I am coming to USA first time and have few questions in mind:

1) What to enter in declaration form in india. I have a High end mobile tablet, good camera, do i need to enter the details in the form or is it fine, since when i come back i don't want things to get difficult?

2) I have to change flights at NEWARK LIBERTY airport for SFO. Now will my port of entry be newark or sfo? How to go about changing? Is it like just go for domestic change or what? Can anyone explain?

3) Also how many hours before, for each departure from india and departure from usa, should i arrive at the airport so i dont have to hassle?

4) I have exchanged currency, but they were only having 100$ bills. So can i know what's the best way to get change, that is in smaller denominations like 1$, 2$ etc. Can we change at airport with/without expenses or buy something and get the change?

5) The exchanger has put some sort of small stamp at back of the 100$ bill, is it normal and fine?

6) For i94 form: What to enter here? 10. Mark an X in the Yes or No box. Are you traveling on a business (work-related) trip?

I am on b1/b2 visa but i am not for exact business. I have been chosen to attend a summit and i am a student. After that i will roam around for 2 days. So what to enter there?

7) Also i would get only 1:30hrs in between my flight for SFO, will i be able to clear everything in that time or anything else that i need to know?

8)If that time is small, and if i miss the connecting flight, how to overcome that situation? Who will arrange my next flight?

9)Also while exiting US, i have the reverse pattern from SFO-NEWARK-INDIA in that case what will be my exit point and where i have to submit the i-94 form, sfo or newark. And at sfo, do i need to go for domestic departure or international?

Airlines : United Airlines

Ok, so this is what I know.

1) Can't help here.

2) Newark would be your point of entry.

3) I don't know from India, for your return flight from USA, it's recommended you arrive at the airport two hours ahead.

4) I prefer $20's. Buy something and break your 100 or just ask at a con session stand if they can help.

5) I've meet had this happen, but again have never travelled from India.

6) You don't need to fill out the i94. It's all electronic now and the immigration officer enters the information. Answer truthfully about your reason to come and you won't have any trouble.

7) I think it is too tight of a connection. Lines at immigration and even customs have been really long this year, but it depends what time of the they you're flying in.

8)Is your trip booked on the same ticket? Is it all on United? If so, the airline would put you in the next available flight.

9)Again, no i94 anymore.

Good luck.

3) allocate at least 3 hours.

7/8) 1:30 will be enough on the outbound but when arriving into the US, with the massive and slow lines for foreign nationals. I would say there is a >50% chance of missing a connection. However if it is on United, then you should be able to be rebooked on the next available flight

I can help with a couple of these.

You go through immigration at Newark, show your passport and "enter the United States." Then you reclaim your checked baggage and take it through customs. After clearing customs you re-check your bag onward to SFO (there is a re-check desk right there, beyond the barrier) then proceed into the domestic terminal and locate the gate for your onward flight. Hopefully your schedule allows for at least three hours to accomplish this.

At DEL I would say at least three hours. I haven't been since the terminal was improved but from what I hear things can still be chaotic. At SFO two hours before departure is fine.

You are not going to make any friends trying to buy a $1 candy bar with a $100 bill to get $99 in change. You only need to break one $100 bill while en route, for small expenses, cab, and tips; try the currency exchange booths (Travelex, etc.). When you get to your hotel the front desk can help you break the rest. $100 bills are not great everyday currency unless you re paying big restaurant tabs; the $20 bill is everyday currency. We don't have $2 bills.

1 hour 30 minutes is potentially not enough, especially if your incoming flight from DEL is late. United overseas flights are prone to delays and immigration / customs lines at EWR can be long. If you miss your scheduled EWR-SFO, United should rebook you onto the next available flight. EWR-SFO flights run frequently, every hour or two. If you emerge into the domestic terminal and you know you've missed your onward flight, go to a United service desk for a new boarding pass.

At SFO you must show your passport and I-94 at check-in but there is no formal exit-the-country barrier for departing international passengers such as you find at DEL. Domestic and international departures are commingled.

Really?



I remember one I got paid $800 all with $2 notes...

At SFO you must show your passport and I-94 at check-in but there is no formal exit-the-country barrier for departing international passengers such as you find at DEL. Domestic and international departures are commingled.[/QUOTE]

I read somewhere i have to give the i94 form back to the airline people or someone before exiting the US, So where to do so at newark or sfo?

For i94 form: What to enter here? 10. Mark an X in the Yes or No box. Are you traveling on a business (work-related) trip?

I am on b1/b2 visa but i am not for exact business. I have been chosen to attend a summit and i am a student. After that i will roam around for 2 days. So what to enter there?

I know as the first poster, thanks, clearly said of the new electronic system but somehow if i get the form, what is to be done in this particular field?

When i94 was still paper, you'd give it to the airline at the check in counter. As a non-US citizen traveling internationally, they check your passport a the airport to check you in to the flight; in the past, it was here when you gave the i94 back.

Again, not relevant anymore because you won't get a paper i94.

2). Your point of entry will be Newark. You will need to clear immigration, claim your bags, clear customs, and recheck your bags. Given recent lines, I'm going to bet you will miss the connection.

4). The US does have a $2 bill but is more of a novelty. It's not typically used for everyday purchases.

5). Small marks on bills are not a problem and shouldn't cause any issues.

6). It is my practice to say business if I have any business related activities in my schedule. Mark business, then state you are there for a conference and some tourism. You have the appropriate visa for this. I frequently combine business and tourism and have had no problems with this approach.

One thing to add here s that after you recheck your luggage and proceed to the domestic terminal, you will once again have to go through the domestic security checkpoint, wherein you must remove shoes, remove laptop from your bag (not your tablet, though), and go through a body scanner.

I wish to strongly endorse the comments of others that 90 minutes is NOT enough time to allow to clear immigration/customs, change terminals, go through security again, and then get to your gate

Is it theoretically possible that it could work? Yes. Would I want to bet on being able to do it? No, especially at Newark, which is one of the more inefficient airports in the USA.

Change your flight to allow more time, if that is possible. If not, and your entire segment is on the same record, United might try to help you on to the next flight if there is one, if it has space, and if you get a good agent -- but you run the risk of being stuck with an overnight stay at Newark at your expense. The area around Newark Airport is not a great area to have to spend the night.

An I94 is no longer required for entry to the United States. It is now electronic and the only form to be completed is the Blue Customs form.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/...l/03212013.xml

There's no need to upset the OP unduly. The DEL-EWR service is an overnight flight and lands before sunrise. If he misses the first flight of the day EWR-SFO, there will be about ten more to choose from in the coming 12 hours, so there's no chance of getting stuck at EWR overnight. And if he misconnects UA will of course rebook his onward travel. There's no "United might try to help you onto the next flight if there is one."

Very true. Since VX entered the market, United offers 14-16 daily flights between EWR and SFO. Nothing to worry about.

Thanks all you all guys rock. I have all of my fears gone now and now looking forward!

This forum rocks! Keep it up guys! Will share my experience with you all. Thanks to each and everyone of you!

As others have stated I would work on your connection time. There is no reason to try to rush things your first time. On top of that, with our current government fiscal climate, they may have to cut back on staff which may result in longer lines.

I know you didn't ask.. but.. I have never been to San Francisco so I don't know what to recommend you spend your two days seeing in the area. Are you traveling as part of a group? Are planning on stay around SFO for the two extra days?

Welcome to the US! I hope you enjoy your time here!