How long does it take to go through the immigration formalities when you first arrive in the United States?

The United States has strict immigration procedures. It takes a lot of time to go through a series of formalities, at least half an hour. Just wait in line patiently.

Entry inspection procedure

(1) Passengers are guided to the entry inspection room and queued for inspection according to different entry visas. Non-immigrant visa holders (F 1) should belong to the ranks of non-residents, and immigrant visa holders or green cards should belong to the ranks of citizensresidents.

(2) When it is the turn to be inspected, the passport, I-20 or IAP-66, I-94 and customs declaration form should be handed over to the immigration officer for inspection. You know, holding a passport and visa does not guarantee entry. Because the visa only gives the holder the right to enter the country, it is up to the immigration officer to decide whether to allow entry. The immigration officer will check the "blacklist" to see if the foreigner is on the list and whether he has a bad record in the immigration office in the past.

(3) Traditionally, immigration officials will ask some questions. The most important thing is to determine the place of residence (Univ) after coming to the United States, the purpose of coming to the United States (Studing) and how much money to bring. Don't be nervous, just answer calmly.

(4) After asking questions, immigration officials will sign on I-20 or IAP-66 and I-94-stamp to indicate the date of entry, and sign to indicate the visa status and the period of legal re-entry. If you hold a (F- 1) visa, the United States will allow you to stay in the United States until you have completed the necessary years of study. Therefore, immigration officials usually mark the stay time on the I-94 form with the seal of DS(durationofstatus). If you have an exchange scholar (J- 1) visa, the United States is only allowed to stay for a certain period of time. You must take the courses specified in IAP-66 to maintain your exchange scholar status. Whether you have an F- 1 or J- 1 visa, you must pay attention to the fact that the validity of your passport must always exceed the scheduled stay in the United States for more than six months.

(5) The immigration officer tore off the exit part of I-94, nailed it to the passport and returned the third page of I-20 or IAP-66 together. (immediately confirm that the information added is correct, and ask for correction immediately if there are any errors. Going back to ask or ask questions after leaving the counter will only increase your troubles. It must be noted that I-94 is the only document that proves legal entry into the United States. Although it is only a small piece of paper, it must be put together with your passport during your stay in the United States. If you lose it, you must apply to the nearby immigration office for a replacement.

China citizens who want to go to the United States in China can choose to arrive by plane at Hongkong, Beijing and Shanghai airports.

No matter where you go by plane, you should pay attention to the entry procedures and the baggage claim and consignment procedures when you arrive in the United States.

After getting off the plane, you can queue up in the waiting hall to accept the entry formalities according to the instructions of the airport staff, and submit the entry form filled in on the plane at the same time.

The form covers some information about this trip, such as travel, visiting relatives, destination, relationship with it, contact information, contact address, etc. These materials should be prepared when they are in China. It is best to print some information about visa application on paper for later use, as follows.

Documents and materials needed to enter the United States

1, my passport and valid US visa.

2. Air tickets.

3. Visit itinerary.

4. US contact address and telephone number.

5. Stop address in the United States.

Entry declaration

1. Before entering the United States, all passengers must fill in the forms issued by the Department of Homeland Security and the Customs, that is, the entry card and customs declaration form.

All passengers entering the United States are not allowed to bring fresh fruits, meat, food, etc. Otherwise they will be severely punished.

3. You can bring $5,000 in cash into the country. If it exceeds $65,438+0,000, you must declare it, otherwise the consequences will be serious. It is recommended to carry a dual-currency credit card with foreign currency function.

American medicine is more expensive, so you can take it with you. There is no special regulation on this.

padlock

In theory, the US Immigration Service can refuse entry for any reason.

For example:

1. The Immigration Bureau could not contact the American contact person or inviter;

2. Immigration officials believe that there is a trend of immigration.

check luggage

After entering the customs, you can pass the customs inspection with the customs declaration form, and then you can go to the airline baggage office to pick up your checked baggage.

If it's not a direct flight, you need to transfer. Although the baggage is checked in the city after the transfer, according to the requirements of American airports, it is still necessary to pick up the baggage first and then check it in a few steps away from it.

Matters needing attention when changing trains.

Because the connecting airport in the United States is very large, if the language is unreasonable, you can consult the staff who know Chinese at the airport.

Security check before boarding at American airports

In this inspection, you need to take off your coat, shoes, hat, mobile phone, watch, belt, metal items and carry-on bag, then put these items in the frame, put them on the conveyor belt, and then walk into the search door yourself.

Unlike people in China who will help you do these things, in the United States, you often handle them yourself, and there is only one staff member to guide you.

If you don't know how to do it, you can learn to do it with reference to the previous people.