-3, if you want the ability to travel to Canada you must apply for Advance Parole(AP)

As opposed to K-1 that is ONE entry only and you must stay to apply for AOS. Once you apply for AOS as K-1 you can apply for Advance Parole so that you can go back to Canada to visit.

Edited April 25, 2009 by minnew

[Kathryn41 3,205]

It sounds like the border guard was processing you for a CR-1 and not a K-3. Since you are a K-3 you do need to apply for an EAD if you want to work and you do need to apply for AOS before the K-3 expires. While the K-3 is valid (don't know what happens with a K-3 when you file AOS) you are allowed to cross the border. I am not sure how they handle the I-94 but it is an entry/exit visa and they are supposed to remove it when you leave and issue you a new one when you return valid for the same length of time.

Now here are my questions based on that temporary card:

1. I was going to send my application for EAD on monday. Do i still need to do that? Yes

2. I am filing AOS on january, and applying EAD first. What do I do next based on the information you just read? continue with your plan - it sounds good

3. I was going to apply for EI today but its weekend. Can I just do the online application? I believe you can but don't know for sure

4. What does I-94A card let me do in US? on the back of the card, it says - WARNING: a nonimmigrant who accepts unauthorized employment is subject to deportation. Important Retain this permit in your possession; you must surrender it when you leave the US. Failure to do so may delay your entry into the US in the future. Your I-94 is your proof of legal status while you are in the US before you get your EAD/Green card. It is a very important document so do take care of it and don't lose it. Once you get your EAD you can carry that around as proof of your status rather than your passport with the I-94

It says multiple entry visa? Yes - K-3 is multiple entry and the I-94 will reflect that status

Edited April 25, 2009 by Kathryn41

[coldwatersurf 5]

ok so if the guy was processing me for CR1 do i just continue with what I know about K3 and my plans? I just dont want to make it harder for me later b/c the POE screwed up or anything.

[Flames9_RN 358]

cr-1 does NOT need EAD, the K3 DOES need EAD!!

I was a cr-1 so not sure about the EI thing for a K3. Others that have gone the k3 route have ahd to wait til they were work authorized to collect EI. BUT you should still apply right away,its just that you won't get any $$$$ until ur legally able to work, and that is when u get the EAD.

[coldwatersurf 5]

i know the complete process for K3. What is confusing me is the border officers told me I should be receiving my I 551 shortly and that will allow me to work and live in US as PERMANENT resident.

So if someone can tell me exactly what should be done at this point since I think my POE process wasnt the way it was suppose to be done.

[MrsCat 6]

i know the complete process for K3. What is confusing me is the border officers told me I should be receiving my I 551 shortly and that will allow me to work and live in US as PERMANENT resident.

So if someone can tell me exactly what should be done at this point since I think my POE process wasnt the way it was suppose to be done.

Do what Kathryn said in her post.

A border officer does not have the authority to change the type of visa you've been issued by NVC. If you were approved by NVC for a K-3 visa, than you have to carry on with the K-3 process. Like Kathryn said, the border officer was confused and treated your paperwork as if it was a CR-1. I'm not sure that there is any difference in how the papers are filled out at the border, but if there is a problem when your package arrives at the nearest Service Center, they will either sort it out or contact you.

Yes, you can file for EI online. You just need to mail your supporting documents in to Interstate Claims Office once you're finished. Or search the EI thread for the fax # to their office and send them that way.

Edited April 26, 2009 by MrsCat

[Flames9_RN 358]

There have been a few others on here as well, that were told wrong info at the border!

[MrsCat 6]

There have been a few others on here as well, that were told wrong info at the border!

I was one of them, I wish I could remove conditions this summer rather than next . . . . . (that was at Blaine too).

[jundp 191]

There have been a few others on here as well, that were told wrong info at the border!

I was one of them, I wish I could remove conditions this summer rather than next . . . . . (that was at Blaine too).

We went through Blaine too, as K1. We were told at the border when we asked for the EAD temp stamp that we didn't need it, because the visa allowed my husband (then fiance) to work. Clearly they didn't know what was what. We let it go because arguing didn't seem to be the right thing to do.

[JillA 2]

Isn't it funny that many of VJers know the immigration stuff better than some of the officers at the border?

[July09Bride 1]

Isn't it funny that many of VJers know the immigration stuff better than some of the officers at the border?

Maybe when they go to CBP school, VJ should be some required classes....

VJ 101: Read what they're reading.

VJ 201: Know that they know their stuff.

VJ 301: Experience is worth wayyyy more than a lawyer's advice.

VJ 401: Hand the forms over to them. They know what they're doing.

I dunno... something along those lines perhaps??

[coldwatersurf 5]

ok good. i am still going to send the EAD tomorrow. My MIL said worry about it on monday and call USCIS or NVC. lol. like those ppl are going to help answer my questions. I told her I would rather hear other people's answers on VJ.

[Flames9_RN 358]

When I crossed over in dec 2004 to activate the CR-1 (maine) they had no clue either. They had to get out this big book, then they decided they best contact another POE and ask them,lol But it all worked out in the end, and they were very friendly