US immigration

joejoem

Hey,
Im heading to New York next week for a holiday but Im getting nervous with all the stories I hear of people being turne back by immigration. I was going to bring a letter from work stating that I am in full time employment but would that be enough? Has anyone ever had any experience with them? What did you do? I am flying direct from Dublin and i hear they are the worst!

K!LL!@N

Horror stories?
From who?

You shouldn't have any problems unless you have a criminal record of some kind.

You have it even easier in that you're flying direct from Dublin, you can get all the questions/paperwork out of the way before you leave.

Just show up and check in, in plenty of time.
If you're unsure of the questions on the form ask someone.

Make sure you have your return ticket on you.
Make sure your passport is valid for 6 months.
Have the address of where you're going to be staying and phone number.

They generally only ask you a few questions.
The purpose of your visit.
How long you're staying for ( here's your chance to say you wish it was longer but you have to get back to the job ).
Stuff like that.
They might throw in a few other questions, general banter etc.

There isn't really anything to worry about.

Killian

b3t4

Went over from Shannon quite recently. My friend and I had no problem with the immigration crew. It's better that they do it over here as the grilling in America is meant to be way worse.

My fingerprints and photo was taken. They asked me the nature of my trip, where was I staying, when was I coming back and if I had a job to come back to. I didn't have any documentation to verify these facts and got on fine. They made a point to tell me to hand in the green slip, that they placed in my passport, when I was flying back to Ireland. It's the green slip that will let them know that you have left within your allowed time.

A.

K!LL!@N

b3t4 wrote:

Went over from Shannon quite recently. My friend and I had no problem with the immigration crew. It's better that they do it over here as the grilling in America is meant to be way worse.

My fingerprints and photo was taken. They asked me the nature of my trip, where was I staying, when was I coming back and if I had a job to come back to. I didn't have any documentation to verify these facts and got on fine. They made a point to tell me to hand in the green slip, that they placed in my passport, when I was flying back to Ireland. It's the green slip that will let them know that you have left within your allowed time.

A.

The "interrogation" is no worse over there.
Depending on the airport you're leaving from, you may have to give photo/fingerscans on the way out.
I think they have them at all the major international airports.

Killian

Gandhi

If you are really worried, you could bring a few copies of paycheques / direct deposit slips from work, to prove you have a job. You should be grand, though.

Have a rockin' time in NYC.

therecklessone

joejoem wrote:

Hey,
Im heading to New York next week for a holiday but Im getting nervous with all the stories I hear of people being turne back by immigration. I was going to bring a letter from work stating that I am in full time employment but would that be enough? Has anyone ever had any experience with them? What did you do? I am flying direct from Dublin and i hear they are the worst!

Have the following with you:

1. Return ticket.
2. Address in NY where you will be staying (for first few nights anyway). That means either a hotel/hostel/mates place, but it must be verifiable.

Other than that you'll be fine.

joejoem

Cheers lads. Cant wait! I have been there before but it was before all this "WHO DO YOU WORK FOR???" crap came in.

Ruu_Old

dont be worried about it at most they will bring into a little office and ask you about your work, etc, nothing like a dark room with a big spot light and cigarette smoke blown in your face or anything they are quite friendly most of the time and just doing their job, have a good time.

netwhizkid

I wouldn't worry about it. I was interrogated too i'm in NYC right now. You get 2 forms at check in (with aer Lingus anyway) fill in the green one before going through departures and hand it in at Immigration before you board the plane. I got asked several Q's like about my education, Job, who bought my tickets, how much cash was i taking etc, who i was staying with here and when i was coming back to Ireland. I was searched 2 times before boarding too. You then hand in the Blue/white customs form after getting your luggage at JFK i presume its the same in the other US airports. BTW my passport was also expring within the 6month limit and that is okay too. The only thing i am a little worried about is i was suposed to come home yesterday but i extended my ticke until this sunday so now it looks like i lied to Immigration about by return date. Don't worry about you will get on fine i'd say unless you got a criminal record. I've head anyone with a drugs conviction will never be admitted point blank though. Anyone ever have problems re-entering the US after extending their ticket like i just did ?

bombidol

Immigration in Dublin is really handy. nothing to be worried about what so ever. Doing it in the states is a little different. I travel back and forth to the states every few months. and have never had an issue leaving from Dublin. the only trouble i ever had was in Detroit metro airport. i had to go through immigration there as i had left from london. they brought me into a stainless steel room , with links for handcuffs on the bench and emptied my clothes all over the floor and rooted through em for over 2 hours while grillingh me with questions. It was all worked out in the end and i was free to travel on my way. But the reason they done all this to me?????.... there was a sticker (a small see through one) on my passport that a kid had put on there. so dont worry you have nothing to worry about leaving from here. the immigration staff are all american but living here in Ireland , they are a bit more clued into our style of life and are more relaxed than their american counterparts. I had a conversation with the last one about the Ramones and The Clash, and how him and his wife had see The Ramones play in Phibsboro in the 80's

Bri

Does that mean if you travel to the States via Heathrow you do all the immigration stuff at the US-Side?

bombidol

yup

Bri

Right thanks for the info. - at least it makes the terminal transfer a little less rushed!

I'll be checking my passport for stickers though