CBP Entry procedures

[John Airdishah 1]

Hi everyone,

 

I Just received my IR1 visa on my passport. I'm wondering what exactly do the customs and border patrol officers ask me at a US point of entry (Airport)? Should I bring proof of our legitimate marriage such as pics, letters, emails, vacation evidence and such? Should I bring proof of my husbands domicile I.e.. his lease agreement. How long does entry normally take? I would like to be prepared in every way.

 

 

[Mike E 11,739]

Where will your husband be on the day you enter the USA?

 

Technically the only thing you need is the visa and whatever the embassy gave you to hand to CBP.  A marriage certificate would be prudent as would committing to memory the address where you will be living with your husband. 
 

Expect a secondary inspection but sometimes there won’t be.  

[iwannaplay54 985]

1 hour ago, John Airdishah said:

Hi everyone,

 

I Just received my IR1 visa on my passport. I'm wondering what exactly do the customs and border patrol officers ask me at a US point of entry (Airport)? Should I bring proof of our legitimate marriage such as pics, letters, emails, vacation evidence and such? Should I bring proof of my husbands domicile I.e.. his lease agreement. How long does entry normally take? I would like to be prepared in every way.

 

 

They process your visa, update your address, collect any documents the embassy gave you to bring, and that’s pretty much it.  I waited about a half hour or so while wifey was in “the back room”.

Im hearing fewer and fewer embassies are sending “the envelope”, as of 2018 we had to carry one through and hand it in.

Edited December 23, 2022 by iwannaplay54

[Chancy 6,241]

*** Moved from Bringing Family of USC forum to Moving to the US forum -- topic is about POE procedures ***

 

[Redro 4,611]

20 hours ago, John Airdishah said:

Hi everyone,

 

I Just received my IR1 visa on my passport. I'm wondering what exactly do the customs and border patrol officers ask me at a US point of entry (Airport)? Should I bring proof of our legitimate marriage such as pics, letters, emails, vacation evidence and such? Should I bring proof of my husbands domicile I.e.. his lease agreement. How long does entry normally take? I would like to be prepared in every way.

 

 

All you need is the visa in your passport and you should know the address you want your green card to go to... 

The process is fairly painless. 

The process might be quick or slow. For us, it was fairly quick because are flight was the first to arrive in the morning so no long lines. 

If you enter a busier airport expect a longer wait. 

[Crazy Cat 41,923]

20 hours ago, John Airdishah said:

How long does entry normally take?

Took my wife about 90 minutes from arrival.  Depends on POE crowd size.  With a valid spousal visa, the actual processing shouldn't take long.  This is not an interrogation or visa interview.   Relax, and enjoy your trip.  

[John Airdishah 1]

On 12/23/2022 at 8:22 PM, Mike E said:

Where will your husband be on the day you enter the USA?

 

Technically the only thing you need is the visa and whatever the embassy gave you to hand to CBP.  A marriage certificate would be prudent as would committing to memory the address where you will be living with your husband. 
 

Expect a secondary inspection but sometimes there won’t be.  

Thanks for the response!

He will be outside the airport waiting for me. we have been living together abroad off and on and he comes back to reestablish domicile every 6 months - a year. Would it matter where he is? 

[John Airdishah 1]

On 12/23/2022 at 9:15 PM, iwannaplay54 said:

They process your visa, update your address, collect any documents the embassy gave you to bring, and that’s pretty much it.  I waited about a half hour or so while wifey was in “the back room”.

Im hearing fewer and fewer embassies are sending “the envelope”, as of 2018 we had to carry one through and hand it in.

 

 

Oh ok that’s all? Because I read online that sometimes it’s like a second interview.

[John Airdishah 1]

On 12/24/2022 at 4:46 PM, Crazy Cat said:

Took my wife about 90 minutes from arrival.  Depends on POE crowd size.  With a valid spousal visa, the actual processing shouldn't take long.  This is not an interrogation or visa interview.   Relax, and enjoy your trip.  

Oh I see. I thought they would request additional information at a POE

[John Airdishah 1]

On 12/24/2022 at 4:24 PM, ROK2USA said:

All you need is the visa in your passport and you should know the address you want your green card to go to... 

The process is fairly painless. 

The process might be quick or slow. For us, it was fairly quick because are flight was the first to arrive in the morning so no long lines. 

If you enter a busier airport expect a longer wait. 

I’ve been having all my paperwork go to Colorado as it’s mine and my husbands mailing address which has been a consistent one throughout the years. We’re not going to be living in Colorado. Does it matter if my mailing address is in one state but my physical address is in another state

[TBoneTX 45,394]

36 minutes ago, John Airdishah said:

Does it matter if my mailing address is in one state but my physical address is in another state

No.

42 minutes ago, John Airdishah said:

sometimes it’s like a second interview

Technically, CBP can ask anything that the consulates do, and can refuse entry on any such basis.  In practice, this almost never happens.  Just answer only what's asked, don't volunteer extra information, and don't try to be cute or funny with any answers.

46 minutes ago, John Airdishah said:

Would it matter where he is? 

As long as he's already in the U.S. or enters with you, it's fine.

[iwannaplay54 985]

1 hour ago, John Airdishah said:

On 12/23/2022 at 12:15 PM, iwannaplay54 said:

They process your visa, update your address, collect any documents the embassy gave you to bring, and that’s pretty much it.  I waited about a half hour or so while wifey was in “the back room”.

Im hearing fewer and fewer embassies are sending “the envelope”, as of 2018 we had to carry one through and hand it in.

 

 

Oh ok that’s all? Because I read online that sometimes it’s like a second interview.

Not even close

[Mike E 11,739]

2 hours ago, John Airdishah said:

Thanks for the response!

He will be outside the airport waiting for me.

good 

2 hours ago, John Airdishah said:

we have been living together abroad off and on and he comes back to reestablish domicile every 6 months - a year.

1. Is he planning on doing this after you enter the USA on your immigration visa?

 

2. Are you going to live in the USA or abroad after you enter the USA on your immigration visa?

 

3. Is your husband a U.S. citizen or LPR?

 

2 hours ago, John Airdishah said:

 

Would it matter where he is? 

Yes.  If he isn’t inside the USA before you arrive on your immigration visa, you legally cannot be admitted on your visa. All financial sponsors of an immigrant must be physically present in the USA the moment  before the immigrant enters the USA.   

[John Airdishah 1]

On 12/26/2022 at 5:55 AM, Mike E said:

good 

1. Is he planning on doing this after you enter the USA on your immigration visa?

 

2. Are you going to live in the USA or abroad after you enter the USA on your immigration visa?

 

3. Is your husband a U.S. citizen or LPR?

 

Yes.  If he isn’t inside the USA before you arrive on your immigration visa, you legally cannot be admitted on your visa. All financial sponsors of an immigrant must be physically present in the USA the moment  before the immigrant enters the USA.   

1. No he’s going before I go, about a week or two. He has already leased a home for us.

 

2.  We’re going to live in the USA. We want to raise our kids there, life is a lot more stable and filled with opportunities in the US. More freedom and human/civilian rights.

 

3. he’s a citizen.

 

 

 

 

[najib mirzayee 0]

please post your DQ and interview dates.