Entering the country together - k1 applicant and beneficiary

[nyaliss 25]

I go pick up my fiancee at the end of the month! (woohoo!!)

 

I've seen brief mentions from folks from a few years ago that it is possible to wait in the same line together. Rather than going separate, her in the non-citizen line and me in the citizen line. I just want to double check and make sure it's acceptable for me to go along with her in the non-citizen line. We are landing in Boston and from the reviews I've seen it seems pretty straightforward, I'm curious about this one angle. I don't want to have to wait in separate lines.

 

Thanks in advance for any advice or shared experiences.

[Crazy Cat 39,218]

It won't be an issue....don't worry.......

[payxibka 10,044]

11 minutes ago, nyaliss said:

I go pick up my fiancee at the end of the month! (woohoo!!)

 

I've seen brief mentions from folks from a few years ago that it is possible to wait in the same line together. Rather than going separate, her in the non-citizen line and me in the citizen line. I just want to double check and make sure it's acceptable for me to go along with her in the non-citizen line. We are landing in Boston and from the reviews I've seen it seems pretty straightforward, I'm curious about this one angle. I don't want to have to wait in separate lines.

 

Thanks in advance for any advice or shared experiences.

I did just this two weeks ago 

[GaryK 39]

I flew back to Logan in February (after seeing my fiancee) and I asked the guy at customs (hypothetically) if I could bring her with me through the citizen line at the appropriate time.  He said it wasn't a problem.  If you download the Mobile Passport app it can go even smoother.

 

I don't think you need to torture her or yourself by going through the non-citizen line.

[payxibka 10,044]

5 minutes ago, GaryK said:

I flew back to Logan in February (after seeing my fiancee) and I asked the guy at customs (hypothetically) if I could bring her with me through the citizen line at the appropriate time.  He said it wasn't a problem.  If you download the Mobile Passport app it can go even smoother.

 

I don't think you need to torture her or yourself by going through the non-citizen line.

When I went through ord two weeks ago they had a first timer line. We were #2 in the line and cleared the booth well in advance of many citizens.  

[GaryK 39]

3 minutes ago, payxibka said:

When I went through ord two weeks ago they had a first timer line. We were #2 in the line and cleared the booth well in advance of many citizens.  

Wow, pretty cool and pretty impressive considering it was ORD.

[payxibka 10,044]

Just now, GaryK said:

Wow, pretty cool and pretty impressive considering it was ORD.

Agreed,  I was shocked as I left 4 hours between flights.  Cleared in under 1 hour even after spending 30 minutes in secondary 

[Loren Y 2,732]

Not an issue. I came thru with my fiancee in the non citizen line. Couldn't use my global entry of course, but at LAX they had no issue. Make sure you add yourself to the entry card you fill out ( declaration/ arrival card) it will make things easier. Normally USC don't use the card as most have electronic entry.

[C-ma'am 684]

**Post moved from K1 Process to Progress Reports. Post is better suited for this forum

[nyaliss 25]

2 hours ago, GaryK said:

I flew back to Logan in February (after seeing my fiancee) and I asked the guy at customs (hypothetically) if I could bring her with me through the citizen line at the appropriate time.  He said it wasn't a problem.  If you download the Mobile Passport app it can go even smoother.

 

I don't think you need to torture her or yourself by going through the non-citizen line.

Thanks for the info! Why would the non-citizen line be torture?

[GaryK 39]

12 minutes ago, nyaliss said:

Thanks for the info! Why would the non-citizen line be torture?

I guess it depends on when you arrive and how busy it might be.  By 'torture' I mean possibly standing in a long line when maybe you don't have to.  I have come into Logan when it has been absolute bedlam.  Other times not so much.

 

You can download the Mobile Passport app and set up an account for yourself (complete with your passport info, etc.).  Every time you land you create a new 'event' with the typical questions you are asked (Are you bringing in xyz from another country? ... that kind of stuff).  If you go this route, when you get into Terminal E and into that Customs area look for the special Mobile Passport signs and follow them.  Since I started using this app, I have been able to walk right up to an agent and be out in no time at all.  In the meantime, the regular citizen and non-citizen lines have had some sort of wait.  Not always a bad wait.

 

Now, I need to 'caveat' my earlier statement.  In the month of February, 2019, the customs official said no problem bringing my fiance with me through the Mobile Passport line when it's time.  Now you watch.  In <month>, 2019 when I am coming through with my beloved I'll get to this very same agent and suddenly it'll be Body Cavity Search Time! 😡

 

[Carpe Vinum 2,310]

23 hours ago, nyaliss said:

I go pick up my fiancee at the end of the month! (woohoo!!)

 

I've seen brief mentions from folks from a few years ago that it is possible to wait in the same line together. Rather than going separate, her in the non-citizen line and me in the citizen line. I just want to double check and make sure it's acceptable for me to go along with her in the non-citizen line. We are landing in Boston and from the reviews I've seen it seems pretty straightforward, I'm curious about this one angle. I don't want to have to wait in separate lines.

 

Thanks in advance for any advice or shared experiences.

We just did it at LAX. Just ask where the K1's should go at the immigration location you arrive at. Painless)

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

I went through with my husband through the non citizen line- was no problem they didn’t question why I was there. We stayed together the entire time.

[Carpe Vinum 2,310]

2 hours ago, payxibka said:

Agreed,  I was shocked as I left 4 hours between flights.  Cleared in under 1 hour even after spending 30 minutes in secondary 

We spent the night in LA because I thought POE might be a PITA...Absolutely painless. Out in less than an hour. Got a good night of sleep at the Crowne Plaza)

[Ukrainian Couple 0]

What ever you do, when you fly back with her, do not re-enter the country at JFK or LaGuardia. I hear those two are nightmares for immigrants entering the country. My wife enter the US in Atlanta. They checked her documents and checked her out in the DHS system and she was on her way. No issues.