Port of entry.

[JusticePvP]

Does anyone know if it is a requirement to meet your K1 fiancee at the port of entry or if she fly domestic to her final destination?

Also, about how long does it usually take to get through passport control in New York with her K1 visa?

[Voyageur]

JusticePvP,

No, it is not a requirement to meet your intended at the port of entry into the US.  But why wouldn't you want to?  For anyone coming from a foreign country - especially a woman who is giving up her life to come and live with you in your country - the smiling, caring and concerned  faces she will see at the Dept. of Homeland security immigration screening kiosks will seem quite daunting.  I recommend the arrival at JFK because they they are the only POE that can give her a work authorization stamp on-the-spot which will save huge amounts of time later, for the SSN, etc.

The processing time could literally take hours, depending on the lines for immigration. I accompanied my now-wife through the lines at JFK.  I wasn't really needed too much, except for mostly moral support. But I was so glad that I was with her because things are so different in the US compared to the FSU.  It only took about an hour for this.

I did not accompany my wife when she brought her then-6 year old to the US five months later. Because there were long lines at immigration, and because of the initial entry of the K2 visa for our daughter, it took her about three hours to clear the lines,  And there is no reception in that area of JFK so you cannot communicate via cell phone, so I was quite worried. As she speaks English quite well and was somewhat familiar with the immigration drill, it was more stressful for me who was waiting than for my wife .

For clarity sake, her arrival was in August 2005.  Our seven year old arrived in January 2006.

In short, if at all possible, save yourself and your intended allot of stress by accompanying her to the US, especially for her first entry here. Believe me, the first impressions of the US will most likely be not favorable, especially if the arrival is at JFK.

[Jet]

Voyageur is correct. We came through JFK also. It takes them about 10 minutes to check her forms and log her into the system BUT if anyone in front of her (even from a different plane) has problems, it clogs up everything and she could be stuck for several hours just waiting her turn. In our case, there was a guy from Pakistan who should never have been allowed to board his flight at the other end because he had no visa or other documentation besides his passport, who held us up for an hour and a half. He was screaming about his rights, officers were literally running across the intake area to restrain/quiet him, it was an exciting welcome to a new life for Liliya 

Also keep in mind that JFK has like 9 terminals and it's not easy to navigate between them, as there really aren't any sidewalks. Once you clear customs you emerge into a little room that dumps out onto the street with no navigational aides to point you in the direction you need to go to make your next flight. Once you do find your way, you have to pass through the security screening again when you enter the terminal of your connecting flight (this includes connections departing from the terminal you just came from - IE Delta and Aeroflot share a terminal but there is no way to return to the concourse level after retrieving your bags. You must walk around the outside of the building dodging taxis and re-enter through the main door which is around the corner and up the hill)

IMHO it would be a very good idea to meet her in NY

[groovlstk]

Unless your fiancee is an experienced international traveller with fluent English you'd really be putting her in a very stressful and confusing situation if you expect her to complete this journey alone.

My fiancee and I entered the US through JFK in December and we got stuck in passport control for about 30 minutes because of a computer problem (which is admittedly a rare occurence so you shouldn't worry about it). As a new immigrant, she had to go to an additional kiosk to have her I-94 stamped and we got hung up behind an Egypt Air crew that had problems with their documents. After another 30 minutes of confusion and waiting, we had the stamp.

Then, after yet another 30 minutes of searching the by-now-abandoned luggage carousel, we discovered our luggage was lost.

Is this something you want your fiancee to face alone, potentially, on her first day in the US?

[William3rd]

Not a legal requirement to meet her at the POE.

However, to not meet her at her first entry shows her what kind of guy you are. . .  So much for a knight in shining armor. . . 

You wont see her until after she clears immigration but at least she will see one familiar face in the masses of people when she exits.

And those first hugs and kisses are awesome.

[JusticePvP]

The reason that I've asked is because I feel a little guilty about not going to meet her. However, she is an experienced international traveler, having traveled to Greece, France and Egypt several time. Her English is good enough that she took her visa interview in English without any problems. She is a Moscow girl so she's not intimidated by making her way around an airport.

I had thought that it would be anti-climatic to meet her in New York, only to wait around an airport for a few hours then boarding another plane to travel to my home state. I had thought that the more romantic way would be to see her at my home airport, and show her to my car and then drive to our new home.

If I meet her in New York there is no way that I would want for us to wait around the airport for a few hours and then take another flight, I would probably get a hotel room in Manhattan and stay there for the weekend before we came home. The problem with starting out in Manhattan is that my home town will not be able to stand up to the comparison. I want for her to see New York, but I don't want for that to be the frame of reference by which she will measure every other city in America.

Thanks for the input.

[Zadan]

If I meet her in New York there is no way that I would want for us to wait around the airport for a few hours and then take another flight, I would probably get a hotel room in Manhattan and stay there for the weekend before we came home. The problem with starting out in Manhattan is that my home town will not be able to stand up to the comparison. I want for her to see New York, but I don't want for that to be the frame of reference by which she will measure every other city in America.

Thanks for the input.

If she's from Moscow, I'd think she would already know what a big city is like--so it wouldn't be a  big deal.

[LEGAL]

The reason that I've asked is because I feel a little guilty about not going to meet her. However, she is an experienced international traveler, having traveled to Greece, France and Egypt several time. Her English is good enough that she took her visa interview in English without any problems. She is a Moscow girl so she's not intimidated by making her way around an airport.

I had thought that it would be anti-climatic to meet her in New York, only to wait around an airport for a few hours then boarding another plane to travel to my home state. I had thought that the more romantic way would be to see her at my home airport, and show her to my car and then drive to our new home.

If I meet her in New York there is no way that I would want for us to wait around the airport for a few hours and then take another flight, I would probably get a hotel room in Manhattan and stay there for the weekend before we came home. The problem with starting out in Manhattan is that my home town will not be able to stand up to the comparison. I want for her to see New York, but I don't want for that to be the frame of reference by which she will measure every other city in America.

Thanks for the input.

I Personally would meet her for this is the beginning of a great loving journey in both of your lives, with the woman you love. Thats romantic  and she will allways remember it.  Olga and I came through Atlanta about a 15 minute wait and allot of clapping and congratulating from all INS officers and police. This was one of the  many many memorable times we have shared. Go to the airport and meet your beautiful woman and make her dream a reality.  and bring a camera
I also agree very strongly with Jet and William3rd


LEGAL

[Wayne B]

 

Not a legal requirement to meet her at the POE.

However, to not meet her at her first entry shows her what kind of guy you are. . .  So much for a knight in shining armor. . . 

You wont see her until after she clears immigration but at least she will see one familiar face in the masses of people when she exits.

And those first hugs and kisses are awesome.

Will, I pray that we arrive in Houston, Anna's (POE) and other than being excited together!!! That I can Please God! remember to .....  take.....a few photos.....of her coming into a different place and time....Her smile's will last for a short period of time....I pray, that our love for one another....will break through the very hard road that face's our near and life changing future together! I feel in my heart, we are going to be just fine......I believe that Anna's heart share's the same feeling.....as mine!  I can only say that, I will be here, on RWD, asking many newbie questions????  I leave Monday, April 2nd. When Anna and I return later in April....I will come here to ask guidence.....        

[aikorob]

Justice,
I echo what Voyageur, Jet & the others have said. For her to see that you care enough to meet her as soon as possible......

I am cashing in miles to fly up and meet N. at JFK when she arrives. She is coming in on AeroSvit at 4, so just in case the customs process is a cluster f*@k, I made reservations at a nearby motel. I have been hearing reports of up to 3 hours depending on how many people they are trying to process :hairraising:
The return flight to ATL will be the next morning----unless she gets through in a short time, then we will get on standby list.

[catzenmouse]

We are not big fans of NYC as a point of entry. As in Never Again!

They screwed up and the first person didn't do their job correctly and Elena and Sergei got pulled into a side room for "further questioning" just to find out they didn't do their job right. She almost missed her connection because of these idiots. I'll go way around any flight path to avoid ever again going through NYC.

Ken

[Captmonk1]

My wife came in thru Atlanta. No problems. Do Amsterdam to Memphis. That would probably be a no brainer as no one does that one. 

[dwfunk]

I recommend the arrival at JFK because they they are the only POE that can give her a work authorization stamp on-the-spot which will save huge amounts of time later, for the SSN, etc.

This is not the big deal it used to be as the procedure has been changing.  ANY POE is fine to use, as the "K-1" designation on the I-94 IS the work authorization. 

I spent a little more money and brought Natalia to Houston rather than subject her to the nightmares of connecting through JFK.



------
David & Natalia
Republic of Texas/Moscow, Russia
УЛ. КОНЕНКОВА
16th World Spacemodeling Championships

[Wayne]

When Svetlana came, she flew Istanbul direct to Chicago.  I had to wait less than an hour from the time the plane landed until she came out.  I had 15 roses and a camera.

I would avoid JFK if at all possible.  Most of the connecting flights require a change of airports. 

When Oksana comes, I would like her to have POE Detroit.  That means a change of plane in Western Europe, such as London, Paris or Frankfort.

You can also consider LOT direct flight from Warsaw to Chicago.

[jb]

As I see it, the only issue anyone should have with the POE is whether or not she can readily get the temp EAD upon arrival.  JKF routinely gives this out, many other POEs do not.  So if your gal is arriving on a K-1 and you want to be able to get her SSN right away, this is a consideration.  Standing in line for a few extra minutes at JKF may not be a huge price to pay if it saves 3 to 6 months grief down the road.

Just a thought.

[dwfunk]

As I see it, the only issue anyone should have with the POE is whether or not she can readily get the temp EAD upon arrival.  JKF routinely gives this out, many other POEs do not.  So if your gal is arriving on a K-1 and you want to be able to get her SSN right away, this is a consideration.  Standing in line for a few extra minutes at JKF may not be a huge price to pay if it saves 3 to 6 months grief down the road.

Just a thought.

The process has changed and has been changing.  The "temp EAD" is the "K-1" designation on the I-94, which she will get at any POE that she enters through.  Remember, this is only temporary and is only good for a maximum of 3 months or as the legalists put it, until you get married. (K-1 status expires at marriage)



----------
David & Natalia
Republic of Texas/Moscow, Russia
УЛ. КОНЕНКОВА
16th World Spacemodeling Championships

[Bruce]

JFK is a piece of cake if you are with her.

[ScottinCrimea]

So which customs line do you go to, the one for visitors or the one for US Citizens (which includes legal residents)?

[groovlstk]

If you're accompanying your fiancee or wife through her POE, the immigration agent will allow you to tag along with her through the visitors' line and they'll stamp your passport along the way.

[Zhena]

This is not the big deal it used to be as the procedure has been changing.  ANY POE is fine to use, as the "K-1" designation on the I-94 IS the work authorization. 

I spent a little more money and brought Natalia to Houston rather than subject her to the nightmares of connecting through JFK.

Nope,I-94 isnt a work authorization,if I understood you right. Also I heard they dont stamp the work permission in JFK anymore.

------
David & Natalia
Republic of Texas/Moscow, Russia
УЛ. КОНЕНКОВА
16th World Spacemodeling Championships

Nope,I-94 isnt a work authorization,if I understood you right. Also I heard they dont stamp the work permission in JFK anymore.

[Zhena]

Well the K-1 visa gives a right to work during 3 months-right. Until it is expired. But who will hire her -thats a big question I dont think many girls start to work since the first days here.
I think JFK is not the best arrival place also-very slow usually,many people. Nasty customs sometimes.

[groovlstk]

Nope,I-94 isnt a work authorization,if I understood you right. Also I heard they dont stamp the work permission in JFK anymore.

Not true, here's a scan of my wife's I-94 I just used for our AOS mailing a few weeks ago, stamped at JFK.

[Zhena]

Cool-seems like this is a matter of luck-cos some girls i know didnt get any stamp.

[dwfunk]

Nope,I-94 isnt a work authorization,if I understood you right. Also I heard they dont stamp the work permission in JFK anymore.

You don't understand.  The "K-1" stamped on the I-94 IS the temp EAD. 

From the SSA website:

The K-1 symbol indicates you are the fiancé of a U.S. citizen. As such, you are eligible for a Social Security number and for employment.
To apply for a Social Security number:




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David & Natalia
Republic of Texas/Moscow, Russia
УЛ. КОНЕНКОВА
16th World Spacemodeling Championships

[dwfunk]

So which customs line do you go to, the one for visitors or the one for US Citizens (which includes legal residents)?

Houston had people going up and down the lines "pre-screening" folks.  When they looked at Natalia's passport and saw the K-1 they directed her to the "US Citizen" line. Saved her a bunch of time.

A K-1 is a visa that's in a kind of 'grey' area.  Initially it's a non-immigrant visa but it's ultimate goal is immigration. Hence some, and I stress some, government activities treat the K-1 as a permanent resident, like processing them through the US Citizen lines.



----------
David & Natalia
Republic of Texas/Moscow, Russia
УЛ. КОНЕНКОВА
16th World Spacemodeling Championships