How much time for Immigration? (PoE)

[Joanne and Adam 15]

How much time do I need for immigration at New York?

I've been checking plane tickets (not buying yet cause my visa isn't here)

But it looks like the one I'm buying arrives in New York at 11am and leaves at 2.55pm

That gives me just under 4 hours to get through immigration- is that enough?
What actually happens at PoE?

[lost_at_sea 995]

I've seen people say all sorts - it'll vary by how busy the POE is when you get there and how many other people are also needing secondary. Some have said they've done it in half an hour, others nearer 3!

What'll happen is you should ask when you go in which queue you should join - they'll probably direct you to the USC/LPR line. Some POEs have a special line just for "new immigrants" (I know I've seen one - I think JFK has one, but it may not always be open), so you might get seen immediately. You'll go to a separate screening, so they can open your packet and input your data and whatnot. Nothing scary, just processing! In itself, that bit shouldn't take more than 30 minutes.

I think a 4 hour layover should be sufficient. Don't do less than 3 hours, imho. Better to sit about bored for a while in an airport if you're through fast than worry about making a connection.

Edited June 26, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[Enigma11561 336]

Assuming you are getting a connection to Pittsburgh, and that you will be needing to go to another terminal to pick up a different carrier, 4 hours should be good. The average time I have seen for the initial visit thorough immigration/customs is about 2-2.5 hours. Really depends on how many flights are arriving at the same time. Connections at JFK are easy if you take the train that runs between terminals. At the POE you can stand ( really) on just about any line as all officers can handle the paperwork. They have people who can direct you. They will do a quick scan of fingerprints, open and look at your paperwork and if everything is good, they stamp your passport and then go to customs. Not a big deal, especially coming from the UK. My wife and I came back together and I asked if we could stand together on the US citizen lines and it was "sure, no problem" and off we went.

[Joanne and Adam 15]

Ok yeah that sounds like the smartest thing to do.
Whats all the stuff I've seen people say about the "sealed evelope"? Are they talking about the chest xray you're given at the interview?

[stevie b 141]

Ok yeah that sounds like the smartest thing to do.

Whats all the stuff I've seen people say about the "sealed evelope"? Are they talking about the chest xray you're given at the interview?

no .. the sealed envelope will be given at the conclusion of the interview with the visa.. the chest xrays are rarely taken, and if they do they are taken at POE.. if they do not get taken, consider them a souvenir

[Joanne and Adam 15]

no .. the sealed envelope will be given at the conclusion of the interview with the visa.. the chest xrays are rarely taken, and if they do they are taken at POE.. if they do not get taken, consider them a souvenir

Does that mean I can open mine up and take a peek?

[lost_at_sea 995]

Ok yeah that sounds like the smartest thing to do.

Whats all the stuff I've seen people say about the "sealed evelope"? Are they talking about the chest xray you're given at the interview?

Your passport is gonna come back with an envelope that says DO NOT OPEN. Don't open it. under any temptation.

Does that mean I can open mine up and take a peek?

Don't even joke. If you open it, you've gotta get a new one arranged from the embassy. nm. Wait... you meant the xray, right? Yes, take a look at that. No one else ever will. I might get mine printed and framed.

Edited June 26, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[Joanne and Adam 15]

Your passport is gonna come back with an envelope that says DO NOT OPEN. Don't open it. under any temptation.

Don't even joke. If you open it, you've gotta get a new one arranged from the embassy. nm. Wait... you meant the xray, right? Yes, take a look at that. No one else ever will. I might get mine printed and framed.

Ok dont open the sealed envelope, but DO open the chest xray and have it framed and mounted above the fireplace.

[a+j 77]

http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/poereviews.php?poe=JFK&dfilter=0

[Joanne and Adam 15]

http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/poereviews.php?poe=JFK&dfilter=0

cheers!

God I already wanna open that DO NOT OPEN envelope and I don't even have it yet. Whats IN there???

[lubnajavid 20]

of course, it does depend on which airport in NY you will be POE through... there are several.

JFK seems to be the busiest - look at the POE reviews here on VJ - i think i saw that one person spent about 3 to 4 hours in all - so i think 4 hours should be OK , but you never know how customs might treat you - and of course if thats not your final destination, you will have re-check your bags too.

good luck! something i have noticed with flights from UK - sometimes its been cheaper to get a return flight instead of a one-way! when i have done that in the past, i have either put a date for the return that i know i will want or i put it 330 days out and then either i get to use it or i change the date to suit

EDIt:

sealed envelope - your case file in its entirety - basically they are using YOU as the mule to take the case back to the US

Edited June 26, 2013 by lubnajavid

[Joanne and Adam 15]

of course, it does depend on which airport in NY you will be POE through... there are several.

JFK seems to be the busiest - look at the POE reviews here on VJ - i think i saw that one person spent about 3 to 4 hours in all - so i think 4 hours should be OK , but you never know how customs might treat you - and of course if thats not your final destination, you will have re-check your bags too.

good luck! something i have noticed with flights from UK - sometimes its been cheaper to get a return flight instead of a one-way! when i have done that in the past, i have either put a date for the return that i know i will want or i put it 330 days out and then either i get to use it or i change the date to suit

EDIt:

sealed envelope - your case file in its entirety - basically they are using YOU as the mule to take the case back to the US

Yeah its much cheaper for a return. I hate how much the ticket prices have increased these past couple of weeks though.. before I was looking at around £600 for my return and now it's shot right up to £890. Oh well... I'm a member with BritishAirways so I'll get Avios points for it

Ahhh ok. Then I will make a very good mule. The Embassy would be proud.

[Joanne and Adam 15]

This is how I plan on having my chest xray & cd framed:

http://www.justframedcds.com/images/musecd.jpg

[lost_at_sea 995]

This is how I plan on having my chest xray & cd framed:

http://www.justframedcds.com/images/musecd.jpg

Not bad. Maybe the extra bit could be the receipt for all the money that xray cost you.

Edited June 26, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[Joanne and Adam 15]

Not bad. Maybe the extra bit could be the receipt for all the money that xray cost you.

£227 to press my boobs against a screen