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U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. - Travel (14) - Nairaland

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Re: U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. by seyewest(m): 1:02pm On May 11, 2017
jenny2007:
I"m keeping tracks too. Search everyday. Destination Chicago and ticket is almost 500k. I'm starting to think I should go thru JFK which cheaper and purchase onward return ticket from JFK to Chicago. Though I plan buying it here b4 leaving. Is this going to be an issue at the POE?
You can do that.. That's what I usually do and make sure you get your ticket from Nigeria before you fly and try LGA-ORD it's always cheap.

1 Like

Re: U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. by seyewest(m): 1:17pm On May 11, 2017
Vorpal:
@seyewest

What happened to Arik and Delta airlines? Thought those ones were cheaper?
Delta economy is around N800K
Re: U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. by Nobody: 2:08pm On May 11, 2017
seyewest:
Delta economy is around N800K


shocked

1 Like

Re: U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. by jenny2007(f): 3:12pm On May 11, 2017
seyewest:
You can do that.. That's what I usually do and make sure you get your ticket from Nigeria before you fly and try LGA-ORD it's always cheap.




Thanks so much dear
Re: U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. by seyewest(m): 5:16pm On May 11, 2017
jenny2007:





Thanks so much dear
LGA-ORD is mostly cheaper than JFK-ORD.

1 Like

Re: U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. by 9jaStar: 8:37pm On May 15, 2017
When there is uber

SirWahl1:
I got into Chicago today as a first time Victor to the US. My POE story coming. Damn tired

My POE experience.
Point of Entry: Chiago
The line was not quite a long one before 5 mins, I was in front of the officer

CBP: Why are you here
Me : To attend the bla bla conference
CBP: What do you do?
Me. Stated my position at place of work and went on to explain what we are into. Before I could even say much, he asked how long would I be staying and I said 2weeks
CBP. : Place your fingers there and stamped me in for six months. All this did not take up to 2 mins.
Went to collect my luggage which I could have easily carried as hand carry ooooo.
Headed to the exit. One officer collected the white form and asked if there was anything my bag to declare. I said No and that was it. Walked into the cold Night of Chicago. Did the mistake of taking an Airport taxi. The bill to my hotel is still annoying me.
Re: U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. by 9jaStar: 8:40pm On May 15, 2017
nefertitiram:


I carried lots of baby food when travelling with my infant in hand luggage and check in luggage. truly the scrutiny was a bit more than normal. Now I understand why. TSA even tore open my bags

Next time, use TSA-approved locks (the ones with the red diamond-looking logo) and there'll be no need to tear your bag or suitcase
Re: U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. by 9jaStar: 8:48pm On May 15, 2017
I have to confess, reading this was a struggle.
Had to stop halfway through as I was struggling to make sense of it

Obizee:
thanks to oga seyewest God bless you sir...
POE EXPERIENCE
SELECTED FOR SECONDARY SCREENING FROM NIGERIA...
Touched down doha qatar ....
CBP post chicago doha...
CBP:GOOD DAY SIR..
ME:good day aw are you doing today?
Cbp..you have been selected for sss you are asked to remove everything laptop scans,phones my tab (my camera workin that was an issue o, i think the battery died ,
ME: gave them everything and removed everying apart from my trouser and shirt though it was pulled up
CbP:why,wht where ,and amount in my wallet
ME:answered them chicago,my uncle, 2weeks plus.
CBP: you are cleared and free to board the airplane go and sit down in zone 2 thanks
Proceeded and boarded a flight to o'hare intl airport
Touched down chicago tired after 21hrs flight drank water and the bread given on the cos i did not like the food that was given
Men my leaks were already getting jetlagged and was having spasms had to shrug it off and ask God to give me strength
CBP chicago says queueing for visitors here citizens over there....
Me: the only black from qatar airways on my wing, though the other side a black lady and another black african but not nigerian
Cbp: my turn hello sir
Me:goodmorning sir aw are you?
CBP:OFFICER smiles and says to another oficer standing at the other side this one is definitely MIA dont know the meaning but i know it has to do with my secondary screening tag.
CBP:the other officer sir please follow my lead this way
Me:saying God its in your hands o
CBP Male hispanic or caucasian sitting on one side while the other lady sitting on the other side my passport was handed over and i was told to situ
Me:thank you sir remember i arrived by 3.15pm american time now time is about 4:05pm my person (COUSIN BRO AND UNCLE) was already waiting outside
CBP:please sir go on have a over there
waiting for another 30-45 minutes then my name was called for the interview but before that some have been told to go back for not been able to defend themselves while some have been stamped in after just calling the person they were going to stay with
Me: hello thats me sir
Cbp: Not smilling are you tis person (mentioned my name)
me:yes sir
cbp;what do you do?
me: explained
cbp:how long are staying
me: told him
CBP:how much are you with?
me:told him (cant say here but oga seyewest sir knows) lol
cbp:who are you staying with and mention his address and phone number and he is related to you
me:i mentioned him name and told him the address and phone no while he was trying to respond
cbp:Go and sit down sir we will call you back
Me in my mind was thinking i had oversaid something
CBP:came back after 15mins please sir lets go and get your bags
Me:ok
cbp:follow me( then we went to the carrier number 1 to get the my bags) him saying sir you are going home i was shocked but was calm in spirit (remember this was another person that took me there) guess he was playing with my pschology. didnt panic though
cbp:what is in the box in the search area
me:my clothes and (he scattered from beginning to end found nothing) took my other bag guess he was looking for something to pin me but i was still praying in my God pass this man
cbp:my laptop bag what is inside it ,
me:my tab,camera,phone spare small one though, my harddrive
cbp:took them did some scans on the tab and phone gave the other guy the phone
me; held my laptop(thanking God he didnt say anything about the camera because it was really bad so it couldnt come the battery
cbp:pschology again you read nairaland
me:i said yes alot on free time to see real life experiences and i have friends there
cbp: ok laughing and you are busy person
me: i said yes (i repeated spare time)
cbp:ok do you know about tb
me;gave him a brief history not because he cut me short
cbp:wer are you documents
me:didnt bring any but some of them were still left in my tab and laptop scanned for work purposes
cbp:ok you can take your bags to the waiting zone outside
now was about 6:00pm
me:prying in my mind na wa o e don b obodo oyinbo has really changed because infront of some ppl wer being taking back on return flights
for my mind i said its not my portion i remember oga seye words of confident and sincereity didnt lie even though under pressure even remeber some no i was asked offhand i had to say please i can check my he said no,,,(amnesia sets in lol)
cbp: comes out sir have your passport have way to d baggage section and then the exit sir hope the person coming to pick u is outside or you can find your way

me :wow this is real this time in put sir na wa o i no even answer am cos my mind i don vex finish for all the embarrssment
cbp:baggage by then dem remove my vegetable for my give a small blue paper and told me to read it
cbp:have a lovely stay
me:thank you sir you too
Now it was about 6.50pm
that was about 4 hours spent got home to my uncle place by 7;35pm( i don die already) my belle truly empty and remeber no water since o
Thanking God for everything cos they tried but God pass them.@oga seye and lady g una too much God bless you i need to overcome this shock finish cos my people here still cant believe it and me but life goes on..make i enjoy my 2-3weeks holiday before i go spend am ontop (ptsd).

4 Likes

Re: U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. by 9jaStar: 10:42pm On May 15, 2017
seyewest:
When planning a trip in a foreign land your first option is comfort and safety and the nearest international airport to your destination.. You should know that most expressway in U.S you can't drive more than 100mph which means your journey will be a lot slower than in Nigeria... by the way do you have kids traveling with you if so you're gonna make them very very uncomfortable.. if you're traveling to Orlando,Florida you can fly into Washington international airport and take a bus to Orlando which is like 20hrs.
But I'm very sure you will have a very hard time explaining yourself to the cbp officer at the airport.

If their plan is to see the country, then no issue. All they need to do is rent a car when they get to the USA. Daily rental plus insurance should come to around $150 but no more than $200 per day depending on the rental company and make of vehicle. My advice would be Enterprise or Avis.

Then they can make the drive themselves and save money. There are numerous rest stops along the way where they can have family picnics, refresh themselves and move on.

A valid Nigeria driver's license allows one to drive in the USA for 30 days.

Oh, and the highest speed limit on that route is 70mph, although you can safely do 75 without getting into trouble. However, if you're worried, download the Waze pp and use it for navigation. It helps with maintaining your legal speed limit

6 Likes 1 Share

Re: U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. by 9jaStar: 11:05pm On May 15, 2017
Simple.
As soon as you land, just ask the CBP officer at the POE. They'll be very happy to help

michaeladesiyan:


Please I'm going for a conference too with my family. I was given 2 years. Can we stay and process our stay? Please how do we get our stat after the conference?

11 Likes

Re: U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. by 9jaStar: 11:16pm On May 15, 2017
You worked while on a tourist visa??

krissein:


I was out of job here in Naija for some time. I worked while I was there and was offered promotion to supervisor twice ahead of those I met there, Americans and Hispanics but I couldn't accept cos of my status.
Re: U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. by 9jaStar: 11:46pm On May 15, 2017
The service is pretty good, especially from Casablanca to the USA.
They have no issues with CBP. Just be sure to check in any large device (laptop, tablets, etc)

duduobeche:
Good day house, please I will like to know much about Air Maroc service from Nigeria to. Casablanca and from there to JFK in new York.(how reliable is there service and want to be sure if they don't have issues with US) And can a family of 3 travel with $1k for PTA and tell them dt they have like $5k in their master card?. Staying in a hotel for 15days. Thanks

1 Like

Re: U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. by shrekandfiona: 5:00pm On May 16, 2017
seyewest:
This is a new thread about the Point Of Entry Experience of International travelers to various Airport in United States... You're free to share your stories here.
Nice thread smiley
1st POE 2015 NYC:
Border official: Hi, what brings you to the US
Me: childbirth( was very tired had a long flight so wasn't in a chatty mood)

BO: how long do you intend staying
Me: 8weeks

BO: Is this your 1st baby?
Me: No, my 3rd

BO: is your husband with you
Me: No but he'll come the week I give birth due to his work.

BO: What do you do back home
Me: stated my job

BO: why didn't you come with your other kids
Me: I can't deal cheesy. Gonna be stressful with a newborn as well

BO: 1st time here
Me: Yes

BO: any food?
Me: Yes, listed them out

BO: okay looks good. Stamps me in and welcomes me to amelica cheesy

2nd POE 2017 few weeks back:

JFK was really crowded. This time went with 2 of my kids. Did the self scan after a long queue still had to join another long line to meet the border official.

BO: Hi
Us: hi

BO: where to?
Me: orlando FL

BO: when last where you here
Me: about 2 years

BO: you have a connecting flight to catch?
Me: No, we are going on a bus trip

BO: wow! Gonna be a long trip
Me: yeah about 22hrs.

Looks at my kids and said they should have fun. Stamps us in.

We are back in naija now though. Disney world was fun but expensive.

Last pics is my very chatty uber in manhattan NY. 2nd and 3rd pics is disney world Orlando

3 Likes

Re: U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. by shrekandfiona: 5:02pm On May 16, 2017
2nd pics

Re: U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. by shrekandfiona: 5:03pm On May 16, 2017
Epcot smiley

Re: U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. by shrekandfiona: 5:04pm On May 16, 2017
Chatty dude

Re: U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. by shrekandfiona: 5:36pm On May 16, 2017
duduobeche:
Please me and my family has just been given US visa since last year October,i though we could make it during d December but we could not due to workload. Now my annual leave is starting from May 1st which I plan to travel now with my family. My question are (1) can still make the trip with my son of 9yrs old now dt d school will in session and what can we tell them @ POE (2) we initially told them dt we wanted to visit Disney world (3)but we want to come in through JFK stay in hotel in NY for 2days before booking for megabus to Orlando Florida (4) pls how do we go about dis trip and how BTA can we have with apart from money we have in account for d whole trip.
Hi, don't know if you have made the trip already but your journey is perfectly fine. That was what we did. My kids and I came in thru JFK, stayed 2 days and proceeded to Orlando by bus.

Though it was a long trip (about 22 hours or less) it was fun and cheap. Worth it for me though. The bus had over 10 stops at various subways... and we got to see some cities as well.

9 Likes 1 Share

Re: U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. by 9jaStar: 12:07am On May 17, 2017
I flew Delta last week for about N630K

seyewest:
Delta economy is around N800K
Re: U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. by seyewest(m): 11:10am On May 17, 2017
9jaStar:
I flew Delta last week for about N630K

it's even 580k now
Re: U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. by seyewest(m): 11:14am On May 17, 2017
shrekandfiona:
Chatty dude
see his glasses...lol
Re: U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. by dee85: 11:28am On May 17, 2017
Hi,please how much was the bus tickets to Orlando from new York? Trying to compare with flight tickets.
Good to see you had fun,am sure the kids had more fun.
Last time I visited disneyland was 2010,stayed at Tampa with a family friend and hubby rented a car throughout our stay and drove from Tampa to Orlando about 1hour drive
Good old days when $1=#160


shrekandfiona:

Nice thread smiley
1st POE 2015 NYC:
Border official: Hi, what brings you to the US
Me: childbirth( was very tired had a long flight so wasn't in a chatty mood)

BO: how long do you intend staying
Me: 8weeks

BO: Is this your 1st baby?
Me: No, my 3rd

BO: is your husband with you
Me: No but he'll come the week I give birth due to his work.

BO: What do you do back home
Me: stated my job

BO: why didn't you come with your other kids
Me: I can't deal cheesy. Gonna be stressful with a newborn as well

BO: 1st time here
Me: Yes

BO: any food?
Me: Yes, listed them out

BO: okay looks good. Stamps me in and welcomes me to amelica cheesy

2nd POE 2017 few weeks back:

JFK was really crowded. This time went with 2 of my kids. Did the self scan after a long queue still had to join another long line to meet the border official.

BO: Hi
Us: hi

BO: where to?
Me: orlando FL

BO: when last where you here
Me: about 2 years

BO: you have a connecting flight to catch?
Me: No, we are going on a bus trip

BO: wow! Gonna be a long trip
Me: yeah about 22hrs.

Looks at my kids and said they should have fun. Stamps us in.

We are back in naija now though. Disney world was fun but expensive.

Last pics is my very chatty uber in manhattan NY. 2nd and 3rd pics is disney world Orlando

3 Likes

Re: U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. by oluok123: 9:04pm On May 17, 2017
shrekandfiona:

Nice thread smiley
1st POE 2015 NYC:
Border official: Hi, what brings you to the US
Me: childbirth( was very tired had a long flight so wasn't in a chatty mood)

BO: how long do you intend staying
Me: 8weeks

BO: Is this your 1st baby?
Me: No, my 3rd

BO: is your husband with you
Me: No but he'll come the week I give birth due to his work.

BO: What do you do back home
Me: stated my job

BO: why didn't you come with your other kids
Me: I can't deal cheesy. Gonna be stressful with a newborn as well

BO: 1st time here
Me: Yes

BO: any food?
Me: Yes, listed them out

BO: okay looks good. Stamps me in and welcomes me to amelica cheesy

2nd POE 2017 few weeks back:

JFK was really crowded. This time went with 2 of my kids. Did the self scan after a long queue still had to join another long line to meet the border official.

BO: Hi
Us: hi

BO: where to?
Me: orlando FL

BO: when last where you here
Me: about 2 years

BO: you have a connecting flight to catch?
Me: No, we are going on a bus trip

BO: wow! Gonna be a long trip
Me: yeah about 22hrs.

Looks at my kids and said they should have fun. Stamps us in.

We are back in naija now though. Disney world was fun but expensive.

Last pics is my very chatty uber in manhattan NY. 2nd and 3rd pics is disney world Orlando

do they ask for your bus ticket at poe
Re: U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. by shrekandfiona: 10:33am On May 18, 2017
oluok123:

do they ask for your bus ticket at poe
Nope, didn't ask me. But have yours handy incase they decide to ask
Re: U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. by shrekandfiona: 10:36am On May 18, 2017
dee85:
Hi,please how much was the bus tickets to Orlando from new York? Trying to compare with flight tickets.
Good to see you had fun,am sure the kids had more fun.
Last time I visited disneyland was 2010,stayed at Tampa with a family friend and hubby rented a car throughout our stay and drove from Tampa to Orlando about 1hour drive
Good old days when $1=#160


Look at these options:

Gotobus.com; amtrack.com; greyhound.com

I paid the cheapest rates of $90 each NYC to ORL.

I have used local flight as well from NYC to Houston. More expensive and no baggage allowance. You have to pay for baggage.

I missed those days of $1 - #160-199 too. I wish things will get better in Naija. Tomatoes has gone back to being expensive sef

10 Likes 2 Shares

Re: U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. by dee85: 12:37pm On May 18, 2017
Thanks so much..this info was really helpful.never knew there were buses that traveled distant places in the states
We all miss those days...things are just too expensive nowadays, one cannot take a vacation now without thinking twice especially when you have children.May God help us
Thanks once again

Look at these options:

Gotobus.com; amtrack.com; greyhound.com

I paid the cheapest rates of $90 each NYC to ORL.

I have used local flight as well from NYC to Houston. More expensive and no baggage allowance. You have to pay for baggage.

I missed those days of $1 - #160-199 too. I wish things will get better in Naija. Tomatoes has gone back to being expensive sef[/quote]

2 Likes

Re: U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. by seyewest(m): 4:38pm On May 18, 2017
oluok123:

do they ask for your bus ticket at poe
No
Re: U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. by Coefficient(m): 8:03pm On May 18, 2017
seyewest:
No

Well, I was asked for mine
Re: U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. by MrLP: 9:27pm On May 18, 2017
MrLP:



Lol. I swear those clothes are not even ours. I have to spread them across everyones bag....since we al have 23kg×2. Left to me.....my box for nor even reach the 23kg cos i have hand luggage. One more thing...whats the PTA advisable. We are 5. 4 adults and a kid. Does the 10k restriction apply to when we are in a group. Or individually

Hello from NY. Enroute Boston now. Free wifi on the bus. Turkish airlines was splendid. POE...
Men....they didn't even have our time. Lol.
Thank God.
Uodate later. 17hrs on plane no be beans. I am so famished.
Update later!

10 Likes

Re: U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. by Ramj: 10:11pm On May 18, 2017
MrLP:


Hello from NY. Enroute Boston now. Free wifi on the bus. Turkish airlines was splendid. POE...
Men....they didn't even have our time. Lol.
Thank God.
Uodate later. 17hrs on plane no be beans. I am so famished.
Update later!

Whaooo nice one and enjoy.

1 Like

Re: U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. by REJOICE01: 10:13pm On May 18, 2017
Good evening house. Please I would like to know which of these 2 airlines (ethiad and turkish) is better to use. My sister will be going to new York next week. I learnt there will be a screening at Abu dhabi using Ethiad, I don't know if it would be d same with turkish. Kindly advice on which to use and also taking poe into consideration. Thanks.

1 Like

Re: U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. by 9jaStar: 1:29am On May 19, 2017
Kai. I for wait o

seyewest:
it's even 580k now
Re: U.S Visit: Port Of Entry Interview/stories. by Ramj: 12:25pm On May 19, 2017
REJOICE01:
Good evening house. Please I would like to know which of these 2 airlines (ethiad and turkish) is better to use. My sister will be going to new York next week. I learnt there will be a screening at Abu dhabi using Ethiad, I don't know if it would be d same with turkish. Kindly advice on which to use and also taking poe into consideration. Thanks.

Both airlines are great. Etihad has screning at Abu Dhabi though but u have nothing to worry about if you have nothing to hide.

so choice will be hers to make and maybe the cheapest too.

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