How to go through customs at JFK if coming from Canada?

[suzukiwookie 1]

Hi Guys,

I am in the process of the K-1. From the information on this site I have gathered that the only way to get an EAD stamped on my passport is to go through US customs at JFK airport. However, (in case some of you don't know) every major airport in Canada has US Customs inside of it. So how am I supposed to go through US customs at JFK if I am forced to go through US Customs in Toronto airport?? Is there a way that I can go through US customs at the Toronto airport, get my K-1 processed and then somehow go through US customs again at JFK to get my EAD stamped on the passport??

Have any Canadians managed to go through JFK (leaving through a Canadian airport) and receiving their EAD at JFK??

I apologize if this is listed somewhere else on the site, but I did an extensive search and could not find the answer to this question. Thanks in advance for your help!

[Cassie 8]

You can ask at your POE if they will give the stamp. I have heard of a couple POE's giving the stamp (not recently though, and not consistently). But other than that, you won't get the stamp at JFK -- they drop you off at a domestic terminal and nowhere near the customs and immigration section.

IMHO, the stamp is a waste of time anyways, but that's a discussion for another day.

[suzukiwookie 1]

You can ask at your POE if they will give the stamp. I have heard of a couple POE's giving the stamp (not recently though, and not consistently). But other than that, you won't get the stamp at JFK -- they drop you off at a domestic terminal and nowhere near the customs and immigration section.

IMHO, the stamp is a waste of time anyways, but that's a discussion for another day.

Thanks for your reply Cassie. Has anyone else from Canada figured out a way to do this?

[payxibka 10,045]

Fly into JFK via Mexico, France or Germany will do it....

[Izoom 0]

As a poster pointed out....many, if not all, major Canadian airports have U.S. Pre-clearence (aka US Customs) at the airport itself. Once you travel through there and board your plane, you are treated as an average joe, a domestic traveller in the United States. Therefore, I would try there, otherwise you will end up going well out of your way for that stamp.

[suzukiwookie 1]

As a poster pointed out....many, if not all, major Canadian airports have U.S. Pre-clearence (aka US Customs) at the airport itself. Once you travel through there and board your plane, you are treated as an average joe, a domestic traveller in the United States. Therefore, I would try there, otherwise you will end up going well out of your way for that stamp.

Hi Jzoom6. Thanks for your response. Any Canadian airport that flies to JFK has US Customs. In reviewing the POE reviews on this website, it is obvious that only JFK gives the EAD stamp. So my assumption is that there is no way to get the stamp any other way than to go through JFK.

The poster above who suggested flying from Mexico, Germany or France had an interesting suggestion. I am wondering if Heathrow or Gatwick airports (London, UK) have pre-clearance. Because I know it's pretty cheap to fly from Toronto to London. So I may have to do it that way. I just don't think I would like to be unemployed for up to 3 months!

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

I just don't think I would like to be unemployed for up to 3 months!

But then after the 3 months you can't work until you have your EAD which you file after you get married and adjust status...so then you'll have to quit your job and wait for that as you can't work without the EAD (which can take 3+ months to get)

That's why I think it's kind of pointless...

Edited March 26, 2008 by ~Laura and Nick~

[payxibka 10,045]

As a poster pointed out....many, if not all, major Canadian airports have U.S. Pre-clearence (aka US Customs) at the airport itself. Once you travel through there and board your plane, you are treated as an average joe, a domestic traveller in the United States. Therefore, I would try there, otherwise you will end up going well out of your way for that stamp.

Hi Jzoom6. Thanks for your response. Any Canadian airport that flies to JFK has US Customs. In reviewing the POE reviews on this website, it is obvious that only JFK gives the EAD stamp. So my assumption is that there is no way to get the stamp any other way than to go through JFK.

The poster above who suggested flying from Mexico, Germany or France had an interesting suggestion. I am wondering if Heathrow or Gatwick airports (London, UK) have pre-clearance. Because I know it's pretty cheap to fly from Toronto to London. So I may have to do it that way. I just don't think I would like to be unemployed for up to 3 months!

Pre-Clearance facilities are located in Canada, Ireland and some islands in the Carribean.... So as long as your routing does not touch any of those airports on the way back.......

[suzukiwookie 1]

I just don't think I would like to be unemployed for up to 3 months!

But then after the 3 months you can't work until you have your EAD which you file after you get married and adjust status...so then you'll have to quit your job and wait for that as you can't work without the EAD (which can take 3+ months to get)

That's why I think it's kind of pointless...

Wait, does this still count if you're self-employed then? Once I have permision to work in the US I plan to be self-employed. Does the stamp only count for people that will be looking to get hired by an employer?

[MarkNAshley 0]

I just don't think I would like to be unemployed for up to 3 months!

But then after the 3 months you can't work until you have your EAD which you file after you get married and adjust status...so then you'll have to quit your job and wait for that as you can't work without the EAD (which can take 3+ months to get)

That's why I think it's kind of pointless...

Wait, does this still count if you're self-employed then? Once I have permision to work in the US I plan to be self-employed. Does the stamp only count for people that will be looking to get hired by an employer?

You need to have the EAD to work regardless if you are self-employed or not. It is illegal to hold any kind of employment without the EAD.

And as Laura pointed out, if you get it at POE it is only good for three months and it can take longer than 3 months to get your full EAD and therefore you would have to stop working and wait for the other one to process.

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

Wait, does this still count if you're self-employed then? Once I have permision to work in the US I plan to be self-employed. Does the stamp only count for people that will be looking to get hired by an employer?

Yes, self employed, any type of employment must have EAD...you will have to stop working and wait for the other EAD to go through.

Sorry

Edited March 26, 2008 by ~Laura and Nick~

[Izoom 0]

Not to jump off-topic, but this might be considered discussing "bending the rules" for what I'm gonna ask...is it understandable to take a nanny job or some under the table job, while she

waits for EAD? I'm preparing to support us, but I can only imagine someone going stir-crazy waiting 3 months to be "allowed" to work. Again, if thats something that shouldn't

be discussed here as its not entirely legal, then feel free to delete this post.

[MarkNAshley 0]

Not to jump off-topic, but this might be considered discussing "bending the rules" for what I'm gonna ask...is it understandable to take a nanny job or some under the table job, while she

waits for EAD? I'm preparing to support us, but I can only imagine someone going stir-crazy waiting 3 months to be "allowed" to work. Again, if thats something that shouldn't

be discussed here as its not entirely legal, then feel free to delete this post.

Any kind of job being done under the table is illegal. If you chose that route be aware that you are breaking laws and there might be the posibility of deportation.

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

Not to jump off-topic, but this might be considered discussing "bending the rules" for what I'm gonna ask...is it understandable to take a nanny job or some under the table job, while she

waits for EAD? I'm preparing to support us, but I can only imagine someone going stir-crazy waiting 3 months to be "allowed" to work. Again, if thats something that shouldn't

be discussed here as its not entirely legal, then feel free to delete this post.

I wouldn't risk it.

I want to be able to work too but I'm just going to focus on getting our house the way we want...paint, decorate and just relax...I'm looking forward to the time off too!!!

Enjoy it...lol

[Izoom 0]

Oh believe me I understand the risks, but I find it hard to believe that the US government expects someone to just sit and wait for an EAD to go through, but then I suppose thats the choice you make when helping someone immigrate here.

So helping Jane Smith who is 80 years old and needs a part time caretaker and pays cash is illegal? Thats a crime for being a nice person