Visa in hand, to U.S., now what?

[gt1310 0]

First,thanks to everyone here. This is a great site and after searching the internet without much info I thought about posting here. Should have to begin with as the people here seem to know everything when it comes to immigrating.

Okay, my Fiancee will soon have her visa and be flying out of the Philippines for her first time to the U.S. She will be flying into Chicago and is nervous about the whole process because she will need to fly here alone. I will meet her at the airport, terminal 5. No connecting flights, Chicago is final destination as far as flights go.

I want to give her the most detail I can as to what to do once getting off her flight in Chicago. It appears she needs to go downstairs for baggage claim first? Terminal 5.

Does anyone know this process? Is it baggage claim first, then customs, then immigration? Is customs and immigration one and the same as far as what line she will need to wait in? Any recent experience with wait times? Will her cell phone work here? If not, best way to communicate with her since I can't actually go inside due to security reasons.

I know lots of questions. Searching this site I could not find such a topic. Hope you all can help.

Thanks!

[Darnell 8,478]

immigration first, then baggage, then customs. in that order.

Think of a 'cattle run' - basically she just follows the person in front of her, till the end.

Remind her that there are restrooms inside, if she needs to freshen up.

Good Luck !

Edited August 19, 2012 by Darnell

[tacos and egg 0]

She needs to go to immigration first for final questioning. Baggage claim is the last thing she will do. Don't worry, as long as she can read, she can follow every steps in there once she's in the terminal. Her phone won't work. Just give her extra money so that she can use the phone booth. She could ask an assistance also from the terminal's staffs if she's not too shy.

[Darnell 8,478]

huh ? customs can't inspect without the baggage - customs inspection is LAST.

[X Factor 1,110]

ConGraTuLations to both of you.

[Pangga&Shine 7]

gt1310,

I sent you a Private Message with my Phone #. I went through there March 2012 and WAY TOO MUCH TO TYPE here. I am Eastern Standard time, call between 9am and 10pm EST.

[C&Q 25]

immigration first, then baggage, then customs. in that order.

[John and Ann 10]

Congratulations!!

[gt1310 0]

Thanks for all the congrat's and for those of you that are still waiting here is some info. Filed on April 19th, NA01 I guess, and NA02 on July 23rd. No special cirmcumstances although I did hire an attorney. Not sure that made any difference since I have nothing to compare it to. Had I known about this site I would not have hired an attorney. This site can guide you through due to you all. NVC had our Manila number it about 4 days and stated to me when I called them that our package was leaving that day for Embassy. Her interview is Sept. 12. So she should be on a plane no later than end of Sept by best estimates.

Thanks again and for all who comment in regards to my question.

[southcalhog 43]

Congratulations! You will have that Visa in your Hands before long, just hang in there! Good Luck!

[Darnell 8,478]

gt1310,

I sent you a Private Message with my Phone #. I went through there March 2012 and WAY TOO MUCH TO TYPE here. I am Eastern Standard time, call between 9am and 10pm EST.

Sounds like a POE Review from you would be GREAT! You know where to put it, right ? There is no such thing as 'way too much to type here'.

[Shoot Em Straight 385]

immigration first, then baggage, then customs. in that order.

Think of a 'cattle run' - basically she just follows the person in front of her, till the end.

Remind her that there are restrooms inside, if she needs to freshen up.

Good Luck !

Awwww, what thoughtful advise!!

[Fight for Love 98]

from my experience...LAX not sure about chicago.

*immigration- Loooooooooooooong line lol make sure she doesn't have any food w/her. if not they will give her a piece of paper to declare it (custom)esp. if there's a sniffing dog. lol

*time to claim her baggage. hopefully she kind of put something in her luggage to easy to spot it...maybe a colorful handkerchief

*custom if ever they give her a piece of paper she need to show that from the custom...so that they will scan her things/luggage.

but she will skip CUSTOM if immigration didn't give her anything to declare..

goodluck

Edited August 20, 2012 by takis

[adiiann 163]

My POE was Chicago. When she get out of the plane, she will go to to a line. Chicago airport have signs for a line indicating what visa you are, green card holder and citizen. She just need to go where K1 visa is being process. She will have to give the packet. Now, if she did some sputum test or treatment, after they process her documents, she will have to wait for the officer to give her a yellow paper indicating to do another test on local CDC center closer to your area. But if her medical is nothing complicated like that, after they process her pocket, she can proceed to the baggage are where she will claim her baggage, then she can exist from a door. You can wait down stair. Be patient, it might take some time. By the way, this is back in 2009, I don't know if O'hare change now.

Good Luck.