Abu Dhabi: Transit time and US pre-clearance question

Abu Dhabi: Transit time and US pre-clearance question - Railway station with clock in classic building

My parents will be traveling to the US (JFK) from India (BLR) and I am planning to buy their tickets on Etihad. I have a few questions regarding the transit and the US pre-clearance:

  1. The flights I am looking at right now are EY237 (BLR-AUH) and EY103 (AUH-JFK). It seems like the transit time is going to be about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Is this sufficient to go through the US pre-clearance?
  2. Once the pre-clearance is done, will they need to go through any additional checks/anything at JFK?
  3. Since they will only be transiting through AUH, is a visitor/any visa required? I checked one of the websites and it says that a visa is not required if the transit time is < 4 hours. Is that correct?

Anything else that we need to be aware of?

Edit: Edited per suggestions below.



Best Answer

  1. Yes I do believe it is, now that the situation there has improved. You are advised to present yourself at US Customs and Immigration at least sixty minutes before departure of your onward service.

  2. No, you will arrive as a domestic flight. (In principle US Customs and Immigration have the power to inspect you again, but usually they will not.)

  3. Not for an airside connection.




Pictures about "Abu Dhabi: Transit time and US pre-clearance question"

Abu Dhabi: Transit time and US pre-clearance question - Public railway station with clock in center
Abu Dhabi: Transit time and US pre-clearance question - From below of aged retro golden clock placed atop information booth of historic Grand Central Terminal with arched windows
Abu Dhabi: Transit time and US pre-clearance question - Vintage street clock on pillar located near residential buildings and skyscrapers in downtown of New York city in financial district



Does Abu Dhabi have US preclearance?

After check-in or arrival in Abu Dhabi International Airport, guests on these flights should follow the airport signage for the U.S. Pre-clearance facility. The entrance to the U.S. Pre-clearance facility is adjacent to gates 58-61. Please proceed to the facility not later than 60-minutes before departure.

How Long Does US pre clearance take?

How long does preclearance take? For US citizens, it takes approximately 40 seconds to complete preclearance checks at a self-service kiosk. Checks for other passengers, including UK travellers, take around 80 seconds, assuming you have an ESTA.

Can you clear US immigration in Abu Dhabi?

The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility at Terminal 3 (T3) in Abu Dhabi Airport is a purpose-built facility that allows US bound passengers to process all immigration, customs and agriculture inspections in Abu Dhabi, before you depart.

Is transit visa required for connecting flights in Abu Dhabi?

Is it mandatory to travel through Abu Dhabi Airport on a Transit Visa? Yes.



US Airport Question | US Pre Clearance at Abu Dhabi UAE | US Visa Interview Q\u0026A | US B1 B2 Visa




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