Is 3 layover hours enough in a connecting flight?

[quesma 10]

Hi VJ members,

Finally my K1 got approved and I am making traveling arrangements. I have a connecting flight and the layover is 3 hours in dubai. Is 3 hours enough? i mean i'm traveling first time and someone told me 3 hours might not be enough for immigration and I could lose my flight to US. Not exactly a K1 questions, rather general, but please help.

Thanks.

[Uzmak5 5]

I may be wrong, but I don't think you do any Immigration interviews in Dubai. If that's the case, three hours should be fine.

[quesma 10]

I may be wrong, but I don't think you do any Immigration interviews in Dubai. If that's the case, three hours should be fine.

Someone told me that they do immigration on connecting airports. Dont know what that means...

[Uzmak5 5]

They do immigration interviews at connecting airports in the U.S. For example, your final destination may be Los Angeles, but your first touch in the U.S. may be in Chicago. If that's the case, your interview would be in Chicago. There are a very small number of airlines/airports which administer pre-clearance (immigration) interviews outside of the U.S. Abu Dhabi is one (partnered with Ethihad Airlines), Dubai (Emirates Airlines) does not.

[tomriesgo 39]

3 hours you possibly risk your bags not making it, you'll board at a minimum 45 mins before the flight so if your flight to Dubai is delayed you'll be rushing around and Dubai is a huge airport. Its possible to make it but if you like plenty of time to relax and ensure bags etc will make it on time I would say you're be close. If you were simply turning up a the airport and not connecting then 3 hours is fine but as its a connection a lot can go wrong.

Edited February 21, 2016 by tomriesgo

[Ms Hogan 295]

There are airports in Canada that have US customs in them as well so perhaps that was something you read about. If you were flying to Toronto for example for a connecting flight to the U.S. you would need to do your POE there. I am assuming Dubai does not have U.S. customs and Immigration officers in it?

[ChuckM 8]

I have had 45 minute layover in Dubai before, flying Emirates. At the gate I was met by Emirate staff and escorted to the connecting flight, bags made it as well, The airlines know what you need and will help you make your connections. 3 hour is not a problem at all.

[amkhan 108]

i live in Dubai so, tell which airline you are going through so i can guide you about layover duration.

[Anh map 2,098]

No problem with that in Dubai. Your port of entry will not be there.

[karachiite 4]

there is no pre -immigration at Dubai airport , only Abu-dhabi, UAE has that facility.

over all only 15 airports world wide in 6 countries has that facility including Abu-dhabi ,one of them.

If your connecting flight is in Dubai, 3 hours will be more than enough to catch connection.

[Mohsin.M 7]

Hi VJ members,

Finally my K1 got approved and I am making traveling arrangements. I have a connecting flight and the layover is 3 hours in dubai. Is 3 hours enough? i mean i'm traveling first time and someone told me 3 hours might not be enough for immigration and I could lose my flight to US. Not exactly a K1 questions, rather general, but please help.

Thanks.

I presume you are flying on Emirates. There is No pre clearance at Dubai Airport, so 3 hours are more than enough. No worries

[quesma 10]

Everyone: Thanks for the replies, you guys are wonderful. What if I fly via Abu Dhabi, would 2 hours and 30 minutes layover be enough since the my POE will be Abu Dhabi? The reason I ask is that I am flying Etihad because it is much cheaper than Emirates.