What is port of entry exactly?

[Elena 0]

This may be a stupid question but the port of entry is the first U.S. airport that the individual arrives at right? What happens after that? Does the person have to present all the visa documentation/sealed envelope at every connecting flight after the port of entry? Has anyone come through SFO and how was that experience? Thanks.

[Marilyn. 340]

This may be a stupid question but the port of entry is the first U.S. airport that the individual arrives at right?

yes, that is correct

they will take and process all the "visa documentation/sealed envelope" at the POE which would be SFO...

you don't need to show it for any connecting flights

Edited September 20, 2006 by MarilynP

[Yodrak 7]

MarilynP,

Nor can you, since as you correctly state it was taken from you at the POE (or before, in a few situations).

Yodrak

This may be a stupid question but the port of entry is the first U.S. airport that the individual arrives at right?

yes, that is correct

they will take and process all the "visa documentation/sealed envelope" at the POE which would be SFO...

you don't need to show it for any connecting flights

Edited September 20, 2006 by Yodrak

[YuAndDan 153]

A POE may also be in places other than in the USA.

To name a few interesting locations:

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Shannon, Ireland

Vancouver, Canada

A complete list can be fond here:

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/04-19240.htm

[Saddle Bronc 124]

A POE may also be in places other than in the USA.

Technically, that's incorrect (see below)

To name a few interesting locations:

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Shannon, Ireland

Vancouver, Canada

A complete list can be fond here:

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/04-19240.htm

If you apply for federal job (or even as subcontractor with federal end-client), then a PFI cannot be considered as a POE. I found this out six years ago when I filled the security form subcontracting to USPTO; I submitted the form with "Calgary" as the POE (which was where I'd cleared imm and customs) but was told "POE must be on US soil". So, I had to change the POE to "Salt Lake City" which was where I made a connection to go to Atlanta.

Also, in the case of Dublin and Shannon, you only clear immigration--and must clear US customs on landing in US (unlike in Canadian PFI's where both are done simultaneously--and any stuff you take past customs, you're "scot-free" with).

[Marilyn. 340]

MarilynP,

Nor can you, since as you correctly state it was taken from you at the POE (or before, in a few situations).

Yodrak

This may be a stupid question but the port of entry is the first U.S. airport that the individual arrives at right?

yes, that is correct

they will take and process all the "visa documentation/sealed envelope" at the POE which would be SFO...

you don't need to show it for any connecting flights

yes, I know that .. was just answering her question...