how long at border of entry

[SPaul 9]

I know this may vary, but generally what is the procedure when you reach your border of entry and how long does it take? My fiance arrives tomorrow at JFK at 10:00 PM. 

[wtrav 34]

To what I've read it may vary from 1 to 4 hours. Depends on the case and officer, how many people are waiting before him, etc. 

[tamcloud 92]

As mentioned by wtrav, the time it takes will mostly depend on how many are before him. He'll likely be sent to secondary, so as not to hold up the line while his packet is opened and documents reviewed; there may be a few questions, but nothing to worry about as long as everything is in order. JFK at that time might not be too bad. 

[JMEngland 438]

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I have a question that seems relevant.

 

Is it possible for the Petitioner to make their way back to the incoming side of passport control?  I have heard that if you escort your beneficiary from their home country, the both of you can pass through the American citizen side of passport control where things move much faster, but all of the examples that I saw involved both people actually flying back together from home country.  Has anyone attempted, rather than wait for their beneficiary at baggage claim, to instead show up early and make their way back to where they would actually get off the plane, so you can escort them through passport control?  I'd just like to be with my fiancee while she goes through the process.

[NikLR 13,232]

Unless you have a ticket, you sometimes can get through security (tsa) but never through the CBP. 

[SPaul 9]

17 hours ago, tamcloud said:

As mentioned by wtrav, the time it takes will mostly depend on how many are before him. He'll likely be sent to secondary, so as not to hold up the line while his packet is opened and documents reviewed; there may be a few questions, but nothing to worry about as long as everything is in order. JFK at that time might not be too bad. 

yea thanks. hopefully ita not too bad

39 minutes ago, JMEngland said:

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I have a question that seems relevant.

 

Is it possible for the Petitioner to make their way back to the incoming side of passport control?  I have heard that if you escort your beneficiary from their home country, the both of you can pass through the American citizen side of passport control where things move much faster, but all of the examples that I saw involved both people actually flying back together from home country.  Has anyone attempted, rather than wait for their beneficiary at baggage claim, to instead show up early and make their way back to where they would actually get off the plane, so you can escort them through passport control?  I'd just like to be with my fiancee while she goes through the process.

Hijack away! lol that's a great question that I was thinking myself

[Randyandyuni 2,682]

Quote

 

took us about 45 minutes to get through, that was wife and stepson going through secondary and it was relatively busy but efficiently run, I do not believe you would be allowed through to passport control if not flying 

[Jenny17655 284]

20 hours ago, SPaul said:

I know this may vary, but generally what is the procedure when you reach your border of entry and how long does it take? My fiance arrives tomorrow at JFK at 10:00 PM. 

I just flew in to JFK with my fiance on Sept 15th.  The process was incredibly quick and painless.  They took his passport and visa packet down to immigration.  They had us go down there too and we sat for a couple of minutes then they handed his passport back to him and we were out.  No questions were asked.

[SPaul 9]

23 minutes ago, Randyandyuni said:

took us about 45 minutes to get through, that was wife and stepson going through secondary and it was relatively busy but efficiently run, I do not believe you would be allowed through to passport control if not flying 

okay, thank you

13 minutes ago, Jenny17655 said:

I just flew in to JFK with my fiance on Sept 15th.  The process was incredibly quick and painless.  They took his passport and visa packet down to immigration.  They had us go down there too and we sat for a couple of minutes then they handed his passport back to him and we were out.  No questions were asked.

oh great. thank you. hoping it goes quickly for us too 

[Jenny17655 284]

Just now, SPaul said:

okay, thank you

oh great. thank you. hoping it goes quickly for us too 

yeah I'm sure it will. 

[Jenny17655 284]

He should be coming out any minute now I just realized lol I'm actually legit excited for you right now.  Keep us posted!!!!

[JMEngland 438]

So how did everything go?  Were there any issues at the port of entry?

[SPaul 9]

2 hours ago, JMEngland said:

So how did everything go?  Were there any issues at the port of entry?

Everything went great! Flight came in early and he was cleared and out in probably 30 minutes. He called me just as I was getting in my car and was like where are you lol so it went smoothly and quickly. thank you for asking.

He also mentioned that the officer didn't ask him much..just why he was here, how we met, and where i work. 

[Randyandyuni 2,682]

54 minutes ago, SPaul said:

Everything went great! Flight came in early and he was cleared and out in probably 30 minutes. He called me just as I was getting in my car and was like where are you lol so it went smoothly and quickly. thank you for asking.

He also mentioned that the officer didn't ask him much..just why he was here, how we met, and where i work. 

absolutely fantastic, enjoy your reunion and best wishes

[SPaul 9]

1 hour ago, Randyandyuni said:

absolutely fantastic, enjoy your reunion and best wishes

thank you!