Will I save much time by using the US preclearance facilities in Canada/Ireland rather than flying direct?
I'm planning a trip from Prague to NYC this summer. There is a direct flight to JFK and numerous transfer options. I've heard that JFK's customs can be a nightmare for non-US citizens and therefore considering routing my flight through Dublin where you can go through the TSA preclearance facility.
Will I save much time by doing so?
Best Answer
I haven't done pre-clearance in Dublin -- but I have done it in Toronto. It seemed to go faster than immigration in New York or Atlanta, based on my (limited) experience.
But I'd still caution against it: If you hit a delay at a transfer point, causing you to miss a flight, it can be frustrating and/or expensive. And adding an unknown such as 2 immigration checks (Ireland from the Czech Republic, and then USA from Ireland) will have the potential to mess up your trip -- unless you budget so much time for it that you really won't save any time at all: You'll just end up spending that time for certain in the Dublin Airport, rather than potentially in line at JFK.
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How long does it take to go through US Preclearance?
What time should I present at US Preclearance? We advise that you allow 3.5 hours before a long-haul flight. If checking a bag, verify your airline's check-in & bag drop desk opening times, and if possible, allow up to one hour of additional time to check-in luggage.Why is there US Preclearance in Ireland?
Dublin Airport is one of only a few airports outside North America that offers a US Preclearance facility. The benefit is that having cleared USCBP, passengers arriving in the US are treated as domestic arrivals, allowing them to avoid immigration queues upon arrival and pick up their bags and go.What happens at US Preclearance?
With Preclearance, travelers then bypass CBP and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) inspections upon U.S. arrival and proceed directly to their connecting flight or destination.Why does the US have preclearance?
Reasons for implementation. The preclearance program aims to streamline border procedures for flights entering the United States, reduce congestion at ports of entry, and to facilitate travel into U.S. airports that may not be equipped to otherwise handle international travelers.United States Pre-Clearance: Dublin Airport
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