How much time to allow for processing at airport

[MrCosgrove 6]

Hi,

 

My IR-1 visa was approved recently, We will soon be heading over to USA.

 

When we get to the airport, the immigration person will process the green card I assume so that the temporary green card will be a a permanent green card.

 

My question here is, how long should I expect the process that gets done at the airport  upon arrival to take. It is just a few minutes, or should I expect an hour to two for it to be processed?

[Crazy Cat 41,979]

It took my wife 90 minutes at DFW in 2017.  Your experience might be shorter or longer. The officer stamps your passport and takes your packet of information (if you have one).  Your stamped passport acts as your green card until the plastic one arrives.  

[payxibka 10,045]

1 hour ago, MrCosgrove said:

Hi,

 

My IR-1 visa was approved recently, We will soon be heading over to USA.

 

When we get to the airport, the immigration person will process the green card I assume so that the temporary green card will be a a permanent green card.

 

My question here is, how long should I expect the process that gets done at the airport  upon arrival to take. It is just a few minutes, or should I expect an hour to two for it to be processed?

Immigration will process your VISA (you don't have a green card yet).  

 

Processing time will depend on how busy the arrival facility is when you arrive.   Airports are not that busy but be certain to allow sufficient time 

[JFH 12,190]

I have seen reports of a few minutes to several hours. So likely you will fall somewhere in between. Mine was 2.5 hours. But that was 6 days before Christmas and the airport was very busy. If you are concerned about connecting flights, allow at least 3 hours. 

[retheem 566]

With barely anyone traveling now, i would think it's going to be a shorter time

[JFH 12,190]

57 minutes ago, retheem said:

With barely anyone traveling now, i would think it's going to be a shorter time

I wouldn't be so sure. We flew internationally into LAX in September and whilst it's true that there are few people travelling, they have fewer officers on duty also. No need to have dozens of officers sitting there with nothing to do. Most of the desks were closed. Many airports have those double-desks where officers sit back-to-back - that's not happening now. We noticed 3 desks open. We used the automated kiosks but for those needing to use the desks I imagine the wait time was as long. 

[retheem 566]

38 minutes ago, JFH said:

I wouldn't be so sure. We flew internationally into LAX in September and whilst it's true that there are few people travelling, they have fewer officers on duty also. No need to have dozens of officers sitting there with nothing to do. Most of the desks were closed. Many airports have those double-desks where officers sit back-to-back - that's not happening now. We noticed 3 desks open. We used the automated kiosks but for those needing to use the desks I imagine the wait time was as long. 

Oh wow okay didn't know that

[pushbrk 12,969]

4 hours ago, retheem said:

Oh wow okay didn't know that

It does stand to reason though.  I'll second the minimum of 3 hours for a connecting flight.  4 is better.

[JKLSemicolon 414]

45 minutes ago, pushbrk said:

It does stand to reason though.  I'll second the minimum of 3 hours for a connecting flight.  4 is better.

 

Agreed, my wife made it with a 1 hour 45 minute connection through Miami last year when coming with a K-1, but that was not by choice as the airline changed the itinerary after cancelling a number of flights. Having been through that, I would say that even if the processing happens to go faster, it's worth the peace of mind to not have to worry about missing connecting flights.

[joe and karol 15]

2 on the short end, 3 to be safe.  my wife was 30 minutes

[Bug&Bug 147]

It took me 15 min last week but then i was fliying from a banned country so the flight was empty.

Allways leave enough buffer in case specially now that there will be less flights if you miss one.