Entering on Immigrant Visa

[GC556t 3]

Hi All,

I received my passport with visa stamped and sealed folder that is to be opened by CBP. I am EB2 category and wanted to check what I need to take to do my entry on the border? I need to take passport and sealed folder. What kind of questions CBP officer ask when entering? I appreciate any insights, I just wanted to be prepared. Do they go through package and ask any questions?

[Boiler 47,081]

Generally they send you to Secondary, you wait and watch more interesting encounters, they call you up and send you on your way.

[smilingstone 414]

4 hours ago, Boiler said:

Generally they send you to Secondary, you wait and watch more interesting encounters, they call you up and send you on your way.

 

Exactly what happened to me, albeit on my K1. 

 

OP, just ensure you leave enough time if you have a commenting flight. Secondary inspection only left me with a short amount of time to get to my gate. I literally had to run. They didn't even question me, I was just kept in a waiting room for a while. 

 

 

[appleblossom 4,020]

5 hours ago, GC556t said:

Hi All,

I received my passport with visa stamped and sealed folder that is to be opened by CBP. I am EB2 category and wanted to check what I need to take to do my entry on the border? I need to take passport and sealed folder. What kind of questions CBP officer ask when entering? I appreciate any insights, I just wanted to be prepared. Do they go through package and ask any questions?

I was asked what address I wanted my GC sending to and then biometrics taken. That was it, and no secondary either, just 5 minutes at the booth and then sent on my way with a ‘Welcome to America’. 

[Edward and Jaycel 1,650]

The most important thing as others have said is to leave plenty of time if you have a connecting flight. When Jaycel entered, she had 4 hours between flights and it was just enough. Her flight was delayed and arrived at LAX the same time as 4 other international flights so, despite not even having to go to secondary, between the wait in line at passport control, the fairly quick inspection and admission process and getting to a completely different terminal, she only got to the gate with about 30 minutes to spare before they started boarding her flight to Denver. Wishing you smooth travels!  

[GC556t 3]

Thank you all. I appreciate you all taking time to write your experiences.

 

I am planning to land to activate my visa E2 and come back to Canada since my family will not be moving at this time due to needing a waiver and while I wait for my employer to transition my payroll to US which I think is another 1-2 months (HR indicates some relocation expenses need to be approved 😏)and by then I would get my physical green card from my friends address mailed to me as well to enter US again. 

 

 

I have been reading entering through Land port of entry is more scrutinized with questions like where is your stuff if you are moving now which in my case will be a bit later as permanent move as I want to stay with kids and family while my employer figures out the transfer etc 1-2 months. Should I instead fly to activate my visa and Green card instead of through port of entry as I will not be taking all my belongings first time, also have to hunt for a apartment first.

[OldUser 9,250]

59 minutes ago, GC556t said:

Thank you all. I appreciate you all taking time to write your experiences.

 

I am planning to land to activate my visa E2

E-2 is a nonimmigrant visa. Do you mean EB-2?

When does visa expire? How much time do you have to activate it? If you have those 2 months or so, why not come together with family in 2 months for good?

 

Edited May 29 by OldUser

[GC556t 3]

32 minutes ago, OldUser said:

E-2 is a nonimmigrant visa. Do you mean EB-2?

When does visa expire? How much time do you have to activate it? If you have those 2 months or so, why not come together with family in 2 months for good?

 

Kids got it but not my wife so I will need to get re entry permit for kids while we process waiver for my wife which can take almost 2 years. Sorry yeah EB2 visa.