Immigration in Miami

[JunFanTX]

What have your experiences been in terms of how much time one should allow to clear immigration in Miami. Also, I assume most of you guys stayed in the 'non USA citizen' line with your fiance/spouses?

TIA, I'm trying to make airfare reservations.

Mike

[Dean]

... in response to Immigration in Miami, posted by JunFanTX on Jul 25, 2001

Greetings,
I flew through Miami on my first trip to Bogota.....
On return to Miami I had to go thru the customs thing....
single male...little baggage....short stay....

I'm sure you'll understand....

My subsequent trips I've flown thru Atlanta on Delta....
My experience has been pleasant....

Immigration was pleasant and very courteous....
sailed through total in about 30 minutes....

Highly reccommend the Atlanta portal....

Best regards....
Dean

[Pete E]

... in response to Immigration in Miami, posted by JunFanTX on Jul 25, 2001

Mike,
My wife took 2 hours to get through immigration.I was meeting her in Miami and was waiting outside the gate.I asked the airline and they said yes,she was on the plane,just wait.She also had my step son with her so that might have added time.

Pete

[jo12208]

... in response to Immigration in Miami, posted by JunFanTX on Jul 25, 2001

My wife and I entered immigration on Thursday, March 29th.  The fast line is of course the US citizens lines.  I told my wife that she would have to go through the non-US citizen lines, which were very long.

We were standing in front of the US line when an official waved us up to the US line.  I told him that my wife was a non-US citizen.  He said it didn't matter.  She could go through we me.  We went through the line in a couple of minutes.  They took us to a separate room and took her into a different room.  Asked her minimal questions, fingerprints, and little else.  I waited.  It took no longer than 5-10 minutes and we were on our way.

My buddy went through a couple of days earlier with his wife and he had some problems.  He said it took well over an hour.  But he is kind of a difficult person and he may have said something that INS didn't like.  I do not know.

My advice is be polite.  If she is traveling alone that is a different story.

[DallasTexas]

... in response to Immigration in Miami, posted by JunFanTX on Jul 25, 2001

I went thru immigration on July 10th.  I did as you said and went thru the non-citizen line with my family. That did not take long. I would also suggest if possible that you come back during the week not on a weekend and around mid-day.  According to the immigration officer that is the best time. I can vouch that when I came thru on a Saturday last month it took me 2 hours to get thru immigration and customs by myself.

It took only a couple of minutes at the Immigration line but then you have to go to another room where they stick the big folder you get from the Embassy in a queue.

Once you get called it took maybe 5 minutes. They fingerprint them again and also have them sign some document I didn't read it so not sure what it was.

When we arrived they had one woman who literally spent the first HOUR we were waiting talking to INS tech support on some computer question she had and complaining that she needed more help.

Well an hour later finally about 4 people came in at one time to help and we were in and out.  So the long answer to your question is with immigration and customs I would allow 3 hours minimum. It is a lot easier to wait than to run thru the airport.

There were several guys that came in at the same time as I did that missed their flights.  I allowed 5 hours in between flights and we had to wait about 2 hours and had a leisurely lunch.

[JunFanTX]

... in response to Re: Immigration in Miami, posted by DallasTexas on Jul 25, 2001

Thanks guys...I went ahead and played it safe whereby I will have a 4 hour scheduled layover in Miami. Should give me enough cushion for the flight being a little late and/or a long line in customs.  

Thanks alot
Mike