Entry with visas/GCs from India

[chri'stina 190]

I thought people could write a short experience of POE's they have used when coming to the US from India, to let others know how it might go.

When my husband entered the US on the K1 visa, his POE was Miami. He landed there in late afternoon. This was back in Sept 2004. He said it was pretty smooth getting through immigration and customs, and it took about 35-45mins to do so. They gave him no problems. When you enter with the K1, I don't know if this still happens, they ask you to go in a separate room and they give your file to an immigration officer. Then they do first come first serve. They officer was cordial, explained what he had to do on this visa, and welcomed him to the US. Of course we already knew what he had to do with that visa, but they explained it again. "Must get married within 90 days, file adjustment of status, etc".

Then in Feb/Mar 2006 he visited India. He had his conditional green card by then. When he came back, his POE was Orlando. That also went smoothly for him. I think that since he had a GC, he was able to do through the US Citizen/Resident line, so it was a lot faster.

He just came back from another visit on April 10th. His POE was JFK in New York. He again went through the Citizen/Resident line, and it only took 5 minutes. But he did say that the visa holders line was very long. We were worried he would be in immigration and customs a long time, and might miss his next flight. But he had plenty of time to get to his next plane, since he could go through the Citizens/Residents line. If he had to go through the visa line, it probably would have taken at least 45mins. That was early in the morning around 7am.

Back in 2003, when I came back from India, my POE was Atlanta. Even with using the Citizens line, it still took about 30 mins to get through immigration, and another 15 or so to get through customs. So I imagine it would have been at least 15-30mins or more even longer for visa holders in the lines.

Please share your experiences if you have any!

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I can post two experiences here (based on the title):

1. My 2000/01/14 after going to India for 3-week trip (starting 1999/12/24). I had just gotten the GC (temp stamp in passport, "regular" one would arrive in Feb 2000) @ Montreal Consulate and activated it @ Dorval 18 days before departing for India. "Easy" (but long line--well, I guess that's "course-par" @ Hartsfield, total of 40 mins through imm/customs) re-entry (though one piece of missing luggage--due to Delta)
   
2. Pras' entry @ DTW 2006-04-04 on K-1; total time through imm/customs about 20 min, no difficulties