Pugilation

Hi,

I'm planning on making my move to the US before the end of December, can I solicit some advice on what to expect at POE?

I'm assuming I go through the resident/citizen/new immigrant channel until I get to the immigration officer and inform them of my visa and intent to remain, then go through biometrics and interview etc. Can anyone give me more detail on what to expect, general questions asked, preparation etc?

thanks!

tom169

What visa?

Former Lancastrian

If anything like Canada all airports will differ. Some have lines for US citizens, PR cardholders and residents. Legally on arrival you are still a visitor so you should be using that line. When you hand over your passport to the officer in the Inspection line they will probably refer you to another office (secondary examination) for your documentation to be completed. as long as you have all of your documentation its quite a painless procedure unless there are a few hundred ahead of you in line

Noorah101

Pugilation is arriving on a K-1 visa.

You will go through the non-USC line. You'll hand over the sealed envelope to the first POE agent you see. He will do whatever he needs to do with it and with you, and then send you to secondary. They will do whatever they need to do with the paperwork and with you (nothing scary), and send you on your way.

Rene

Pulaski

In the absence of any other alternative, do what Noorah said, but there is almost always someone in the immigration hall walking around "directing traffic", so you should ask them and they will direct you appropriately.

kimilseung

I do not recall ever seeing a "new immigrant" channel. You are non citizen, non resident. Hand over what ever is asked for, answer whatever questions are asked, go where ever they ask you to go. No need to declare your intention to remain.

SultanOfSwing

I did a K1, albeit 11 years ago. I'm sure with the new automated lines it's different now but I went through the Non-US citizen/residents line, handed my passport with the visa in it, gave them the brown envelope and then sat in secondary for 45 minutes or so while they sorted out my paperwork, which turned out to be just the EAD application and instructions for what to do when we got married.

tom169

I'll be travelling on the K1 next week.

Luckily I've been able to make my final destination my POE to the USA.

If this isn't possible for you then make sure there is plenty of times between flights. I've gave my other half the worst case scenario of being a couple hours trying to clear the border.

SultanOfSwing

Oh yeah, forgot to touch on that. I had a connecting flight, but with a 4 hour layover, so I had plenty of time once Stateside to do my stuff.

Then the flight was delayed a further 4 hours due to weather. Yay.

dj6372

The answer really is how long is a piece of string, I came into LAX on a CR-1 went to the normal non US citizen line, didn't even visit secondary, the Officer dealt with my paperwork at the desk, I was there maybe 5-10 mins longer than the normal.
We hear experiences from others on here that the process was longer.
I would imagine LAX has a high number to deal with and are used to the process.

lansbury

There is one (or at least for those arriving on a new visa) at SFO. Only airport I've heard of one.

md95065

There certainly was one at SFO, going back at least 20 years - I can't say that I have noticed it on recent trips but then again I wasn't looking for it - my recollection is that it used to be on the extreme right hand side of the CBP area.

I think that I also saw one at JFK once, but that was a long time ago.

rpjs

When I immigrated on a spousal visa through JFK five, nearly six now, years ago, there was a dedicated "new immigrants" secondary processing area but we went through the USC primary line. However, that was probably because my wife asked the directing person if we could go through her line together.

Pugilation

I'll be doing the same, flying into Houston and getting picked up by the missus once I clear.

Thanks all, sounds reasonably straightforward, it's getting close now!

tom169

Safe travels