Successful U.S. Immigration: 6 Steps to Follow for Entry

After passing the U.S. immigration visa interview, many people are eager to buy their plane tickets to the U.S. to reunite with their loved ones after a long wait.

Since it may be your first time flying halfway around the world, not everyone knows the procedures for entering the U.S. for immigration.

Do not worry, the following article from ImmiPath will guide you through the steps to complete your U.S. immigration entry process.

1. Steps for Entering the U.S. for Immigration

On the day of your U.S. immigration arrival, make sure to arrive at the airport on time (about three hours before your flight) to allow enough time for all steps in the U.S. immigration Entry process, as shared by ImmiPath:

• Complete check-in online or at the counter and check your luggage.
• Go through the security area for screening (including full-body scanners, pat-downs, and inspection of carry-on luggage if needed).
• Go to the Gate and Board the Plane
• Land and Go Through Passport Control
• Collect Your Luggage and Go Through Customs

1.1. Check-In for Your Flight to the U.S.

By checking in, you are registering your flight to the U.S. with the airline. In many cases, this can be done online a few days before your departure.

If you only have carry-on luggage, checking in online can save you valuable time and allow you to select your seat early (if you haven’t already chosen one at the time of booking).

If you need to check your luggage, you must go to the check-in counter or kiosk, where you will also receive or print your boarding pass.

1.2. Select Your Luggage

Choosing your luggage is important due to strict regulations on the weight you can carry.

Typically, the average allowed weight for checked baggage is about 40-46 kg. Therefore, choose your luggage accordingly. Suitcases with wheels make transportation and maneuvering much easier.

For Carry-On Luggage:

• You are allowed to carry up to 7 kg, which can include a backpack, camera bag, or a stylish handbag with a maximum size of 55 x 40 x 23 cm (equivalent to a 20-inch suitcase).
• As of August 1, 2019, Vietnam Airlines changed its policy for carry-on baggage. The rule of 7 kg per passenger (economy class) has been replaced with 2 pieces of carry-on luggage totaling up to 12 kg.
• You can bring a shawl or coat on board without it counting towards your carry-on weight limit.

For Checked Baggage:

• Passengers are allowed to check in 2 pieces of luggage with a total weight of 64 kg (32 kg per piece). If you need to purchase additional baggage allowance, it’s best to do so along with your flight ticket to save costs.
• Since you will be handling a lot of checked luggage, it’s helpful to mark your suitcase, box, etc., with a colored fabric, sticker, or large paper with your personal information to make it easier to find and avoid losing your baggage. Additionally, pack your items efficiently to avoid being penalized for exceeding the weight limit.

After completing online check-in, you will receive your boarding pass in a digital format. It’s advisable to print it out as you may not always be able to use your smartphone when entering the U.S.

Your boarding pass will show your flight number, seat number, departure time, and gate. However, keep an eye on the display boards at the terminal as gate changes occur frequently.

1.3. Security Check at the Airport

The security check before your flight includes screening your carry-on luggage and may involve body checks and pat-downs. Keep your boarding pass and passport handy during this process.

To prepare for security screening, put a small amount of liquids in a zip-lock bag, remove all electronic devices from your luggage, and make sure you can quickly remove your shoes, belts, etc.

Place loose items, jackets, belts, hats, and scarves into the plastic bins on the conveyor belt. Electronic devices such as laptops, smartphones, and cameras must be placed in separate bins for X-ray screening.

You are not allowed to bring dangerous items such as nail clippers on board. Make sure to follow the no-carry signs in the security area.

If you are flagged for additional security screening, you will have the “SSSS” (which stands for “Secondary Security Screening Selection”) printed or written on your boarding pass.

In this case, you will undergo a detailed interview with Customs and Border Protection officers in a separate room before entering the U.S., and you will be subjected to a more thorough examination.

The “selected” status for SSSS is randomly assigned by a computer. The selection may relate to factors such as your flight booking type (e.g., one-way ticket) or the timing of your ticket purchase (e.g., same-day booking).

At this point, you should maintain a friendly attitude, answer honestly, and inform the border officials if you do not understand English well.

1.4. Boarding and the Flight

After a short wait at the gate, different groups of passengers (e.g., business class, families with children, or passengers from rows 1-15) will be called by name and allowed to board the plane.

Find your seat, place your carry-on luggage properly in the overhead bins or under the seat in front of you, and enjoy your flight.

1.5. Landing and Passport Control

After landing, remain seated for a short while until the signal to disembark is given. Then proceed to the passport control area and join the queue:

Mobile Phone Restrictions at U.S. Airports

The border area at U.S. airports is a no-cell-phone zone! Remember to ask for permission if you need to make an emergency call or send a message.

Automated Passport Control (APC)

If directed to Automated Passport Control, you will scan your passport at a kiosk, take a photo, provide fingerprints, and answer a series of questions. You will then receive a receipt to present to the officials.

Passport Control with a Border Officer

A border officer may ask you questions upon entering the U.S. The main purpose is to ensure there is no immigration intent from visitors without an immigration visa.

Typical questions during the entry interview include:

• “Why are you visiting the U.S.?”
• “How long will you stay?”
• “Where will you be staying?”
• “What is your first address in the U.S.?”
• “Who are you visiting?”

Respond briefly, accurately, and honestly. If you have any issues with understanding, inform the border officer at the start of the interview, and they will accommodate your needs.

Choosing the right luggage is crucial due to strict regulations on weight limits.

Typically, the average allowed weight for checked baggage is around 40-46 kg. Therefore, choose your luggage accordingly. Suitcases with wheels will make transportation and maneuvering easier.

See more:  What You need to prepare for U.S. immigration.

1.6. Entering the U.S. with an Immigration Visa

When entering the U.S. for the first time as a new “Lawful Permanent Resident” (with an immigrant visa) and without a green card yet, you can do so using the immigration visa authenticated by the Embassy, as noted in your passport.

If you see envelopes being passed to Customs officers in a discreet manner and notice some people crying tears of joy, you might be witnessing individuals who have just received their green cards and set foot on U.S. soil for the first time.

Once on U.S. soil, if you have a layover, you will need to retrieve and recheck your luggage. This rule generally does not apply if the layover is outside the U.S.

The wait time for entry at U.S. airports can vary, depending on whether you have an ESTA, U.S. visa, or green card. Green card holders are typically processed more quickly. For current wait times, check the MyTSA app.

After landing, you will also need to wait to retrieve your luggage and go through Customs. Even if you have detailed information from the Customs declaration form, your luggage may still be inspected. Follow Customs officers’ instructions carefully and maintain a friendly demeanor.

Once you have cleared Customs, you are free to leave the airport. Welcome to the United States!

2. What Should You Note When Entering the U.S. for Immigration?

When preparing for your immigration journey and completing the entry procedures into the U.S., you can save time and money with the following tips:

If you want to lock your suitcase, use TSA-approved locks from the Transportation Security Administration. This prevents your lock from being broken during inspection, as authorities have master keys to TSA-approved locks.

• Weigh your suitcase before departure and declare any excess baggage to the airline through an online application. Fees are typically lower than those for checking baggage at the airport.
• Self-check-in kiosks can save you time waiting at the counter and may also allow you to check in your baggage at a designated kiosk.
• Indicate any language barriers during conversations with U.S. officials or airport staff. Addressing misunderstandings can help avoid unnecessary delays and stress.
• To avoid extended questioning and inspection upon entry, consider cleaning up your social media presence before your trip to the U.S. Excessively critical comments or jokes about the U.S. government might lead to trouble.
• Unless you are entering the U.S. on a work visa or as a lawful permanent resident, avoid carrying employment verification in your carry-on luggage. Border officials might suspect you of attempting to work illegally.

The U.S. border can be one of the toughest in the world. In a typical year, over 270,000 travelers are denied entry. 

Reasons for denial vary widely and sometimes stem from vague feelings of border officials.

Common reasons for entry denial include:

• A criminal record
• History of unlawful employment in the U.S.
• Medical issues that could pose a risk
• Lack of vaccinations
• Current travel bans/suspensions
• Incorrect information in ESTA and visa applications
• Expired visas or ESTA approvals
• Missing documents
• Strange or suspicious behavior

3. How Long Does a Flight from Vietnam to the U.S. Take?

Many people wonder how long a flight from Vietnam to the U.S. takes. Typically, the flight duration from Vietnam to the U.S. ranges from 16 to 20 hours. Since the U.S. is located almost halfway around the world from Vietnam, the flight time can vary due to factors such as weather, flight routes, and specific destinations.

As it is a long-haul flight, passengers usually need to transit through at least one intermediate country. Some popular international airports that travelers from Vietnam might transit through include Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City), and Da Nang International Airport.

Since late November 2021, Vietnam Airlines has become the first Vietnamese airline to operate direct flights to the U.S. The inaugural direct flight route is between Ho Chi Minh City and San Francisco.

With the information shared about the entry procedures for immigration to the U.S., ImmiPath hopes to be helpful to those preparing to enter the Land of the Free to reunite with loved ones.

If you have any questions about U.S. immigration entry procedures, please leave a comment below. The ImmiPath consulting team will provide enthusiastic support and advice.