US Port of Entry

[Strangefox]

Just like the previous poster said. You don't want to argue with a jack**s TSA person. They can be extremely rude, so be on the safe side.

Ok! I prefer to be on the safe side

[Alex251]

Mmm.. I did not know about that! I was never ever asked for my passport when I presented my state ID when traveling within the US (which happened to me a lot). But true, you definitely want to be on the safe side. Sorry for giving bad advice, I did not want to mislead anyone!

[Alex251]

straight form the horse's mouth:

http://www.tsa.gov/t..._documents.shtm

note after the list: "Non-US/Canadian citizens are not required to carry their passports if they have documents issued by the U.S. government such as Permanent Resident Cards. Those who do not should be carrying their passports while visiting the U.S."

I would interpret this as yes, you really should bring your passport on a domestic flight. "Such as" does not (to me) imply *only* a permanent rez card, but rather *any* fed document: I-94 and visas, would likely count too.

And it would be better to have it along than run into a TSA official who demands one of you; even if they are wrong, you don't ant to argue the point when catching a flight.

Well, a state ID is a legal US document that only someone with a visa can hold (you cannot have it if you're merely "visiting the US") and they check if you're legal at the DMV when they issue it. This is probably why I was never asked to present my passport. That said, I agree that it is probably better to have your passport!

[ktel]

I would imagine it would be the same as in Canada, where you can simply use your drivers license or other government-issued ID to fly within the country. I always bring my passport regardless

[Strangefox]

So, you guys who have just arrived to the US, can you add something about a Port of Entry? Everything went smooth for you there? Were you asked to show any documents not yet listed in this thread?

[Henry Hudson]

Well, a state ID is a legal US document that only someone with a visa can hold (you cannot have it if you're merely "visiting the US") and they check if you're legal at the DMV when they issue it. This is probably why I was never asked to present my passport. That said, I agree that it is probably better to have your passport!

sorry to nitpick, but the US government does not always consider state IDs to be US government IDs, and one actually can hold state IDs without a visa in certain cases. There have been stinks made about illegal immigrants who have been able to to get state IDs.

It's great you had no problem with using a state ID, but I'd hate for anyone to be barred from a flight for not having a passport along.

[eklavya]

being an international student, i can add to the fact that they do not ask for your passport/visa on domestic flights. at least i've never been asked to show them my passport. i've even gotten away at many airports by showing my university card. although, as said above, it depends accordingly to the person at the desk. so carry a state id/license and your university card with (color) copies of your passport and visa. that should do it. i personally don't like to carry my passport everywhere i go because if i lose it, i'm screwed.

[Ennue]

Regarding the port of entry thing, it was exactly as some earlier poster described. I showed them my passport, my I-20, the 94-card and also a customs card that I got on the plane. They asked a few questions, the most notable of which was "so what kind of food do you like? Do you like Asian food? You should totally go to <such and such restaurant>". So, based on my experience: don't worry, you'll be fine, they don't make it difficult

[Strangefox]

They asked a few questions, the most notable of which was "so what kind of food do you like? Do you like Asian food? You should totally go to <such and such restaurant>".

Nice!

[bluetourmaline]

Has anyone (particularly Canadian international students) driven up to the port of entry? That is what I plan to do rather than flying (can bring more stuff), and I wonder what the experience is like. I would guess the people at the guard shack have a stack of I-94s in the back that I can fill in.

[andy2013]

bumping this.. am also thinking of driving over from Canada (not a Canadian national though) to the US port of entry and was wondering if there are any problems/extra things to show in that case.

[Strangefox]

bumping this.. am also thinking of driving over from Canada (not a Canadian national though) to the US port of entry and was wondering if there are any problems/extra things to show in that case.

I have not been in this situation but I've been at a port of entry in the airport. I believe - it will be the same thing. If anything can be different, it will be forms that they will give you to fill in. All documents that you are bringing will probably be the same as in the airport. After all, why should they be different?

[Henry Hudson]

bumping this.. am also thinking of driving over from Canada (not a Canadian national though) to the US port of entry and was wondering if there are any problems/extra things to show in that case.

I'm more familiar with the reverse (heading into Canada from the US).

If it's your first entry, choose a major crossing (Interstate highway). small backroads crossings generally don't have the paperwork to process international students.

[andy2013]

thanks for the replies.. yeah they ought to be the same i guess but still thought i'd double check. i will be driving from the highway that leads into detroit city so i guess that should qualify as a major crossing? not too familiar with the routes/road system myself (will be accompanied by a Canadian citizen who crosses the border quite regularly though)

[Strangefox]

If it's your first entry, choose a major crossing (Interstate highway). small backroads crossings generally don't have the paperwork to process international students.

Is it relevant only for the first entry?

Edited August 25, 2011 by Strangefox

[newms]

bumping this.. am also thinking of driving over from Canada (not a Canadian national though) to the US port of entry and was wondering if there are any problems/extra things to show in that case.

Hey, I just did this last week. No problems at all. You'll show them your passport at the border crossing - if you're in a car, they'll have you pull over and you'll go inside for processing. If you're in a bus, I think everyone comes off the bus and goes inside for them to check your documents. As far as i can tell, the procedure inside was the same as if you'd land by air. They're going to want to see your passport, VISA (for non-Canadians), I-20 as well as your SEVIS payment receipt. As for the I-94, you won't have to fill it out (at least I didn't) - they will print one with your information and staple it in your passport. They asked me where I would be staying, so make sure you have an address to give them. I don't know if they'll ask about finances - they didn't ask me, but that may be because my funding information was on my I-20.

Detroit is a major crossing, so they'll know how to process you. Good luck!

[newms]

Is it relevant only for the first entry?

Hey Strangefox, we'll have to show them our I-20 (in addition to the student visa) every time we enter the US, so we'll always have to carry it when we travel, so I don't think that would be relevant for only the first entry.

[Henry Hudson]

Is it relevant only for the first entry?

if you need to have new paperwork processed, you will likely have to go to a major crossing. Once you have everything set, you can use any crossing.