How long does it take to pass through immigration in New York?

When you land in New York, one of the first questions you’ll ask yourself is: how long will it take to clear US immigration? The honest answer is: it depends.
That said, after many trips to New York since I created this site in 1999, I’ve gotten to know the city’s airports well. Here are some factors that will help you estimate your wait time.

1/ It depends on which airport

• First thing to know: waits are generally longer at JFK than at Newark. JFK handles far more international flights and therefore more foreign passengers clearing immigration at the same time.

2/ It depends on the season

• During peak summer season, waits can be longer because seasonal flights bring even more arrivals.
• Certain dates can be particularly busy. On the Destination New York group, someone reported waiting 4 hours on January 1st.

3/ It depends on your arrival time

• The earlier you arrive in New York, the shorter your immigration wait. I’ve noticed a clear difference between a flight landing around noon and one arriving late afternoon, when many more international flights are coming in.
• If you land when many long-haul flights arrive simultaneously, you could easily spend 2 hours in line, especially if they’re full A380s. While 2 hours is the upper limit, it’s not uncommon.

4/ Automated kiosks replaced by the MPC app

• If you’ve visited the US since 2008, you could use automated kiosks (see the article on using automated kiosks). They typically cut your wait time in half compared to regular lines. Unfortunately, these kiosks were removed after Covid, and it’s unclear if they’ll return.
• Since 2024, there’s another option: the Mobile Passport Control app. This app, which replaces the old kiosks, lets you register before you leave and fill out a form when you arrive. You can then use the MPC line, which moves much faster than the regular line.
• Tip: if you’ve visited the US before, the process will be slightly faster and you’ll typically face fewer questions than first-time visitors.

How much time should you plan?

• Overall, I’d suggest planning for about 1 hour. That’s a solid average. Depending on the factors above, you’ll either gain or lose time.
• One last thing: don’t worry about your luggage while you wait. Your bags will be delivered to the baggage carousel while you’re in line. If you’re delayed, airport staff collect the bags and set them aside by flight.