Just wanted to add my two centime to Jeraly's post about the same ...

I'm from Dublin, so at least didn' have to deal with learning a new airport.
Joined the queue for immigration super early envisioning at least an hour being interviewed.
When I got to the top it went something like this.


Where's your husband? Double take... This was the first thing he said!... um he's my fiance and he's in the states
When's the wedding? Well we're hoping August but it depends on when we get the visa
Oh, he's american? Yup
How do your parents feel about that? Ok, they like him, and are excited about the shopping in the US
You'll be living in Ireland soon though? Maybe but only if something happens to those property prices
How long are you going for? 1 week
How long were you there last time? 3 weeks
What do you do? I'm a hospital administrator
Will the survive without you? I'm sure they'll manage
Ok have a good trip.

We weren't going to risk it.
I'm so so so glad we did.
I did have a folder full of 'proof' that I was coming home
And had been close to having a pint to calm my nerves before hand
But I was lucky and I got in!

Good luck y'all

Thanks for this post. Very useful to know what may be asked of you.

'm thinking of going through Dublin, actually only because I discovered it's a super quick way to travel to LA from Manchester. In the past I've had to go through Las Vegas (which was a good experience - no hassles with connecting flight) and Chicago (total nightmare, not enough time to get through immigration, transfer terminal and make the connecting flight).

So, I was wondering. How long does it actually take to get through immigration at Dublin. You said you allowed an hour but didn't state whether it took an hour.

They only open the immigration area about 90 mins before the flight.
I guess I queued for about 20 mins? Although there was only one US flight leaving at that time.
I think you'd be really safe with 90 mins transfer and fairly safe with 60 mins transfer.

Just to let you know there was a sign at the airport to say that three destinations would be going through immigration at their destination rather than in Dublin. I know 2 were Washington DC and Florida, but I can't remember what the third was, but I want to say LAX. It definitely wasn't Chicago or New York. Dunno if that happens all the time, or was just a temporary thing... Just to let you know.

Ok thanks for the info. You may have been right with the LAX thing because there is a flight every other day to LAX via Dublin. I don't mind clearing immigration there. Just don't really want to go through Chicago if at all possible even though there is a direct flight from Manchester there every day. The next time I go will be with the visa (hopefully).
Thanks for this