|  |  | Canadian Border Boat Landing Program, I-68 Permit Program (CBBL)
General Information:
Current immigration regulations require that every application for entry to the United States must be made in person to an immigration officer at a port-of-entry at a time when the port is open for inspection. One exception to this requirement is the Canadian Border Boat Landing (I-68) Program, which allows certain applicants entering the United States by small boat to be inspected only once per year, and thereafter enter from time to time for recreational purposes without further inspection. The regulations further require that a person claiming United States citizenship must establish that fact to the satisfaction of the examining immigration officer. Persons who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents of the United States may use Form I-68 for visits not to exceed 72 hours to visit within 25 miles of the shoreline along the U.S. border with Canada. There is no requirement that boaters obtain Form I-68. However, boaters who choose not to obtain Form I-68 must report, in person, for inspection by either an immigration or customs officer at a port-of-entry each time they enter the United States. U.S. citizen boaters who enter the United States with aliens who are without Form I-68 and without reporting for inspection may be subject to fine and/or possible seizure of the boat. Non-U.S. citizens traveling by boat who do not have Form I-68 and who have not presented themselves for inspection are subject to arrest, possible fine, or removal from the United States. Persons aboard a vessel which has crossed the international boundary between the United States and Canada and who do not intend to land in the United States, other than at a staffed port-of-entry, are not required to be in possession of Form I-68 merely because they have crossed the international boundary. The Canadian Border Boat Landing Program was suspended after the terrorist attacks of September 11, but has since resumed with additional security enhancements. Due to enhanced security measures along our borders after September 11, both the Canadian Border Boat Landing Permit (Form I-68) and the Outlying Area Reporting Station (OARS) programs have been modified for the 2002 boating season (our April 9, 2002 News Release reports these changes). The Form I-68, after an initial inspection, permits a boater to make subsequent recreational entries into the United States without the need for additional inspections for the balance of the boating season. The initial inspection involves an interview, checking the individual in the Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS) and possibly other law enforcement databases, processing 3 photographs, imprinting a single fingerprint on each copy of the form, and payment of the fee. Only the current Form I-68, revised January 31, 2002, will be accepted this season. The Form I-68 will not be renewable by mail. Each applicant who is 14 years of age or older must appear in person for inspection. The names and dates of birth of children less than 14 years of age must be listed on one or both of their parents’ Form I-68. If approved, page one of the three-part Form I-68 will be issued to each applicant age 14 years of age and older. Each of the three pages of the Form I-68 will bear the photograph and fingerprint of the applicant for identification purposes. The fees for both individuals and families will remain the same as last year.Frequently Asked Questions:| Q: | Who is eligible to participate in this program? | | A: | United States citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents of the United States, Canadian citizens, Landed Commonwealth Residents of Canada, and Landed Residents of Canada who are nationals of Visa Waiver Pilot Program countries who also have a valid stamped Form I-94W, Visa Waiver Arrival-Departure Record, or Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record if they were previously admitted with a valid unexpired visa, are eligible. |
| Q: | What is the cost of the Form I-68? | | A: | The fee for an individual Form I-68 is $16.00. There is a family cap of $32.00, but each member of the family who is 14 years of age or older must obtain a separate Form I-68. Children under 14 years of age will be entered on their parent's form. For fee purposes, a family is defined as husband, wife, unmarried children under 21 years of age, and parents of either the husband or wife. |
| Q: | What is the current version of Form I-68 and what does it look like? | | A: | The original three-page, three-color Form I-68 is only available at the issuing port-of-entry or other specified location where the inspection is conducted. A copy of this Form I-68 is on the immigration website for information only and not for actual issuance purposes. |
| Q: | Where may I obtain the Form I-68? | | A: | The original three-page, three-color Form I-68 is only available at the issuing port-of-entry or other specified location where the inspection is conducted. A copy of this Form I-68 is on the immigration website for information only and not for actual issuance purposes. |
| Q: | May I use a Form I-68 that I received last year? | | A: | No, after September 11, 2001, the Canadian Border Boat Landing Program was suspended until April 4, 2002. All prior versions of Form I-68 issued before April 4, 2002 are considered void and may not be used. Forms I-68 are only issued at a participating port-of-entry, or a special location specified by that district, after successful completion of a face-to-face inspection conducted by an immigration inspector. |
| Q: | How long does it take to obtain the Form I-68? | | A: | The inspection process requires a short interview and checking of various databases, plus the time necessary to prepare and process the three photographs now required, apply the fingerprint, and collect the fee. |
| Q: | Where may I appear for inspection and processing of the Form I-68? | | A: | The participating District Offices are Anchorage, AK; Buffalo, NY; Chicago, IL; Cleveland, OH; Detroit, MI; Helena, MT; Philadelphia, PA (for Erie, PA); Portland, ME; Seattle, WA; and St. Paul, MN. Interested persons should visit the Website home pages for these offices and look for information on the "Canadian Border Boat Landing Permit" published under "Contacting Us," and under "Local Filing Procedures." These home pages will provide telephone numbers where you can call ahead to determine actual issuing locations and other details. Form I-68 is no longer renewable by mail. |
| Q: | What must I do if I don't have a Form I-68 to enter the United States by boat? | | A: | Boaters not in possession of a valid Form I-68 must either report in person for inspection at a port-of-entry or utilize one of the 33 OARS (Outlying Area Reporting Station) videophones each time they apply for admission to the United States. Under the OARS program, videophones installed at public marinas along the Canadian border provide an automated inspection service enabling two-way visual and audio communication between the inspector and the applicant for admission. Any non-U.S. citizen who does not comply with these procedures may be subject to adverse actions under the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. |
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