Customs and Immigration at the airport

[Carol and Bruno 0]

My fiance will arrive in Washington DC at 6am on Friday. He will then catch a flight to Indianapolis around 8am. Where will he be delayed as far as immigration and customs is concerned? Is it just in DC?

Actually, I don't believe Indy has immigration and customs. Suppose I answered my own question.

He doesn't speak English very well. Is there anything I need to let him know about the process so that he will have as few problems as possible? Anything he needs to be made aware of?

Edited September 10, 2008 by Carol and Bruno

[Aubrey 10]

Typically you go through customs at your first stop inside the US. Best of luck

[lucyrich 20]

One always goes through US immigration no later than the first stop on US soil. So he'll go through customs/immigration in Washington, not in Indianapolis. His flight from Washington to Indianapolis is just an ordinary domestic flight.

Flights from certain places can go through immigration before boarding the plane. But not flights from Brazil or South America. See here if you're really interested in the gory details of this point.

[Carlawarla 1]

He might want to identify himself at several points when he arrives in the US. I'd first let the airline attendent know so she/he could direct him, the same for any ground personnel. He can tell them he's activating his visa and then won't be stuck in some long line-up of returning US citizens or something. I told several flight and airport personnel, who personally took me up to an open window in a seperate area to activate my visa. Took me all of 5 min. for the Welcome to America words!

Best of luck!

[payxibka 10,047]

He might want to identify himself at several points when he arrives in the US. I'd first let the airline attendent know so she/he could direct him, the same for any ground personnel. He can tell them he's activating his visa and then won't be stuck in some long line-up of returning US citizens or something. I told several flight and airport personnel, who personally took me up to an open window in a seperate area to activate my visa. Took me all of 5 min. for the Welcome to America words!

Best of luck!

Considering everyone on the plane must clear immigration you simply have him follow the crowd....

Getting stuck in the USC line may not be a bad thing as it is usually the quickest

[Carlawarla 1]

He might want to identify himself at several points when he arrives in the US. I'd first let the airline attendent know so she/he could direct him, the same for any ground personnel. He can tell them he's activating his visa and then won't be stuck in some long line-up of returning US citizens or something. I told several flight and airport personnel, who personally took me up to an open window in a seperate area to activate my visa. Took me all of 5 min. for the Welcome to America words!

Best of luck!

Considering everyone on the plane must clear immigration you simply have him follow the crowd....

Getting stuck in the USC line may not be a bad thing as it is usually the quickest

My POE was Minneapolis, so maybe Washington is different. Despite having about 20 areas for incoming Customs and Immigration personnel, only 2 were open, other than the one for airline personnel (the one I was directed to). The plane held over 200 people and all were waiting in two lines that were moving very slowly. You should always leave enough time before connecting flights, but in my case, the line-ups stretched into another area. The Border officials were taking a VERY long time processing everyone, including their own citizens. I don't think it hurts to just let someone know what you're there for. It wouldn't be nice for him to be in the US Citizen line and to be told he shouldn't be in that line when he comes to the front of said line.

[Steve Y Jessica 1]

My wife just came through Washington DC about 3 weeks ago. It was very easy. Make sure he goes to the US Citizen line, it is much faster than the other.

He will give his paperwork to the officer, they will look everything over. Then he will be directed to go to the baggage claim where he will get his baggage. He will then go to another room where they will take his fingerprints. After he is done there, he will turn in his baggage for his flight to Indy. He will then need to go through another secureity checkpoint. Then to the gate for his next flight.

We were surprised at how easy it all was. They were very good and friendly in Washington DC.

[payxibka 10,047]

He might want to identify himself at several points when he arrives in the US. I'd first let the airline attendent know so she/he could direct him, the same for any ground personnel. He can tell them he's activating his visa and then won't be stuck in some long line-up of returning US citizens or something. I told several flight and airport personnel, who personally took me up to an open window in a seperate area to activate my visa. Took me all of 5 min. for the Welcome to America words!

Best of luck!

Considering everyone on the plane must clear immigration you simply have him follow the crowd....

Getting stuck in the USC line may not be a bad thing as it is usually the quickest

My POE was Minneapolis, so maybe Washington is different. Despite having about 20 areas for incoming Customs and Immigration personnel, only 2 were open, other than the one for airline personnel (the one I was directed to). The plane held over 200 people and all were waiting in two lines that were moving very slowly. You should always leave enough time before connecting flights, but in my case, the line-ups stretched into another area. The Border officials were taking a VERY long time processing everyone, including their own citizens. I don't think it hurts to just let someone know what you're there for. It wouldn't be nice for him to be in the US Citizen line and to be told he shouldn't be in that line when he comes to the front of said line.

Each POE might be different, but my wife was allowed to use the USC/LPR line.

[Carol and Bruno 0]

Can he use the USC line even though he's coming in on a K-1 visa?

[bora bora 1]

Can he use the USC line even though he's coming in on a K-1 visa?

My husband did. I was with him and we went through the USC line. The IO gave a funny look at us when I handed him both our passports (US and Brazilian). He was about to say something too when I told him that my husband was emigrating to the U.S. with a K1 visa. The IO was then very friendly and helpful and directed us where to go. You just go with the flow.

Remember that tons of people pass through immigration withou knowing English - he'll be fine.

If your husband has to catch a connection he should definetly go through the USC line. Just tell him to say he's moving to the U.S. with K1.

Good luck...!

[Carol and Bruno 0]

Can he use the USC line even though he's coming in on a K-1 visa?

My husband did. I was with him and we went through the USC line. The IO gave a funny look at us when I handed him both our passports (US and Brazilian). He was about to say something too when I told him that my husband was emigrating to the U.S. with a K1 visa. The IO was then very friendly and helpful and directed us where to go. You just go with the flow.

Remember that tons of people pass through immigration withou knowing English - he'll be fine.

If your husband has to catch a connection he should definetly go through the USC line. Just tell him to say he's moving to the U.S. with K1.

Good luck...!

Thank you very much!!!

[bora bora 1]

Can he use the USC line even though he's coming in on a K-1 visa?

My husband did. I was with him and we went through the USC line. The IO gave a funny look at us when I handed him both our passports (US and Brazilian). He was about to say something too when I told him that my husband was emigrating to the U.S. with a K1 visa. The IO was then very friendly and helpful and directed us where to go. You just go with the flow.

Remember that tons of people pass through immigration withou knowing English - he'll be fine.

If your husband has to catch a connection he should definetly go through the USC line. Just tell him to say he's moving to the U.S. with K1.

Good luck...!

Thank you very much!!!

Best of luck...you must be very excited!