How long to plan for first time POE at airport?

[oldgreg 26]

Good morning all, 

I am looking at booking a flight for my wife to enter the US in Sept. I am trying to gauge how long of a layover we will need coming in. I have asked various CBP officers and some say it takes ten minutes for the first entry and others say an hour and change. What say you? 

 

I would be flying with my wife and right now the flight I normally take is a little over a two hr layover in Atlanta.

[Scandi 4,299]

Nobody can answer this. Usually the timeline has nothing to do with the visa, but all about how many planes are landing at the same time, ie how long the lines are. The actual "CBP processing" takes 5 minutes tops. They ask like 2-3 questions, takes your photo/fingerprints and stamp your passport. 

[smilingstone 596]

I wouldn't allow myself any less than 3 hours for a layover. 

 

Its not only for CBP but also for possible flight delays. 

 

When I came over on my K1, two of my flights were delayed. What more, after being held up at POE while they did visa check, my bags never arrived at the POE so I had to find out what was happening there, then run from one end of ATL to the other to make my final flight. I only had about 20min to spare, and all that was within a 3 hour layover that I intentionally booked. 

[Crazy Cat 44,436]

Another vote to schedule a 3 or even 4 hour layover to be safe.  There are too many variables. 

[oldgreg 26]

Thank you for the feedback, you guys are the best  I found a flight with a 4 hr layover. If all goes smoothly I can spoil the wife in the airport lounge.  

[JeanneAdil 7,078]

yes, 3 hours as actually landing time is one thing and then there is 20 minutes to taxi to terminal 

Atlanta is now going thru afternoon thunderstorms and u may even be circling (forever) while waiting to land

 

Actual lines for immigration there move easily along but u are good to give yourself 4 hours

I always give myself 3 

 

If this has connected flight to domestic, you have to catch the airport shuttle to domestic terminal and that is a long ride

Edited June 29 by JeanneAdil

[Lemonslice 5,239]

4 hours ago, oldgreg said:

Thank you for the feedback, you guys are the best  I found a flight with a 4 hr layover. If all goes smoothly I can spoil the wife in the airport lounge.  

That is a great idea, a nice way to travel.  Lounge, or some shopping and coffee.  Breathe.  Enjoy.  

[TBoneTX 47,501]

Four hours is typically recommended and ample.

[mam521 2,507]

15 hours ago, JeanneAdil said:

Atlanta is now going thru afternoon thunderstorms and u may even be circling (forever) while waiting to land

This is what I was thinking.  Even in September, it's still hurricane season and depending where the storms land, they often drag across GA.  

[oldgreg 26]

15 minutes ago, mam521 said:

This is what I was thinking.  Even in September, it's still hurricane season and depending where the storms land, they often drag across GA.  

 

I was hoping to have a layover in LA but Delta only runs through Atlanta this time of year.

[Edward and Jaycel 1,911]

Jaycel had a 4 hour layover at LAX for her K-1 POE and her flight inbound was delayed by 45 minutes which put her at passport control with 4 other international flights. While her inspection and admission with the officer only took approx. 10 minutes, it took an hour just to get to him. By the time she made it to her terminal for the connecting flight to Denver, she had about 25 minutes before the flight started boarding, so she had time to use the restroom and get a bite to eat and never felt rushed or panicked . Glad you found a flight with the 4 hour layover  

[mam521 2,507]

2 minutes ago, oldgreg said:

 

I was hoping to have a layover in LA but Delta only runs through Atlanta this time of year.

Any reason you have to fly Delta?  I get it if it's points/loyalty dollars and a significant cost reduction.  But, United and AA also fly into St. George so there's potential options.  

[oldgreg 26]

4 minutes ago, mam521 said:

Any reason you have to fly Delta?  I get it if it's points/loyalty dollars and a significant cost reduction.  But, United and AA also fly into St. George so there's potential options.  

I am platinum with delta. Upgrades, Lounge, free luggage, using points for flights. Vegas is an easy two hr ride. 

Edited June 30 by oldgreg

[mam521 2,507]

16 minutes ago, oldgreg said:

I am platinum with delta. Upgrades, Lounge, free luggage, using points for flights. Vegas is an easy two hr ride. 

Understand completely.  Airline loyalty benefits go a long way, especially coming off of a long haul!  

[pushbrk 13,611]

Four hours minimum is my recommendation.  Ten minutes is the actual time once you walk to the desk, if all is well.  You could be waiting a long time before that, depending on how many flights come in at that particular time.  No less than three hours for sure.  Depending on travel experience and language ability, you might even be wise to meet at the POE.  That's what I did in 2006.  LAX would have been a nightmare for my ex and step daughter to navigate.