It's not really a C&C question but rather a travel by boat to the US question
when not a US or Canadian citizen but coming from a visa "exempt" country. So
holler if I am breaking the "rules".
I have had multiple exchanges with US customs/ border control because
apparently you need this I94 form (a form that basically confirms that you
don't need a visa?) in your passport BEFORE you arrive at the US port. However,
you can only get this form at a land border crossing (nope not at an airport ,
there, you need your ESTA), which means you need to drive across the border get
the form, pay $6, turn around drive back to Canada and then hop on the boat and
sail to the US. After 3 months , repeat.
I have never gotten an answer on what to do when you arrive from the Caribbean.
( can't drive across the border first,now, can ya).
Has anybody run into this and knows how to get around this logistical
impossibility?
Thank you ...
Below, read starting from the bottom...
Subject
Re arrival in the US by private pleasure boat (or bareboat charter) Where would
...
Discussion Thread
Response Via Email (CBP I-94 and ESTA Officer) 04/26/2016 03:23 PM
Dear Sir/Madame,
There is not another visitor visa that can be obtained ahead of time prior to
your entry to the US. Even if ESTA is obtained, you are still required by law
to be inspected upon entry to the US and that includes arrival by boat. ESTA
does not grant you admission into the US. It is only used for pre-inspection
purposes prior to your arrival to the US. If you arrive by boat you will need
to report to the nearest port of entry. If you arrive to the US by air then you
will need to fly into an international airport where CBP is staffed.
Best Regards,
Admissibility and Passenger Programs
Please note that in our online tracking software, a “Solved” status simply
means that we have provided you with the best information we have to your
question. There may still be steps you need to complete before your situation
is resolved to your satisfaction. Those steps are explained in our response. If
you need further clarification on those steps, please feel free to contact us
back.
This email is intended for Informational Purposes Only, final determination of
admission is solely at the discretion of the CBP Officer based upon the
inspection at the time of entry.
Customer By Email 04/26/2016 09:30 AM
Thank you for the clarification re airport entry.
I understand that we require the correct documentation. The question is how can
one obtain this when arriving by boat e.g. From the Caribbean or, from Europe
without prior access to a land border? Is there another option then the I94
which is only valid for 3 month and has to be obtained at a physical US border?
E.g. Is there another "visitor visa" that can be obtained well in advance but
remains valid (e.g. like the ESTA that can be obtained through online
application and remains valid for 2 years. )
Thank you for you assistance.
On Apr 26, 2016, at 7:11, "CBP INFO Center" <[email protected]>
wrote:
Response Via Email (CBP I-94 and ESTA Officer) 04/26/2016 09:11 AM
Dear Sir/Madame,
In order to obtain an I-94 document at the airport where CBP is stationed at
you need to have a flight booked in order to do so. The I-94 document can only
be given upon your entry to the US. If you were to obtain the I-94 document at
an airport you will need to be flying into the US i.e. making an entry to the
US.
As far as your arrival by sailboat from the Caribbean you will need to have the
correct documentation prior to your arrival. If you arrive to the US without
being inspected by CBP or issued the correct documentation for entry to the US
you can be considered as a person who entered the US without inspection.
Best Regards,
Admissibility and Passenger Programs
Please note that in our online tracking software, a “Solved” status simply
means that we have provided you with the best information we have to your
question. There may still be steps you need to complete before your situation
is resolved to your satisfaction. Those steps are explained in our response. If
you need further clarification on those steps, please feel free to contact us
back.
This email is intended for Informational Purposes Only, final determination of
admission is solely at the discretion of the CBP Officer based upon the
inspection at the time of entry.
Customer By Email 04/26/2016 09:00 AM
Thank you for the information. Could you please let me know if the form (I94)
is available at an airport in Canada that has US customs stationed there. As
you may appreciate driving to the border to get this form is not always
practicable.
It is not quite clear to me how one can overcome this logistical impossibility
if arriving for example, from the Caribbean by sailboat? Could you please
advise how these situations can be addressed as the I 94 is only valid for 3
mth and as such cannot be obtained prior to departure?
Thank you for your follow up.
On Apr 26, 2016, at 6:15, "CBP INFO Center" <[email protected]>
wrote:
Response Via Email (CBP I-94 and ESTA Officer) 04/26/2016 08:15 AM
Dear Sir/Madame,
When entering the US by pleasure boat you need to ensure that you have a valid
passport, valid I-94 arrival/departure from, and/or valid nonimmigrant US visa.
You will need to have these documents before arriving by boat. The I-94
document will need to be obtained prior to your pleasure boat arrival because
there is not a place for you to obtain the I-94 document when you arrive by
boat. Your I-94 document will need to be obtained at a land border crossing
prior to you taking a boat trip from Canada to the US.
If you are part of the NEXUS program you are required to abide by all rules of
the program as a Canadian or US citizen would abide by. As a permanent resident
of Canada you will need to ensure that you have a valid passport. valid I-94,
and/or US visa as is required by the NEXUS program. You will need to inform the
NEXUS Office of any updates in your entry document information.
I hope that this answers any questions that you may have. If you need further
assistance you can respond to this email. Thank you again for contacting CBP.
Best Regards,
Admissibility and Passenger Programs
Please note that in our online tracking software, a “Solved” status simply
means that we have provided you with the best information we have to your
question. There may still be steps you need to complete before your situation
is resolved to your satisfaction. Those steps are explained in our response. If
you need further clarification on those steps, please feel free to contact us
back.
This email is intended for Informational Purposes Only, final determination of
admission is solely at the discretion of the CBP Officer based upon the
inspection at the time of entry.
Auto-Response 02/29/2016 08:20 PM
The following answers might help you immediately. (Answers open in a separate
window.)
Answer Link: Citizen of Visa Waiver Country, wants to drive into U.S. from
Canada or Mexico, or arrive at a port of call in the U.S. by cruise ship
Answer Link: Pleasure Boats - Procedures for entering the U.S.
Answer Link: Pleasure Boats - Obtaining a cruising license after old one expires
Answer Link: Requirements and application process for the Canadian Border Boat
Landing Program (I-68 Permit Program)
Answer Link: Military dependents (non U.S. citizens, visa, or LPR card holders)
traveling to the United States, for tourist purposes, on the Visa Waiver
Program, via military aircraft
Customer By Web Form 02/29/2016 08:20 PM
Re arrival in the US by private pleasure boat (or bareboat charter)
Where would a permanent resident of Canada eligible for the Visa Waiver Program
obtain the I-94 or I-94W travel form if they are arriving by pleasure boat in
the US?
How would this work if you enter the US by pleasure boat (for example charter
boat) in other areas of the United States? aka not along the northern border) I
understand an ESTA is not acceptable. What form do you need then and can you
obtain it upon arrival in port or do you have to obtain it somewhere beforehand?
Lastly is the process different for Canadian permanent residents that are part
of the Nexus program?
from your site:
Permanent residents of Canada who are nationals of a designated Visa Waiver
Program country, may enter the United States by means of a pleasure boat along
the northern border of the United States, if in possession of a valid,
unexpired, passport issued by his or her country of nationality, and an
unexpired multiple entry Form I-94W, Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure
Form, or an unexpired passport, valid unexpired United States nonimmigrant visa
and I-94 Arrival/Departure Form. Entry may be made only as a visitor for
pleasure.
Question Reference #160229-003821
Topic Level 1: I-94
Topic Level 2: Other
Date Created: 02/29/2016 08:20 PM
Last Updated: 04/26/2016 03:23 PM
Status: Closed/Clarify
First Name:
Last Name:
DOB: //
Cargo Location:
Carrier-Vessel Name:
Flight Number:
Employee Name/Badge Number:
Incident Date:
AgentsKnowledge:
ReachingAgent:
IssueResolved:
AgentsCourtesy:
Survey Name:
Form Type: Email Us
NEXUS Number:
SEVIS Number:
SENTRI Number:
CET Problem Type:
AQI Problem Type:
MET/Trade Problem:
Entry Problem Type:
Entry Number:
Bill of Lading Nbr:
Bill of Lading Type:
Container Number:
Booking Number:
FAST Number:
Problem Type:
Entity Type:
Other Problem:
Esta Group ID:
Date Traveler Return:
GE Number:
APEC Number:
GOES Registration Number:
Other Program Number:
License Plate Number:
Aircraft Registration Number:
Uniform Selection:
License Plate State:
Created by Generic Supervisor: No
US Flag:
Pilot Certification Inspection:
Approximate Time:
Export Problem:
I-94 Number:
Express Mail Tracking:
Disposition (CF):
General Aviation Location
Vessel Name
Marina
Cruising Permit Number
ESTA Application Number
[---001:007684:59981---]
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