Making airline ticket for my fiance!

[supermoth 0]

Does it take much longer than usual to go through customs/immigration with a K-1 visa? I'm trying to figure out how much time between flights to allow my fiance. His point of entry will be Ft. Lauderdale. He'll also have a continuing flight on a different, domestic airline. I want to make sure he has plenty of time, but on the other hand I don't want him to have to sit in the airport all day when he could be with me instead!

edit: would 4 hours, from arrival of the first flight to departure of the second, be enough?

Edited March 5, 2009 by supermoth

[Jasman0717 9]

Claudeth took less than 45 minutes from deboarding the plane until she came out of the customs area. This was LAX.

[clairehair 0]

When I entered the US on my visa , it was so quick my beloved husband who I hadn't seen in 6 months wasn't there, I was so upset! I left the massive lines of US citizens and went through the immigration line, was one of 3 people and was through in about 10 minutes. My plane was early and my bag was first off as well, which was purely by chance. As to how long it will take depends on how many people are immigrating that day really. Admittedly, I entered the US on Christmas Eve! I would if I were you get there at the normal time and allow the same amount of time for picking anyone up at the airport. It might not take any longer than standing in line like you normally do and it might even be quicker. I beat out everyone who was on my flight by a mile! I entered at Dallas, Texas. My husband was there about 5 minutes after I arrived , all spruced up and shiny holding flowers, but I didn't get my grand greeting I had hoped for!

Edited March 6, 2009 by clairehair

[kaffy 2]

4 hours is good. I think it took me about 3 hrs to clear POE (flight from Vietnam had just arrived before mine and they were processing a bunch of those new arrivals), luckily I was already at my destination and had no connecting flight to make

Edited March 6, 2009 by kaffy

[supermoth 0]

Thanks for the responses. I just called the Fort Lauderdale airport, which is what I should have done before posting The guy on the customer service line was super friendly and helpful, explained the layout of the airport, and told me exactly what to tell him what to expect. I imagine that airport must have a way friendlier vibe than Miami Int'l!!!

[MandR 0]

I guess your Fiance is flying in to Ft. Lauderdale on Spirit.

Ft. Lauderdale is NOT a major international airport, so getting through immigration is alot faster and friendlier than Miami Int'l. It is a fairly large airport but nothing like Miami. Getting around FLL is very easy and user friendly to get to the next flight.

4 hours should be more than enough time.

Edited March 6, 2009 by MandR

[himher 634]

4 hours? He could possibly be hung up in Lauderdale for 7-10 days......especially at this time of year....

Seriously, give your fiance a minimum of (3) hours. He's gotta get his luggage, get through customs/immigration, and out the gate to the check-in counter. That takes about an hour. Then he has to check all his bags BACK in at the counter to get on his next flight. On domestic normally you want to give yourself about (2) hours to check in and make gate after arrival.

Does it take much longer than usual to go through customs/immigration with a K-1 visa? I'm trying to figure out how much time between flights to allow my fiance. His point of entry will be Ft. Lauderdale. He'll also have a continuing flight on a different, domestic airline. I want to make sure he has plenty of time, but on the other hand I don't want him to have to sit in the airport all day when he could be with me instead!

edit: would 4 hours, from arrival of the first flight to departure of the second, be enough?

[estrella 14]

Seriously, give your fiance a minimum of (3) hours. He's gotta get his luggage, get through customs/immigration, and out the gate to the check-in counter. That takes about an hour. Then he has to check all his bags BACK in at the counter to get on his next flight. On domestic normally you want to give yourself about (2) hours to check in and make gate after arrival.

When I come from Mexico and have to change planes, they check my bags from Mexico, I do have to pick them up to go through customs but It has never been 2 hours nor more to check in and go to the gate, that's normally the fast part, waiting in line to get your passport stamped and that is what could take longer.