Jetparents

So I'm waiting for my passport to be delivered and as usual researching when I suddenly realised I have no idea what they actually do when you get to that final moment of actually entering the US. Iv visited plenty of times on VWP but obviously never on an immigrant visa. Can anyone enlighten me? What do they do? Do you get a "Grilling" do they want to see photos etc?is it another interview? I'm just interested really. I know all our family will be waiting for us at the airport so if usually the whole process takes a while then I could pre-warn them. But I have a feeling that it's most prob "every one is different" kinda situation.

Thanks in advance guys, We appreciate it

Speedwell

In brief: you show up and go through the line as usual. You mention to the official that you are entering on an immigrant visa (or they'll notice) and you'll hand in your paperwork. You'll get pulled aside to wait for "secondary processing". You can't leave, call, or anything while you are in there and you'll just wait to be processed. My husband waited almost three hours because three planes came in at the same time, but to wait that long is rare. He was called up by an official who asked him a couple perfunctory questions and looked at his paperwork - maybe 10 minutes. Then he got stamped in and he came out to meet me.

Noorah101

You will hand over the sealed envelope when you first arrive. That officer looks things over and then sends you to secondary (another location). They also look things over and enter your information in a database and order the production of your plastic green card.

There's no "grilling", no. You are handing over all the information they need.

You will get a temporary I-551 stamp (your immigrant visa will be endorsed), which serves as proof of your US PR status for 1 year. The plastic green card should come in the mail to the US address you provided (either on the forms or at the POE) within a month or two.

Rene

Jetparents

Ok great thanks ! So questions like how we met etc? Or like to make sure the address, DOB etc is all correct on the paperwork they have?

hoffage123

Probably the latter more than the former. Like Noorah said, the packet has all the info they need.

Noorah101

No questions about how you met (unless the officer is just asking out of curiousity...it's not an "interview").

Yes, they will (or should) verify your current US address, perhaps date of birth....the basics.

Rene

Jetparents

Wow what a relief, thank you!!

SanDiegogirl

You DO have a large brown envelope to hand over dont you?

Apart from asking a few questions we found that's about all the Immigration officials are interested in since it provides all the info they need.

Speedwell

My husband got the distinct impression they only wanted to check to make sure he was the same person represented in the paperwork. Yeah, no sweat. I suffered more wondering if he was ever going to come out.

Steve_

I waited three hours once at secondary and there was literally no-one else there except me and three or four CBP inspectors, due to a foul up with the entry system which took them that long to get sorted (in fact they didn't, they eventually got the port director at Havre to waive the inspection).

And another time I entered at YYC, two planes had been delayed so there were three planeloads of people at primary inspection, but I have a NEXUS card so I was literally the first person through, ahead of the crews even. My bag was the first off (literally) and I was in the parking lot about ten minutes after disembarking. Odds of that ever happening again I think are minimal.

So basically - you never have a clue how long it might be.

S Folinsky

Usually it is as described. If it is not, remember Folinsky's three rules of successful interviewing:

1. Tell the truth, it is easier to remember. If you don't know or don't remember, say so. Don't guess.

2. Understand the question being asked. If you don't understand, say so. Otherwise you are guessing and might violate rule #1.

3. Answer only the question asked and nothing more. "Do you know what time it is?" After looking at your watch, the correct answer is "Yes, I do."

99.9999 % of initial admissions go forward without a hitch. On occasion, I would see the one of the few that didn't.

KCK_DR

They may also call your spouse to find out if she is in country and waiting for you.

halfmoon

My brown envelope had someone else's paperwork in. I was shown a photo of an elderly Nigerian gentleman and had to confirm that no, he was not my husband.

It all went fairly smoothly after that hiccup

Speedwell

Oh my holy living god. I'd probably break down in tears and I don't know what the official would think of me!

rpjs

I came in through JFK and they actually have a specialised secondary inspection area just for new immigrants there. When I did it, there was just one person ahead of me and I was out in five minutes. The processing officer gets you to sign a form and put a single ink fingerprint on it - these are digitized and end up on your Green Card.