Hi Guys & gals,
I travelled using AP and made it back safely. Here is my detailed experience.
Started journey from Newark NJ. Connection to Zurich via Atlanta.
At the check in at Newark I was asked for the US visa by the Check-in agent and AP was shown. I was issued two boarding passes for Atlanta & to Zurich. Did not have to surrender I-94. Then when I arrived at Atlanta, it was through transit area and therefore I could go straight to the boarding gate. When I presented passport I was asked whether I have a GC. When I showed AP I was allowed to board. Nobody asked me for transit visa for Zurich. And I did not have to surrender I-94. I did not have transit visa for Zurich. (I have seen on this board earlier somebody mentioned AP holders were refused boarding at ATL because they did not have transit visa)
Once you get to Zurich if you have a connecting flight without getting out of airport nobody bothers to check your visa. You can get to the boarding gates straight and you will be on your way.
I returned in 7 days. On the way back when the plane landed at Zurich airline crew announced that there is a special passport check held on that particular day. I had to just show PP & AP. That was just a quick check and I was allowed to the transit area. No need of transit visa again.
Then when I came to the boarding gate for Delta to ATL, I was told that eventhough I have asked baggages to be sent directly to Newark, I will have to pick them at ATL and clear customs. Also they asked those routine security questions whether I packed my bags, whether I slept on them until I boarded, blah blah.... AP was checked and I was allowed boarding.
Then the critical ATL immigration.
Piece of advise for everybody at this point.
If you have another connecting flight after the POE, schedule it leaving enough time for AP processing and baggage re-check-in.
Primary immigration line itself was pretty long and it was moving slow. It was a Sunday evenning. When it came to my turn officer checked my case in the computer, put everything in a green folder and asked me to go to secondary processing room. I submitted the docs (PP, AP & completed I-94)and politely mentioned the lady officer that I have another flight in 30mins. She said everybody here got similar issues so wait. Then a male officer picked my folder after about 20 minutes. Stamped everything. I was called and asked 1. Where I am coming from? 2. How long did I stay outside? .
Then he asked me whether I have anything to declare in baggage and when I said no he stamped my customs declaration card also.
That was it and I was on my way.
AP stamping was trouble free. However by that time I technically missed my flight. Obviously I did not care about my flight as I was done with AP stamping without a problem.
I ran around picked bags re-checked in. And to my surprise flight had a delay of one hour. So I could get on the same flight and got to Newark.
I wonder whether my departure was ever recorded by immigration anywhere as I did not have to submit I-94 or related information anywhere on the way out of US. Can anybody pls verify this.
All in all it was a pleasent experience. Hope this story will answer many questions for folks who are planning to travel. Again keep in mind that this was my experience and it can differ according to other POEs, officers etc.
I travelled using AP and made it back safely. Here is my detailed experience.
Started journey from Newark NJ. Connection to Zurich via Atlanta.
At the check in at Newark I was asked for the US visa by the Check-in agent and AP was shown. I was issued two boarding passes for Atlanta & to Zurich. Did not have to surrender I-94. Then when I arrived at Atlanta, it was through transit area and therefore I could go straight to the boarding gate. When I presented passport I was asked whether I have a GC. When I showed AP I was allowed to board. Nobody asked me for transit visa for Zurich. And I did not have to surrender I-94. I did not have transit visa for Zurich. (I have seen on this board earlier somebody mentioned AP holders were refused boarding at ATL because they did not have transit visa)
Once you get to Zurich if you have a connecting flight without getting out of airport nobody bothers to check your visa. You can get to the boarding gates straight and you will be on your way.
I returned in 7 days. On the way back when the plane landed at Zurich airline crew announced that there is a special passport check held on that particular day. I had to just show PP & AP. That was just a quick check and I was allowed to the transit area. No need of transit visa again.
Then when I came to the boarding gate for Delta to ATL, I was told that eventhough I have asked baggages to be sent directly to Newark, I will have to pick them at ATL and clear customs. Also they asked those routine security questions whether I packed my bags, whether I slept on them until I boarded, blah blah.... AP was checked and I was allowed boarding.
Then the critical ATL immigration.
Piece of advise for everybody at this point.
If you have another connecting flight after the POE, schedule it leaving enough time for AP processing and baggage re-check-in.
Primary immigration line itself was pretty long and it was moving slow. It was a Sunday evenning. When it came to my turn officer checked my case in the computer, put everything in a green folder and asked me to go to secondary processing room. I submitted the docs (PP, AP & completed I-94)and politely mentioned the lady officer that I have another flight in 30mins. She said everybody here got similar issues so wait. Then a male officer picked my folder after about 20 minutes. Stamped everything. I was called and asked 1. Where I am coming from? 2. How long did I stay outside? .
Then he asked me whether I have anything to declare in baggage and when I said no he stamped my customs declaration card also.
That was it and I was on my way.
AP stamping was trouble free. However by that time I technically missed my flight. Obviously I did not care about my flight as I was done with AP stamping without a problem.
I ran around picked bags re-checked in. And to my surprise flight had a delay of one hour. So I could get on the same flight and got to Newark.
I wonder whether my departure was ever recorded by immigration anywhere as I did not have to submit I-94 or related information anywhere on the way out of US. Can anybody pls verify this.
All in all it was a pleasent experience. Hope this story will answer many questions for folks who are planning to travel. Again keep in mind that this was my experience and it can differ according to other POEs, officers etc.
transit visa