Port entry - any particular procedure?

[GrappleApple 10]

After the joy of getting approved, my focus has now turned to the next stage of getting into the country.

My chosen port of entry is New York. Is there any particular procedure I should be aware of? or any thing I should be taking with me along with my package.

E.g. When you fill in those custom forms on the plane, is there anything I should be putting on those? Someone on the BritExpat forum mentioned using their alien number from their NOA2. Is this necessary?

[Holly2234 66]

Ive not done it yet but take a look at the POE reviews here http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/poereviews.php

I hope you get some more accurate answers. BE forum probably just said "Google it"...

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Best to read the reviews for your airport because they vary a little. Some process you right at the counters where everybody goes through, but most take you off to a secondary processing room where you can sit until it's your turn to get served.

Your A# is on your visa and the CBP officer may write it on the I-94, but no place you fill out requires you to write the A#. You will need to know your name, flight you arrived on, where you're staying and phone number. Here's a sample from CBP of what you fill out http://forms.cbp.gov/pdf/arrival.pdf

TIPS:

1. Write very neatly on the form. Your entry gets recorded in a database from that form. When you go to Social Security to get you SSN two weeks later if they can't find "Mary Jones" in the database because it was entered "Many Janes", you have to be manually verified. That takes some weeks/months.
   
2. Don't leave the room without the lower portion of the I-94. It usually gets stapled into the passport, but may just be handed to you. You need it to show at Social Security. You need to photocopy it for submission with your Adjustment of Status related applications.
   

You also fill out a Customs form. See it here http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/sample_declaration_form.xml

You list and value things you're bringing into the US and leaving. Don't be confused about that because you don't have to list all your possessions. If you bought liquor or perfume at duty free or have a gift for somebody, then list those items with a value. But for your general personal possessions you are moving to America, don't list those.

[GrappleApple 10]

Ive not done it yet but take a look at the POE reviews here http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/poereviews.php

I hope you get some more accurate answers. BE forum probably just said "Google it"...

Best to read the reviews for your airport because they vary a little. Some process you right at the counters where everybody goes through, but most take you off to a secondary processing room where you can sit until it's your turn to get served.

Your A# is on your visa and the CBP officer may write it on the I-94, but no place you fill out requires you to write the A#. You will need to know your name, flight you arrived on, where you're staying and phone number. Here's a sample from CBP of what you fill out http://forms.cbp.gov/pdf/arrival.pdf

TIPS:

1. Write very neatly on the form. Your entry gets recorded in a database from that form. When you go to Social Security to get you SSN two weeks later if they can't find "Mary Jones" in the database because it was entered "Many Janes", you have to be manually verified. That takes some weeks/months.
   
2. Don't leave the room without the lower portion of the I-94. It usually gets stapled into the passport, but may just be handed to you. You need it to show at Social Security. You need to photocopy it for submission with your Adjustment of Status related applications.
   

You also fill out a Customs form. See it here http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/sample_declaration_form.xml

You list and value things you're bringing into the US and leaving. Don't be confused about that because you don't have to list all your possessions. If you bought liquor or perfume at duty free or have a gift for somebody, then list those items with a value. But for your general personal possessions you are moving to America, don't list those.

Thank you both! Very helpful - JFK looks to be a straightforward port of entry, and thanks for the heads up on the customs form.

[Dave&Roza 748]

Best to read the reviews for your airport because they vary a little. Some process you right at the counters where everybody goes through, but most take you off to a secondary processing room where you can sit until it's your turn to get served.

Your A# is on your visa and the CBP officer may write it on the I-94, but no place you fill out requires you to write the A#. You will need to know your name, flight you arrived on, where you're staying and phone number. Here's a sample from CBP of what you fill out http://forms.cbp.gov/pdf/arrival.pdf

TIPS:

1. Write very neatly on the form. Your entry gets recorded in a database from that form. When you go to Social Security to get you SSN two weeks later if they can't find "Mary Jones" in the database because it was entered "Many Janes", you have to be manually verified. That takes some weeks/months.
2. Don't leave the room without the lower portion of the I-94. It usually gets stapled into the passport, but may just be handed to you. You need it to show at Social Security. You need to photocopy it for submission with your Adjustment of Status related applications.

You also fill out a Customs form. See it here http://www.cbp.gov/x...ration_form.xml

You list and value things you're bringing into the US and leaving. Don't be confused about that because you don't have to list all your possessions. If you bought liquor or perfume at duty free or have a gift for somebody, then list those items with a value. But for your general personal possessions you are moving to America, don't list those.

My wife's A# was not on her visa and never written on her I-94. They only place to find her A# was on the NOA2 of the petition right above her name. It would appear that not every Embassy processes the visa the same way.

Dave

[LeftCoastLady 441]

My wife's A# was not on her visa and never written on her I-94. They only place to find her A# was on the NOA2 of the petition right above her name. It would appear that not every Embassy processes the visa the same way.

Dave

You do realize you're in the UK forum, right?

[Dave&Roza 748]

You do realize you're in the UK forum, right?

Yes, I do. Is the A# written on every K-1 visa from the UK? I would really like to know. For us the A# was only on the NOA2 of the petition approval.

Thanks.

Dave