POE/Green card fee

[luviscoming1 14]

Hi Visa Journey Family,

My husband will soon travel to the US and I needed to know if he will have to pay the $220 immigration fee at the POE? Also, because he has one layover in another country will that foreign country open his "do not open" package?  I heard that once he exits Ghana to another country, whichever that country is, customs will open his package.  Is this true?  I always thought this package could not be opened by no one except customs here in the USA.

 

 

[luviscoming1 14]

3 hours ago, Dee elle said:

The fee myst be paid online. It is not collected at POE

The immigration packet is only handed to the US CBP officer at POE into the US. It is not needed or given to anyone else  

At his layover in this foreign country will he have to go thru customs?  If so, wont they want to look into this package?  I say this because I know someone who traveled on a CR1 visa from the Philippines, had a layover in Canada and the Canadian customs opened her package.  She was quite nervous because she thought only customs in the US were allowed to do so.

Fortunately, all went well for her at her POE in Philadelphia.

[lacolinab13 86]

Some airports in Canada have US customs and border protection officers, so that people boarding flights to the US go through US immigration and customs before getting on the plane rather than after arriving in the US. This is probably what happened to your acquaintance. Her POE was in Canada, not in Philly. 

[luviscoming1 14]

3 hours ago, lacolinab13 said:

Some airports in Canada have US customs and border protection officers, so that people boarding flights to the US go through US immigration and customs before getting on the plane rather than after arriving in the US. This is probably what happened to your acquaintance. Her POE was in Canada, not in Philly. 

I see, that makes sense that they would have US customs in Canada.  Thank you!

[brown & orange 2]

On 7/14/2017 at 1:13 AM, luviscoming1 said:

At his layover in this foreign country will he have to go thru customs?  If so, wont they want to look into this package?  I say this because I know someone who traveled on a CR1 visa from the Philippines, had a layover in Canada and the Canadian customs opened her package.  She was quite nervous because she thought only customs in the US were allowed to do so.

Fortunately, all went well for her at her POE in Philadelphia.

what Airline is he flying with... My visa got approved and trying to find a reliable airline company apart from Delta Airlines to use, since the price is a bit high at the moment and I have the same concerns you just raised. thanks.

[pushbrk 13,000]

On 7/13/2017 at 8:13 PM, luviscoming1 said:

At his layover in this foreign country will he have to go thru customs?  If so, wont they want to look into this package?  I say this because I know someone who traveled on a CR1 visa from the Philippines, had a layover in Canada and the Canadian customs opened her package.  She was quite nervous because she thought only customs in the US were allowed to do so.

Fortunately, all went well for her at her POE in Philadelphia.

People flying to the US from Canada ALWAYS clear US CUSTOMS....IN... Canada, making their flight from Canada to the US like a domestic flight.  It's been that way for many years.  So, I suspect it was US Customs that opened and KEPT her package.

 

It is best to pay the New Immigrant Fee BEFORE your spouse enters the US, so that their ENTRY triggers the production of the green card.  The card comes sooner that way.

[luviscoming1 14]

2 hours ago, brown & orange said:

what Airline is he flying with... My visa got approved and trying to find a reliable airline company apart from Delta Airlines to use, since the price is a bit high at the moment and I have the same concerns you just raised. thanks.

Congratulations!!  We have made it thru.😄  All flight are on the pricey side because its summer time here.  But we found a reasonable price with Tap Portugal airlines. From Ghana to Portugal then to Newark New Jersey.  South African airlines is also reasonable. I didnt want my husband traveling with multiple stops.  I personally dont think thats a wise idea. But try those airlines and see for yourself. 😀✈

[luviscoming1 14]

1 hour ago, pushbrk said:

People flying to the US from Canada ALWAYS clear US CUSTOMS....IN... Canada, making their flight from Canada to the US like a domestic flight.  It's been that way for many years.  So, I suspect it was US Customs that opened and KEPT her package.

 

It is best to pay the New Immigrant Fee BEFORE your spouse enters the US, so that their ENTRY triggers the production of the green card.  The card comes sooner that way.

I didnt know that. Thanks!  Good idea 👍

[pushbrk 13,000]

Dublin and Abu Dhabi also have "pre-clearance".

[brown & orange 2]

On 7/16/2017 at 11:44 PM, luviscoming1 said:

Congratulations!!  We have made it thru.😄  All flight are on the pricey side because its summer time here.  But we found a reasonable price with Tap Portugal airlines. From Ghana to Portugal then to Newark New Jersey.  South African airlines is also reasonable. I didnt want my husband traveling with multiple stops.  I personally dont think thats a wise idea. But try those airlines and see for yourself. 😀✈

Thank you very much.