US Arrival with K-1 visa, need to know what to expect

[jft 12]

My fiancee's K-1 visa should be issued in the next couple of days which means she will be travelling to the US soon. What documents besides her passport and visa will she need on arrival? What documents besides the I-94 will she collect at immigration when she arrives? Are there any documents besides her birth certificate that she should bring with her from Russia? I know I've ran across threads discussing these items in the past but I am not sure where. Thanks!

[TBoneTX 46,836]

Are there any documents besides her birth certificate that she should bring with her from Russia?

In short, ANY official or personal document that would be expensive or impossible to get from afar. This is for her life here, beyond the immigration process. Medical, educational, personal... use your minds expansively to think of everything possible.

She should also do everything possible to procure a driver's license in her country before she leaves, if she doesn't have one. If she has one, she should renew it for the longest term possible.

With the visa imminent, it's probably too late to renew her passport for the longest term possible, but that's another recommendation for people who have time.

For immigration purposes, she should bring the sealed envelope that the embassy will give her.

[Darnell 8,479]

I say 2 full sets of the International Shot Record.

[TBoneTX 46,836]

At LEAST two of those, si man.

[Gem&Jay 0]

In short, ANY official or personal document that would be expensive or impossible to get from afar. This is for her life here, beyond the immigration process. Medical, educational, personal... use your minds expansively to think of everything possible.

She should also do everything possible to procure a driver's license in her country before she leaves, if she doesn't have one. If she has one, she should renew it for the longest term possible.

With the visa imminent, it's probably too late to renew her passport for the longest term possible, but that's another recommendation for people who have time.

For immigration purposes, she should bring the sealed envelope that the embassy will give her.

Could I ask why having a drivers licence is an important factor?

Thanks

[Hank_ 9,174]

My fiancee's K-1 visa should be issued in the next couple of days which means she will be travelling to the US soon. What documents besides her passport and visa will she need on arrival? What documents besides the I-94 will she collect at immigration when she arrives? Are there any documents besides her birth certificate that she should bring with her from Russia? I know I've ran across threads discussing these items in the past but I am not sure where. Thanks!

POE Update

There has been a change regarding the I-94, you are no longer given this form during the flight to complete and turn in at Immigrations (POE). Immigrations now stamps your passport and the I-94 is done electronically.

For you to get a copy of the I-94 for future requirements go this this website: http://cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/i-94_instructions/

https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/request.html

[jessyjessy 13]

POE Update

There has been a change regarding the I-94, you are no longer given this form during the flight to complete and turn in at Immigrations (POE). Immigrations now stamps your passport and the I-94 is done electronically.

For you to get a copy of the I-94 for future requirements go this this website: http://cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/i-94_instructions/

https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/request.html

Hi, I'm flying on Sept 04, do I need to print this out ( I-94 ) and use it?

POE Update

There has been a change regarding the I-94, you are no longer given this form during the flight to complete and turn in at Immigrations (POE). Immigrations now stamps your passport and the I-94 is done electronically.

For you to get a copy of the I-94 for future requirements go this this website: http://cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/i-94_instructions/

https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/request.html

Or I should do it at the airport?

[Hank_ 9,174]

You can't print out the I-94 until AFTER you are in the USA and have cleared POE. About 10 days after clearing through POE you should be able to get your I-94 online and print it out.

[jessyjessy 13]

You can't print out the I-94 until AFTER you are in the USA and have cleared POE. About 10 days after clearing through POE you should be able to get your I-94 online and print it out.

Oh so no form needed to fill out during the flight? Thank you.

[TBoneTX 46,836]

Could I ask why having a drivers licence is an important factor?

Thanks

It has nothing to do with the immigration process formally, but it will aid her acclimation once she's here. Depending on your state's rules, she'd be able to use the foreign driver's license for a period of time. Mobility, or at least knowing that mobility is available, is important.

[jft 12]

Unfortunately my fiancee does not have a license and given the cost and time involved in getting her license in Russia it seemed to make more sense for her to learn here. In the mean time I will set her up with a bus pass so she's not stuck at home when I am at work.

[TBoneTX 46,836]

Unfortunately my fiancee does not have a license and given the cost and time involved in getting her license in Russia it seemed to make more sense for her to learn here. In the mean time I will set her up with a bus pass so she's not stuck at home when I am at work.

That's a very good plan! Someone else has had the idea of dropping the new immigrant at a college library or student center in the morning, and picking him/her up after work. Just thought I'd throw that in. It sounds like everything will be well because of your thorough thinking, which is enviable.

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

It has nothing to do with the immigration process formally, but it will aid her acclimation once she's here. Depending on your state's rules, she'd be able to use the foreign driver's license for a period of time. Mobility, or at least knowing that mobility is available, is important.

And should reduce insurance rates because she would be able to show a longer period of driving.

[Darnell 8,479]

That's a very good plan! Someone else has had the idea of dropping the new immigrant at a college library or student center in the morning, and picking him/her up after work. Just thought I'd throw that in. It sounds like everything will be well because of your thorough thinking, which is enviable.

FWIW, that was me. My idea. Also, FWIW, it works.

And should reduce insurance rates because she would be able to show a longer period of driving.

You would think so (not you personally... ). Alas, it doesn't work that way, for most insurance carriers in the USA.

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

FWIW, that was me. My idea. Also, FWIW, it works.

You would think so (not you personally... ). Alas, it doesn't work that way, for most insurance carriers in the USA.

Yeah..I hear you. It works for me and I checked with my Insurance Guy,