USA Immigration through UK + more

bombidol

Im flying to the States in Dec, but im flying to the UK first then on to Detroit. Ive flown to the states loads but always from Ireland, is the immigration different or more complex from the UK, i dont know how fast it is also. I have the guts of 3 hours from when my plane lands in the UK to when my states plane takes off. you reckon thats enough time to make it through immigration etc ???
i havent booked it yet, but all the flights i can afford are through the UK.
Also are there any new rules about flying to states i should be aware of? i can jsut show up with my ticket and passport and be alright yeah???

gar

Lex_Diamonds

As far as I know you will go through Immigration in the states itself. I dont think the UK has the same arrangment as Ireland with the locally based DHS buddies.

por

Lex_Diamonds wrote:

As far as I know you will go through Immigration in the states itself. I dont think the UK has the same arrangment as Ireland with the locally based DHS buddies.

Correct, you go through Immigration when you land in the US

bombidol

ugh i hate that. done it once before. after a long haul the last thing you want is the hassle of talking to someone.
I cant remember if it was the same or worse as doing it here, anyone any comments?
I fricken hate immigration, always feel like a criminal

Did it in Los Angeles about 3 weeks ago.
Simple and straight foward.
Usual questions asked-standard answers given.
Digital photo taken and a digital finger print of my right index finger.
There was a small queue to one of the many hatches but apart from that short queue, the whole process took less than 2 minutes.

You won't have your luggage untill after the immigration bit, so , you needn't worry about having to haul it in a queue.

It's no different to doing it in Ireland.

*edit* make sure your passport is a machine readable one ie one with a bar code-that is mandatory now

bombidol

i got my passport about a year and a half ago it should be the right one shouldnt it? They usually run it through a little reader thing but i cant remember an obvious bar code on it. ill check it out

penexpers

That passport should be ok.

daveirl

This post has been deleted.

Ruu_Old

dont be put off by the INS bombidol, its just the same as you were in Dublin. The usual questions and yes the fingerprints and photo crap this time. Thats the only new thing as far as i know and uve been there before.

I dont really like taking stops when flying to America as my horrible experiences at that hell hole Heathrow puts me off. Every flight in the world seemed to be delayed or cancelled that day but it all worked out fine in the end best of luck.

secret_squirrel

bombidol wrote:

I cant remember if it was the same or worse as doing it here, anyone any comments?

In my experience its worse - much worse in the states - massive queues and immigration fascists just begging for an excuse to deny you entry or pass you on to someone who will shove their begloved hand up your ass. Just when you are narky after a long transatlantic.

Should have booked through dublin/shannon dude - its far more civilised. Get all the hassle done before you fly. Its worth atleast €50 dearer tickets to get that overwith first.

Lex_Diamonds

It wouldn't kill them to smile either!