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P.O.E. - Port of Entry

S

Sukie

Registered Users (C)
I've noticed that a number of people are mistaking the "Point (or Port) of Entry" with the "City in the USA in which I will live".

The POE - or Port of Entry - is the airport (usually) where you will go through immigration processing. This means it will usually be an international airport like JFK, EWR, LAX, ORD, SFO, DFW, BOS, ATL, SEA or MIA, to name a few.

This will be the place where your envelope, given to you by the embassy or consulate where you interview, will be opened and examined.

I know many of you will then be getting on a flight or train to another city - but the POE is the FIRST place in the US that you will touch when you enter.

Sukie:cool:
 
Thanks for the info Sukie. :)

That brings up a question from me.
Since I will most probably will have to get another flight to my final destination, is that so that your immigration procedure will be done on the first airport you arrive to the USA?
So for example, if my final destination is, say, Los Angeles, but my first airport arriving to the US is, say, Atlanta, do I have to go through the process in Atlanta?
If so, how much do I have to allow between the flights in order to be able to finish the process (for 4 people) and still be able to catch our next flight?
Any insights would be appreciated.
 
hzss12 said:
Thanks for the info Sukie. :)

That brings up a question from me.
Since I will most probably will have to get another flight to my final destination, is that so that your immigration procedure will be done on the first airport you arrive to the USA?
So for example, if my final destination is, say, Los Angeles, but my first airport arriving to the US is, say, Atlanta, do I have to go through the process in Atlanta?
If so, how much do I have to allow between the flights in order to be able to finish the process (for 4 people) and still be able to catch our next flight?
Any insights would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Yep you will have to go through customs wherever you land initially in America (Atlanta). I just lined up and went through customs normally- It took about 20 mins total for them to fingerprint me and get everything in order- however he said that they usually make 'us' wait for the entire flight to go through first before they process new immigrants- I would leave plenty of time just in case!
 
It is the 1st port you come into in US.

There will be 2 stage process, 1st by CBP and then USCIS. ( I blv it is the same still)
Then you collect your luggage and go through customs. Next you go to the counters to re-load your luggage for the in- country leg of the trip, then security clear again before heading to the boarding gate. (lines, lines, lines!!! ie. queues, queues, queues!!!)

This process would need at least 2 hrs minim. 3 Hrs or more is preferred allowing for delays and long lines. (depending on PoE and time of day etc.)

Hope this helps

Best!
 
Thanks a lot

NuvF said:
It is the 1st port you come into in US.

There will be 2 stage process, 1st by CBP and then USCIS. ( I blv it is the same still)
Then you collect your luggage and go through customs. Next you go to the counters to re-load your luggage for the in- country leg of the trip, then security clear again before heading to the boarding gate. (lines, lines, lines!!! ie. queues, queues, queues!!!)

This process would need at least 2 hrs minim. 3 Hrs or more is preferred allowing for delays and long lines. (depending on PoE and time of day etc.)

Hope this helps

Best!
Click to expand...
 
Hello friends,


My sponsor willing to support in every way he can. In 230 form we filled his address as our sponsor. Currently he lives in love land ,Ohio. Due to lack of IT jobs and bad whether I like to move some other state. Cant we go to any state other than the sponsors state initially ?

Thank You.
 
okay stupid question time -

I am flying tomorrow to the US to enter the country to activate my Green card and everything. We obviously go through the US Customs line at the airport, is that right?
 
heisenberg said:
okay stupid question time -

I am flying tomorrow to the US to enter the country to activate my Green card and everything. We obviously go through the US Customs line at the airport, is that right?
Click to expand...

Do you mean "US Citizens" line? if thats what you meant then NO you dont.
If you are a DV winner and its your first time to land in US airport you will go through the non-citizens line NOT the US Citizen/PR line.
 
Help!

Hi guys,

I Already asked this question to other forums but didnt get a proper answer so I really need your help!

I've received my passport already and now I'm in the process of applying for jobs. I got a few interviews already and there is one that looks likely in Boston
The thing is... I lived in Miami for a while a few years ago, so during my interview we said that we were going back to Miami cause I know the area very well and I have a few contacts that can help me getting a job.
If I get this job in Boston would I be able to do my "Port of Entry" proceduce there or I must go to Miami cause I believe he wrote down that we would be arriving to the US via MIA airport.

In the envelope that they give you, which I am not supposed to open, does it say somewhere that my POE has to be Miami or I can choose any port of entry?
Also, I might need to go to Boston for a final interview, so me and my wife will have to travel together, validate our green card there, stay 2 days and then return to UK. Staying only for 2 days and then come back to finish the moving plans would be an issue? or I can travel back and forth anytime I want?

Thanks in advance for answering!!
 
Il_fedess said:
Hi guys,

I Already asked this question to other forums but didnt get a proper answer so I really need your help!

I've received my passport already and now I'm in the process of applying for jobs. I got a few interviews already and there is one that looks likely in Boston
The thing is... I lived in Miami for a while a few years ago, so during my interview we said that we were going back to Miami cause I know the area very well and I have a few contacts that can help me getting a job.
If I get this job in Boston would I be able to do my "Port of Entry" proceduce there or I must go to Miami cause I believe he wrote down that we would be arriving to the US via MIA airport.

In the envelope that they give you, which I am not supposed to open, does it say somewhere that my POE has to be Miami or I can choose any port of entry?
Also, I might need to go to Boston for a final interview, so me and my wife will have to travel together, validate our green card there, stay 2 days and then return to UK. Staying only for 2 days and then come back to finish the moving plans would be an issue? or I can travel back and forth anytime I want?

Thanks in advance for answering!!
Click to expand...


Hi,
Anyone that can help me the my enquiry right above this? thanks and sorry for chasing.
 
To clarify some questions in the postings above...

When you come to your Port of Entry (the airport or port where you FIRST touch USA soil), you will go to the NON-US Citizens line for IMMIGRATION. After you have been processed through Immigration, you will go pick up your luggage and go through CUSTOMS.

They are two separate things. Immigration checks to see whether YOU are allowed into the United States, and Customs checks to see whether your STUFF belongs in the United States. Many people are using the word "Customs" when they really mean "Immigration".

There is a good pamphlet called "Know Before You Go" that gives some good guidance about what you can bring into the US. Don't bring any fresh fruit, or flowers/seeds, or meat items, or packaged food from your home country that does not have an explanation IN ENGLISH of what it is. They've been getting pickier. (Not as picky as Australia and New Zealand!)

After you get your Green Card, the next time you enter the US, you can go through the US Citizens line; however, the first time you go through, you'll go through the Non-Citizens line. There may be some special lines at some airports for immigrants. There is usually an airport official standing by the two lines for immigration (US Citizen/Non-US Citizen). You can always ask that person for the correct line.

Best of luck to all of us in the Lottery!!!!
 
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