Going through Immigration, What to expect?

[songsparrow 0]

What is the process upon entry to the US with a K-1 visa? After getting off the plane, where do we go and how long does it take? Im not sure if its a long wait or long lines enough to miss a next flight.

[CarolineM 0]

A quick search might help you....

see?

[YuAndDan 153]

You will get off the plane and go through customs, the agent may then take you to a room where they will open the sealed envelope and go through the contents, they will ask some questions.

A quick search found this post from yesterday:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=31750&hl=

[Yodrak 7]

YuAndDan,

That would be Immigration, not Customs.

Customs is where they will ask you what you are bringing into the country and may inspect your baggage.

Yodrak

You will get off the plane and go through customs, the agent may then take you to a room where they will open the sealed envelope and go through the contents, they will ask some questions.

A quick search found this post from yesterday:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=31750&hl=

[chuckandkim 0]

Ditto Yodrak,

Upon POE, you will go through the line for NON-USC, show your K-1 Visa in your Passport (Vietnam). Hand in your Big brown sealed envelope. Immigrant Officer will look through, ask questions right there and then, IF everything is ok, you get your I-94 and go get your luggage. If further questions need to be asked, you then escorted to a private area when they will have more drilling questions. All is good, they let you back out and go get your luggage.

NOW, after you get your luggage, you will go through CUSTOM BORDER PROTECTION officiers who will ask if you bring in the US anything you shouldn't "KHO BO", "CHA BONG", "KHO MUC", "FRUITS" stuff like that? If you do, they will take it away from you. They may ask or may not... very random!

After you get through Custom... you're good to go

This is based on my own experience when Kim came here....

Good luck and no worry... really! Just make sure don't bring anything in your luggage that they don't want you to!

[songsparrow 0]

Hey, do you know if I am allowed to go with her through all that? Yeah I know all to well about the fruits.. Thats why I know that time is very important when transfering flights. Last time when I returned and transfered in Chicago I missed my last flight. You just have enough time to run to your terminal in tiem to board. Thats why I was worried how long it takes to deal with immigration. As you said, all it takes is a couple fruits to hold you up

Ditto Yodrak,

Upon POE, you will go through the line for NON-USC, show your K-1 Visa in your Passport (Vietnam). Hand in your Big brown sealed envelope. Immigrant Officer will look through, ask questions right there and then, IF everything is ok, you get your I-94 and go get your luggage. If further questions need to be asked, you then escorted to a private area when they will have more drilling questions. All is good, they let you back out and go get your luggage.

NOW, after you get your luggage, you will go through CUSTOM BORDER PROTECTION officiers who will ask if you bring in the US anything you shouldn't "KHO BO", "CHA BONG", "KHO MUC", "FRUITS" stuff like that? If you do, they will take it away from you. They may ask or may not... very random!

After you get through Custom... you're good to go

This is based on my own experience when Kim came here....

Good luck and no worry... really! Just make sure don't bring anything in your luggage that they don't want you to!

[chuckandkim 0]

Two lines: USC and Non-USC lines.

You can wait inline with her all the way UP TO the Non-USC Immigration Counter then split to go to the USC one. I don't know how Chicago is setup, but in Anchorage Alaska, that's how it is.

There is no guarantee for the time or how long Immigratition and Custom to clear your honey fast enough to catch the next flight. After all, it is not their duty/responsibility to make sure you have enough time to catch up. They are there to check and inspect.

Can you book a different flight, going to a smaller city (Anchorage ) as POE. No rush nothing. EVA Airlines. Although, Anchorage is a POE, but all you have to do is get off that plane, check in with Immigration, wait for the plane to refill, then you get right back on to your same airplane At least that's how we did. No crowds, just relaxing!

Can you have your travel agent arrange a later flight? Or just take a chance with Chicago. Either way, you should be happy and thankful at that point that you are with your honey and not alone like the last many trips... just enjoy and don't let the little thing like "DELAY" stopping you... Focus!!!

Fruits, forget it!

[STL_HCMC 0]

Hi Songsparrow,

We just had our POE experience through LAX, and we were both (my fiancee and I) processed together through the non-resident line with zero problems. It was a pleasant experience, and lasted no more than 10 minutes and only a few questions while the officer looked through the paperwork in the 'mystery brown envelope'. The officer was very nice and joked about the 'paperwork reduction act' statement on one form as he flipped through page after page of paperwork.

When we arrived into the arrivals hall at Tom Bradley International Terminal, my fiancee had the brown envelope out and in her hand, and we were immediately approached by an official directing passengers into the correct lines, and thus directed where to go. I think having the brown envelope out and ready is a good way to approach the arrivals hall.

STL_HCMC

Hey, do you know if I am allowed to go with her through all that?

[patricks 0]

STL_HCMC,

I went through LAX with my wife too

So, you're back in the USA? just in time for the Fall Season & cold winter. Will you settle in St. Louis? Please keep us posted on your first few weeks/months (what are your fiancee's impression, etc) in USA because now is when the fun begins. Don't be a stranger.

Good luck

I rented a car and took my wife to Disney/Sai Gon Nho/Hollywood/the beaches/Temple/Vegas/desert, etc before flying back east and it was a great introduction (her first week) to America, she'll never forget it.

[STL_HCMC 0]

Hi patricks,

We are back in the USA - St. Louis for now. Her impression of the USA thus far seems to be the normal ones I've read on here before (i.e. sticker shock, weather, etc.).

We missed our connection to STL at LAX (Cathay Pacific delay in Hong Kong), and Cathay Pacific put us up in the Radisson Hotel with some generous food vouchers. So our first day in the USA was spent with flight problems, a hotel sleeping visit and some room service at 2:30am when we couldn't sleep because of jet lag.

She and I both are still doing a lot of sleeping. Definitely won't be a stranger.

STL_HCMC

STL_HCMC,

I went through LAX with my wife too

So, you're back in the USA? just in time for the Fall Season & cold winter. Will you settle in St. Louis? Please keep us posted on your first few weeks/months (what are your fiancee's impression, etc) in USA because now is when the fun begins. Don't be a stranger.

Good luck

I rented a car and took my wife to Disney/Sai Gon Nho/Hollywood/the beaches/Temple/Vegas/desert, etc before flying back east and it was a great introduction (her first week) to America, she'll never forget it.