Where does immigration happen for connecting flights in USA?

Whether you have to go through immigration and customs really varies on the airport and the country. As with checked luggage, if you have a layover in the US or Canada, you will have to go through border control at the first point of entry into the US or Canada, even if your final destination is somewhere else.



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A port-of-entry is the first airport you land at in the US Even if you have a connecting flight, you need to go through the immigration procedure, pick up your luggage, re-check it and get on the next flight.

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If you have booked international connecting flights, you will normally have to go through customs and immigration at the connecting airport. This is particularly true of the United States and Canada.

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The port of entry is where you officially enter the United States. You will pass through a US immigration checkpoint shortly after you exit the plane. Make sure you have all your required papers in order and ready to show to the CBP agent in the airport when the time comes.

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You'll need to pick-up your luggage, then check it in again for the next flight. Top Tip: A wait at the airport between two connecting flights is called a layover. For more travel advice, check out our guide to dealing with a short layover.

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When checking in your luggage in most cases it will be checked through to your last stop. When arriving at the connecting airport all you have to do is to go to your next gate and wait for the next plane, your next flight. There might be a security check in the terminal at the connecting airport.

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When you fly into the United States, the rule is that you must pass through customs and immigration at your first point of entry in the United States. Therefore, if you fly from Paris to Chicago with a layover in New York, you will need to pass through customs and passport control in New York, not in Chicago.

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Apply for TSA PreCheck
TSA PreCheck is one of a few government-run trusted traveler programs, designed to allow members to use expedited security lanes at more than 200 U.S. airports. With TSA PreCheck, you can speed through security without removing your shoes, laptops, belts or jacket.

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Flight Connections at LAX
If you're arriving on an international flight, you will need to clear immigration at your arrival terminal. You will then need to collect your bag and clear customs — if the bag has been tagged with a final destination, you can drop it off at the transfers service desk after customs.

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A connecting flight is simply when you get off your flight and head to your next flight to reach the final destination. A layover is the time that you have between one flight and another flight, generally more than an hour. This means you have extra time after any security/customs.

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If you're flying on separate tickets, yes you will have to collect your bags and re-check in. However, if you're flying on a single ticket your bags will be transferred directly to your connecting flight even if you're flying a different airline.

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In cases where the connecting flight is one another airline or another terminal, passengers must go through a security and baggage check once again before you get on board the connecting flight to reach your destination.

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The TSA checks passengers' identity and whether a passenger has a boarding pass; generally, they are not screening for immigration status.

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Generally, customs officers may stop people at the border to determine whether they are admissible to the United States, and they may search people's belongings for contraband. This is true even if there is nothing suspicious about you or your luggage.

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Upon arriving at the Customs and Border Protection, you may expect to be asked the following questions:
  • Why Are You Visiting the United States? ...
  • Where Will You Be Staying While in the U.S.? ...
  • Who Will You Be Visiting While in the U.S.? ...
  • How Long Will You Be Staying in the U.S.?


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