K1 - Flight and two airports in US.

[Roel 7,193]

I'm sorry, I really wasn't sure where to post this. So please move the thread if I picked the wrong place Sorry!

I wanted to ask, since we are looking into tickets to US. Fiance already booked one for me (Yes, I know we should be waiting when I get the visa in hand, but hopefully before then I should have it ). What worries me is that it's a flight from Poland to Chicago and there is a change of plane and final destination is Washington. Will they be checking my visa papers in both of those places? Or Chicago doesn't count since I'm only changing planes within the one flight there?

[lost_at_sea 995]

They will process you at the first airport you enter into in the US. You can then connect on to any airport in the US.

It doesn't matter where you enter the US in relation to where you will be living.

[Roel 7,193]

Thank you. So that would be Chicago. Hopefully processing will be fast though, I will have only 2 hour layover there

[Zedayn 485]

You only go through immigration at your POE, which is the first stop in the US. This is where they will check ur visa papers and all that. Your second stop in the US is a domestic connection and you will not be passing through immigration again.

[ShirahBet 42]

Customs can be fairly long at ORD, so it could depend on the time of day and day of the week for your flight. Chicago airports are not known for timely arrivals or departures! It's our crazy and unpredictable weather.

Edited March 17, 2014 by ShirahBet

[Roel 7,193]

Hopefully it will be fine then.. Going to land in Chicago around 7pm, so hopefully it will be less busy But thank you for all answers!

[Ralph and Meghan 19]

2 hour layover. Its doable but i hope you don't have any delays.

They will check your paperwork in Chicago. So be prepared for that. From Chicago to Washington is a domestic flight so that one should be fine.

Edited March 17, 2014 by Ralph and Meghan

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from K-1 Process to Working & Traveling During US Immigration Forum~

~Inquiry about POE, applicable to several visa processes~

[Girl from Celebes 588]

Hopefully it will be fine then.. Going to land in Chicago around 7pm, so hopefully it will be less busy But thank you for all answers!

My PoE was Detroit. It was quick and easy because my fiancé and I went to USC-Alien Resident line. It is much shorter than non-USC line which was so long like a train. The reason why because there was an officer asked us whether we came together and told us to stick together. My layover was 2 hours 54 minutes - the flight from Detroit to Fort Myers- and we could make it in time for the next destination. Good luck!

[Roel 7,193]

Fiance said that once I have a booked flight they shouldn't really leave without me - when it's just a change of planes. Or in case if I would, they would book me the soonest next flight. So that's something

[Teripid 5]

They won't hold the plane but they can rush you past security and rescreening if you're in danger of missing your connecting flight. Just let someone know if you're really getting down to the departure time. Sometimes you'll see people with signs for specific flights if they're close.

Chicago isn't too bad for transfers to domestic flights. Check your departure terminal before, you'll do immigration, exit customs, go up some stairs and then get on a tram that's pretty well marked to one of the other terminals. Most of the time they've got someone there as well. If you do happen to miss it, go to the airline desk and they'll be able to assist.

[Enigma23 68]

here are some POE (Point of Entry) reviews for Chicago... it should help you have an idea of past experiences.

http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/poereviews.php?trim=no&poe=Chicago&page=1&dfilter=0

I hope this helps.

[slowlyman 118]

The odds of making your connection are slim. coming in at 7pm there may not be another flight out. So, be prepared for a night in the airport or find a hotel.

Just getting from the international terminal to the domestic departure gate can take an hour or more. Remember you take a tram to the domestic terminal, then you will have to go through the domestic security check. I've stood in that line as long as an hour.

Additionally the longest I've done the immigration bag drag is three hours. The shortest was one hour. Then you need to allow time for an interview if the officer has questions.

Plan on missing your connection. If the planets align and you make it, Bonus!

[ricnally 259]

I left Canada from Vancouver, so passed through CBP before getting on the plane. I decided to play it safe and get to the airport 3 hours ahead of my flight. I checked in and went straight into the security check etc and in for interview. I barely made my flight! Having said that, though, I think If I'd only allowed 2 hours, I still would have made the flight, because I think they take your connection/departure time into consideration and process people in the order of departure time.

[aussie_jason 195]

I don't know about ORD but a few times I have flown through LAX they have refused to expedite passengers at the security checkpoint based upon a connecting flight and instead are happy to make you miss your flight as the airline will just book you on the next available, which is quite frustrating. The CBP line does tend to get expedited though so you should be good there but that won't help much if you get held up by TSA at the security checkpoint.

Two hours is just a very tight transfer time, in general I usually try to get 3 hours between domestic flights and that is wholly domestic without having to go through CBP and remain in the secured area so you don't have to go through security again. when flying internationally I try to give as much time between flights as I can, I think the minimum I would schedule for that is 5 hours so you should be fully prepared to have to spend the night in ORD.