guidinggod

Hey all - thought I'd update re my experience. Currently in Cali after traveling via Abu Dhabi and going through preclearance. The primary check went smooth, just a few questions were asked by the polite gentleman regarding my intent for visiting and how long I would stay. I was expecting a secondary screening given my origin and nationality but I think the only reason I got asked to wait in the secondary room was because my checked in luggage hadn't come through. Anyway, I had to wait about 8-10 minutes only when I was called by a really nice lady who asked me the same questions, then spent time just chatting and giving me immigration and travel advice (?) LoL! She was very kind, funny and polite and laughed out loud when I cracked a couple of jokes. Then she said you're all done and that's it. Whole thing from getting to US preclearance area to proceeding to the premium lounge before boarding took about 20-25 minutes. So, contrary to my initial expectations, a really positive experience at Abu Dhabi. Landed at LAX and got through baggage claim in a few minutes.

4 hours ago, DrEllaNJ said:

you may have to wait until you get your spousal visa to take your American boards... As advised in your other thread, it's practically impossible to get a visitor's visa if you are married/engaged to a USC.

Case by case basis I guess. Got rejected in Oct '16 for a visit visa when i wanted to go to Vegas..got married to USC in my home country in Jan '17, reapplied for B2 in Feb and got it in a few mins. The lady asked me why I wasn't doing the immigration route..told her the tax laws suck in US and I take care of my parents, maybe will think about immigration a few years down the line...for now we'll each be travelling back and forth every few months. She said show me marriage cert and then goes I wish I was your travel agent, u guys gonna be racking up a bunch of flyer miles  

4 minutes ago, KierenHby said:

Cell phone searches could happen to anyone, incl USCs, as reported by cnn. Visitors should be prepared for closer scrutiny. 

No prob there. I understand they need to check thoroughly, it's their job and that's why they are there. I don't even mind waiting around if it takes time. Just a lil wary of being especially profiled and treated like it would be better for me to turn back because of the way I look or where I'm from. Not t mention missing a flight because I had to wait too long.  I guess they don't usually do that unless a passenger acts weird and prompts that sort of attitude and/or gets red flagged.

Here's hoping the Etihad seats are better than Emirates :-)

Thanks for the feedback folks.

56 minutes ago, kausar said:

I flew with Eitehad twice recently ,  to New York and Chicago. It was good experience and the upside is that the layover time is utilized in pre clearance. And when you land in USA it is treated like domestic flight. No hassle, pick up luggage and leave the airport. 2 & 1/2 hour is a lot of time, It doesn't take more than 45-50 minutes. 

 

Thanks kausar. Were you on a visit visa too? Any remarks re questions asked et al? Was just reading some guy on tripadvisor who'd been searched and made to wait an hour and 45 minutes and had cell phone taken away etc. Fingers crossed that sort of thing doesn't happen on my trip.

Thanks for the feedback all - looks like preclearance is the favored option. Wait times because of all US bound flights leaving almost at the same time from Abu Dhabi seem to be an issue according to some online posts I read so one possible downside could be that I miss my connecting flight to Los Angeles. Hopefully it won't be that long though and my 2hr 30 min layover will cover it.  What sort of questions etc can one expect from the CBP folks? I won't have hand baggage or laptop so not much to go through there.

2 minutes ago, Transborderwife said:

One of the benefits of pre clearance is they tend to withdraw your application if they refuse you more than expedited removal.  

Thanks for the reply - could you explain that a little more? withdraw which application?

Hey guys. I recently got a B2 visit visa - My wife is a US cit and my primary reason is to visit her. As I told the visa officer at the interview, I had no desire to immigrate even though I could apply for it legally, just want to visit. This will be my first trip to the US since 1988 when I was 9. I'll be travelling with a confirmed return ticket.

As a next step I'm wondering which airline to book, since I have travel miles on Emirates but have heard about preclearance in Abu Dhabi if I chose Etihad. Is preclearance less of a hassle and bureaucratic nightmare than my intended port of entry i.e LAX? I'm a Pakistani citizen so I'm guessing it won't be smooth sailing for me either way but still, would appreciate comments re which would be better/less time consuming? What sort of questions should I anticipate?

Thanks