Physically entering the US

[miss g 1]

You will have to split up.

aww sorry to hijack but that is the cutest baby bump thats sooo sweet awww

[payxibka 10,044]

we went through the USC line together at JFK... depends on how busy the POE is at that time I am sure...

[Nikita2Charles 32]

JFK

Together all the way through

[trinket 30]

Hey and how about at Chicago O'Hare? Do we go in separate lines or what?

And we also have to take another flight to Austin within 4 hours so how does that work?

We went through Chicago and we were together.

And we had a connecting flight too, you have plenty of time with your 4 hours, for us we had only 1 and half hours to catch the connecting flight, took 1 hour with immigration and stuff (basically had to wait forever for our luggage) and then had to rush for the next flight.

[lucyrich 19]

We went through together, and it was in Miami, so it's not the case that Miami won't ever let you go through together. We went through the visitors line.

But it will vary from time to time. The best advice is to look for a "traffic cop" immigration officer directing people into the lines, and ask him what to do. The directions of an official person who is on the scene are more likely to be correct than anybody's anecdote of what happened when they went through.

If there is nobody directing people through, you can try going through the visitor's line together. Or you can try going through the US Citizens line together. Most reports say it works either way. I've heard a few people being turned away from the Citizens line and told to go through the visitor's line, so the visitor's line may be slightly safer.

This thread is the first time I've heard of them not allowing both people to go through together. I completely believe that it can happen, but I don't think it's too common.

And don't worry about it too much. As long as you remain calm and polite, you'll eventually get through one way or the other. The worst consequence of getting in the wrong line will be that they'll ask you to go through a different line. It's not like they'll revoke your visa or anything.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

If we have family that is meeting us for the layover in Chicago, do we go through immigration first then we can meet them? We still have to catch another flight to Austin within 4 hours.

Just wanted to mention how it works in Houston on International flights. I don't know if this is a standard procedure at other large international airports. You first wait in an immigration line, then have to do the POE thing with the brown envelope in a secondary room. Then you have to pick up luggage and clear customs with the luggage. Then go recheck your luggage for the connecting flight at a separate place that is still airside in the international terminal. You have to do the clearing because your connection airport will probably have you landing in a regular domestic terminal with no customs facilites. All that might eat away at your 4 hours. I'm not even sure if people with connections actually leave the secure area or if they are just funneled to another gate while still airside.

Another thing the OP can do, that I did, is call Customs and Border Protection at the airport where you will do POE. I spoke to a CBP supervisor at Houston (IAH) airport and asked him all kinds of questions. Things like "we're going to have about 6 pieces of luggage stuffed with CDs, books, computer parts, etc. Is that going to be a problem? What if anything do you list on that landing card for customs clearance?" Just speak with the guys at your airport and clear up any concerns that you have.

[TBoneTX 43,422]

Another thing the OP can do, that I did, is call Customs and Border Protection at the airport where you will do POE. I spoke to a CBP supervisor at Houston (IAH) airport and asked him all kinds of questions.

Excellent advice -- I did this, too. You can read my POE review for details.

[lucyrich 19]

If we have family that is meeting us for the layover in Chicago, do we go through immigration first then we can meet them? We still have to catch another flight to Austin within 4 hours.

Just wanted to mention how it works in Houston on International flights. I don't know if this is a standard procedure at other large international airports. You first wait in an immigration line, then have to do the POE thing with the brown envelope in a secondary room. Then you have to pick up luggage and clear customs with the luggage. Then go recheck your luggage for the connecting flight at a separate place that is still airside in the international terminal. You have to do the clearing because your connection airport will probably have you landing in a regular domestic terminal with no customs facilites. All that might eat away at your 4 hours. I'm not even sure if people with connections actually leave the secure area or if they are just funneled to another gate while still airside.

I've done this several times in the past five or so years (only once with the brown envelope, though), in Miami, Dallas, Atlanta, Detroit, and Los Angeles. In my experience, the exit to US customs/immigration always dumps you out into an unsecure area of the airport, often near the ticketing counters for departing flights. After you exit customs/immigration, you must go through TSA screening to get to a gate for a domestic connection (even if it's on the same concourse where you originally arrived).

Also in my experience, the screening for a foreign flight is usually not quite to the same standards as TSA screening for a domestic flight, even if the flight from the foreign departure point to the US point was on a US air carrier. That would explain why they'd want you to go through TSA screening before you get to your domestic connection.

[katiushka 1]

Okay this may sound like a silly question and jumping the gun a little since she still has to interview with the consular, but what do we do when we get to passport control? We're entering the US together (I'm flying down for a party with her family and then we're flying back together). Since she'll have the K1 and I'll have my US passport, do we go through the "US" section or should we both go through the "non-US passport" area? Do we have to go separately or is it ok (*and better) if I accompany her?

it is not big deal.... after months of paperwork, nobody is going to stop her at the PoE ( i never heard of a case lake that)..... the worst.... you'll have to wait for her to pass inmigration.

K.

[Anh map 2,098]

Hey and how about at Chicago O'Hare? Do we go in separate lines or what?

And we also have to take another flight to Austin within 4 hours so how does that work?

We both went through the non-USC/PR line together at JFK. Easy peasy.

If we have family that is meeting us for the layover in Chicago, do we go through immigration first then we can meet them? We still have to catch another flight to Austin within 4 hours.

Yes, you go through immigration first, then you collect your bags, go through customs, then out of the secure area where you can meet your family. Don't forget that you will go through TSA screening again to get on the next flight.