How long does it take to get through US immigration?

[dcarly 0]

Hi,

 

My husband has received his visa in his passport and I have booked flights to the US. We have a 2 hour and 10 minute layover San Fran before flying to our next destination. I am getting nervous this won't be enough time to get through immigration, get our bags/boxes (we have quite a few due to moving) and make our connecting flight. My question is how long did it take for you or your partner (whoever the immigrant was) to get through US immigration on the initial journey?

 

Thanks.

[JFH 12,190]

My POE was Las Vegas on December 19 last year - just before Christmas. Three international flights arrived at the same time: mine from London, one from South Korea and another from Mexico. 

 

I was in secondary for 2.5 hours but it was extremely busy. More busy than usual as it was so close to Christmas and all flights were full. I personally wouldn't book such a short connection but if you have booked a through ticket then the carrier will be responsible for getting you on a later available connection. You will only have a problem if you have booked it as separate tickets. 

[geowrian 22,337]

That may or may not be enough time. I'm a USC and I've had it take ~30 minutes sometimes and over 1.5 hours another. People in the line for non-USCs was going more slowly on average. And then there's the chance they get put into secondary, which can add a significant amount of time. Personally, I'd feel more comfortable with a later connection. But as noted above, the airlines are fairly accommodating to get the next available flight.

 

Another ting to consider is that people usually deboard front to back, so having a seat near the front generally means you'll be closer to the front of the line. I usually sit in the last 3/8 of the airplane for international flights and aren't in a huge rush getting out.

[dcarly 0]

I though this would be the case...I already bought the tickets...non-refundable....

 

My husband is the immigrant on an IR-1 but we are both living in Australia at the moment and will be flying to the US together, can he come in the US line if he is with me or does he still have to go through the Non-US line?

 

I did book the flights together (same airline) so I could chance it and change flights if I miss the connection. I can change the flight now but it is $100 per person :/ not sure which is the better option...

 

I am kicking myself right now I was so careful through the whole visa journey but got too excited and bought the tickets without thinking about layover time...

Edited April 13, 2017 by dcarly

[Coco8 1,042]

15 minutes ago, dcarly said:

I though this would be the case...I already bought the tickets...non-refundable....

 

My husband is the immigrant on an IR-1 but we are both living in Australia at the moment and will be flying to the US together, can he come in the US line if he is with me or does he still have to go through the Non-US line?

 

I did book the flights together (same airline) so I could chance it and change flights if I miss the connection. I can change the flight now but it is $100 per person :/ not sure which is the better option...

 

I am kicking myself right now I was so careful through the whole visa journey but got too excited and bought the tickets without thinking about layover time...

 

 

Usually, because delays in immigration are not your fault, if you are doing everything through the same airline (international flight + domestic flight), the airline will put you in a later flight without a charge if you miss the plane. If you want to be sure you can call them but don't tell them you **know** you are going to be late. Ask them what would happen, etc., for peace of mind.

 

 

 

 

[Frustrated74 23]

If you are booked with a legal connection then you should be fine.  As someone else has mentioned, it is up to the airline to reaccommodate you.  It doesn't mean the next flight, it's the next available.  If you are concerned I would consider trying to just do a simple date change to your flight to one an hour or so later -  if it's not too expensive.

[dcarly 0]

Thanks for the advice everyone, I decided to suck it up and pay for the booking change fee. I read a few more website forums that people said the airline wouldn't book them on a later flight due to customs/immigration delays so they ended up having to pay for new flights in full, so I don't want to risk it. Now I have 7.5 hours in LAX which should be ample!

[Mollie09 1,543]

To answer your question about US/non-US line, it depends on the airport. Some now have scanners for US/Canadian passports and green cards, you wouldn't be able to go through those together. Otherwise, it's fine to go in whichever line together.