Anyone with a RUB spouse been through JFK here?

[AmyWrites 593]

So that seems to be our POE, and as of now we have a three hour connection, just wondering if it's enough time. I've read some reviews here but they're a bit dated and I'd like to see specifically for RUB folks how it went.

[Dante & Geor 36]

I came to JFK and my total time spent in immigration was about 30 minutes. But I believe it depends the day and the hour you come in... I was there a Saturday at 11:50 pm (this was on April)

Hope it helps

[Scott and Iryna 2]

It's basically random. We could have had a 5 hour layover and would have missed the flight. They didn't like something Ira said, and sent her to a room full of foreigners, waiting for a judge. She was in there forever, it was quite a nightmare. They couldn't care less about your time constraints. Luckily, I drove to NYC to get her, so we just got home real late.

I really wouldn't worry about it too much, but you may want to at least look ahead for possible "backup" flights, just in case.

[slim 1,530]

My wife went through there. No problems at all.

[AmyWrites 593]

Great! And do folks with non-tourist visas go to a different line?

[slim 1,530]

Great! And do folks with non-tourist visas go to a different line?

I don't think so. I think there's an Americans line and an "others" line. Haven't been through there in a while but that's how ports usually work.

[Neonred 3,581]

Great! And do folks with non-tourist visas go to a different line?

There are two lines, citizen/resident and tourist/other. If you are coming in together go in the citizen/resident line. They will do the basic info there and most likely send you to a different location to process the CR-1 visa. In Atlanta I stayed with my then fiancee through the entire process with no problem. On that particular day and time it took us 3 1/2 hours, but I have heard JFK is usually much quicker. Just depends on the time and how many international arrivals there are.

[easyukraine 1]

I picked my then fiance up at JFK as I recall it was about 25 minutes waiting. I seem to recall more than one flight was processed at about the same time. This was last August in the middle of the day.

[Turboguy 6]

The information everyone has give is pretty correct. If you are with her you go to the citizen lines and she goes to the non citizen lines. They will pull her out and send her to another office where they will review the information on her K-1 visa. Typically it takes about 45 minutes for her so you should be fine with that layover but it never hurts to check out back up flights.

[Neonred 3,581]

The information everyone has give is pretty correct. If you are with her you go to the citizen lines and she goes to the non citizen lines. They will pull her out and send her to another office where they will review the information on her K-1 visa. Typically it takes about 45 minutes for her so you should be fine with that layover but it never hurts to check out back up flights.

I just want to point out that if you are with her you both should stay together, and you can go through either line. We did this and it resulted in less confusion. I stayed with her the entire time.

[Mike & Mila 5]

I just want to point out that if you are with her you both should stay together, and you can go through either line. We did this and it resulted in less confusion. I stayed with her the entire time.

Thank you-- Staying together to pass through POE is by far the preferred process. I am still apprehensive about whether to try JFK or Newark?? Any info. on that is appreciated. Mike

[GelendzhikBelle 7]

Thank you-- Staying together to pass through POE is by far the preferred process. I am still apprehensive about whether to try JFK or Newark?? Any info. on that is appreciated. Mike

I just went through JFK myself on May 1, Mike. Other than the typical shuffle through Customs it wasn't too bad. The Domestic flights connection will probably require you to take the shuttle bus after Customs and POE. I did have to take the shuttle to my connection. The Russian citizens not on immigrant Visa were in the same lines with the American citizens (except through Passport control which is separate lines but near to each other). The people that were POE for Immigrant Visa did have a scanner of fingerprints and the acceptance area process. I did not see too many problems. Everything was running fairly smooth that I could see. Lots of footwork and dragging luggage around. Can't tell you about NJ. I will say it's got to be a PIA to go between the two airports! I wouldn't do that. There are connection flights that require this and I would avoid that mess if were you. Mila will have to fill out the immigration form on the Flight over. Also there is the Customs declaration. They pass them around about the time the airplane is in Canadian airspace. Of course, the forms have to be competed in English, so I was helping some of the Russians on the flight if they needed assist. The Flight attendants are fluent in both Russian and English but they get really busy helping fill out the forms. There were couples going through the POE line. There was no problem with that. Don't get stressed..JFK isn't all that bad.

[slim 1,530]

I am still apprehensive about whether to try JFK or Newark??

Any time you can avoid New Jersey - do so.

[Pupsik 4]

we always fly out of JFK and there were no issues coming back with a permanent resident card. But the line to go through customs does take a bit of time. a 3 hour layover should be fine.

[AmyWrites 593]

Final question before we leave on August 4th... we're bringing A LOT of luggage, since we've been living in Russia so long and have accumulated a lot of stuff. Are there any luggage carts after the POE/getting your bags in JFK? I've seen people use them, but have never seen a place where you can rent one or something.