POE / Customs

[JULIAFERNO 0]

Hi all - I'm wondering what my fiance needs to declare on his customs forms that he'll fill out on the plane? Does he include all of his belongings since he intends on staying here?

My other question was, where does he go once he reaches the customs/immigration gate? Is there usually someone there to direct K-1 visa holders, etc?

Last, he has a connecting flight to Cleveland from Chicago. After he goes through customs/immigration in Chicago, will he simply recheck his bags with the appropriate airline and proceed to his departure exit? I hope he doesn't get lost!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

This is general information because Chicago may be set up differently.

On plane they will pass out customs and immigration cards. He takes a white card I-94. (There will also be green cards for people traveling on Visa Waiver I-94W.) He also takes a customs form and fills it out. He doesn't have to declare or itemize what he's bringing. The CBP told me to write household goods with no value in that area.

After getting off plane everybody heads to the immigration hall. There will be signs for US citizens and visitors lines. He is still a visitor at this point so follows the people with passports from other countries. That's just a visual clue. All the American blue passports will go to different lines.

When it's his turn at the station he presents his passport, white I-94 card, and brown sealed envelope and says "I am entering on a K1 visa." They will call somebody to escort him to a secondary inspection room. He waits and eventually they will call him and open the envelope, write on his visa and I-94. It will be the date that documents the end of his 90 days in which to be married. They may ask him questions and remind him he must marry, etc.

When they let him go from there, he picks up his luggage at baggage claim and goes out past the Customs lines where he turns in the Customs form.

From there I only know Houston, but it may be similar. Before exiting into the arrivals area, there is another area where people with connecting flights re-check their bags and go to their connection. It's still in the airside/secure area so he doesn't have to go to general ticketing areas or through the security scanners again. I imagine most airports handle connections this way to keep the international travelers with connections air side. He can go straight to his gate for Cleveland. In Cleveland he just gets off the plane and picks up his luggage and meets you.

If you want to read specific info on his airport. Look in the menu bar under the picture of the couple with the baby. Click on POE and put in his arrival airport. There will be reviews and descriptions from others.

[payxibka 10,047]

Hi all - I'm wondering what my fiance needs to declare on his customs forms that he'll fill out on the plane? Does he include all of his belongings since he intends on staying here?

My other question was, where does he go once he reaches the customs/immigration gate? Is there usually someone there to direct K-1 visa holders, etc?

Last, he has a connecting flight to Cleveland from Chicago. After he goes through customs/immigration in Chicago, will he simply recheck his bags with the appropriate airline and proceed to his departure exit? I hope he doesn't get lost!

If he is transferring to United then they have re-check station just outside the customs area... if he is checking on to a different carrier then he may have to take the bags onto the train to the correct termina;

[miamiwife 0]

Julia,

I was explaining this to Onur the other day, because I just went through Chicago to Miami on my trip back from Turkey on Turkish Airlines with the same flight. After customs he will take his bags to the right and there are all the airlines that have connections with the international terminal (I think he is taking United right?). He will give them his bags to put on his next flight, exit the International terminal, and then he will need to get on the shuttle to the domestic terminals (there are 3 other than International in ORD). In Istanbul he will be given his boarding pass for the next flight to Cleveland, otherwise he will need to get a boarding pass in ORD. He will have to go through the security check again with his carry on, and I know you already explained the liquid rules to him. He has time, so that is a good thing. The people that work at ORD are use to foreign travelers and are helpful I have noticed. Now, hopefully there is good weather in Chicago on Friday! So excited for you!