When to fill out the I-94 form for a Canada-NYC trip

Hi everyone,

Some French friends are visiting NYC (4/5 days around mid-May) from Montreal, Canada. They’ve got their eTA and ESTA approved!

Round-trip transport by bus.

Question: Is the I-94 form required, mandatory, and should it be filled out on the bus or in advance???

Thanks for your RECENT experiences!

See you, Jean.

hi, https://www.help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1361?language=en_US

you can do this online with the $30 payment

hello, https://www.help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1361?language=en_US

this can be done online with the $30 payment

Thanks Nathalie,

Yeah, that’s the version I saw... but elsewhere I read that the I-94 formality "could" be done when getting off the bus at the border, filling out the paper, and only paying $6!!!

My friends (Nathalie... and Lily) are crossing tonight, so I’ll get a 2026 live update.

Safe travels to you. Jean.

Hello,

It’ll be interesting to know because AI says you can still fill it out on the spot (though it wastes time), but it’ll still cost $30...

Hello,

Here’s the update... my friends arrived in NYC from Montreal with no issues, and they took the bus.

They filled out the I-94 forms online for $30 each. Quick border crossing.

They saw a passenger get off with just their wallet!!! (Probably to buy it on the spot???).

Later, and thanks.

6 dollars was before 😁

Hey there, Jean,

Straight from Japan—small detour from the US!

$30!!! Not just the ESTA that’s taken a hit from inflation!!!!

Hey there, Jean,

Straight from Japan—just a little detour from the US!

$30!!! Not just the ESTA that’s taken a hit from inflation!!!!

Enjoy! It’s a country that must be "a real change of scenery..." Best, Jean