Arrival in JFK with K1

[fedekat 0]

Here are instruction for arriving at immigration and customs at JFK with a K1 visa:

It can take between 15 minutes and 2 hours to get through, depending on the line.

On the plane they will hand out immigration and customs form, make sure to get them. One of them is the I-94. This is where your work visa will be stamped once you land. The stamp will be on the back of this form, OR else in your passport. It is called an Employment Authorization, or an EAD. Make sure the stamp is clear. If it is blurry it won't be valid.

When you land you will get in line for non-US citizens.

Have the big envelope in your hand, someone might notice it and take you directly to the office, otherwise:

When you get to the immigration officer he/she will look at your passport and the brown envelope. Might ask questions, such as:

Are you here on K1 visa? How much money did you bring in? How did you meet? What is her name?

Then you have to go to the office, where they will look through the envelope, page by page.

Ask for an Employment Authorization stamp, if you did not already get it.

Then you will get your baggage.

Customs rarely stops anyone, usually they just wave you by and you have to give them the customs form you filled out on the plane.

[Dr_LHA 3]

Perhaps to point out that on the plane they have 2 types of I-94 forms usually, one green (I-94W) and one white (I-94). It is the white one that your fiancee needs. I've had flight attendants in the past tell me that I need the I-94W because I wasn't a green card holder (incorrectly).

[bszoom42 0]

When you land you will get in line for non-US citizens.

I thought someone posted in VisaJourney.com that K-1 visa holders were allowed to use the US citizen line. Can't remember exactly, but you might want to look into it.

[Dan J 277]

When you land you will get in line for non-US citizens.

I thought someone posted in VisaJourney.com that K-1 visa holders were allowed to use the US citizen line. Can't remember exactly, but you might want to look into it.

It generally varies by the airport. SFO also has a line for new Immigrants. There is probably someone standing near the lines to direct you to the right place if you have any questions.

[Mags 112]

Yep, green is the I-94w and the white form is the I-94. She will need the white version; regardless of what the flight attendants tell her.

Edited August 6, 2007 by Mags

[Dr_LHA 3]

Yep, green is the I-94w and the white form is the I-94. She will need the white version; regardless of what the flight attendants tell her.

ECHO! Echo! Echo! echo...

[payxibka 10,047]

When you land you will get in line for non-US citizens.

I thought someone posted in VisaJourney.com that K-1 visa holders were allowed to use the US citizen line. Can't remember exactly, but you might want to look into it.

The determining factor is typically "if accompanied by the USC". At JFK, had I not been along then she would have been directed to the visitor line.

[JVKn'CVO 11]

Thanks Fedekat! great information

I plan to go through JFK myself (hopefuly not too long from now!! )

About the question of how much money do you bring...what is the limit?

Saludos,

Caro

[randolady 1]

I have a question about the I-94 that hopefully someone can answer: Question 8 asks for the country where you live. Should my fiance say Tanzania, or should he say America?