POE at JKF

[kevinandkriss 1]

Hello er one.... So I have a question for anyone who entered the U.S at JFK coming from jamaica, what will happen when I go thru immigration? Will be a long process? And do you know if I will be able to use my degicel phone to contact my husband of my arrival? Or will they have phone I can use?

[Enigma11561 336]

Been awhile but I believe you cannot use your phone until after you leave immigration, and picked up your bags. They do not have a phone for you to use. I cannot say if your phone would have service in the US, but if it works then OK. It would be easier if your husband justed waited ( and waited and waited..sorry this can take a bit of time) just outside the immigration area, like everyone else. There is usually a crowd of people waiting for ttheir loved ones. When you get off the plane, just follow the crowd, stand in line for non citizens, present your paperwork, usually take an electronic fingerprint, and then get your bags. If everything is in order its not difficult at all. Depending on how many planes land at the same time, it can take 1-2-3 hours or so.

Edited April 29, 2013 by Enigma11561

[BeanCamp 28]

I am a U.S citizen, however I have gone through JFK from Jamaica. Since I am a US citizen I can not tell you much about the POE process other than you will come into a large room straight off the tarmac. You digicel phone will not work. You can buy a phone card and use a public pay phone after you are processed through immigration. I can tell you NYC has a lot of immigration officers so the line did move quickly. I would say it took me about 30 minutes (off the plane through getting out with my luggage). Good luck!

[kevinandkriss 1]

Thanks guys for all your help... I hope its not a long process, I have a late flight, will arrive at 10:50pm so I hope its not crowded

[kevinandkriss 1]

Thanks guys for all your help... I hope its not a long process, I have a late flight, will arrive at 10:50pm so I hope its not crowded

[Deaj 1]

I just went through POE at JFK on the 17th of April, it was no hassle at all. Took me about 15 minutes Max to get through the immigration process, they were very nice and helpful. They even changed my CR-1 to IR-1, they just pointed me to my bags and I was out. I met a very nice gentleman on the flight who helped me out greatly, he pointed me to where I needed to go. My Digicel phone did not work so I was very polite in asking for a call when I was on the plane. When I got out of the airport the same gentleman waited for me outside and I used his phone to call my husband. All in all it was great! You will be fine.....

[Deaj 1]

I just went through POE at JFK on the 17th of April, it was no hassle at all. Took me about 15 minutes Max to get through the immigration process, they were very nice and helpful. They even changed my CR-1 to IR-1, they just pointed me to my bags and I was out. I met a very nice gentleman on the flight who helped me out greatly, he pointed me to where I needed to go. My Digicel phone did not work so I was very polite in asking for a call when I was on the plane. When I got out of the airport the same gentleman waited for me outside and I used his phone to call my husband. All in all it was great! You will be fine.....

[Judy2Rock 7]

Hello er one.... So I have a question for anyone who entered the U.S at JFK coming from jamaica, what will happen when I go thru immigration? Will be a long process? And do you know if I will be able to use my degicel phone to contact my husband of my arrival? Or will they have phone I can use?

Your Digicel wont work except that you sign up for roaming. After you pick up your bags you will proceed to custom after custom you go straight though a big automatic door a lot of people will be standing there with flowers in hand or names written on paper. At that point you can either go left or right.

For my husband and I whenever he is picking me up, I know I should go right, he is right there waiting for me cause he aint standing in that crowd.

And of course if needed you can politely ask someone for a phone call they wont say no.

[Jawaree 717]

Its not a hassle ...goes quickly depending on arrival time

after customs going to sliding glass door you will see a

bank of payphones,... 50Cents to call...digicel don't work there

your pick up will park & wait don't worry

[N400-2011 24]

I actually have a Digicel SIM in my phone which I top up every three months to keep active for when I am in Jamaica (have had the same number since 2008 - prepaid), and I can make calls from here and send text messages using that SIM...

[velrich 50]

If you have a Tri-band phone it should work. If you really want to use it instead of asking someone for a call, make sure you go to a digicel store before you leave Jamaica to ask them to check or help you set up your phone for roaming.

You can call when the plane lands, before you go around to the immigration section or after you have left the immigration section because phone call or use of electronic equipment while you are in that area waiting to be processed.

[Niaprincess 3]

you cannot use you phone until you are out of immigration which can take hours!!

[kevinandkriss 1]

Wow..... thank you guys for all the suggestions.