The immigration process at airports is an important step for all passengers, both Indians and foreigners alike. Immigration involves speaking with an immigration officer who stamps passports, while customs is an optional process. In this article, we will discuss what happens at airport immigration counter, including the immigration process overview, stamping of passport, programs that can save time, and CBP Officer inspection.
Immigration Process Overview
Immigration check is conducted for all passengers, both at the time of arrival and departure. Passengers should be careful to see that their passports are duly stamped before leaving the immigration counter. Immigration wait times can vary wildly, and note that the United States doesn’t have priority immigration for first and business class passengers. However, there are programs that can save you time with the immigration process, like Global Entry and Mobile Passport.
Stamping of Passport
At the airport immigration counter, a CBP officer will put a stamp in your passport that shows the date you arrived in the U.S. and the “admitted until” date, or the date when your authorized period of stay expires.
Programs to Save Time
There are several programs designed to help expedite the immigration process, such as:
- Global Entry – allows travelers from certain countries to receive expedited clearance upon entry into the U.S.
- Mobile Passport – allows users to submit their passport information electronically through the app to get cleared faster.
- TSA Precheck – allows eligible passengers to go through security screening more quickly.
CBP Officer Inspection
During the inspection, a CBP officer (immigration officer at the port of entry) may ask you a few questions to verify your identity and the purpose of your visit. The officer may also ask to see evidence that you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses during your trip.
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