Do you need to bring anything to POE?

[Pupper 5]

Hi there, 

I'm not sure if this is the correct thread to post in so I apologize in advance. My K-1 Visa got approved and I have received it in the mail so we are planning my move. I had a couple questions.

 

1. Other than my sealed envelope, passport and ID, do I need to make sure I have anything else on-hand and not packed? (Do I need to have the xray out as well?)

2. Does anyone know if train is an option? On the welcome to the USA paper they gave me, it says "You can enter the United States by car, bus, plane or boat. Regardless how you travel, allow one hour for processing". I ask because I used the train to go over there on my last visit. I believe Greyhound bus is closed til the border reopens and I had bad experiences with them so I'd like to avoid them if I can. 

 

3. I don't own any furniture, but I can't fit everything into my suitcase/backpack. Am I allowed to mail my miscellaneous stuff to the address we'll be living together at?  (I saw a thread on this but I can't seem to find it again, sorry!)

Thank you so much for your time.  

Edited August 6, 2021 by Pupper

[Ontarkie 14,226]

~~Moved to the Canada forum, from K1 P&P - as the OP is also asking about experience crossing the border~~

[Twiz&Toz 240]

You can ship it but will need to fill out forms for it as it’s an import for immigration and not traveling with you. Yes any Poe can do ur visa some better then others. Any important docs bring with u in ur carry one as u don’t want it lost 

[Kai G. Llewellyn 837]

On 8/6/2021 at 12:05 PM, Pupper said:

Hi there, 

I'm not sure if this is the correct thread to post in so I apologize in advance. My K-1 Visa got approved and I have received it in the mail so we are planning my move. I had a couple questions.

 

2. Does anyone know if train is an option? On the welcome to the USA paper they gave me, it says "You can enter the United States by car, bus, plane or boat. Regardless how you travel, allow one hour for processing". I ask because I used the train to go over there on my last visit. I believe Greyhound bus is closed til the border reopens and I had bad experiences with them so I'd like to avoid them if I can.

 

Like the letter says, allow 'one hour for processing', the question is, would your Greyhound bus wait 1 hour for you to be processed for your K-1 or a train for that matter?

 

You'd probably be best of asking the carrier on that.

 

Lots of people are activating their visas when flying to the US with preclearance and making sure to arrive in good time before their departure to allow processing their visa. Is that an option to you?

Edited August 7, 2021 by Kai (CanadaDude)

[Pupper 5]

3 hours ago, Kai (CanadaDude) said:

Like the letter says, allow 'one hour for processing', the question is, would your Greyhound bus wait 1 hour for you to be processed for your K-1 or a train for that matter?

 

You'd probably be best of asking the carrier on that.

 

Lots of people are activating their visas when flying to the US with preclearance and making sure to arrive in good time before their departure to allow processing their visa. Is that an option to you?

Thanks! Yeah, that is true. I'm not sure if I'd have to be processed at the people who check your passport...ect before getting on the train/bus or if you actually have to physically stop at the border. I know Greyhound stops and you have to go through the border people and I know for sure they wouldn't wait for me. (Last time I took the greyhound they left some people behind at the border at like 3AM). The train however only stops for a few minutes as they make sure your passport is good and you don't have to get off since they already had officers process you before getting on the train.

You're right, it's probably best if I call around and check, thank you!

I didn't really think of flying over since I am going over from Vancouver>Washington, and my fiancé would have to make a longer drive to go to Seattle than if I were to take bus/train and stop by a station closer to them (plus plane is more expensive) but if I have to go through that route, I will! 

[Kai G. Llewellyn 837]

3 hours ago, Pupper said:

Thanks! Yeah, that is true. I'm not sure if I'd have to be processed at the people who check your passport...ect before getting on the train/bus or if you actually have to physically stop at the border. I know Greyhound stops and you have to go through the border people and I know for sure they wouldn't wait for me. (Last time I took the greyhound they left some people behind at the border at like 3AM). The train however only stops for a few minutes as they make sure your passport is good and you don't have to get off since they already had officers process you before getting on the train.

You're right, it's probably best if I call around and check, thank you!

I didn't really think of flying over since I am going over from Vancouver>Washington, and my fiancé would have to make a longer drive to go to Seattle than if I were to take bus/train and stop by a station closer to them (plus plane is more expensive) but if I have to go through that route, I will! 

A IV/K-1 visa is a secondary inspection at CBP, so the whole 'looking at the passport with the visa in' won't suffice here. CBP have to process the visa and update a bunch of records in their system, hence the 1 hour wait.

 

That being said the officers that are at the departing station *might* be able to process your K-1. Doesn't hurt to ask the question, for sure. Best of luck with your AoS in the US.