POE Clarification process/times

[heo luoi 206]

I've tried to search re POE. I have seen numerous suggestions to allot for ample time for any connections from POE. I just wanted to clarify, this ample time is mostly due to the line / queues that may form depending on arrival time and staffing for CBP at the POE and not really due to hours of process time for a specific immigrant correct? There is not subsequent 'interview' or rigorous questioning...etc? I understand they take the mysertious sealed brown envelope, stamp your passport(and return it), do some I94 stuff of that sort?

[Pitaya 2,577]

From a VJ custom Google search: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/421137-port-of-entry-questions-for-k1-visa/

Have a safe trip, and welcome to the US.

[heo luoi 206]

From a VJ custom Google search: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/421137-port-of-entry-questions-for-k1-visa/

Have a safe trip, and welcome to the US.

Thanks that post is a bit old and one that has contributed to the confusion, that thread alone has quite a bit of varied responses. Just trying to prepare for fiance after her interview soon.

[Pitaya 2,577]

Thanks that post is a bit old and one that has contributed to the confusion, that thread alone has quite a bit of varied responses. Just trying to prepare for fiance after her interview soon.

That is likely due to the fact that there are numerous varied POEs, with numerous varied CBP officers, with possibly varied numerous international arrivals, that leads to the introduction of many variables, hence varied responses.

YMMV.

Like I said earlier, have a safe trip.

[Ash.1101 1,756]

Try here: http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/poereviews.php



Depending on what POE you come through, your experience will differ. For example I was just looking at this for my fiance who is coming in through Chicago. Most people say it took no more than 5 minutes, the longest someone had was 20 minutes, the people brought into secondary, for the most part, were all moved simply because it was to busy and it was easier just to separate them, but nothing anything incredibly extreme.

See what the reviews say for your POE. You could also try to ask in the veitnam forums about where they POE'd at and their experience, hopefully for some more recent answers. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/136-vietnam/

[heo luoi 206]

Ash.1101 could you clarify what you mean by 'brought into secondary'?

Also curious re your suggestion for the regional forums of VN, does POE experience change based on where one was originating from? I am uncertain where POE will be at the moment, will likely depend on airfare/carrier. I'd prefer DFW as they dont seem to have much weather delays or the other chaos of ORD..but I think I may have enough miles to help w/ United, but United was not a pleasant experience either and their hub will be ORD. Based on my previous exp travelling to VN, I never recall seeing practical flights from there except from ORD / DFW although I did always book those flights via travel agency, but I would be open to MSP as well except their terminals are very very spread out @ MSP

Try here: http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/poereviews.php



Depending on what POE you come through, your experience will differ. For example I was just looking at this for my fiance who is coming in through Chicago. Most people say it took no more than 5 minutes, the longest someone had was 20 minutes, the people brought into secondary, for the most part, were all moved simply because it was to busy and it was easier just to separate them, but nothing anything incredibly extreme.

See what the reviews say for your POE. You could also try to ask in the veitnam forums about where they POE'd at and their experience, hopefully for some more recent answers. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/136-vietnam/

[Ash.1101 1,756]

POE will be the FIRST stop in the country.


Look at flights and see where the first layover/landing in the US is, -that- will be the POE.

So when ever you book the flight, go back to the POE reviews I linked, and pick the first place a layover is happening, again, if there is no layover in the US, just check out the reviews where ever your fiance is landing

Secondary, is a little room that they would ask more questions to you in. A lot of times though for K1, it's used just to get you out of the line and keep things going, but I think only a handful of people got asked questions, but they weren't anymore than "Okay so where will you be staying" and "What's your fiances name?"

Sometimes you generally land in the same place each time, like in your experience it's always been ORD coming back in. When my dad lived in Austrialia, he always came through LAX to Dallas and when he lived in Dubai he always came in through Atlanta. I figure it's always good to have experience from people who have traveled out of X country, they may know a little bit more about POE into certain places if you're worried. Personally, I think your fiance will be alright. =]

My fiance flies into Chicago ORD 90% of the time, he goes ORD to San Antonio International Airport, but his POE will be Chicago ORD since that will be the first place he's setting foot in, in the US. So his POE will most likely be ORD, even though he's flying to San Antonio, Chicago ORD will be the first place he goes though in the states making it his point of entry.

He does hate Chicago and always flies United and hates them too, so I'm sure he understands LOL.

Be careful though, Texas is being warned of a heavy rainy season coming up in the next month or so. Projections show that we might have some pretty insane rain this fall.

Edited September 19, 2015 by Ash.1101

[JR loves JR 196]

In answer to your original question, the advice to have a longer layover is because the traveler may be delayed in customs, have a flight delay, or have trouble navigating the airport. Yes, there often are a few additional questions but normally it's not an extensive interview. My husband was asked a couple questions like "when is the wedding?", "what's your fiancée's name?" and "Do you know it's COLD in Minnesota?" When a traveler is pulled into secondary it often indicates that the agents wish to question them more in depth or to do a search. As mentioned above, sometimes it's just due to the busy-ness of the processing center.

There are a couple details that you should consider. The first is which POE are you planning on using? The second is how much experience does your fiancee have in airports and how good is her English?

My husband had never flown before and flew into Miami. I had flown through Miami lots of times so I was familiar with the layout and could give him some specifics about the airport. The reviews on here were very helpful and were pretty similar to what his actual experience ended up being. His lack of airport experience resulted in me making sure that he had a much longer than normal layover. It only took an hour for him to get off the plane, wait in line for customs, talk to the agent who took his packet, stamped his passport, and released him, pick up his checked bag, recheck his bag, and get through security again. Since he didn't know how to find his way, I'd taken pictures of the airport boards listing the gates and explained how to find his. He still had some trouble and so he asked for directions and was directed to the wrong gate. It took him a while to get it sorted out and to find his actual gate. But he wasn't worried because he had plenty of time. And yes, he teased me about giving him so much time but in the end both of us were less stressed because we knew he'd make his plane. He also flew through Miami again using his Advanced Parole card (not a green card) and this time he had 5 hours and would have only needed 2 to successfully make his flight.

If you aren't traveling with her, pick an airport that is fairly easy to navigate and which the reviews indicate that most travelers had a good experience. Be sure to give her more time than you feel is necessary to switch planes just so she can feel at ease. If she will have a hard time understanding directions to her gate, I'd plan a little more time. I understand wanting to have her home as soon as possible but an extra hour or two waiting is worth the peace of mind knowing that she WILL make her flight without having to run to do it.

Edited September 19, 2015 by JR loves JR

[Anh map 2,098]

Leave enough time for flight arrival delays, crowded passport control and baggage claim, checking baggage for the next flight, a snack, etc.