At which point should i give my US I-94 when flying to Canada?

[SkilledPro]

Dear Forum,

I'm an F1 student in the US and will be flying to Canada as permanent resident.  At which point should i give my I-94.  I heard that some people resulted to be overstaying in the US because they did not submit or surrender their I-94. 

Should i make sure that my i-94 was taken during check-in process?

please advise.  thank you.

[Neel09]

Hi,
I just went to land in canada in june for 2 days then came back to US since i am working on h1b visa. When you board the flight which is acually going direct to canadian airport, at that point in US airport they will ask you for how many days you are going to Canada for. If you are going there for less than 30 days ( I think thats what she told) you do not require to give your I-94. i went there for 2 days so i did not. When you come back from canada directly to USA and not via another Candian city, your US immigration formalities will be done in Canadian airport itself ( Mine was done in Edmonton airport, as i had direct flight from Edmonton to Denver).
If you are going for more than 30 days make sure to give your i-94 card to the representative who stands in the counter just beside the departure gate. I am going to edmonton again this wednesday for 2 days for an interview and i am sure the process will be same.

Hope it helps a bit

[SkilledPro]

Hi Neel09,

thanks for your advice.  if that's the case, then i would need to surrender my i-94. 

you said to give it to the representative in the counter (beside departure gate)?  so it's not really during the check-in process. the reason i asked is because i have a friend who leaves US to go back to homecountry and if i remember it right, it's during the checkin process that she surrendered her  i-94. 

Thanks again and best regards.  good luck on your interview.

[gjp]

Usually it is at the check-in counter. Sometime they ask you to give it to the person at the departure gate. As long as you surrender it to either of these two people, not a problem.

[SkilledPro]

Thank you very much for both your inputs.