Do I need to apply for I-94 for land border crossing into USA from Canada on H1b?

[rkvarma]

Hello Everyone!

I am currently residing in Canada on PR and I have an H1b status in the USA. It is set to expire in Nov 2025. I have been traveling once a month to the US via flight. But, this time I would like to travel via the land border by Amtrak. I have a lot of confusion going on and couldn't get the appropriate information concerning the I-94 form. It would be really helpful if someone can clarify my questions below:

1. The CBP website & Amtrak says to apply for I-94 before travel to make the immigration check faster at the border. However, I already see my I-94 travel history on the CBP website since I have traveled by air quite a few times on my H1b visa. Do I still need to apply for I-94 online for land border crossing?

2. Some websites say that I will be provided with a new I-94 at the border crossing by an immigration officer. Is it true?

3. Is it enough to carry my Passport, H1b visa, I797A, and other employment-related documents? Do I also need to print my current I-94 from the website and carry it with me to the border?

 

[justinline]

Hello Everyone!

I am currently residing in Canada on PR and I have an H1b status in the USA. It is set to expire in Nov 2025. I have been traveling once a month to the US via flight. But, this time I would like to travel via the land border by Amtrak. I have a lot of confusion going on and couldn't get the appropriate information concerning the I-94 form. It would be really helpful if someone can clarify my questions below:

1. The CBP website & Amtrak says to apply for I-94 before travel to make the immigration check faster at the border. However, I already see my I-94 travel history on the CBP website since I have traveled by air quite a few times on my H1b visa. Do I still need to apply for I-94 online for land border crossing?

2. Some websites say that I will be provided with a new I-94 at the border crossing by an immigration officer. Is it true?

3. Is it enough to carry my Passport, H1b visa, I797A, and other employment-related documents? Do I also need to print my current I-94 from the website and carry it with me to the border?

I have reverse case, I used to travel through land border regularly between US and Canada, so had the I94 stapled issued and stapled at the border. When I flew once, I was let in with same I94. New one was not issued. So I am assuming you should be fine with existing I94. Just keep copy while travelling.

As mentioned, with regular travel, I kept all the documents while travelling. Every 6 months I got flagged for complete check and sent inside for secondary inspection. So they would check the car, validate status, whole jumping through the hoop questions, where you work, who is employer, where you live. So always better to keep all documents when travelling.

 

[rkvarma]

I have reverse case, I used to travel through land border regularly between US and Canada, so had the I94 stapled issued and stapled at the border. When I flew once, I was let in with same I94. New one was not issued. So I am assuming you should be fine with existing I94. Just keep copy while travelling.

As mentioned, with regular travel, I kept all the documents while travelling. Every 6 months I got flagged for complete check and sent inside for secondary inspection. So they would check the car, validate status, whole jumping through the hoop questions, where you work, who is employer, where you live. So always better to keep all documents when travelling.

Thanks a lot for responding and sharing your experience! Getting flagged for secondary inspection sounds intimidating!

May I ask how frequently were you travelling?
Also, I am still unclear on how to answer the questions about where I reside. What would you generally answer? The last time I travelled via air I was asked if I reside in the US or Canada. I had provided my friend's US address where I was planning to stay and said I was living there as that's the same address I provided to my employer. Would you say you reside in the USA or CAN?

I was also asked about why did you visit Canada and how long was my visit. I have never seen in the online forums about people saying they were asked these questions. Basically, I am unsure about what my answers to my residency status be to the officer. I am planning to reside in Canada and travel periodically to H1b.

 

[vensharm]

Thanks a lot for responding and sharing your experience! Getting flagged for secondary inspection sounds intimidating!

May I ask how frequently were you travelling?
Also, I am still unclear on how to answer the questions about where I reside. What would you generally answer? The last time I travelled via air I was asked if I reside in the US or Canada. I had provided my friend's US address where I was planning to stay and said I was living there as that's the same address I provided to my employer. Would you say you reside in the USA or CAN?

I was also asked about why did you visit Canada and how long was my visit. I have never seen in the online forums about people saying they were asked these questions. Basically, I am unsure about what my answers to my residency status be to the officer. I am planning to reside in Canada and travel periodically to H1b.

@justinline - Did you travel on Canadian passport?

 

[justinline]

Thanks a lot for responding and sharing your experience! Getting flagged for secondary inspection sounds intimidating!

May I ask how frequently were you travelling?
Also, I am still unclear on how to answer the questions about where I reside. What would you generally answer? The last time I travelled via air I was asked if I reside in the US or Canada. I had provided my friend's US address where I was planning to stay and said I was living there as that's the same address I provided to my employer. Would you say you reside in the USA or CAN?

I was also asked about why did you visit Canada and how long was my visit. I have never seen in the online forums about people saying they were asked these questions. Basically, I am unsure about what my answers to my residency status be to the officer. I am planning to reside in Canada and travel periodically to H1b.

I used to travel sometimes once a week Monday in and Friday back to Canada, sometimes just once a month. so travel pattern varied ,I had apartment rentals both in US and Canada. If I remember when asked I told them I have residences in both places. For while I had both US and Canadian drivers licenses as well, for few months I had one car registered in US and one in Canada. For travel I always travelling with my Canadian car.

 

[justinline]

@justinline - Did you travel on Canadian passport?

Yeah before Canadian passport was well as with Canadian passport.

 

[rkvarma]

I used to travel sometimes once a week Monday in and Friday back to Canada, sometimes just once a month. so travel pattern varied ,I had apartment rentals both in US and Canada. If I remember when asked I told them I have residences in both places. For while I had both US and Canadian drivers licenses as well, for few months I had one car registered in US and one in Canada. For travel I always travelling with my Canadian car.

Thank you for sharing such helpful information! I’ve come across your posts in other threads, and they’ve been really helpful, answering many of my questions.
I recently made the trip to the U.S. via the land border, and everything went smoothly!