US immigration when entering the US

[Darnell 8,479]

notes?

Oh, I sincerely hope I'm not raising any false alarm here - but -

folk with other problems already have notes in the CBP computer - so if you not have any notes, you won't be bothered...

examples -

--prior overstay

--2 Year Home Residency Rule Requirement [prior J-1 visa holders may have this]

Most folk not have have notes. Relax, aye?

[JnRMo 16]

I've gone to a secondary inspection (or whatever you want to call being pulled aside) for customs three times in the past few years (twice in the U.S., once in the UK) - it's nothing to worry about usually as long as you do what you're supposed to. Just declare anything you might be bringing that might potentially forbidden/controlled (food/agricultural products for the most part). I had something confiscated once for BSE risk, but I had declared it so no fines or anything.

[LUAL 43]

No. I entered as I did being a tourist. They just ask you a few more questions and check the documents you have, plus you need to give them the sealed envelope they gave you at the consulate.

[Cody and Daisy 374]

Contrary to what a LOT of people have replied, you will be stopped.

This isn't entering as a tourist, this isnt entering on another visa, this is entering on a K1 visa.

It's not scary, they won't deny you, it's to "check you in", it's just a process to put you in the system and make sure it's really you.

I arrived at JFK, and although my flight was 4 hours late, and therefore I missed my connection and had to sleep in a hotel until the morning, I still wasn't bothered because I like you had asked this question but in someone elses thread.

After first arriving and going into the wrong line, I was directed into the Visitors line, because as a K1 visa holder, I am not yet an immigrant, or a PR.

I got to the boarder control officer, and i handed him my passport, and then I SAID, I am here on a k1 visa and I think I have to give this to you (The big white envelope), He checked the visa, did the fingerprints and photo, stamped my k1 with the 90day end day, wrote my alien number on it, and then lead me to the secondary processing room.

Told me to take a seat and wait to be called, So I did.

It must have been only about 15 minutes,felt like longer because other people who came after me were being seen, they don't do stuff in order it comes in, each officer does a different kind of check.

Eventually they called my name, and I went up to one of the officers, He asked me two questions. What is my mothers name, and what is my fathers name.

That was it, he gave me a piece of paper.. which i dont remember now, and i had to give that to the officer on the way out.

That was it. I went straight through to baggage, and then went over to PI Airlines, where I waited for an hour because they were morons. yelled at them after being very patient, until two people cut infront of me and 5 other people i was talking to, Then I went crazy!

(But that's just my british nature )

ANYWAY, sorry for the rant, I just see you asking a lot of stuff and I wanted to give you yet another personal answer, because I believe these help the best to those of us, like you and me, who ask a lot of what seems like dumb questions that are asked countless times, but are just things we are curious about.

[raven52 233]

There are two lines for immigrants, one for K-1 visa's.,.,.and about 10-12 in Atlanta, for other foreign travelers.

I brought my wife here with her K-1 as I got lucky and timed her visa arrival on time.,.,.we even had a chance to go to Mindanao, to see her family before we flew to Atlanta, from Cebu.

We were treated about as badly as you can think of, getting through US Immigration with her un-opened envelope in perfect shape, and there was only two ladies there my now wife.,,.,...,.,and 1 other.,..,and we were there over an hour.,.,,..,almost missed out connecting flight to Columbia, SC.,.,.,.,.,our luggage was the only ones left on the carousel, and the two agents were just having a good time..,..,laughing and talking.,.,.,could not hear what was said.,..,.,but you can tell when you are being.,.,.,.,detained unnecessarily .,.,,., it was really bad..,.,.and maybe every 15-20 minutes they would call my wife for something.,.,.,other times it was "fun and games".,.,.,.hope no one gets these agents, was no doubt deliberate.

Ning had an excellent answer.,..,.,.but be ready for anything, until you are on the final flight to your destination, or are leaving the airport in a car! Anything!

[Girl from Celebes 588]

How were you able to go through the same line? Aren't K1 enters supposed to be in the Non-US citizen line, and I'm assuming you'd go through the US citizen line?

They will allow you. I went to USC-Alien Resident Line because I came with my then-fiancé ( my now husband) and the officer told us go to the USC- Alien Resident Line. It was shorter rather than Non-USC Line.

[Cathi 5,795]

Your question is about customs which is different than immigration. Customs reviews what you are attempting to import into the USA. The " stuff " you bring in. If you don't report all the " stuff " or have " stuff " that isn't allowed you could be sent to secondary inspection.

If you are actually asked about immigration its possible they would ask some simple questions and you would be granted entry as many are. These things are done on a case by case basis so its incorrect to think its " all of us " as though there is something different about people from your country.

they would be pulled in to secondary questioning by immigration. It happens to everyone entering with a k1 or cr1. They asked my husband a few questions and let him through in less than 5 minutes. Some people are questioned much more extensively and have to wait much longer. Not sure why you are putting such an emphasis on customs, that;s the easy part

Edited October 9, 2014 by mimolicious

[Girl from Celebes 588]

they would be pulled in to secondary questioning by immigration. It happens to everyone entering with a k1 or cr1. They asked my husband a few questions and let him through in less than 5 minutes. Some people are questioned much more extensively and have to wait much longer. Not sure why you are putting such an emphasis on customs, that;s the easy part

I did not go through secondary inspection or secondary questioning or whatever they call it at immigration line and I was entered the U.S. with K-1 visa. So, it is not happens to everyone to get pulled out.

[fastone942 0]

i my wife just came from colombia to tampa last night no big deal took about 10 mins all done but funny part they did not have the 551 stamp to put in her passport but don,t worry just have all your paper work with you

[fastone942 0]

and i will add most of the 10 mins was spent was looking for the 551 stamp not about my wife coming

[Ning 619]

hi guys, i am flying in to America on oct 30th! i just want to know from you guys' own experience if people with k1 visa get stopped at the US customs? and by stopped i mean not just speak to the officer but get actually stopped by being taken some place else to be asked more stuff. i am asking if that is how it is for everyone with k1 visa because a friend of mine that is also from Poland was stopped and i just want to know if that is the case when it comes to all of us.

they would be pulled in to secondary questioning by immigration. It happens to everyone entering with a k1 or cr1. They asked my husband a few questions and let him through in less than 5 minutes. Some people are questioned much more extensively and have to wait much longer. Not sure why you are putting such an emphasis on customs, that;s the easy part

The the OP asked about customs.

[Zedayn 485]

I did not go through secondary inspection or secondary questioning or whatever they call it at immigration line and I was entered the U.S. with K-1 visa. So, it is not happens to everyone to get pulled out.

Agreed. My wife and I never went through secondary questioning either, the immigration officer just asked us a few questions at the counter and we were on our way. Our POE was LAX.

[Girl from Celebes 588]

Agreed. My wife and I never went through secondary questioning either, the immigration officer just asked us a few questions at the counter and we were on our way. Our POE was LAX.

My husband was with me as well and in fact we went through the immigration via USC-Alien Resident Line. Our PoE was Detroit.

[Darnell 8,479]

sorry, perhaps i was generalizing too much, based on my wife's experience in Houston.

how about this? for some POEs, secondary inspection will occur to handle the 'do not open' packet whilst other POEs take it at the counter..

[Mike-eeh and Odie 193]

My wife was questioned at the gate and then taken to a separate room for like 45 minutes worth of questions. Afterwards, she was sent to baggage claim and we began our lives together.