Which immigration line for K-1?

[Coraliine 1]

I'm not 100% sure if this is the correct section to post.

My fiance got his K-1 in early December and we're going to be moving to the US in March. I currently live in the Netherlands with him and our dog, so all three of us will be arriving together at JFK.

I get to go through the super speedy US/Canadian/Non-first time ESTA/Green Card/Whatever section. My fiance has been through it a few times after his first time with ESTA.

So my question is which line does he have to go on when coming on his K-1? His ESTA officially expired in December and obviously we aren't renewing it as he has his K-1 now. It's so much nicer when we can both go through the same line - opposed to him waiting for 1-3 hours in the very slow moving 'everyone else' line.

I need to know before we book our flights so I know whether or not I should register our dog to both my fiance and I or just to myself. This way I know if I should just rush through and get the dog and go out to my parents or if I should just wait with my fiance.

[Penguin_ie 5,986]

It depends on the airport, and the day; sometimes large airports like JFK will have a specific line for "special cases' like K1s and immigrant visas. Sometimes they are allowed to go in the US citizen line, especially when they travel with the USC petitioner.

Usually they have someone at the end of the queue directing people.

[Coraliine 1]

Ah ok. I have never had anyone there directing people, actually, and I fly into JFK about 2-3 times per year. I'll try to find a customs/immigration official and ask when we get there. =]

[KittyKahlohr 10]

I went through JFK with my K1 in August and it was a 3 hour wait in the visa/first time ESTA travellers line (I had asked an officer and got directed there). After finally getting to talk to the officer I had to wait another 30 minutes in a separate room for them to clear my paperwork and in the end I almost missed my connection flight even though I had a 4 hour layover.

I think it very much depends on how busy it will be there at the time you arrive, maybe there is a way to find out about that beforehand?

Edited January 5, 2016 by KittyKahlohr

[Coraliine 1]

Oof. Luckily it's our final stop (My parents live on Long Island). I just am going to have a very rowdy and pee/poo full German Shepherd who wants to get out of his crate asap.

I'll have to call around as I don't want to leave my fiance in a room for several hours without his bag. And I also don't know if I can take his bag through security with me so I can take the dog to the bathroom.

Edited January 5, 2016 by Coraliine

[TBoneTX 43,058]

As POE time approaches, call (or have your parents call) the CBP station at JFK to ask your questions.

"Typically, how busy are you at __ p.m. on a [day of week of your flight]?" or

"How many international flights are you dealing with at [your flight's arrival time]?"

In addition, ask them about the proper line to be in, and what they suggest in regard to your dog.

[Girl from Celebes 588]

The officer asked my fiancé and I if we came together and we said yes. And then he asked us go to USC-LPR line. My PoE was at Detroit, Michigan.