If you’re an American and are a frequent international traveler, or if you’ve visited the United States many times before, then by all means skip this post. However, there are also plenty of people who haven’t been to the United States or who aren’t familiar with United States immigration procedures, so I’d like to talk a bit about that in this post.
I figured I’d answer some of the most common questions people have about clearing immigration at airports in the United States. Do you have to clear immigration if just transiting internationally between other countries? What about your checked bags? How long should you leave for your connection?
The United States is pretty consistent when it comes to airport immigration procedures, for better or worse, so let’s cover all the details.
In this post:
Everyone has to clear immigration at first point of entry
It doesn’t matter whether you’re terminating your travel at that point, connecting domestically, or connecting internationally. All passengers have to clear immigration and customs at their first point of entry in the United States.
The only consistent exception is if you’re flying out of an airport with a US Preclearance facility, in which case you clear before boarding your US-bound flight. Airports with Preclearance facilities include Abu Dhabi, Dublin, Nassau, and Toronto, just to name a few. Furthermore, we’re seeing a very limited number of flights trial the new “One Stop Security” concept, where immigration and security work a bit different.
The United States is one of the only countries that doesn’t offer sterile international transit, which can be quite frustrating. In other words, even if you’re merely connecting in the United States between two international flights (like flying from Sao Paulo to New York to London), you still have to clear United States immigration, meaning you need to meet all the requirements to enter the country (including potentially applying for a visa).
It’s an annoying policy for sure, and something to be aware of. A large reason for this is the way that US airports are designed. You’d need to create a sterile international transit facility for people to connect without clearing immigration, and that’s not something that has been invested in.
Immigration wait times can vary wildly, and note that the United States doesn’t have priority immigration for first and business class passengers. However, there are programs that can save you time with the immigration process, like Global Entry and Mobile Passport Control.
You have to collect checked bags if connecting
When you land in the United States, you’ll first have to clear immigration. Then you’ll have to wait at the baggage claim belt, and once you have all your belongings, you’ll then clear customs. Once you exit the immigration hall, there’s almost always going to be a transit counter where you can re-check your bags.
For example, say you’re flying from Paris to Chicago to Los Angeles. When you check your bag in Paris, the bag will typically show as being tagged all the way to Los Angeles. Despite that, you’ll have to collect the bag in Chicago, and then have to check it again in Chicago after you clear immigration. The bag won’t need to be tagged again, since the baggage tag already indicates your final destination.
However, do make sure that your bag is in fact tagged correctly, because in some cases your bag may only be tagged to the intermediate point. This is especially true if your entire itinerary isn’t on a single ticket.
The process of checking the bag at the transit desk should be easy, and the agents there can typically also help you print boarding passes, etc.
You have to clear security after going through immigration
If you have a connecting flight to another destination (whether in the United States or international), you’ll once again have to clear security. Some airports have a special security lane for transit passengers (which may or may not save you time), while others make you go to the main security checkpoint at the terminal to clear again. Keep in mind that typical TSA policies apply regarding liquids, hazardous materials, etc.
How long of a connection you need after an international flight
How long of a connection should you plan when coming off an international flight in the United States? There’s no right answer, and it really all depends. Airlines publish minimum connection times, though in my opinion they’re sometimes way too short. There are a lot of factors to consider as to whether or not you’ll make your connection:
- Will your flight be on-time?
- Are you a US citizen or not?
- Do you have Global Entry and/or TSA PreCheck?
- Are you arriving at an airport during peak times, when immigration lines could be very long?
- If you are arriving during peak times, will lines also be long for security?
For example, at Chicago O’Hare Airport, the minimum connection time for an international to domestic connection on American Airlines is 90 minutes.
Do I feel comfortable with that as a US citizen with Global Entry and TSA PreCheck who isn’t checking bags? Absolutely. There’s still risk in the event of a significant delay, but odds are in my favor.
Would I feel comfortable with that as a non-US citizen with checked bags and without TSA PreCheck who is arriving in the late afternoon, when many international flights arrive? No way. Consider that:
- Your inbound flight could be delayed (generally I’d assume a delay of up to about 30 minutes is pretty “standard”)
- You could wait in the immigration line for up to an hour
- You often have to re-check your bag a certain amount of time before your connection to be sure it makes it onboard
- It can often take some time to get to the terminal or concourse for your connecting flight, especially for large airports
- It could take you 30 minutes to once again clear security before your connecting flight
I’ve been on many flights where they didn’t let passengers even get off the plane since the immigration facility was so backed up.
So the circumstances vary, but ultimately there’s no sure bet you’ll make a connection even if you’re adhering to the minimum connection time. Hopefully you do, but it’s no guarantee.
If you’re flying a high frequency route, though, keep in mind that if you misconnect you’ll typically be booked on the next available flight. That’s only so helpful, though, with how full flights are nowadays, since there might not be space to accommodate you on a later flight.
If you’re not a frequent traveler to the United States and have checked bags, personally I’d recommend leaving an absolute minimum of two hours. Ideally even three hours, in my opinion, because it’s better not to stress.
Bottom line
Airport immigration processes differ around the globe, so the above is hopefully a useful rundown of what you can expect in the United States. All arriving passengers in the United States need to clear immigration prior to connecting, and also need to collect any checked bags.
I’d highly recommend leaving a longer connection than required for these kinds of itineraries, especially with checked bags, and without TSA PreCheck.
What has your experience been with US immigration? Anything I’m missing?
No mention at all about the CBP MPC app? I use it all the time, and the Mobile Passport Queue is always empty...
Had an interesting experience recently when flying LHR-DFW on BA and then onward DFW-MEX on AA. All passengers where advised to collect luggage but after waiting for all bags to come off I checked with the luggage people and they confirmed since my bag was transiting to another international flight that it was checked through. It arrived at MEX with no issue.
Might have something to do with the one stop security program they're specifically implementing at DFW. Do you remember if there was an option for connecting pax to go out the arrival gate door for immigration? Either way sounds like either there wasn't or you didn't see it if you wound up at the baggage hall.
Usually thanks to Global Entry, I clear Customs in less than a few minutes. Before, it would take me anywhere between 10 and 25 minutes on average.
FYI: If you're arriving from LHR to DFW and connecting many of the steps here aren't necessary due to the new One Stop Security program.
Is there a reason US carriers don't pass along the US customs and int'l arrival taxes/fees? Foreign carriers often do, and then many people complain that these carriers have huge surcharges. Yes, they have huge carrier surcharges, but that isn't 100% of the difference in fees from the $5.60 in fees charged by US carriers.
The other taxes and fees charged by the US govt on an int'l arrival are:
Transportation tax $22.90 (also charged...
Is there a reason US carriers don't pass along the US customs and int'l arrival taxes/fees? Foreign carriers often do, and then many people complain that these carriers have huge surcharges. Yes, they have huge carrier surcharges, but that isn't 100% of the difference in fees from the $5.60 in fees charged by US carriers.
The other taxes and fees charged by the US govt on an int'l arrival are:
Transportation tax $22.90 (also charged on an int'l departure)
Customs User Fee $7.20
Immigration User Fee $7.00
APHIS fee $3.71
Up to an hour at immigration? What a boundless optimist you are! Try 90 minutes, as I experienced flying into EWR from Toronto Billy Bishop (YYZ-LGA was cancelled, hence the reroute).
Up to 2 hours in the queue at LAX on a weekday afternoon. There must be 25+ customs desks there, never seem more than 10 manned at any one time.
@Ben
The collecting bag and rechecking part is no longer 100%. Since 13AUG25, a few DL flights into ATL (first batch being ICN and LHR) no longer requires that manual Customs clearance process. This is rolling out to more flights.
Source: https://news.delta.com/fly-smarter-faster-bag-drop-security-and-connections
What if you are transiting from an airport that has pre-clearance, say, using a routing such as DUB-IAD-CHO? What is the experience like then? How much transit time should be booked then?
Thats effectively a domestic arrival. So arriving from DUB into IAD is just like arriving from BOS.
Ok but people might also want to know about their checked luggage if they have any, and would they have to reclear security, or if they can just walk straight from arrival gate to departure gate.
What part of
"Thats effectively a domestic arrival. So arriving from DUB into IAD is just like arriving from BOS."
doesn't answer your follow up question?
I flew DUB-EWR-DEN a few months ago and if I remember correctly since you arrive as a domestic passenger and are released straight into the concourse you don't have to collect your bags either.
Take into account as well that at some airports (SEA, MCO) they have implemented the "luggage first" policy. Meaning you first need to get your luggage from the belt and only afterwards clear immigration. Personally, I like this way of working. Obviously, not everyone gets their luggage at the same time, meaning not everybody de-planing will move immediately in the immigration queue. In my experience, this makes the waiting time for immigration less long.
"Luggage first" wastes everyone's time.
Going through Immigration can happen whilst bags are being unloaded from the aircraft and routed to baggage claim under the existing system, "luggage first" results in these happening in series, slowing everyone down.
Further, this increases the amount of space required per person in the immigration queues due to the floor space bags/carts take up and slows down rate of movement for those with mobility challenges who are also...
"Luggage first" wastes everyone's time.
Going through Immigration can happen whilst bags are being unloaded from the aircraft and routed to baggage claim under the existing system, "luggage first" results in these happening in series, slowing everyone down.
Further, this increases the amount of space required per person in the immigration queues due to the floor space bags/carts take up and slows down rate of movement for those with mobility challenges who are also moving their bags.
For travellers, there is nothing in the way of upside to "luggage first".
Lately I've been finding myself getting through immigrations before my bags arrive on the belt to pick up for the customs step. This is definitely better than having to wait even before I get through step 1 to get in the country.
Thank you Ben, the information which you have provided will be very useful to those of us who have little or no experience of the U.S. airport transit system.
However, the information provided by the Eskimo character, a known troll who has commented on your site using various login details, can anything which is published herein from that source ever be taken seriously?
I can confirm Eskimo is very trustworthy!
You would say that about yourself bro!
I can confirm AeroB13a is full of shyte.
And shyte like you is probably the one impersonating me.
Therefore all the trolling under this name is done by AeroB13a or other alter ego of Tim.
No! I am the real Eskimo and Mason!
Dear, dear me! Eskimo remains incapable of logical reasoning or an ability to comprehend the English language without the use of profanities. Has mummy locked you in your bedroom again and taken away your PlayStation? Mason tried in vein to convince the readers that you are capable of telling the truth …. you have just confirmed how wrong he is …. Xxxxx
What would be the point of connecting via a US airport if you are not staying in the US?
Not a rhetorical question. So many other options..
Stupidity.
Not a rhetorical answer. So many other options..
Like all things, it's cost.
US airlines siphon a ton of traffic between Canada/South America to other international destinations.
In addition, Australians often transit via the US to go to Europe as well.
yoloswag420, we always travel from LHR to Oz via the Far East. We have never contemplated travelling there via the U.S. Would you care to elaborate further on that route please? Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you.
Technically speaking, flying from Auckland (although not anywhere in Australia) it is a little shorter to fly to far northwest European airports like London or Dublin by going east rather than west. That said, if I were going to do that I'd much prefer to go through Vancouver than anywhere in the US.
@yoloswag420
According to industry and govt figures, the vast overwhelming majority of aussies travel to Europe via (a.) South-East Asia (Singapore, Bangkok and KL. being the biggest transit points) and (b.) the Gulf States (Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi being the three biggest transit points). It's really not the case that aussies "often transit" via the U.S. to Europe. I don't know where you got that from. Oh yes, I'm sure a few do transit...
@yoloswag420
According to industry and govt figures, the vast overwhelming majority of aussies travel to Europe via (a.) South-East Asia (Singapore, Bangkok and KL. being the biggest transit points) and (b.) the Gulf States (Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi being the three biggest transit points). It's really not the case that aussies "often transit" via the U.S. to Europe. I don't know where you got that from. Oh yes, I'm sure a few do transit via U.S. But the transit figures are tiny. Travelling via Asia and the Middle East is both quicker and cheaper.
There are thousands of Ozzies and Kiwis that do it every month, I think that constitutes often.
I didn't say majority, you all are unable to process the distinction between the two and coming up with false conclusions all on your own.
Air New Zealand literally used to operate a fifth freedom LAX-LHR specifically for this purpose. You guys are so funny. AKL-LAX-LHR vs LAX-SIN-LHR are basically the same distance.
I know of some British people who fly to Australia and New Zealand via the US (specifically LAX).
You initially stated that “Australians often” fly through the U.S. to reach Europe, and only added Kiwis when challenged. You also referenced the long-defunct AKL–LAX–LHR fifth freedom route, which is no longer relevant.
Moreover, the comparison between SYD–LAX–LHR and SYD–SIN–LHR is not equivalent — routing through LAX adds approximately 1,500 miles. That doesn’t account for the additional layover time and complexities involved in transiting the U.S., especially compared to more efficient hubs like SIN, DOH,...
You initially stated that “Australians often” fly through the U.S. to reach Europe, and only added Kiwis when challenged. You also referenced the long-defunct AKL–LAX–LHR fifth freedom route, which is no longer relevant.
Moreover, the comparison between SYD–LAX–LHR and SYD–SIN–LHR is not equivalent — routing through LAX adds approximately 1,500 miles. That doesn’t account for the additional layover time and complexities involved in transiting the U.S., especially compared to more efficient hubs like SIN, DOH, DXB, or HKG.
I’m not disputing the overall conclusion due to lack of concrete data, but the argument as presented is misleading.
Also, AustraliaUK is called the Kangaroo Route for a reason. No one refers to AustraliaUK as the Kangaroo Route.
"Also, AustraliaUK is called the Kangaroo Route for a reason. No one refers to AustraliaUK as the Kangaroo Route."
Re-read what you just typed and understand why no one takes you seriously.
We get great business class fares from SE Asia to Canada with a stop in the US. Certainly worth saving $1000-1500 per person for us and going thru the US. Two of us, 4 trips per year, that’s $8000-$12000 savings.
You're forgetting about CBP's EPP (Enhanced Passenger Processing), for US citizens at select international airports (ORD, ATL, MCO, SEA, CLT, DEN, LAX, BNA, HNL, DFW, MSP, JFK, and MOST Preclearance Facilities - excluding Abu Dhabi) you just need to do facial recognition and you're in. I'd say the value of getting Global Entry for US citizens kinda diminishes after this process has been introduced.
Should install and use the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app if you do not have global entry. Super easy to use.
Most airports support MPC now and there will be a seperate line that brings you right to the front of the immigration officers. Just avoid the dirty looks from the other passengers not using MPC.
A very important factor on "how long of a connection you need after an international flight" is which airport are you landing in the US. For example, if you land at JFK, MIA, ATL, ORD or any other large airport, you better plan for a long time to get the plane to the gate, walk all the way to immigration, clear immigration and customs and go through TSA. Now, if you land at MSP for...
A very important factor on "how long of a connection you need after an international flight" is which airport are you landing in the US. For example, if you land at JFK, MIA, ATL, ORD or any other large airport, you better plan for a long time to get the plane to the gate, walk all the way to immigration, clear immigration and customs and go through TSA. Now, if you land at MSP for example, you will probably be out of the plane and through immigration in less than 10 minutes as the airport gets fewer international flights, planes arrive at gates that are next to immigration and rarely you will see more than 2 international flights arrive at the same time.
Two weeks ago returning from Prague to LAX on a full to the gills Austrian 777-200 it took my wife and I about 20 seconds to clear with Global Entry. On our way to GE we could see the snaking lines that we missed. We were the first to clear.
Did you miss anything, asks Ben.
1. What if the plane has an unscheduled landing in Bangor, Maine? Do the passengers and luggage need customs and immigration clearance or the involved passenger is either arrested or sent to the hospital and the plane continues to JFK, ATL, ORD or other planned US destination?
2. Which airports would benefit from legislation if sterile transit were allowed? My guess would be SFO, LAX, JFK, ATL, ORD, DFW,...
Did you miss anything, asks Ben.
1. What if the plane has an unscheduled landing in Bangor, Maine? Do the passengers and luggage need customs and immigration clearance or the involved passenger is either arrested or sent to the hospital and the plane continues to JFK, ATL, ORD or other planned US destination?
2. Which airports would benefit from legislation if sterile transit were allowed? My guess would be SFO, LAX, JFK, ATL, ORD, DFW, IAH, MIA. Smaller stations might not go through the trouble, such as SLC, DEN, SEA.
While not yet widespread, Korean Air and Delta have launched "Remote Baggage Screening" where you avoid having to claim your bags and recheck it again.
https://www.koreanair.com/contents/footer/about-us/newsroom/list/250813-Incheon-Atlanta-Route
Isn't AA/BA doing something similar?
Just to note, if you’re connecting internationally eg. Europe to Mexico/Carribean, your bags usually get checked through with a tag on them to say “International Transit do not give to traveller within the US” so you dont need to collect them.
Just to note, not all airports are eligible to do that and not all handlers are aware of that little tag.
Best not to leave the outcome of your checked bags with people in a broken system.
Yes, I was a bit confused when I read that as I went to Mexico two years ago via Houston and didn't need to get my bags.
But I've have some horrific storys about going through US immigration, including a back and forth in Atlanta when one of my checked bags was a sleeping bag and the guy coudln't get why I had three bags for a two week stay.
Anyway, I don't have any plans on going back for the next few years.