Made it the US

[codygrace 14]

Hey everybody, I wanted to let you know about my experience thus far sicne a few of the Canadians on their way soon had some of the same questions I did. On Sunday, October 28th, I drove from Toronto to Ohio with my trailer full of stuff. My fiance followed behind me in a covered pickup full of my more of my stuff! It was a really long drive. I needed to stop for gas twice because with the wind, rain, the trailer and people driving extra slow and cautious, I burned through a lot of gas. Going through Michigan was terrible also, as the I75 was down to one lane, and during the World Series!

When I pulled up to the border, I was extremely nervous. I picked a bad lane because we sat there for about 30 minutes before we even moved. We got up and the officer didn't even say anything to me. I guess he saw the package on my dash and he stuck out his hand lol. I told him I was there to activate the K1 visa and that my fiance was in the truck behind me. He replied, "I know, I wouldn't imagine you would want to do this alone." Then I just sat there for about 5 minutes while he punched stuff into the computer. Eventually he stuck the orange sticker on my windshield and instructed me to move up. I asked him if there was enough room for the trailer and he said plenty. Then there was some nice officers who guided me into the tight spot (stupid concrete barriers are not trailer friendly!) I didn't need their help, but appreciated the gesture. The officer asked me how I was doing and gave me the usual spiel about leaving everything, including electronics in the vehicle. I grabbbed my paperwork and off I went. Cody pulled up to the booth and they just moved him right into secondary with me.

We waited for quite a long time before we even got called up. There was a family who was travelling illegally, and they were wasting immigration's time. It was quite amusing actually, it was like that show Borders or whatever it might be called. They were lying to the officer and eventually he said, first off, you need to stop lying, second off, you are not citizens why would you say you were. Turns out they didn't even have green cards or anything. I felt bad for the three kids with them. Eventually the officer pulls out mugshots from when they've previously tried to cross illegally and then they started telling the truth. So finally, they get moved to a difference space. It was about a half hour since we get there and this very kind gentleman calls, "where's my fiancee?" To which I laughed and jumped up with Cody to his desk. He was very flattering, asking me who had put the package together. I said that I put it together and he said I've done better than any lawyer he's ever seen do it. He told me I could make serious cash doing this for a living! I laughed, and then he said, I'm being serious, I am not trying to flatter you, you have done superb. I credited visa journey! He was super easy going, he made the process completely stress free, I actually enjoyed it. I finally interrupted him and told him I had to declare cash and get the import sheets for the two vehicles I had with me. He laughed and said, I thought we were going to be friends. LOL. He gave me the forms and I quickly filled them in. Then I had a question about the money sheet and he's like, is this draft signed, I was like nope, never until I get to the bank. He's like, good girl, and he grabs the sheet from me and rips it in half. Then he walks away for a moment to find out about the ATV import sheets, and shouts from another room, what cc is it. I replied 700, and he walks out and says, you're in luck. We don't do it unless it's over 750! He did mention that if the State of Ohio requires it (which he said he's 90% sure it doesn't), he'll personally mail it to me lol. Then he charged me $6.00 for the i-94, stapled it in my passport, handed me the finished paper for my car and wished us the best! SO easy! The other officers did search just the front seats of our car and nothing more. It took them all of a couple minutes to "look" at them.

This was at the Ambassador bridge by the way. Any questions about it, let me know! Also, if your car's vin starts with 1, do not bother with getting a compliance letter!!

[Darnell 8,479]

Where's my fiancee ?? That is so funny !!

Good on ya for the write up.

Can put it in a POE review, as well ? http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=140022

May be time, now, since you've finally come up for air ..

[rade2rising 205]

wow that was really funny! glad you made it across

[Kimbear 53]

Congratulations !!! I went through the same POE. Always did even for visitation. We got to know the CBP guys pretty well lol to the point they would always ask if we got our visa yet.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Congrats to you Codygrace!

[KTandTommy 31]

Great review! I'm going to be making my POE at the Ambassador Bridge in December - hope I get the same happy crew

[freem 0]

I never got charged for the I-94. Why do I read some people get charged and others didn't? (I POE'd at YYZ if it makes a difference)

[Marilyn. 340]

I never got charged for the I-94. Why do I read some people get charged and others didn't? (I POE'd at YYZ if it makes a difference)

you don't get charged when you fly across the border only when you drive across

[J & J 3]

Glad you had a hassle free POE.. I crossed at the same location too, everyone was very nice and friendly to me as well. I remember to this day the feeling of relief, it was a big weight off my shoulders from all the stress and worry of the whole process. Now is the easy part Congrats on ya'lls new journey!!!

[Hugglebuggles 60]

I'm glad it went well! Congrats

[hikergirl 277]

Congratulations and Best Wishes!