Hello,

I am new to Flyer Talk, and not sure which particular forum to post this...anyways here goes..hope you can help me out.

My wife and I are flying to LAX from YYZ this sat (around 8 am flight) from terminal 1..

I know that we have to do US customs pre-clearance at YYZ..but now sure about the whole sequence of steps involved...so requesting your help on below:

1. what would be a safe comfortable margin to reach the airport before our flight..
2. do i check in first at air canada, and then proceed to US customs ?
3. where do i get the I-94 form ? Is it I-94w or just I-94 ?
4. would the I-94 be required at checkin counter ?
5. after checkin, would we still have our luggage to go through US customs ?
6. after clearing US customs, where do we put our luggage (if point 5 is true) ?
7. Regarding the I-94...there's a checkbox to indicate whether or not I was denied a US Visa EVER...
I was denied a student visa to US almost 7 years ago....currently I have a 10 year B1/B2 visa...
question is, would the denied F1 visa be on my file, and should i check that box on I-94 to YES (that i was denied a visa),

OR

a US visa denial is removed from my file after a certain amount of time ( less than 7 years) and I can check NO in the I-94 form..

Reason for asking is, that if I check yes on the I-94 form, would they refuse me entry to US ?

8. Our tickets only have our first and last names and not the middle name (as in the passport)..would that be an issue ?

Thanks a lot for reading the post, and hope you can help me out.

cheers

I assume your B1/B2 visa is currently valid? If so, just fill out an I-94 and enter on that visa. The I-94 does not ask about previously denied visas, just info on your current visa. The I-94W (visa waiver) is the one with all the questions. You were asked all those questions when you got the B1/B2, so they don't ask again.

You should not rely on the visa waiver if you've ever been denied a visa. Just use your visa.

For your other points,

1) Arrive about 2-3 hrs prior (I like leaving lots of time for US Immigration/Customs)
2) Check in w/Air Canada first.
3) Just before the entrance to the US Immigration Hall, there are desks with the I94 and customs forms that you must complete before entering the Immigration Hall.
4) I94 shouldn't be required at the check-in counter, but doesn't hurt to have everything filled out before checking-in.
5)You keep your luggage with you at YYZ. Take your luggage with you to the Immigration Hall.
6) After dropping off your customs forms, there will be baggage belts to drop off you luggage, before you pass through security. Can't miss them, they're at both your left and right.
7) Already answered.
8) Should not be a problem. I don't include my middle name on my tickets, yet my middle name is on my passport.

Thanks a lot for the quick response..I made a mistake in pointing out to I-94w..just realized its for visa waiver program...we already have a valid visa

Thanks a lot for your help now the process is very clear.

Hey I dont know if this applies to you but what I'm seen from the Cathay Pacific website, US CBA want you to submit your info 72hrs before departure, similar to the Australian electronic visa program. Here is the link https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov , just check it if your not sure, I'm YYZ based but I never need to use this since I'm Canadian. If anyone else knows more info, please help