Change in port of entry policy?

[areddy1234]

Hello,

 

One of my friends colleague went to India and came back to US on H1B otherday via Dubai. He mentioned that now port of entry is performed at the connection flight place itslef rather than after arriving in US. In this case, his port of entry was performed at Dubai before boarding the flight to US. Also mentioned that this is in effect from Jan 30 2014.

 

Not sure how much of this is true, but want to verify and check with the members of this forum who might travelled recently. If this is true then thre must be atleast 5 - 6 hours gap in clearing the immigration to make a connection flight.

 

Thanks,

Areddy.

[itsmass]

Yes, this is infact true. This Pre screening facility opened in Abu Dhabi late last year. You can clear your immigration at Ebu Dhabi rather than waiting in a line in US. See below article for reference. If the below article gets censored by Murthy team, just google "port of entry for us in dubai"

 

http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ain-air-transport-perspective/2013-07-15/us-customs-official-defends-abu-dhabi-facility

[jairichi]

Hello,

 

One of my friends colleague went to India and came back to US on H1B otherday via Dubai. He mentioned that now port of entry is performed at the connection flight place itslef rather than after arriving in US. In this case, his port of entry was performed at Dubai before boarding the flight to US. Also mentioned that this is in effect from Jan 30 2014.

 

Not sure how much of this is true, but want to verify and check with the members of this forum who might travelled recently. If this is true then thre must be atleast 5 - 6 hours gap in clearing the immigration to make a connection flight.

 

Thanks,

Areddy.

Yes, this was introduced recently. Even Etihad has this facility at Abu Dhabi.

[ad2010]

This is called CBP Pre-clearance.  Dubai is not in this list.  Abu Dhabi has pre-clearance and it started this year.

 

http://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports/preclearance/preclear-locations

 

Your friend must have came via Abudhabi not Dubai.

[siebd212]

Its true, for now its only in Dubai. My friends travelled via dubai.

[areddy1234]

Its true, for now its only in Dubai. My friends travelled via dubai.

Is it same via london or frankfurt?

[JoeF]

This has been the case for a long time at certain airports, e.g., all in Canada, and at Shannon in Ireland. Seems they have extended that a bit.

I don't think this has been done in Frankfurt or Heathrow.

[areddy1234]

This is called CBP Pre-clearance.  Dubai is not in this list.  Abu Dhabi has pre-clearance and it started this year.

 

http://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports/preclearance/preclear-locations

 

Your friend must have came via Abudhabi not Dubai.

Thank You,

 

This helps a lot.

 

Thanks,

Areddy.

[Joe03]

Its true, for now its only in Dubai. My friends travelled via dubai.

Is Pre-clearnce already started at Dubai?Please advise.