Buffalo/Fort Erie Peace Bridge POE

[Krikit 1,164]

Hello all. Just thought I'd share my Buffalo Peace Bridge POE experience. My fiance and I crossed on Wednesday, November 8th at 4:40pm. We presented our passports to the officer and told him I was activating a K1 Visa. He asked what I was bringing in and if I was importing the car. He then directed us to secondary inspection. Inside, the waiting room was full, so it took quite a while for our names to be called.

The officer who processed us through was very pleasant and courteous. When I asked him about the vaccination supplement for the AOS he very kindly offered to photocopy the medical documentation for my records.

During the entire wait, we had observed several people being taken into interrogation rooms. There was also a couple who had been split up and were being questioned separately. When the boyfriend came out, the girlfriend was called in. Then the girlfriend was sent out and the boyfriend called in. When we were called inside, the girlfriend was being questioned again, so we heard the entire thing. It was all very interesting and definitely helped to pass the time.

Once the I-94 was issued, we were sent to the customs section of the building to process the importation of my car. This man was very friendly and helpful, also. Total length of time at the border -- 2.5 hours.

All in all it was a very pleasant experience, and the time passed quickly.

[cmartyn 0]

That sounded like a good experience. My Montreal airport experience was not so great. It was only 15 - 20 minutes tops but that leaves you sitting, stuck in the airport for 3 hours waiting.

[jg_am 0]

Thanks for the post! My fiancee heard Peace Brige was a good place to cross. Mapquest suggest Niagra Falls, but we'll use the Peace Bridge unless someone else has a better idea about it?

[evilcanuck 0]

I crossed at ft erie/buffalo, dont cross at midnight!!!!!

shift change and greyhouds are getting processed LOL we were there about 4 hours. They suggested at night, but not that late ...ewpsie.

[mozplay 29]

Hey KritKrit,

Congrats on your smooth crossing. Could you let us know how long you waited for your interview? From the time you returned packet 3 to your interview date? Because you crossed at Buffalo, I am assuming that you also interviewd in Montreal and many of us are waiting for interview dates there.

Thanks

Mo

[Jimmy the American 0]

So.. what all do you require to take your car acrossed, this is something I havn't had time to look into yet!

Thanks

[Krikit 1,164]

Hey KritKrit,

Congrats on your smooth crossing. Could you let us know how long you waited for your interview? From the time you returned packet 3 to your interview date? Because you crossed at Buffalo, I am assuming that you also interviewd in Montreal and many of us are waiting for interview dates there.

Thanks

Mo

It took 3 weeks to receive my interview date after I returned packet 3.

[KiminON 0]

you will be thankful that they addressed the importing of your vehicle, unlike the fellows at port huron as now i am throughly screwed for registering my vehicle here. and as i was misinformed by the DMV, i don't have valid insurance so getting it back to canada for sale is also proving difficult (impossible) as i can't drive it nor ship it. it's just a lump of my money sitting in my driveway.

k

[Krikit 1,164]

So.. what all do you require to take your car acrossed, this is something I havn't had time to look into yet!

Thanks

I have a Ford so all I did was visit my local Ford dealership to request a letter of import. I believe the cost was $85, though I think that some car manufacturers don't charge at all. I presented the letter and the registration at Customs and they cleared it through. Here are a couple of links for you:

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import...anada07032.html

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/

You may also want to do a search on this topic as I recall seeing threads where there were compliancy problems with certain types of vehicles. Also, there was something about problems with people who did not own their vehicle outright (car loan). Good luck.

Edited November 14, 2006 by Krikit

[Our Mao 0]

I had my letter prepared by Acura and they did not charge me a dime! FYI everyone!

[Chiroman 0]

Entered at buff/bridge crossing too. No worries they were sweet and quick and had me and my 2 kiddios out in 1.5 hr! Did'nt check the car or go thru any boxes, (the car was my parents and they did'nt even ask that!)

Was super easy and quick! Meliss

[antda 13]

Hi Krikit and Everyone Else,

Good luck on your immigration journeys. Thanks for sharing your experiences about the Peace Bridge crossing. From my experience Canada/USA land crossings from Toronto to Buffalo:

The Peace Bridge (Ft.Erie Ont/Buffalo NY): For other times I've crossed the border (after I got my Green Card) from the USA to Canada, I had no problems. I was in and out in 10 minutes on both ends...

The Rainbow Bridge (Niagara Falls Ont/Niagara Falls NY): About the initial POE crossing of the border by land, based on our experience (as also quoted on my VJ timeline) it was:"Believe us, being harrassed at the border for 2 hours is "not a picnic in the park". There were some misunderstandings and on my end not having enough ties to Canada. Hence, they made me get a Visitor's Visa for my visit to the USA, even though due to the VWP, Canada is exempt from Visitor's Visas for short trips. Oh well, I proved them wrong unintentionally, as what originally was a two week vacation visit to the USA ended up being a lifetime here in the USA...

A rule of thumb for your situation, and for any other people's situations: Have all your paperwork ready, and your explaination/story straight and well thought out....

Hope this helps.

Ant

Hello all. Just thought I'd share my Buffalo Peace Bridge POE experience. My fiance and I crossed on Wednesday, November 8th at 4:40pm. We presented our passports to the officer and told him I was activating a K1 Visa. He asked what I was bringing in and if I was importing the car. He then directed us to secondary inspection. Inside, the waiting room was full, so it took quite a while for our names to be called.

The officer who processed us through was very pleasant and courteous. When I asked him about the vaccination supplement for the AOS he very kindly offered to photocopy the medical documentation for my records.

During the entire wait, we had observed several people being taken into interrogation rooms. There was also a couple who had been split up and were being questioned separately. When the boyfriend came out, the girlfriend was called in. Then the girlfriend was sent out and the boyfriend called in. When we were called inside, the girlfriend was being questioned again, so we heard the entire thing. It was all very interesting and definitely helped to pass the time.

Once the I-94 was issued, we were sent to the customs section of the building to process the importation of my car. This man was very friendly and helpful, also. Total length of time at the border -- 2.5 hours.

All in all it was a very pleasant experience, and the time passed quickly.

Edited March 14, 2007 by AntandD