POE Detroit

[K & I 0]

My husband will be doing his POE May 11th in Detroit, however, when he leaves Edmonton, Canada he will go through US Customs there at the Edmonton airport. When he arrives in Detroit, does anyone know what or where he is to go when he gets into the airport? Im kinda confused because he goes through US Customs in Canada before he leaves. Any help or experiences would be great!! Thanks.

[Rhiannercakes 14]

If there's customs in the airport at Edmonton, he will be activating his visa there.

I POEd in Toronto and activated my visa there.

Once he gets into Chicago, he'll just be able to go meet you and get his bags. (At least I would think so, sounds like how Toronto to Los Angeles works)

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Yes, his actual POE will happen at the airport in Edmonton. He will go through US Customs and Immigration there and will activate the visa before he gets on the plane. When he arrives in Detroit it would be just like a domestic flight arrival - he will exit the plane and go to baggage claim to pick up his belongings - no need for any other immigration or customs stuff. Basically all flights on major airlines originating in Canada and terminating in the US now go through Customs and Immigration at the Canadian airport before boarding the flight.

He should allow extra time prior to his normal flight arrival to go through immigration in Edmonton.

[Colleens 40]

I just did my POE 3 weeks ago in Edmonton. Get to the airport and checked in about 2 to 2 and a half early. There is no use getting there any earlier than that as they won't let you into the customs area any earlier than that. Once you check in, you will go into a waiting area where you will fill in your standard customs form. Then they will call people by flight to enter into the customs area. You will line up and wait to see a customs agent. When you get to the customs agent tell them that you are activating your visa and give them your envelope. They will take your fingerprints and a photo, ask a couple of questions, and then take you into secondary. You will go into a waiting area, and they will call you up to fill in your I-94 that gets attached into your passport (make sure you have the I-94 stapled into you passport before you leave, as there have been cases where the agent has forgotten!!) They will call you up to the desk and ask a few questions and send you on your marry way!! Then you take your luggage and self to security, and you will be on your way. Once you get to detroit, you just go and pick up you luggage...there is nothing to do with customs at that end.

Good Luck!

[HeatDeath 430]

What everyone said: flights from Canada to the US are pre-cleared in Canada and are handled just like domestic US flights at the US end. You get off the plane, grab your luggage, meet your pickup and walk to the car. You don't have to talk to anybody or do anything specific. All of the immigration business was taken care of before you got within 100 yards of the plane in Canada. Just make sure that your packet has been taken and your I-94 is totally in order before he leaves the Customs area in Edmonton.

On the AOS forms, you will list his Port of Entry as Edmonton, not Detroit, because that is the location of the US Customs and Immigration posting where he cleared US Immigration, and where they took his packet and issued his I-94.

[Except for Dublin, Edmonton must be the US PoE located farthest from the actual United States.]

It occurs to me that even though I have flown to the US numerous times to visit my USC now-wife, I have never actually seen the international arrivals section of a US airport

Edited May 3, 2010 by HeatDeath

[birdnerd 5]

You will go into a waiting area, and they will call you up to fill in your I-94 that gets attached into your passport (make sure you have the I-94 stapled into you passport before you leave, as there have been cases where the agent has forgotten!!)

Just make sure that your packet has been taken and your I-94 is totally in order before he leaves the Customs area in Edmonton.

On the AOS forms, you will list his Port of Entry as Edmonton, not Detroit, because that is the location of the US Customs and Immigration posting where he cleared US Immigration, and where they took his packet and issued his I-94.

I believe the OP is activating an IR/CR visa, and as such, I don't think they require an I-94, nor AOS.

You should ensure you get your I-551 stamp, though, as it is your temporary GC.

Good luck! And yay for pre-clearance!

[Colleens 40]

I believe the OP is activating an IR/CR visa, and as such, I don't think they require an I-94, nor AOS.

You should ensure you get your I-551 stamp, though, as it is your temporary GC.

Good luck! And yay for pre-clearance!

I thought I had seen K1 on their profile...my eyes playing tricks on me!!! Thank you for clarifying