How early should I go to the airport?

[TS_123 9]

How many hours before my flight should I show up at the airport for visa activation?  I'm guessing it won't be more then half hour for the customs officer to open my sealed yellow package and verify the contents and then allow me to get on with my flight.

 

Am I under/overestimating?

[MrHanky 1,377]

Are you transferring?

 

You need to give more information in order for anyone to answer this.

 

Also you probably want to search the reviews for point of entry for your specific location,  one size doesn't fit all.

 

Try searching the forum as well.

[TS_123 9]

I have my IR1 (green card) visa stamped on my passport and will have it activated once I cross the border where I will present my CAD passport along with the sealed envelope.  I just want to know how long the process takes so I can determine how soon I need to get to the airport for my flight.

 

Thank you

[MrHanky 1,377]

1 minute ago, TS_123 said:

I have my IR1 (green card) visa stamped on my passport and will have it activated once I cross the border where I will present my CAD passport along with the sealed envelope.  I just want to know how long the process takes so I can determine how soon I need to get to the airport for my flight.

 

Thank you

It really all depends on the airport, coming from Canada I don't think it will be very long

Two main factors, where you're coming from and the airport your processing at.

Sorry I don't have a more detailed answer.

 

Should be some info here.

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

[Hypnos 6,578]

It depends on which PoE you intend to use, since some are busier than others. 

 

In general it would be wise to allow one hour and possibly two, depending on where you're planning to enter. 

[JFH 12,191]

For some people it takes 5 minutes. For me it took 2.5 hours. 

 

I would aim to be at the airport 3 hours early. If it goes quickly, have a good book with you to read to fill the remaining time. 

Edited December 23, 2017 by JFH

[Marzena & Stephen 544]

Go 3 hours before your flight time to be safe. 

[NikLR 13,231]

I always aim to be entering US customs as early as they will allow. In Edmonton and Calgary that is generally 2 hours before departure.  Ive used up most of that time on occasion.  

Imho you're vastly underestimating.  Giving yourself more time is better.  

[bakphx1 789]

My husband came through Houston during a peak time and was still done an hour after landing, including standing in line, etc.  Not saying it's better or worse than any other, but just a for instance. 

[NikLR 13,231]

13 hours ago, bakphx1@aol.com said:

My husband came through Houston during a peak time and was still done an hour after landing, including standing in line, etc.  Not saying it's better or worse than any other, but just a for instance. 

Canada is mostly preclearance. 

[jle2234 68]

It depends on your POE; and whether you have a physical packet, or the new electronic one that has already been uploaded to the POE.

 

I activated my IR-1 at Montreal Trudeau Airport (YUL) with the electronically uploaded documents. To be safe, I arrived three hours early and was allowed to cross upon arrival. The activation process took 10-15 minutes from the time I approached the first border security officer to the point my visa was activated and I was free to continue to my gate.

[NikLR 13,231]

How long was the line to get to the CBP officer?  Actual CBP time normally doesn't take long, it's getting to them! LOL

[jle2234 68]

1 hour ago, NikLR said:

How long was the line to get to the CBP officer?  Actual CBP time normally doesn't take long, it's getting to them! LOL

Montreal is *usually* very quick -- line is typically under 5 minutes... Maybe 10 at busy times. Of course, delays are always possible, but I have never experienced one at the Montreal Airport. The POE at YUL uses automated kiosks for routine border crossings (tourists, etc.), so it tends to keep the line moving quickly.

[spa 12]

On 12/22/2017 at 9:04 PM, TS_123 said:

How many hours before my flight should I show up at the airport for visa activation?  I'm guessing it won't be more then half hour for the customs officer to open my sealed yellow package and verify the contents and then allow me to get on with my flight.

 

Am I under/overestimating?

OP: did you get a physical packet to present to Customs after the visa interview?  All I got was a blue sheet of paper saying bring this to the border as the file is being processed electronically.

 

On 12/25/2017 at 7:44 AM, jle2234 said:

It depends on your POE; and whether you have a physical packet, or the new electronic one that has already been uploaded to the POE.

 

I activated my IR-1 at Montreal Trudeau Airport (YUL) with the electronically uploaded documents. To be safe, I arrived three hours early and was allowed to cross upon arrival. The activation process took 10-15 minutes from the time I approached the first border security officer to the point my visa was activated and I was free to continue to my gate.

Did you get the blue sheet of paper?  Did you just present this to the first Customs officer and said you want to enter on a whatever visa and they processed it? 

[jle2234 68]

44 minutes ago, spa said:

Did you get the blue sheet of paper?  Did you just present this to the first Customs officer and said you want to enter on a whatever visa and they processed it? 

I don't recall getting a blue sheet of paper (but I may have), but mine was processed electronically. This was how my POE went...

 

I approached the Customs Officer and handed him my passport open to my visa.

 

Me: Hi, I'm activating my immigrant visa.

Customs Officer: You have a visa?

Me: Yes, this is my first time crossing with it.

Customs Officer: Do you have your packet?

Me: I'm part of a pilot program. It's supposed to have been uploaded to you electronically.

Customs Officer: ...

Neighboring Customs Officer: We got an email about that. (jokingly) They said we wouldn't be seeing much of it.

Customs Officer: Come with me.

 

The Customs Officer led me to secondary where I was instructed to sit in a waiting area. 5-10 minutes later, I was called to the counter and given my passport. The processing was complete at that point, and I was free to go on to my gate.