Going on a Cruise

[cdn74]

On Saturday I am leaving to go on a Cruise. The cruise goes to the southern Caribbean, and leaves and returns from San Juan.
I will be flying from North Carolina to San Juan, meeting the ship, and then flying back from San Juan.


I am Canadian, and on an H1-B visa. I am confused, at to what the procedure is regarding my H1-B. The documentation with the H1-B says that I must surrender it going out of the country. San Juan is not out of the country as its part of the US - but what about on the cruise ship? None of the ports i'll be coming back to - San Juan or Charlotte is a port of Entry. I don't want to give up my H1-B.

Can anyone help me be a little less confused on what I can expect with this?

Thanks

 

[cdn74]

Re: Re: Going on a Cruise

If San Juan is a port of entry.. then what will I need with me to get my I-94 Again?

Originally posted by JoeF
You should talk with a lawyer. Generally, you would have to surrender your I-94, and get a new one upon return.
I am a bit surprised that San Juan is not a POE. If that's the case, flights to mainland US would be considered international flights, and you would get a new I-94 when you arrive in the mainland.
In fact, http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/pr/4913.xml states that the San Juan airport is a POE.
But in your case, the harbor is the POE, so when you return from your cruise, you go through immigration and customs.

A final note: depending on where the cruise is going, you may need visas for the countries you visit.

 

[cdn74]

Well I don't need anything for any of the countries since I am Canadian.

The problem is i'm not sure WHO I can expect to give up my I-94 to? Since San Juan is as pointed out a POE, are there immigration people with the cruise line at the harbour that would confiscate the i-94? What do I need to have documentation wise to get another on reentry? I can't possiblity have to reapply for a whole new one right?

 

[bohica]

i thought canadians were exempt from visa requirements unless they were e's or k's.so would the most they have to do is fill out a new I-94 if they were out of the country for over 30 days, as long as they had the approved i-797 with them?

could be wrong here.