Originally Posted by
yyznomad
I've been trying to find explicit wording on this, and the CBP/CBSA websites don't seem to be explicit about it, at least to me... and I've read a bunch of posts upthread and it seems that the only way to get a CBP interview, after being conditionally approved, is to travel to the US?
- Awhile ago, like 10+ years ago, after being conditionally approved, I would book an interview at an airport and have both my interviews with CBSA and CBP done there at the same time, and without having to book a flight to the US or anywhere whatsoever
- The wording now describes a new offering where one can do their CBP interview at a preclearance (EoA) airport before one's flight to the US (and warnings of arriving early in case of delays in being interviewed).
- What I can't find is wording saying that one can no longer book an interview with CBSA and CBP like in the old days. In the old days I didn't have to plan to drive/sail/fly into to the USA in order to get interviewed by CBP.
- I also understand that currently, one can book an interview once conditionally approved. Is this reserved interview only with CBSA now?
- If flying, is the ONLY way to get a US CBP interview is to book a flight to the US out of a preclearance airport and arrive early to be interviewed before being precleared?
- Are the booked interviews ONLY with CBSA now?
- If I do my non-reserved US CBP interview, at a preclearance airport (for the sole purpose of doing my CBP interview) on the same day that my booked my flight departs from, and get rejected by them then what happens?
Asking for a non-FT friend (really), but now that I've been trying to find out for them, I am genuinely curious too.
Thanks in advance...
Please review this site that refers to the 3 options available -
https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services...ntres-eng.html
Land border interviews are "1-step" just like pre-COVID. Both agency interviews take place back to back either in same building or across the border immediately after being interviewed by the first agency.
Airport interviews are now 2-step; they don't have to take place same day or even same location. It can be performed in any order (CBP first or CBSA first). CBP airport interview will involve a US flight (either interview before the flight if US immigration is at a Preclearance airport) or interview after the US flight if US immigration in at an US airport. CBSA airport requires interview. CBP airport does not.
You cannot mix and match airport and land border. If you have start an airport you have to be interviewed by the other agency at an airport as well.