How much time suggested for final customs check in at airport

[para515 0]

Hello all. So we finally finished everything with the embassy and planning on my wife moving here next month. With the covid craziness at the airport she will have to take two flights to get here. We know she will have to recheck her bags once the first flight arrives in the US along with the final check with customs. Has anyone recently flown to the US to do this? How much time should we budget for with everything going on do you think? Normally we’d say 3-4 hours but not sure with temperature checks, customs, bag check, etc. 

[bobjennyhitched 99]

18 hours ago, para515 said:

Hello all. So we finally finished everything with the embassy and planning on my wife moving here next month. With the covid craziness at the airport she will have to take two flights to get here. We know she will have to recheck her bags once the first flight arrives in the US along with the final check with customs. Has anyone recently flown to the US to do this? How much time should we budget for with everything going on do you think? Normally we’d say 3-4 hours but not sure with temperature checks, customs, bag check, etc. 

Hi! I flew in April (end of), I have posted my experience. I had a 3 hour lay over which worked fine for me. I was in immigration for 40 minutes but I've heard some people are quicker. Got my cases quick and then Customs and re-check only took about 20 minutes. Your spouse will need to pass through Security again I believe. This wasn't so bad as it was so empty.

 

So I travelled alone and didn't get to say goodbye physically to anyone. Please be prepared for a few tears if your wife is in the same situation as I was. I had a slight shock lol but I'm OK now. I think it's because my move wasn't ideal but at the time, Trump kept changing the immigration bans etc.... so we didn't want to risk it.

 

Also, my GC took 9 weeks to get to me, and I had to chase my SSN down and received that after 10 weeks. Here's my link to my experience travelling:

 

Any questions feel free to reach out or let your wife know to contact me. I'm also on Facebook

 

Edit to add - it's a surreal experience to travel during this pandemic. Make sure your wife brings a face covering or mask, CDC will also check her on arrival into the US. But let her know, don't panic! Everything will be fine. Also you need to quarantine for two weeks, I believe that's anyone in the household too. Me, my husband and my step-son all had to (we are in Colorado).

Edited July 10, 2020 by jennywhite421
Additional comment

[NikLR 13,232]

~~moved from IR1/CR1 process and procedures to moving here and your new life.  Topic is about travel after visa not the visa process~~

[TBoneTX 46,075]

The typical recommendation has been 3 hours at least, better 4.

However, with less air traffic, airports may be quicker to get through.

(Of course, airport staffing levels might have been reduced accordingly.)

Leave enough cushion for flight delays -- the international flight takes off late, etc.