US Immigration

[jaynethepain]

I'm planning a trip to the US next year but am concerned about the immigration process into the US at present. Am hearing stories about people not being let in on the slightest grounds, extremely long waits and unpleasant customs officials. Has anyone been recently and if so, could you let me have your experiences please.

Don't think it will put me off but would just like to know what's happening over there!

[dzug]

With the possible exception of long waits - at some airports only - the stories you hear are much exaggerated. Go and enjoy.

The most common ground of refusal of entry is suspicion that you intend to work illegally and/or overstay.

[jno]

It can happen (Miami is famous for rude officials - though I've never met any there). But most entries are trouble-free except for the queuing, and that's the same for tourists anywhere. Enjoy yourself.

[sitges]

Are you immigrating or just coming for a visit? If you are just coming for a visit then you have to go through customs and if you have filled out the correct forms from the airplane prior to landing then you should not have a problem. The only hold up is dependant on the number of planes landing from out of the country. The more planes the longer it takes to get through, Some airports such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Atlanta are usually busier then other airports. If you have 8 planes landing at the same time and have thousands having to go through customs, then you are going to have a long wait time. Unfortunely we have no control over the number of planes landing due to the length of time it takes to get from Europe to the U.S. Almost all planes leave at the same time over there and arrive here at the same time.

[Lil O'lady]

We went thru JFK smoothly with no hitches in May this year - one of us has a very old record as well. And I don't mean a Freddy and the Dreamers 45 rpm.

[spudqueen]

Just remember that you don't fill out the forms on the planes anymore - you do them on the internet a few days before you travel.

[jno]

I think you still have to fill out the green forms on the plane, don't you, spudqueen? I was last there in March and I did then. You have to do the online form as well, but I don't think they've phased the paper forms out yet.

[jaynethepain]

Thanks everyone, I suspected as much! Just want to go for a holiday, always enjoy a trip to the States and always like the people there very much. So, checking out destinations and flights etc on the internet as we speak - love it!!

[Bjohn]

You fill both the online ESTA and green I-94W. Immigration officials in the US are rude - there is never a "welcome to america" - it's their job to find out if you shouldn't enter. I was out thru Philidelphia in a matter of mins once - all other airports I've had long waits.

[whiskeryron]

We flew to New York City in July of this year,from Birmingham Int to Newark New Jersey(no probs, less crowded than JFK). Also if you can manage it wherever you are going stateside,fly to Newark & take a break then an internal flight to your destination, we had 3 lovely days in NY & then flew with Continental Airways to Orlando FL.It all went like clockwork & was wonderful. Ron.