Online I-94 Application Now Available for Travelers at Land Ports of Entry

From GreenbergTraurig, 10/12/2016

On Sept. 29, 2016, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that it has enhanced the I-94 website for travelers arriving to the United States at land ports of entry.  Travelers now can apply and pay the $6 fee for their I-94 card online up to seven days prior to their entry.

An I-94 form is needed by all persons except U.S. Citizens, returning resident aliens, aliens with immigrant visas, and most Canadian citizens visiting or in transit.  Air and sea travelers will continue to be issued I-94 records during the admission process at the port of entry.  However, for those travelers seeking admission to the United States at a land port of entry, taking advantage of this new enhancement will quicken and simplify the admission process.

The application requires travelers to submit their biographic and travel information; in return, they will receive a provisional I-94 card after submitting the application and payment of the fee online.  The application collects the information that would otherwise be collected during the in-person inspection at the land port of entry, including name, date of birth, country of citizenship, passport details, visa details (if applicable), and petition/SEVIS number (if applicable).  To finalize the I-94 issuance process and admission, the traveler must present him or herself at the land port of entry within seven (7) days of the application, submit biometrics, and be inspected by a CBP officer.  Travelers always should be prepared to show evidence of their residence, employment and/or travel plans to the inspecting CBP officer, depending on the category of nonimmigrant admission being sought.

CBP expects for the new online I-94 application process to increase efficiencies during inspection and admission, decrease paper usage, and streamline the process at the land border, thereby reducing operating costs.  The secure website is easy to use and payment can be made via credit card, debit card, direct debit, or through PayPal.

U.S. Consulate in Toronto Suspends Third Country National Appointments in Summer 2016

From GreenbergTraurig, 05/06/2016

Following a trend from past summers, the U.S. Consulate in Toronto has suspended Third Country Nationals’ (non-Canadian Nationals’) visa appointments in the summer months of June, July, and August. This suspension only applies to Third Country Nationals and Canadian citizen applicants. Those Third Country Nationals who are legally living in Canada are unaffected. Third Country Nationals with an appointment already scheduled during the summer months may not be affected. However, applicants should consult with counsel or call the Consulate in advance to confirm prior to traveling to Canada.  For now, it appears that the other U.S. Consulates in Canada will continue processing Third Country Applicant visa applications during, but this could change as in years past.

TCN Visa Processing in Canada “Extremely Limited” Over the Summer

U.S. visa processing posts in Canada are urging third-country national (TCN) applicants to seek appointments at other U.S. Embassies and Consulates, such as those located in the applicants’ home countries. A TCN is an individual who applies for a visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in a country where the individual is not a citizen or national.

The U.S. Department of State has reported that, as a result of heavy demand by Canada-based visa applicants during June, July, and August, the seven Canadian posts are extremely limited in their ability to accept TCN cases during these peak demand months. Canadian posts will offer increased appointment availability for TCNs during non-peak processing times, namely October and November, and January through May. In the event of emergency cases during the peak demand period, applicants may seek consideration for scheduling an interview at a Canadian post by visiting canada.usembassy.gov.

U.S. Consulates in Canada Temporarily Suspend TCN Visa Processing Over the Summer

UPDATE 
From Canada CSC, 06/13/2013

Important information for U.S. residents: Due to increasingly heavy demand by Canada-based visa applicants, U.S. visa processing posts in Canada are unfortunately extremely limited in the ability to accept visa applications from U.S. residents during the peak demand period of June through August. Appointments for visa renewals for U.S. residents who are currently studying or working in the U.S. will be more readily available during non-peak periods in October and November, and January through May.

For information on options for extending or renewing authorization to continue studies or employment while in the U.S., contact U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Many travelers to Canada and Mexico are eligible for automatic revalidation at a Port of Entry without a new visa.

U.S.-based applicants who need a visa are encouraged to schedule an appointment in their home country. Information on worldwide appointment availability is found on the State Department’s website, www.Travel.State.gov.

From Fragomen.com, 06/10/2014

Third-Country National Visa Appointments Unavailable at U.S. Posts in Canada This Summer The Department of State has confirmed that third-country national (TCN) processing will not be available at any U.S. consular post in Canada from June to August 2014, except in emergency situations. TCN applicants with appointments already scheduled at a post in Canada during these months will not be affected. 

The suspension will primarily affect foreign nationals who seek to renew a visa in Canada rather than travel to their home country. Appointments are expected to be available to foreign permanent residents of Canada, however. 

From www.OgletreeDeakins.com, 06/04/2014

U.S. visa processing posts in Canada are urging third-country national (TCN) applicants to seek appointments at other U.S. Embassies and Consulates, such as those located in the applicants’ home countries. A TCN is an individual who applies for a visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in a country where the individual is not a citizen or national.

The U.S. Department of State has reported that, as a result of heavy demand by Canada-based visa applicants during June, July, and August, the seven Canada posts are extremely limited in their ability to accept TCN cases during these peak demand months. Canadian posts will offer increased appointment availability for TCNs during non-peak processing times, namely October and November, and January through May. In the event of emergency cases during the peak demand period, applicants may seek consideration for scheduling an interview at a Canada post by visiting canada.usembassy.gov.

Traveling to Canada?

From Fragomen.com, 12/07/2012

Biometrics to be Required for Visa Applicants from Countries

Nationals of thirty jurisdictions will be required to provide fingerprints and a digital photograph when applying for a Canadian visitor visa, study permit, or work permit beginning in 2013. Biometrics will be also confirmed when these travelers seek to enter Canada.

The new requirement will apply to applicants holding passports issued by the following jurisdictions: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Bangladesh, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Laos, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestinian Authority, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Vietnam, and Yemen. 

Applicants under the age of 14 or over the age of 79 will be exempt from the new requirement.

Canadian citizens and permanent residents will not have to submit biometrics when entering the country. 

Update, 01/09/2013

The Globe and Mail, 01/04/2013

“Almost all applicants seeking a visa to enter Canada will have their identity checked against American immigration databases to see whether they have been previously blacklisted, under a bilateral treaty signed…last month.

“And in a separate measure, Canada will be fingerprinting visa applicants from about 30 countries…by the end of this year.

“The measures are part of a sweeping effort to keep out the unwanted and dangerous, while simultaneously easing movement across the common border.

“…Cross-checking visa applicants’ identities against U.S. immigration databases will begin immediately. The U.S. will do the same with Canadian immigration databases.

“Once fingerprints are being taken later this year, they will automatically and electronically be checked against U.S. immigration databases as well as Canadian police records…

“…The treaty allows visa officers of both countries to electronically check the other country’s immigration database only.”

To read the full article, please click here.