Flight isn't nonstop... Problem?

[Alicey 6]

Hi everyone,

I got my visa! I had my interview on 1st April and it all went ok. I took down all my passport details before I handed it over, so I'd be ready to book my flight as soon as I heard from the courier that my passport's on its way. Well I just got that message so I'm about to book my flight...

When I was at my interview, they told me to allow extra time at both the origin and destination airports for my visa to be checked through and everything. I've gone to book my flight and the best price there is has a 2 hour layover in either Boston or Illinois, before I catch another plane to Atlanta.

I'm worried now: how much time should I leave? If I don't fly direct, where is my visa packet opened and checked: at the stopover, or the final destination, or both?

Please help! I want to fly on Monday and there are only 2 tickets left; but I'm not going to be able to book tomorrow because I'll be at work. I have to book tonight.

Has anyone flown on their K visa with a stopover, and how much time do I need to allow?

Thanks,

Alicey.

[ameribrit 37]

Hi everyone,

I got my visa! I had my interview on 1st April and it all went ok. I took down all my passport details before I handed it over, so I'd be ready to book my flight as soon as I heard from the courier that my passport's on its way. Well I just got that message so I'm about to book my flight...

When I was at my interview, they told me to allow extra time at both the origin and destination airports for my visa to be checked through and everything. I've gone to book my flight and the best price there is has a 2 hour layover in either Boston or Illinois, before I catch another plane to Atlanta.

I'm worried now: how much time should I leave? If I don't fly direct, where is my visa packet opened and checked: at the stopover, or the final destination, or both?

Please help! I want to fly on Monday and there are only 2 tickets left; but I'm not going to be able to book tomorrow because I'll be at work. I have to book tonight.

Has anyone flown on their K visa with a stopover, and how much time do I need to allow?

Thanks,

Alicey.

From your first flight, you will go through immigration and hand over your envelope(and possibly go into secondary screening). Every airport is different, so you should read reviews from people that have done POE at the airport you are arriving at from the UK.

Your second connecting flight will be treated as a normal internal flight.

[Alicey 6]

Thank you. Sorry, but since I'm trying to book my flight tonight: do you happen to know where I can find that kind of information?

(I am looking on google and through these forums now, but if you know...)

[ameribrit 37]

Thank you. Sorry, but since I'm trying to book my flight tonight: do you happen to know where I can find that kind of information?

(I am looking on google and through these forums now, but if you know...)

Go to the top of the page and put your pointer over POE

No recent reviews for Boston though.

[Used to be broken 147]

Thank you. Sorry, but since I'm trying to book my flight tonight: do you happen to know where I can find that kind of information?

(I am looking on google and through these forums now, but if you know...)

There have been good reviews at Chicago POE, however it is April in Chicago and its tornadoe/storm season. I would minimum schedule at least 4 hours between flights to allow enough time to process and account for problems at airport with weather.

[Alicey 6]

Thank you both.

Essentially, am I going to miss my connecting flight if I only have a 2hr10min layover at Boston?

[ameribrit 37]

Thank you both.

Essentially, am I going to miss my connecting flight if I only have a 2hr10min layover at Boston?

If all goes smoothly, then you should be done with immigration in 15-20 mins max, thats not including the queing to get to the CBP officer.

Life has a tendency to throw curve balls though.

Good luck

[JoannaV 174]

It's perfectly possible that you will be waiting in line for an hour (if other flights have arrived at the same time, depending on the airport) and then they send you to secondary to do your paperwork and you have to sit there for ages because everyone's eating lunch except one person who first has to deal with some other people. I would not want to risk a short layover (potentially shorter given the risk of flight delays too...) on this particular trip to America.

On the other hand, Murphy's Law means you'll book the more expensive flight with longer layover and get through in 15 minutes

Oh, and are you booking a return flight, which is generally cheaper than a single?

[Brit Abroad 166]

I would check if there are any later flights than your proposed one, with the same airline. That way, if you miss the flight because you're held up, they can put you on the next flight. If you can arrange a non peak hours flight, you are less likely to end up in horrendous queues.

[Aztec&Taino 144]

Hi everyone,

I got my visa! I had my interview on 1st April and it all went ok. I took down all my passport details before I handed it over, so I'd be ready to book my flight as soon as I heard from the courier that my passport's on its way. Well I just got that message so I'm about to book my flight...

When I was at my interview, they told me to allow extra time at both the origin and destination airports for my visa to be checked through and everything. I've gone to book my flight and the best price there is has a 2 hour layover in either Boston or Illinois, before I catch another plane to Atlanta.

I'm worried now: how much time should I leave? If I don't fly direct, where is my visa packet opened and checked: at the stopover, or the final destination, or both?

Please help! I want to fly on Monday and there are only 2 tickets left; but I'm not going to be able to book tomorrow because I'll be at work. I have to book tonight.

Has anyone flown on their K visa with a stopover, and how much time do I need to allow?

Thanks,

Alicey.

Your packet and entry will be processed at your first point of entry, meaning the first airport at which you land which is within American territory. Processing of your admission will take longer, so I suggest a longer lay over just to make sure that you have enough time to do your POE and catch your next flight.

The flights that we used did not have enough time in between and, in consequence, we lost our connecting flight. So, try to buy a trip that has at least 2-3 hours in between flights. Yes, more tiring for sure, but at least you will be more likely to make it to your connecting flight on time... Best wishes!

[Aztec&Taino 144]

Also keep in mind that MANY flights do not actually get to their destinations on the estimated time... Allow for as much time as possible so that you are not a nervous wreck (as we were) running like a mad woman trying to get through customs quick enough to avoid missing your connecting flight...

[Casprd 167]

I would check if there are any later flights than your proposed one, with the same airline. That way, if you miss the flight because you're held up, they can put you on the next flight. If you can arrange a non peak hours flight, you are less likely to end up in horrendous queues.

Or conversely, schedule a longer layover and later flight and if you get through quickly, you can always ask the airline to move you to an earlier flight. Generally if there are seats available they will do this. When you switch from international to domestic (after getting through customs, you will have to go to a bagage recheck area anyway so the agents there can help you.

[Tanya and Barry 59]

Or conversely, schedule a longer layover and later flight and if you get through quickly, you can always ask the airline to move you to an earlier flight. Generally if there are seats available they will do this. When you switch from international to domestic (after getting through customs, you will have to go to a bagage recheck area anyway so the agents there can help you.

I don't know about Boston but anything less than 3 hours in Chicago is going to be tight. Not only will you have the immigration processing time but you will have to collect your checked bags and drag them over to the domestic connecting flight carousel then cart your self to wherever your connecting flight is. O'Hare is a big airport so that can take a while.

[Harsh_77 718]

I would say keep 2-4 hrs, thats an ideal time for transit.

[amtank 1]

Typically I used to leave about hour and a half connection at most airports. Give than you will probably have to go thru the non-immigrant line just to get pointed out where to go it may take some extra time. What I would personally do is ask the agents that typically around the entrances to the entry hall where you need to go and point out your K1. If you get lucky they will direct you right to where you need to be directly.

Now back to connections, once you initially clear immigration and customs your done. You don't have to deal with them again.

DON'T give yourself a 4 hour connection. 2-3 should be sufficient, even if it isn't, your airline will simply book you on the next flight if you miss the connection. They deal with it all the time at international airports.