Why not try calling the Victoria clipper or Washington state ferries, I'm nether Canadian nor US but i can go to the US without having to drive there first. They would perhaps have an idea about it.
Date: Tue, 31 May 2016 13:29:20 -0600 To: [email protected] Subject: Stus-List Arrival by private boat in the US by a "visa exempt" citizen From: [email protected] CC: [email protected] 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... SubjectRe 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 PMDear 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 Email04/26/2016 09:30 AMThank 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 AMDear 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 Email04/26/2016 09:00 AMThank 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 AMDear 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-Response02/29/2016 08:20 PMThe 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 Form02/29/2016 08:20 PMRe 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 #160229-003821Topic Level 1: I-94Topic Level 2: OtherDate Created: 02/29/2016 08:20 PMLast Updated: 04/26/2016 03:23 PMStatus: Closed/ClarifyFirst 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 UsNEXUS 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: NoUS 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---] _______________________________________________ This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. 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