All visitors, except U.S. citizens, returning resident aliens, immigrant visa holders, and most Canadian citizens, must receive a Form I-94, Arrival/Departure record at the port of entry. Because travel is picking up, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is encouraging travelers to fill out an I-94 application online in advance to reduce wait times and speed their arrival.
CBP has other travel tips for those arriving at the northern land border:
- If possible, cross the land border at off-peak times (before 6:00 a.m. or after 3:00 p.m.) to avoid the worst lines. Wait times can be monitored at the CBP Broder Wait Times website.
- Have your travel document(s) ready to show to the CBP officer.
- Consider joining a trusted traveler program if you travel frequently. NEXUS/FAST Enrollment Centers reopened in April.
- Travelers must declare all items being imported in the United States from Canada. Travelers should know what they have in their cars and what needs to be declared.
- Make sure you are not entering with restricted food products, including certain fruits, meats, dairy, and poultry products. Check out the restricted or prohibited items before traveling.
- Declare all firearms and ammunition.
- Leave marijuana at home. Although marijuana is legal in Canada and many U.S. states, the sale, possession, production, and distribution of marijuana remain illegal under federal law – and federal law governs at the border.
- Check out the CBP informational website. It can be accessed with a smartphone and works internationally.
Jackson Lewis attorneys are available to assist with questions about entry requirements at the borders.