Timing of POE & flight connections

[kptaylor 5]

How long does the POE process take and how much time should the K1 visa holder budget if they have a connecting flight to catch? Trying to figure out if a 2.5 hour layover at the POE would be sufficient, or if it should be longer. Reading the reviews of POE locations shows a wide variance on reported time.

Thanks.

[Inky 1,111]

Which airport is the person going through? Usually depends on the airport and how busy that airport is.

[belinda63 3,047]

Yes depends on the airport and the time of day.

[kptaylor 5]

Haven't booked the flight, so was just trying to gauge the average. Could be JFK, Chicago-O'Hare, Minneapolis...

[Krikit 1,165]

Moving from K-1 Process to Moving to America.

I would budget for a minimum of 3 hours between connecting flights. You'll also want to factor in the size of the airport so add another half hour for the visa holder to get to the departure gate if they are going through JFK or O'Hare.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Remember besides doing the visa / immigration / brown envelope stuff, you will have to retrieve your luggage and pass through customs then re-check your luggage for the next leg.

[Leigh Ann 8]

We had 3 hours exactly - they 'detained' my husband and just made him wait for several hours before they let him through. So we didn't make our flight. He spent his first night in America sleeping at the airport, waiting for a 6am flight. After a 24+ hour flight from South Africa. That was in JFK at 3 in the afternoon so...

[kptaylor 5]

Ouch! Okay, I appreciate the input from everyone. I know how much time to leave for normal connections after international flights, I guess I will add on a few hours for the visa POE processing.

Thanks!

[Meskal 0]

(I would stay away from Chicago - it is huge and transit alone takes time,lines are long, my flights are always delayed via C, just imho.)

(Also maybe it is worth checking if there are other same day flights from that airport to your destination after your scheduled one -in case there is a delay)

[HappyRs 8]

Ouch! Okay, I appreciate the input from everyone. I know how much time to leave for normal connections after international flights, I guess I will add on a few hours for the visa POE processing.

Thanks!

I would surely try to go through Minneapolis, smooth sailing comparing to Atlanta or Chicago... 3 hours in Minneapolis would be just enough

[gary9891 10]

How long does the POE process take and how much time should the K1 visa holder budget if they have a connecting flight to catch? Trying to figure out if a 2.5 hour layover at the POE would be sufficient, or if it should be longer. Reading the reviews of POE locations shows a wide variance on reported time.

Thanks.

We came through LAX and 2.5 hours would have pushed our luck hard. But like others have said, each airport has its own issues. Even the time of day is a big factor. I would recommend 4 hours minimum. We waited 1 hour solid in line before the counter. Then 15-20 minutes at the counter for picture, fingerprints and LOTS of typing on a PC from the INS official. From the time we arrived at the terminal to when we were through customs was 2 hours. Then to the domestic terminal, then check-in..........you can see 2.5 hours is TIGHT. 4 hrs. minimum

Best wishes

[kptaylor 5]

Again, thanks for the input. I'm now leaning towards paying the extra money and not having any US connections to make. Budapest to London to Phoenix is an option, but it's around two hundred more. With a fiancee and three kids it's an extra cost, but it's probably worth it to save any aggravations! Doing the POE in the final destination city makes more sense even if it's more expensive.