Single-entry visa issued to the US - question about flight layover
I was granted a single-entry visa to the US, to attend a conference in Chicago. My company is sponsoring the trip, and they bought my plane tickets. We're going from my country to an airport in Houston TX, and then to O'Hare in Chicago.
Since my visa is one entry only, and I'd pass through 2 airports, would I be allowed in at Chicago? This is my first time flying and I don't know how it would work.
Best Answer
You are entering the US only once, in Houston, where you will go through passport control and customs checks. After that, the flight between Houston and Chicago is domestic, there’s no check whatsoever on arrival in Chicago.
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Do you need a visa if you have a layover in US?
A foreign citizen whose layover in the United States is for a primary purpose other than to transit, for example to visit friends or sightsee, requires a visitor (B) visa. A coasting officer seeking to enter the United States generally requires a visitor (B) visa.Do you need a transit visa for connecting flights?
Most countries that normally require that you have a visa, do not require the visa if you are a transit passenger, someone who is only transiting through the airport. As you don't go through immigration, and you don't enter the country, hence no visa is needed.Can I transit through the United States?
A US Transit Visa is a permit to to enter the US and stay for a layover. Afterward, when your planned flight or ship leaves for your next destination, you will have to leave the US. The US government issues C1 visas for USA for immediate and continuous transit through the country.Is it hard to get a US transit visa?
Getting a B1/B2 visa can be hard. So I suggest making sure you at least have a valid C1 visa / US transit visa! One of the most common reasons for getting offloaded is a failure to secure the appropriate documentation when traveling, such as transit visa when you are transiting through the US. But worry not!Do I Need A Transit Visa If My Plane Has A Stop In The US?
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Answer 2
You will be fine as you will only be entering the US once -- at the initial American airport you arrived at on the flight from your country. Once you have passed through customs and immigration in Houston you will transfer to the domestic side of the airport for your flight to Chicago where you will land at a domestic terminal. Note: You will need to keep your passport out for photo ID when boarding the second flight.
Answer 3
When you land in Houston
You will be directed/routed onto only one possible path: to customs and immigration. There, you will tell them your story, declare anything you are bringing in... if they deem necessary they will pull you aside for further inquiry and bag inspection, just like you see in the border patrol TV shows on Youtube. This also involves you picking up your luggage. That is necessary in case they want to inspect it.
Most likely, when you are finished with Immigration and have your luggage, you will exit to the street side of the airport.
You must re-enter the system
Now you must go re-check your luggage and re-enter through the TSA security line.
You are now traveling domestically.
TSA and gate agent will check your passport only for ID. When you exit the plane at Chicago you will not be stopped by anyone.
Note: there are a few locations where TSA does preclearance at the foreign airport. In that case you will clear US customs & immigration inside the foreign country, and the airplane will gate at a domestic terminal in the airside area. You can remain airside and just walk to the gate of your Chicago flight.
Answer 4
Yes. One entry means entry into the country. Seeing as you arrive in Houston, and do no leave to get to Chicago, you are fine. Any domestic flights while in the country (As long as you do not overstay your Esta/Visa etc) are permitted too.
You would find issues if you for some reason flew to, say, NY, then to Canada, and then back in, as you'd be leaving the U.S.
Same for if you decide to leave the U.S Earlier than your visa expires. Even if you have time on the visa, you are only allowed one entry.
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