Port of entry - preclearance vs stateside

[guidinggod 3]

Hey guys. I recently got a B2 visit visa - My wife is a US cit and my primary reason is to visit her. As I told the visa officer at the interview, I had no desire to immigrate even though I could apply for it legally, just want to visit. This will be my first trip to the US since 1988 when I was 9. I'll be travelling with a confirmed return ticket.

 

As a next step I'm wondering which airline to book, since I have travel miles on Emirates but have heard about preclearance in Abu Dhabi if I chose Etihad. Is preclearance less of a hassle and bureaucratic nightmare than my intended port of entry i.e LAX? I'm a Pakistani citizen so I'm guessing it won't be smooth sailing for me either way but still, would appreciate comments re which would be better/less time consuming? What sort of questions should I anticipate?

 

Thanks

Edited February 13, 2017 by guidinggod

[Transborderwife 4,666]

One of the benefits of pre clearance is they tend to withdraw your application if they refuse you more than expedited removal.  

[guidinggod 3]

2 minutes ago, Transborderwife said:

One of the benefits of pre clearance is they tend to withdraw your application if they refuse you more than expedited removal.  

Thanks for the reply - could you explain that a little more? withdraw which application?

[Transborderwife 4,666]

3 minutes ago, guidinggod said:

Thanks for the reply - could you explain that a little more? withdraw which application?

If they decide that you're inadmissible, instead of denying entry to the USA they simply withdraw your application for entry and you do not incur a ban.

[NikLR 13,220]

To enter the USA. 

 

Having never gone through anything BUT pre-clearance I can't really have an opinion on any other method.  However it's nice, if you're going to be denied entry, to do it before you actually get to the USA.  I can't imagine the flight over the Atlantic is fun, but imagine going all the way there, then having to go all the way back if they deny entry (which is technically they ask you to withdraw your application to enter the USA) vs just stopping in Abu Dhabi.  

 

Compared to LAX?  I extremely dislike LAX in general so I would avoid spending more time there if humanly possible. 

Edited February 13, 2017 by NikLR

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Another nice thing is that after a long flight you don't have to worry about anything but picking up your luggage:)

[Ben&Zian 4,397]

Agreed with above. Pre-clearance and the regular state side immigration basically works the same way. I have done both. Pre-clearance can be a lot quicker over all(was for me in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta when I went through coming back to the US); and LAX is a very very busy airport.

 

Also like above, getting to withdraw the application is a lot better than being "removed" state side.

[guidinggod 3]

Thanks for the feedback all - looks like preclearance is the favored option. Wait times because of all US bound flights leaving almost at the same time from Abu Dhabi seem to be an issue according to some online posts I read so one possible downside could be that I miss my connecting flight to Los Angeles. Hopefully it won't be that long though and my 2hr 30 min layover will cover it.  What sort of questions etc can one expect from the CBP folks? I won't have hand baggage or laptop so not much to go through there.

[KierenHby 897]

2 hours ago, Ben&Zian said:

Agreed with above. Pre-clearance and the regular state side immigration basically works the same way. I have done both. Pre-clearance can be a lot quicker over all(was for me in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta when I went through coming back to the US); and LAX is a very very busy airport.

 

Also like above, getting to withdraw the application is a lot better than being "removed" state side.

Pretty sure pre-clearance at AbuDhabi is a LOT different than Alberta, even more so for pakistan citizens. I once flew Montreal to the US, precl was a breeze; but have heard horror stories from colleagues about being treated like cattle at Abudhabi. 

 

I personally don't care much for precl and avoid it. My last three trips to Asia had layovers in London, Paris, and Doha. But, to each his own. 

[kausar 26]

I flew with Eitehad twice recently ,  to New York and Chicago. It was good experience and the upside is that the layover time is utilized in pre clearance. And when you land in USA it is treated like domestic flight. No hassle, pick up luggage and leave the airport. 2 & 1/2 hour is a lot of time, It doesn't take more than 45-50 minutes. 

 

[guidinggod 3]

Thanks for the feedback folks.

 

56 minutes ago, kausar said:

I flew with Eitehad twice recently ,  to New York and Chicago. It was good experience and the upside is that the layover time is utilized in pre clearance. And when you land in USA it is treated like domestic flight. No hassle, pick up luggage and leave the airport. 2 & 1/2 hour is a lot of time, It doesn't take more than 45-50 minutes. 

 

Thanks kausar. Were you on a visit visa too? Any remarks re questions asked et al? Was just reading some guy on tripadvisor who'd been searched and made to wait an hour and 45 minutes and had cell phone taken away etc. Fingers crossed that sort of thing doesn't happen on my trip.

 

[KierenHby 897]

1 minute ago, guidinggod said:

Was just reading some guy on tripadvisor who'd been searched and made to wait an hour and 45 minutes and had cell phone taken away etc. Fingers crossed that sort of thing doesn't happen on my trip.

 

Cell phone searches could happen to anyone, incl USCs, as reported by cnn. Visitors should be prepared for closer scrutiny. 

[guidinggod 3]

4 minutes ago, KierenHby said:

Cell phone searches could happen to anyone, incl USCs, as reported by cnn. Visitors should be prepared for closer scrutiny. 

No prob there. I understand they need to check thoroughly, it's their job and that's why they are there. I don't even mind waiting around if it takes time. Just a lil wary of being especially profiled and treated like it would be better for me to turn back because of the way I look or where I'm from. Not t mention missing a flight because I had to wait too long.  I guess they don't usually do that unless a passenger acts weird and prompts that sort of attitude and/or gets red flagged.

 

Here's hoping the Etihad seats are better than Emirates :-)

[KierenHby 897]

Certain profiling against US law (in AUH too).. but flags and suspect behavior at airports are fair game for scrutiny. 

[Capital Z 51]

I had to go under go pre clearance at Abu Dhabi airport and it was pretty smooth plus i flew on Eithaad and i liked their services plus like people said once you are under gone a pre clearance before entering USA you dont have to wait in que to be cleared at the USA airport u just pick up your luggage and go onto your marry way.