Hello All!!

I know, I've been away for ages!!!! Well, 23 days and he will be here, so time for us to put our VisaJourney hats back on and jump into the immigration fun once again!

Just would like to know what he should be prepared for when coming in with his shiny new K-1 visa for the first time. We have read several of the POE stories, and it sounds very straight forward, just want to be sure we aren't missing anything.

I'll have tons of other questions regarding AOS, and all the rest once he gets here.

Thanks as always!!

~Liza

Nothing to prepare for to be honest. He will be asked to wait in a seperate area and will then be processed, which is usually painless.

Ditto here - they asked me nothing - just TOLD me I had 90 days to marry and I couldn't leave again without AP - it was pretty painless - and something of a let down (yeah I know it coulda been hassle then I'd be whining about THAT, lol).
Just don't panic - or tell him not to panic - I felt calm on entry and I guess it made me LOOK calm (and genuine, lol)

Ok this may sound a bit flippant, but Paul is scheduled to land in Detroit around 6:15. In the past when he's arrived he's usually out by 7 or so once he's gone thru immigration/customs and baggage claim...

is it much longer coming through with a visa? It's only that we've got dinner reservations at 8:30 at PF Changs which are pretty much necessary on a Friday night. I know!!! Not that important! But come on, it's PF CHANGS! Not only isn't it excellent, it's tradition for us - thats what we do when he comes in.

Just wondering if the visa is an add an extra hour to your plans in most cases or if it's more a 'everything appears in order' in most cases.

Thanks, Joey (who knows that like everything else in this process there is no set time and that every POE, POE officer and case is different - just wondering if people have experienced a greater amount of time coming thru with their visa than for a week visit with VWP)

45 minutes? when David came through Detroit in May it took him 2 hours (VWP). It was excruciating. I was afraid he'd been turned back.

Whoa, you're kidding me! Ugh. No, Paul has KNOCK ON WOOD, always been out in a decent amount of time with his VWP. Thats even with being pulled aside by customs the last time to go through his baggage. Well, it's only dinner, I'll just take my chances

Man, I'd have been a mess if I were you!!

I think you might find it will take longer than it has done in the past, they have more checks and entry into the system to do when you come in with your visa. Plus before he was dealt with at the immigration desk, this time they will send him to a room to be processed.

Ah thank you. As long as he gets in safe and healthy, PF Changs will be open for lunch the next day too!

There's really nothing to prepare for. My fiancee's POE was Miami. They sent her to a special room in immigration. She waited 10 minutes. (this could vary, it was 4:30 am.) They opened her brown envelope. Gave her form I-94. No questions. She was on her way in a few minutes.

Thank you so much everyone! We are getting so excited - two weeks from tomorrow and he will be here!!!!!!! WAAHHH HOOOO!!!

~Liza

well the officer asked me a few questions...what's the name of your petitioner...birthdate...where are you going, etc. easy questions! God bless on your marriage.

He will be here on Friday!!!!!!

If anyone has any insight into Detroit as a POE I would greatly appreciate it. How long is it taking lately with the new security restrictions in place? His flight arrives around 5pm, so wondering how long I may have to wait till he's through immigration/baggage/etc.

YAY!!! He's really finally coming home to me!!!!!



~Liza

Hi, Liza. Seeing as Paul came in on the 18th in Detroit, this is as fresh as I can get it. IT WAS A SNAP! The plane was about 20 minutes late thanks to a hold up in Amsterdam (off loading luggage for some no shows) so when they got in there was another plane coming in at the same time so immigration was pretty backed up. Paul said it was a LONG wait, longer than usual, but at the same time, it meant he got passed right through. The agent didn't even look everything over, just stamped his visa, passport asked how we'd met and when the wedding was and sent him on the way. About 25 minutes in line for a 10 second interview then he grabbed his luggage and was officially in the US. Customs didn't stop him either.

Hope that helps, congrats! Only four more days to go!

That's fantastic!!!! I hope it goes as smoothly for us on Friday!!

So - did you get to PF Changs? We are going to Tom's Oyster Bar in Royal Oak. Can't wait!!!

Thank you! I have been wondering if everything went well for you, so glad to hear it did.

~Liza

It's so soon! Congrats! As he's coming right in at Detroit and staying I think, hope, pray he'll be ok. Paul said there were a few people on his flight who were already running late for their connecting flight from Detroit to other final destinations and they were pretty much screwed. Not only was the flight delayed but the group of them were acting so agitated about trying to find a line to get through right away they got hauled into secondary. So my only advice for people going through Detroit and onward is make sure you have LOADS of times between your connecting flights or don't book the tickets.

We did make PF Changs, thank you. I've heard wonderful things about Tom's oyster bar! Have a wonderful time and an excellent reunion! Hope we start seeing some sunny days again soon, we're all blaming Paul for bringing it with him.