Does it matter what airport your entry is?

[KJC 1]

I'm wondering if all airports have a POE thing... I don't want to book a flight then figure out I get sent back because they are unable to process immigrants or whatever..

I'm trying to book cheap flights (means I have to buy a return ticket that I won't use), and I saw one from Glasgow to Cleveland via Detroit Wayne County (DTW). I have a 4 hour wait in Detroit which I hope to be long enough to process me?

Edited March 31, 2008 by KJC

[joelunchbox 0]

What I understand is that the first airport you land at on US soil, you will process immigration. Doubtful that international flights would enter at anything other than a major airport. Is four hours enough?

[Otto 83]

I'm wondering if all airports have a POE thing... I don't want to book a flight then figure out I get sent back because they are unable to process immigrants or whatever..

I'm trying to book cheap flights (means I have to buy a return ticket that I won't use), and I saw one from Glasgow to Cleveland via Detroit Wayne County (DTW). I have a 4 hour wait in Detroit which I hope to be long enough to process me?

Any airport with international flights will be fine. Four hours should be enough.

[nane1104 146]

I'm wondering if all airports have a POE thing... I don't want to book a flight then figure out I get sent back because they are unable to process immigrants or whatever..

I'm trying to book cheap flights (means I have to buy a return ticket that I won't use), and I saw one from Glasgow to Cleveland via Detroit Wayne County (DTW). I have a 4 hour wait in Detroit which I hope to be long enough to process me?

I came in through Detroit once before and had no problems with Immigration there. 4 hours should give you enough time do get everything done regarding your papers,...

My POE was Dallas and I had 3 hours and even that was enough time.

My advice to everyone is to try and get to the Immigration section really fast and have your envelope visible. Someone from the personel there saw me and just picked me out of the line to go to another counter for my fingerprints and then straight into their second inspection area for the rest of the paperwork.

[KJC 1]

Thanks, that's a help...

Worst thing that will happen is that I miss my connecting flight and am stuck in Detroit for a while... After all the waiting to get to this point I don't think that's a lot to deal with

[funkyab 0]

there is of course immigration at any airport receiving international flights.

[motu 6]

I have a 4 hour wait in Detroit which I hope to be long enough to process me?

Four hours might be too damn long! Specially if you are flying on a weekday - weekends are generally busier. But don't worry, they have bars in all the concourses so you may end up with three hours of drinking time! Don't worry about it. Relax and have an MGD. Good Luck

[nane1104 146]

Thanks, that's a help...

Worst thing that will happen is that I miss my connecting flight and am stuck in Detroit for a while... After all the waiting to get to this point I don't think that's a lot to deal with

If your flight isn't delayed and you arrive in time, you will have planty of time. I hate waiting in those lines so I always try to get ut of the plane quick and get to wherever Immigration is located fast to beat the crowds and usually that works out just fine.

Good luck and have a good trip over here!

[Barbarella UK 0]

Chill out

I arrived at Cincinatti - went to US Citizen's line, it took about 5 minutes to go through the inspection - then had a couple of hours to relax before my connecting flight before flying to meet my (now) husband!

4 hours should be plenty of time

[KJC 1]

It's actually 3 and a half hours. Also, I should have booked an aisle seat so I can get up and out quicker. I remember one flight we were severely delayed, and just a few people had to rush for a connecting flight, and the stewards asked that those not in a rush stay seated to let off the few connecting flight, and what happens... EVERYONE gets up and clogs the aisle.

Anyway... just a quick question, when I get to the customs area, what queue is it I join? Is it clearly marked? I don't want to wait in line for ages only to get told I'm in the wrong place and have to go join another really long queue.

[nane1104 146]

As far as I remember, the customs area there is clearly marked and you won't get lost. When I went through Detroit, it was my very first flight to the US and I didn't have a clue about ANYTHING and even I made it...LOL

[malego77 2]

Like information that I wish I could know when I came to US... I was reading that if you want to work while your K1 is valid you can get a seal for EAD in JFK airport, so this way you don't have to wait until your EAD's approval from AOS... but I don't know if the airport will be convenient (maybe it's so far from the place that you going to live)...

[Barbarella UK 0]

It's actually 3 and a half hours. Also, I should have booked an aisle seat so I can get up and out quicker. I remember one flight we were severely delayed, and just a few people had to rush for a connecting flight, and the stewards asked that those not in a rush stay seated to let off the few connecting flight, and what happens... EVERYONE gets up and clogs the aisle.

Anyway... just a quick question, when I get to the customs area, what queue is it I join? Is it clearly marked? I don't want to wait in line for ages only to get told I'm in the wrong place and have to go join another really long queue.

I asked an official at Cincinatti and was told "join the US citizen's line" which I did - it was moving a LOT quicker than the non-US passport/citizen's line. It is clearly marked the moment you enter the immigration hall. Make sure you have your brown envelope ready.

The very worst case scenario you'll encounter is that you have to catch a later flight to Cleveland - no biggie when you consider the length of the whole K1 process!

I really don't think you have anything to worry about. Detroit's a nice enough airport to spend a few hours in.

[Dan J 277]

It's actually 3 and a half hours. Also, I should have booked an aisle seat so I can get up and out quicker. I remember one flight we were severely delayed, and just a few people had to rush for a connecting flight, and the stewards asked that those not in a rush stay seated to let off the few connecting flight, and what happens... EVERYONE gets up and clogs the aisle.

Anyway... just a quick question, when I get to the customs area, what queue is it I join? Is it clearly marked? I don't want to wait in line for ages only to get told I'm in the wrong place and have to go join another really long queue.

I asked an official at Cincinatti and was told "join the US citizen's line" which I did - it was moving a LOT quicker than the non-US passport/citizen's line. It is clearly marked the moment you enter the immigration hall. Make sure you have your brown envelope ready.

The very worst case scenario you'll encounter is that you have to catch a later flight to Cleveland - no biggie when you consider the length of the whole K1 process!

I really don't think you have anything to worry about. Detroit's a nice enough airport to spend a few hours in.

What line you get sent to varies by airport. There will be someone doing traffic control in the immigration area, just ask them which line you should go in.