What kind of questions do they ask in the airport?

[LoveuAlan 3]

My Fiance is flying to the States on Monday the 10th. After he get's off the airplane where will he go? Where does he hand in the yellow packet that the embassy gave him? The main thing i'm concerned is are they going to ask him any questions or something? He doesn't even know English... so I hope he won't be questioned. Are they going to send him back to Russia if he doesn't speak English?!

 

The other concern I have is that I was told you are no longer allowed to enter the airport unless you have a travel destination. I heard that you can only wait in your car and than pull up next to the airport where they are suppose to meet me outside. Is that true?

[AMW 6]

Does your fiance have a connection flight? Wherever his plane first lands on American grounds he will go through immigration. There will be a line for American citizens and Non-Americans. He will go through the Non-American line. We he gets to the front he will be asked for his passport. When they see his k-1 visa they will ask for the yellow packet - most security agents will be familiar with this packet. They may ask his intent to enter the states - to get married, remind him he needs to be married within 90 days, and welcome him to America. That's generally how it goes, however, some people may have more questions asked - it's just the luck of the draw. If he doesn't speak English he will not be denied. Chances are he might be asked to step aside so an interrupter can translate for him.

 

If his plane flies directly to your town that will be great for him! Just through customs and then he's all yours. If he has a connecting flight he will go through customs at his first stop, board his connecting flight, and just be able to exit (without customs again) at his final destination and meet you.

 

As for not being able to enter the airport... I haven't heard this. You may want to ask someone familiar with the airport you will pick him up from or call the airport directly.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

24 minutes ago, LoveuAlan said:

My Fiance is flying to the States on Monday the 10th. After he get's off the airplane where will he go? Where does he hand in the yellow packet that the embassy gave him? The main thing i'm concerned is are they going to ask him any questions or something? He doesn't even know English... so I hope he won't be questioned. Are they going to send him back to Russia if he doesn't speak English?!

 

The other concern I have is that I was told you are no longer allowed to enter the airport unless you have a travel destination. I heard that you can only wait in your car and than pull up next to the airport where they are suppose to meet me outside. Is that true?

1) usually immediately through immigration if there isn't a US Preclearance airport in his country

2)in a special line at immigration, usually there's one for valid visa holders

3)they may yes 

4)no, though it may benefit him if he's so inclined to make friends on the flight and they may be able to assist him with some basic phrases needed.  Depending on the airport they may be able to call for a translator, I've seen this with a Dutch airline before

 

you can usually enter the arrivals area but not customs 

Edited April 7, 2017 by Transborderwife

[Becci391 339]

18 minutes ago, LoveuAlan said:

My Fiance is flying to the States on Monday the 10th. After he get's off the airplane where will he go? Where does he hand in the yellow packet that the embassy gave him? The main thing i'm concerned is are they going to ask him any questions or something? He doesn't even know English... so I hope he won't be questioned. Are they going to send him back to Russia if he doesn't speak English?!

 

The other concern I have is that I was told you are no longer allowed to enter the airport unless you have a travel destination. I heard that you can only wait in your car and than pull up next to the airport where they are suppose to meet me outside. Is that true?

When I arrived at the airport in Atlanta, I had to wait until I could go to the officer. I handed her the envelope with the documents and my passport. She asked me if I still want to marry the petitioner and how much cash I had on me.

She then took a picture of me and my finger prints. After that she said that I had to wait at the desk until one of her co-workers checked my documents. I handed him the envelope and my passport. I maybe had to wait 10 minutes. The officer called my name and told me that everything was alright and handed me my passport with the stamp on one of the passport sites a document with the next steps for people on a K1 visa.

 

 

[LoveuAlan 3]

3 minutes ago, AMW said:

Does your fiance have a connection flight? Wherever his plane first lands on American grounds he will go through immigration. There will be a line for American citizens and Non-Americans. He will go through the Non-American line. We he gets to the front he will be asked for his passport. When they see his k-1 visa they will ask for the yellow packet - most security agents will be familiar with this packet. They may ask his intent to enter the states - to get married, remind him he needs to be married within 90 days, and welcome him to America. That's generally how it goes, however, some people may have more questions asked - it's just the luck of the draw. If he doesn't speak English he will not be denied. Chances are he might be asked to step aside so an interrupter can translate for him.

 

If his plane flies directly to your town that will be great for him! Just through customs and then he's all yours. If he has a connecting flight he will go through customs at his first stop, board his connecting flight, and just be able to exit (without customs again) at his final destination and meet you.

 

As for not being able to enter the airport... I haven't heard this. You may want to ask someone familiar with the airport you will pick him up from or call the airport directly.

He doesn't have a connection flight. He flies from Russia straight to JFK airport and that's where I will pick him up. I will remind him to go through the non citizen line. Thank you so much.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Just now, LoveuAlan said:

He doesn't have a connection flight. He flies from Russia straight to JFK airport and that's where I will pick him up. I will remind him to go through the non citizen line. Thank you so much.

Chances are JFK may be able to get a translator  perhaps call and find out if possible

[LoveuAlan 3]

2 minutes ago, Transborderwife said:

Chances are JFK may be able to get a translator  perhaps call and find out if possible

That's good because he only knows basic phrases in English. We have always spoken just Russian to each other. 

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Just now, LoveuAlan said:

That's good because he only knows basic phrases in English. We have always spoken just Russian to each other. 

I wouldn't worry too much.  Usually questions asked are things like when are you getting married, your finances name etc

[Sukie 1,463]

12 hours ago, LoveuAlan said:

He doesn't have a connection flight. He flies from Russia straight to JFK airport and that's where I will pick him up. I will remind him to go through the non citizen line. Thank you so much.

A lot depends upon which terminal he'll be using at JFK.  All the terminals I've ever used (#1, #4, #7) have a waiting area outside of the Customs area.  You can park your car and wait inside the terminal for him to come "through the chute".  It is where all the limo drivers wait with their signs.

 

Good luck.  Also - you might want to provide him with a note in English that says, "I'm sorry - I speak very little English. Is there a Russian interpreter available, please?"

 

Sukie in NY

[Detron 15]

Don't worry. Homeland security officers are nice and helpful. If he made his questions through the embassy meeting then his work is done. The homeland security officers just makes routine questions. If he or she realizes your fiance can't speak good English they will either let him pass, or call in for a translator. Normally the airlines have personnel available at the location. Nothing to worry about. The point of entry officer (airport) is responsible in stamping his passport, take his fingerprints and his photo. His tickets will let the officer know his destination. His visa inside his passport will let the officer know he went through the embassy and the documents carry the rest of the information. It is all available in your fiances hands.

 

The most important part for you guys now is the paper work after his entry. Make sure you do that in time. SSN first, marriage then fill out your forms ASAP. The more your wait the longer it takes to wait for work authorization.

 

Check this timeline here. He will go through the step 15. But start with steps 16 and onward as fast as you can.

 

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow

 

Good luck guys, and congratulations!

Edited April 8, 2017 by Detron

[Detron 15]

I forgot to say... when he receives his work authorization (it will normally take 3 months from the moment you send in your forms after marriage), make sure he takes his driving tests at DMV. My experience with the work authorization card is that people don't see it as a proper ID (even though it is!) and will ask for an ID with residential address. The solution is to have driver's license instead. Make a driver's test appointment at the DMV webpage. When you visit DMV, make sure he has his

 

1. Passport

2. I-94 form (can be printed out from Homeland security webpage)

3. 2 x utility bills with his name and address, lease agreement on where you live, or any bill (even cell phone bill counts) as long it has your residential address on it. Employment document counts too

 

That'll make your life easier.

Edited April 8, 2017 by Detron

[Jeanne Adil 1,651]

JFK has several lines for non citizens / usually long lines as several planes coming at same time

when they see he is Russian, they can and have someone to speak russian / if not, they are able to help anyway

he probably will be asked the address he is going to / it is on paperwork attached to outside of the packet

a few other questions as others have said

no big deal/ JFK is busy but fast/ they know their job

and he will not be turned back as visa is valid