Entering US on a CR1 visa. A couple of questions.

[nick050183 9]

The letter we got from the interview said that there could be a 2-3 hour "independent review" at the border crossing in a separate area.

 

What is that about? Are they just making sure she is the same person who got the visa? Is this another interview? We're going to be travelling together with our daughter. We're Ukrainian... Well I am American but I have Ukrainian heritage. We did our interview in Frankfurt. 

 

Second...

 

About layovers. Let's say I'm flying to Jacksonville. But I have a 2 hour layover in JFK. Is that where the interview (or whatever) is going to happen? Do I need to make sure there if there is a layover that it is at least 4 hours? Or is the border patrol going to happen in Jacksonville?

 

 

[Chancy 6,243]

*** Moved from IR1/CR1 Process & Procedures to Moving to the US forum -- topic is about POE procedures after the visa process ***

 

13 minutes ago, nick050183 said:

I have a 2 hour layover in JFK. Is that where the interview (or whatever) is going to happen? Do I need to make sure there if there is a layover that it is at least 4 hours?

 

If JFK will be your US point of entry, that's where your family will be inspected by CBP.  Travelers entering for the first time with an immigrant visa normally go for secondary inspection so CBP can do the procedures to admit them as new US permanent residents.  The process itself will take only a few minutes, but the waiting time will depend on how many travelers are waiting in the airport immigration line ahead of you.

 

[nick050183 9]

1 minute ago, Chancy said:

*** Moved from IR1/CR1 Process & Procedures to Moving to the US forum -- topic is about POE procedures after the visa process ***

 

 

If JFK will be your US point of entry, that's where your family will be inspected by CBP.  Travelers entering for the first time with an immigrant visa normally go for secondary inspection so CBP can do the procedures to admit them as new US permanent residents.  The process itself will take only a few minutes, but the waiting time will depend on how many travelers are waiting in the airport immigration line ahead of you.

 

Ok so I need to make sure that the layover is at least 4 hours? 

 

I've read that this can take as little as a few minutes to several hours. The paperwork they gave us said it could take 2-3 hours.

 

What's the rule of thumb here?

 

Thank you for your reply btw. 

[Chancy 6,243]

Just now, nick050183 said:

What's the rule of thumb here?

 

4 hours is likely more than enough time.  Though I'm not familiar with the normal traffic at JFK, and it also depends on the time of your arrival.  My POE was DFW and I arrived early in the morning, so the passengers on my flight seemed to be the only ones at the immigration line.  I was in line for only around 30 minutes and my CBP inspection took less than 5 minutes.

 

[Dashinka 24,700]

15 minutes ago, nick050183 said:

Ok so I need to make sure that the layover is at least 4 hours? 

 

I've read that this can take as little as a few minutes to several hours. The paperwork they gave us said it could take 2-3 hours.

 

What's the rule of thumb here?

 

Thank you for your reply btw. 

It will depend on the airport you enter as your POE.  I know when my wife entered on a K1 at Detroit, it took maybe 30 minutes.  I would expect JFK to be fairly long and tedious primarily based on reputation.

 

 

Good Luck!

[Crazy Cat 42,032]

There is really no way to know how long POE will take since there are many variables.  For what it is worth, my wife's POE took 90 minutes at DFW.  They counted her cash and checked her baggage for contraband agriculture...LOL....

Here she was after exiting secondary inspection

 

[Letspaintcookies 2,310]

2 hours might be cutting it close. I arrived in Atlanta in the afternoon. Together with 3 or 4 other international flights. Waited in line for about an hour, then waited in secondary for another 30 minutes. The process itself took 2 minutes but then you have to get your baggage, go through customs and make it to the terminal for your next flight. There's so much unknown to it that I would rather spend 3 hours waiting for my next flight than checking my clock every five minutes getting all nervous that I won't make it.

[Sukie 1,464]

Two hours is too close at JFK.  4 hours is really a much better timeframe.  Best of luck!!!

 

Sukie in NY

[Crazy Cat 42,032]

1 minute ago, Sukie said:

Two hours is too close at JFK.  4 hours is really a much better timeframe.  Best of luck!!!

 

Sukie in NY

Agree 100%

[JeanneAdil 6,606]

some of the things that affect landing time, CPB inspections and next flight out

 

1. landing time still takes at least 20 minutes to taxi to terminal and then the "wait " for the hookup to depart the plane

2. if your luggage is checked in all the way to final destination and u don't have to pick up checked in luggage to take it thru CBP and  recheck it to a different airline, its faster

3. Weather

4. JFK brings in several international flights at the same time with long lines separated into USC and foreigners / there will be airport personal to "tell u where to go"

5. if u have to catch the tram to get from one plane to another (6 terminals) / don't accidently go all the way to Jamica like i did 

6. CBP at JFK is usually fast when u have the proper visa stamp

 

[Rocio0010 5,597]

Four hours. Always go for the extra time.

I never had a CR1, but I landed into JFK from Argentina and then I had to catch a domestic flight; meaning I went through customs there. At around 9:00 am, with four other flights. My other flight was an hour and a half away, customs took at least 40 minutes. Then I found out that my domestic flight was in the opposite side of the airport. I have never, ever run so fast in my life.

[Rocio0010 5,597]

1 minute ago, JeanneAdil said:

if u have to catch the tram to get from one plane to another (6 terminals)

This usually entails some running. Some training prior might be useful hahaha

[JeanneAdil 6,606]

28 minutes ago, Rocio0010 said:

This usually entails some running. Some training prior might be useful hahaha

every airport i have been in  requires long distance running / forget the moving walkway

 

[Rocio0010 5,597]

5 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

the moving walkway

I hate that thing!!! It’s just weird and not to be used in a hurry. Every time I’ve been at an airport involves running, and strategic planning as to who do you think is going to get on your way, to avoid them. Lots of “excuse me” and “sorry”.

 

Back to OP: go for the four hours 

[JeanneAdil 6,606]

yep,  4 hours to be safe

but before u buy the ticket ,  go to the ticket site,  look at flight itinerary to see layovers 

to see if it means changing airlines /that's when u have to pick up luggage and recheck it to next airline

 

airlines like Delta and Air France are in partnership so they check all the way / we go from Chattanoogan to atlanta to paris to casablanca and don't pick up checked in luggage anyplace but the final destination

 

if not sure call the 1st boarding airline and ask