POE - What should I expect?

[LeesaMarie 206]

Hi guys  

 

What an emotional 11 months it's been with most of you!

 

For those that have entered, and maybe specifically for anyone who entered through Seattle, what should I expect when I enter. Will they take me into a room? Search all my baggage? How long do you think it takes? 

 

Just would like to hear some experiences from people if that's okay  

 

Many thanks!

[Roel 7,192]

http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/poereviews.php?poe=Seattle&dfilter=0

[LeesaMarie 206]

3 minutes ago, Roel said:

http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/poereviews.php?poe=Seattle&dfilter=0

Thanks Roel, I did look here, but I didn't find many of these reviews helpful as they didn't detail much. So I was still hoping if anyone could share their actual experiences so I know what to prepare for  

[Wuozopo 4,293]

Leesa. Each airport is different so all those Seattle reviews are your best source. The basics of what happens in general terms.

• Fill out an arrival card (for customs) on the plane as you always do on international flights. It asks you to list/value what is going to remain in the US. You only list new items like gifts or what you bought in the airport. Your general old stuff in your luggage does not have to be itemized even though it is remaining in the US. 
• Get off the plane and get in the Visitors line in the immigration hall. Have your white envelope handy. Some airports have kiosks to scan your passport before going to the immigration guy. Some you go only to the immigration counter. 
• When you get to the immigration desk person, tell them you are entering on a K1 visa. Depending on the airport, that guy may process your envelope or more often they have a separate room to do the visa paperwork. It's not a bad thing to be escorted to a room. It frees up the line for general tourists entering. 
• Envelope process. An officer opens it and makes sure it's all in order. He may ask a few simple questions or remind you to marry within 90 days. He puts the entry stamp in your passport. He may or may not say "Welcome to America". Done with immigration part. You're in! Wait time depends on how many arrived at the same time with visas to process. 
• Next stop is baggage claim. Find your luggage. 
• Pass through the customs line and turn in the card from the plane. (this part can also vary by airport).  Everybody on an international flight does this. Not special to visa entries. You or anybody else could get randomly picked to have your luggage searched, but not likely.
• If Seattle is  your final destination, then you walk out to the arrivals lobby. If you have another flight to catch, there will be a place to re-check  your bags for the next flight. Then you go to the gate for your next flight. That flight is a domestic flight and you just get your luggage and walk out upon arrival because you already cleared immigration and customs at Seattle.

 

Edited September 7, 2018 by Wuozopo

[LeesaMarie 206]

6 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

Leesa. Each airport is different so all those Seattle reviews are your best source. The basics of what happens in general terms.

• Fill out an arrival card (for customs) on the plane as you always do on international flights. It asks you to list/value what is going to remain in the US. You only list new items like gifts or what you bought in the airport. Your general old stuff in your luggage does not have to be itemized even though it is remaining in the US. 
• Get off the plane and get in the Visitors line in the immigration hall. Have your white envelope handy. Some airports have kiosks to scan your passport before going to the immigration guy. Some you go only to the immigration counter. 
• When you get to the immigration desk person, tell them you are entering on a K1 visa. Depending on the airport, that guy may process your envelope or more often they have a separate room to do the visa paperwork. It's not a bad thing to be escorted to a room. It frees up the line for general tourists entering. 
• Envelope process. An officer opens it and makes sure it's all in order. He may ask a few simple questions or remind you to marry within 90 days. He puts the entry stamp in your passport. He may or may not say "Welcome to America". Done with immigration part. You're in! Wait time depends on how many arrived at the same time with visas to process. 
• Next stop is baggage claim. Find your luggage. 
• Pass through the customs line and turn in the card from the plane. (this part can also vary by airport).  Everybody on an international flight does this. Not special to visa entries. You or anybody else could get randomly picked to have your luggage searched, but not likely.
• If Seattle is  your final destination, then you walk out to the arrivals lobby. If you have another flight to catch, there will be a place to re-check  your bags for the next flight. Then you go to the gate for your next flight. That flight is a domestic flight and you just get your luggage and walk out upon arrival because you already cleared immigration and customs at Seattle.

 

Thank you so much!  this helps me get a better idea. Seattle is usually pretty chill. Thanks again!

[Wuozopo 4,293]

8 minutes ago, LeesaMarie said:

Thank you so much!  this helps me get a better idea. Seattle is usually pretty chill. Thanks again!

You're welcome. Your time will vary depending on how busy the airport is when you arrive. You've probably experienced  long lines in immigration and other times not many at all. International arrivals in Texas on a summer afternoon can be packed with all the planes landing from Mexico and the island vacation resorts. We had four international flights on one baggage claim carousel once. It took forever to get the luggage. Your envelope/K1 processing can be maybe 5-10 minutes, but if you see a dozen families ahead of you in the secondary room, it could take an hour to get your turn.

[LeesaMarie 206]

3 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

You're welcome. Your time will vary depending on how busy the airport is when you arrive. You've probably experienced  long lines in immigration and other times not many at all. International arrivals in Texas on a summer afternoon can be packed with all the planes landing from Mexico and the island vacation resorts. We had four international flights on one baggage claim carousel once. It took forever to get the luggage. Your envelope/K1 processing can be maybe 5-10 minutes, but if you see a dozen families ahead of you in the secondary room, it could take an hour to get your turn.

That makes lots of sense. They are usually pretty quick in Seattle, they have these little computer things where they take your picture and fingerprints and give you a receipt type thing before having your passport checked. But I've only ever flown out of season to be fair; end of September I imagine will probably be similar. I do recall seeing the line for "other VISA's" so I think I know where to go! I will be sure to write up something detailed or Seattle once I get through as there's a lack of that on the reviews at the moment. One time an officer was kind of mean to me, and another time an officer was really friendly to me. So we will see  

[Emeryx 38]

My POE was Detroit and i was nervous as it was up to that one lady to let me in or not! I didn't exactly get a cheerful person but i kind of expected that honestly. She skimmed over the papers say about 3 times that was in the envelope i handed her, asked me a few questions and then let me go. Didn't have to go to another room or get searched or anything so it was pretty straight forward as i've had to go to a different room on a previous trip as i visited 'too much'. 

 

Good luck!