Secondary

Ever since I got my waiver late June, I've entered the US four times:

1st visit: Rainbow Bridge, secondary inspection, no stamp, no I-94 card

2nd visit: Toronto airport, secondary inspection, I-94 stamp for six months

3rd visit: Toronto airport, secondary inspection + fingerprint, another I-94 stamp also for six months from day of entry

4th visit: Toronto airport, NO secondary inspection, no fingerprint, yet another I-94 stamp for six months from day of entry

I wonder now what exactly triggerred issuance of new I-94 everytime I cleared CBP at the airport, and also what exactly got me pulled to secondary. It just seems to be completely random.

The last visit was encouraging though since I didn't get called to secondary, though I had to show my return ticket.

What's also interesting is that, everytime I entered through airport, they always gave me a new stamp, each for six months after entry (though at this rate, my passport would be full of US stamps if I keep visiting through airport).

It would be interesting to see how my next visit through land border would be like.

I haven't had to go into secondary at pre-clearance, at least at YVR, in over 3 years now at least, only when I cross by land do I have to park and go in to get a card for 6 months. I was told not to use the automated kiosks at YVR and to use the "visa" line is all. I get asked the purpose of my trip (usually business), how long and why do I do for work. Then I usually get a stamp and I'm on my way after they inspect my waiver. It would be great to be able to use the kiosks as to speed things up as at least at YVR, Nexus users get priority and seem to make the lone go slower. Overall I'd say it's much more relaxed then I remember it being.

@John Rogers

It does seem kind of random. At one time, they even made me do fingerprint. And each time I got a stamp, the stamp was good for six months for each visit (new electronic I-94 each time), even though I ended up staying at most only a week.

@Adelaide

They took me to secondary, but I was fortunate enough not to encounter much problem with their questioning, and they never asked me for my phone/computer I had with me, only asked basic stuff like who was I visiting, how long would I stay, etc.

@PJ

I never went through the preclearance at YVR, as I did most of my flying from YYZ, but I'm glad to hear you hardly ever got called to secondary.

If you don't mind me asking, did you get six months each time they stamped you, and did you get stamped everytime, or only when your previous stamp had expired?

I'm curious because, I kept getting new stamp for six months each time, even though the old stamps were not yet expired.

@WaiveMeIn

They stamp it every time now regardless of how old the previous one was. I think the date is more important for the land crossing since they don't need to send you in for secondary where as now they do everything at the first agent without having to go to secondary. I figure if I crossed by land with the stamp from YVR I wouldn't have to go in if it was within the 6 month window. Overall the experience has been much less anxiety inducing than it used to be other than some really scrutinize the waiver although I'm sure people try to cross with fake ones. I don't understand why they just don't add something linked to our profiles so they know an active waiver is on file and then you wouldn't even need to carry that letter and potentially lose it.

In Calgary and Edmonton i handed them my passport and waiver they breifly looked at it and let me no hassel

I am travelling for first time on a waiver, crossing by air travel into U.S from calgary from connecting flights. I am stressed to the max as I am a professional travelling with colleagues and am trying to reduce and embarrassment if I am pulled into secondary. Is there anything I can do to expedite/mitigate any issues. Ie: go to a border crossing by land to get a 6 month pass first? I am also trying to ensure I dont miss my connecting flight.

When travelling to USA via air do you get in the ‘visa’ line up at customs or go to the keyask? First time travelling with a 5 year waiver and I’m freaking out ! What can I expect ? please tell me the process

This is my first travel with the waiver and it’s for a work event with work people so I’m hoping there are no issues. We have 2 hour stop over in Toronto. Is this long enough ? What will they do in secondary ? What do I need to bring ? Just passport and letter?