Arrival in USA
Oct 18th 2008, 4:45 pm
#16
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7
Re: Arrival in USA
Well, armed with all the helpful comments from everyone, we arrived at O'Hare on Thursday at 2.15pm. We had to stand in line with all other visitors, which took some time; then we had to pick up our bags from the carousel and make our way to a secondary clearing area, where we handed in the pink folder we had been given by the first Customs and Border Patrol official and were told to take a seat.
There was just one guy dealing with immigrant arrivals, and although he took only about 10 minutes to deal with each person there were 6 or 7 ahead of us (and more arriving all the time). In the end, the time from landing to reaching the exit door of the terminal was just over 2 hours.
Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful, which helped make the long wait less frustrating.
I hope this thread may be of help to others in future.
There was just one guy dealing with immigrant arrivals, and although he took only about 10 minutes to deal with each person there were 6 or 7 ahead of us (and more arriving all the time). In the end, the time from landing to reaching the exit door of the terminal was just over 2 hours.
Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful, which helped make the long wait less frustrating.
I hope this thread may be of help to others in future.
Oct 19th 2008, 12:25 am
#17
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Oz -> UK -> San Diego
Posts: 9,912
Re: Arrival in USA
Well, armed with all the helpful comments from everyone, we arrived at O'Hare on Thursday at 2.15pm. We had to stand in line with all other visitors, which took some time; then we had to pick up our bags from the carousel and make our way to a secondary clearing area, where we handed in the pink folder we had been given by the first Customs and Border Patrol official and were told to take a seat.
There was just one guy dealing with immigrant arrivals, and although he took only about 10 minutes to deal with each person there were 6 or 7 ahead of us (and more arriving all the time). In the end, the time from landing to reaching the exit door of the terminal was just over 2 hours.
Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful, which helped make the long wait less frustrating.
I hope this thread may be of help to others in future.
There was just one guy dealing with immigrant arrivals, and although he took only about 10 minutes to deal with each person there were 6 or 7 ahead of us (and more arriving all the time). In the end, the time from landing to reaching the exit door of the terminal was just over 2 hours.
Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful, which helped make the long wait less frustrating.
I hope this thread may be of help to others in future.
Oct 19th 2008, 12:43 am
#18
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,439
Re: Arrival in USA
Welcome to the US. Glad that is over for you and you can get busy with starting your new life here.
Enjoy !!!!
Oct 19th 2008, 4:15 am
#19
Ginger Monkey
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Cheeseland, WI
Posts: 2,772
Re: Arrival in USA
Well, armed with all the helpful comments from everyone, we arrived at O'Hare on Thursday at 2.15pm. We had to stand in line with all other visitors, which took some time; then we had to pick up our bags from the carousel and make our way to a secondary clearing area, where we handed in the pink folder we had been given by the first Customs and Border Patrol official and were told to take a seat.
There was just one guy dealing with immigrant arrivals, and although he took only about 10 minutes to deal with each person there were 6 or 7 ahead of us (and more arriving all the time). In the end, the time from landing to reaching the exit door of the terminal was just over 2 hours.
Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful, which helped make the long wait less frustrating.
I hope this thread may be of help to others in future.
There was just one guy dealing with immigrant arrivals, and although he took only about 10 minutes to deal with each person there were 6 or 7 ahead of us (and more arriving all the time). In the end, the time from landing to reaching the exit door of the terminal was just over 2 hours.
Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful, which helped make the long wait less frustrating.
I hope this thread may be of help to others in future.
At least you're here! Yay! USA! USA!
Oct 20th 2008, 5:09 am
#20
Banned
Joined: Sep 2008
Location: Tampa Bay area.
Posts: 1,429
Re: Arrival in USA
As a new member, I wonder if anyone can help with a procedural question.
When we arrive at Port of Entry, armed with our immigrant visas and the unopened package received from the Embassy in London, how long a process is it likely to be as we go through what I understand is called secondary processing?
Would like to be able to warn those meeting us if it's likely to take a long time.
Can anyone help?
Many thanks in anticipation
When we arrive at Port of Entry, armed with our immigrant visas and the unopened package received from the Embassy in London, how long a process is it likely to be as we go through what I understand is called secondary processing?
Would like to be able to warn those meeting us if it's likely to take a long time.
Can anyone help?
Many thanks in anticipation
Probably depends on where you come in, it took me less than 15 minutes.
