Point of Entry - What to expect?

[jahmakeka 8]

We'll we finally have the tickets purchased. I have two questions. Do the K-1 have to pay the immigration fee of $165 (ELIS)? What instructions do she and I need to do at immigration once she arrives at the Point of Entry with her packet?

[doug/sherry 26]

What Immigration fee are you talking about, once you get your visa, and the CFO sticker

for your passport, the only fee you will have to file is the fees at the airport. There are two

in Manila.

[Zedayn 486]

As a K-1 visa holder you do NOT have to pay the $165 fee. When you get to your POE, you hand your passport and K-1 visa packet to the officer...he will get your fingerprints and photo, then you will go to another waiting area. You will then visit with an immigration officer who will ask you a few questions and then you'll be on your way.

[baron555 934]

We didn't have to pay any extra fee beyond the visa fee to the Embassy and the medical fee.

Expect about a 1/2 to 1 hour wait in line, being greeted by a nice CBP officer, maybe taking fingerprints, taking your sealed envelope and stamping your K-1 and inserting a I-94 visa valid for 90 days into your passport and being told, "Welcome to the US!"

[jahmakeka 8]

As a K-1 visa holder you do NOT have to pay the $165 fee. When you get to your POE, you hand your passport and K-1 visa packet to the officer...he will get your fingerprints and photo, then you will go to another waiting area. You will then visit with an immigration officer who will ask you a few questions and then you'll be on your way.

How long does the process take and are there any additional forms to fill out?

[doug/sherry 26]

Yes there is no immigration fee here in the USA.. when you get to the POE just go through immigration

give them your packet, answer the questions and she will be on their way..You must go online and print

out the I-94, you will need this for the I-485.....

[Zedayn 486]

How long does the process take and are there any additional forms to fill out?

The amount of time it takes to process depends on your POE. If you arrived during a busy time, then it may take a while. It can take as little as 30 min or as long as 2 hours (or more).

The I-94's are all electronic now so I don't think there is anything to fill out anymore. You used to have to fill out the paper I-94. The only other form to fill out is your customs form, but that's after you clear immigration.

[sweet cakes 326]

We'll we finally have the tickets purchased. I have two questions. Do the K-1 have to pay the immigration fee of $165 (ELIS)? What instructions do she and I need to do at immigration once she arrives at the Point of Entry with her packet?

The ELIS fee is for family-based visas like IR1/CR1s, etc. K1s need not worry about this. Point of Entry (POE) is simply like going through regular immigration check, submitting the filled-up customs declaration form & passport. The difference is she has to surrender the visa packet upfront (as you know already). Some POEs have special lines for "First time immigrants." Advice your fiancee that she needs to look for this or ask for where to proceed upon arrival at her first US airport. She might be asked a couple of questions like which state she's going to reside, etc. Her biometric & picture will be taken at that point as well. The I-94 is online now, as mentioned. The immigration check could last from ~30mins to 1.5 hours depending on how busy the POE airport is.

Also, don't forget applicable fees while departing from Manila airport:

- Travel Tax, PhP 1620

- Terminal Fee, PhP 550

- Excess luggage fee (depends on the airline)

- Extra money for food, emergency, etc.

[jahmakeka 8]

The ELIS fee is for family-based visas like IR1/CR1s, etc. K1s need not worry about this. Point of Entry (POE) is simply like going through regular immigration check, submitting the filled-up customs declaration form & passport. The difference is she has to surrender the visa packet upfront (as you know already). Some POEs have special lines for "First time immigrants." Advice your fiancee that she needs to look for this or ask for where to proceed upon arrival at her first US airport. She might be asked a couple of questions like which state she's going to reside, etc. Her biometric & picture will be taken at that point as well. The I-94 is online now, as mentioned. The immigration check could last from ~30mins to 1.5 hours depending on how busy the POE airport is.

Also, don't forget applicable fees while departing from Manila airport:

- Travel Tax, PhP 1620

- Terminal Fee, PhP 550

- Excess luggage fee (depends on the airline)

- Extra money for food, emergency, etc.

wow, thanks for the info, you are awesome!!

The amount of time it takes to process depends on your POE. If you arrived during a busy time, then it may take a while. It can take as little as 30 min or as long as 2 hours (or more).

The I-94's are all electronic now so I don't think there is anything to fill out anymore. You used to have to fill out the paper I-94. The only other form to fill out is your customs form, but that's after you clear immigration.

Thanks for the response, wish us well!!!

[volkditty 23]

VJ members can submit reviews for their POE experience. If you've already booked tickets or know where she'll be entering the States at, you can check others' first hand experiences.

[Girl from Celebes 588]

How long does the process take and are there any additional forms to fill out?

I had very easy POE at Detroit. Only a few minutes, the officer talked more to my fiance rather than to me, no form was needed. He took my fingerprint and picture and that's all about. The officer would ask the yellow envelope that the embassy handed to your fiance. So make sure, she puts in her bag or carry on. Oh, don't forget paper that the airline give to you to fill in because the immigration will ask this.

[EndlessStory 53]

What do we do with the x-ray? Hand over at POE?

[Natsukiii 35]

The K-1 is a non immigrant visa, so no, you do not need to pay the USCIS immigrant visa fee of $165 before flying to the U.S.

[Zedayn 486]

What do we do with the x-ray? Hand over at POE?

The X-ray is yours to keep.

[Kev-N-Ann 45]

I would like to share my experience at Atlanta POE yesterday...

First, I went in one of the "visitors" booths. The officer there took my sealed envelope and my passport. He also took a photo of me. Then, he put my stuff in a plastic folder and escorted me to the Tripod. I waited there for about 30'. The airport was very busy yesterday!

The officer at the Tripod never took my fingerprints. He asked me a few questions:

-What did you come here to do? - I came here to get married!

-When are you planning to do that? - (Gave him the date)

-And you're going to stay? - I will apply for AOS

They did not keep my x-ray. I told them that, according to the Embassy, I was supposed to deliver it at the POE. He said: No, we are not doctors! Keep it and give it to your doctor to have it in your medical history.

They also asked me several times if I have any food with me and what kind of food was that. I told them. They never asked to search my suitcases.

After typing some of my data in their system, they gave me a sheet with information for my next steps, handed me my stamped passport and wished me Good Luck!

That was it! As sipmply as it could be!

The question is: what about the fingerprints? Has this happened to anyone else? I mean, them not taking the fingerprints at this point?