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Pre-Arrival Processing
Travel
to the United States
You may make your own travel arrangements, or you may ask the processing
staff to arrange your travel. When making your own travel arrangements,
you are required to inform processing staff of your travel plans before
you leave.
If a processing agency purchases your tickets, the payment for the tickets
is a loan which you must repay. Before your departure to the United States,
you will sign a promissory note to repay your travel costs. About three
to six months after you arrive in the United States, you will begin to
receive monthly bills which allow you to repay this loan over a period
of three years. The money you repay goes into a fund which helps other
refugees travel to the United States.
Like other international travelers flying coach class, you and your family
will be allowed a maximum weight of baggage per person. Ask the processing
staff for the exact rules to follow on your flight. Payment for transport
of baggage in excess of that amount is your responsibility and is expensive.
If you are taking a pet, you must pay the cost of the pet's transport
and follow U.S. Customs laws and airline regulations regarding transport
of animals. It is important to inform the processing agency if you are
traveling with a pet, so that the resettlement agency in the United States
can try to find housing which allows pets.
U.S. Customs does not allow anyone to bring certain items into the United
States. These include narcotics, fruits, plants, vegetables, and fresh
meats. Prescribed medications can be brought in, but should be clearly
labeled. If you have questions about what can be taken to the United States,
ask the processing staff.
If your journey requires that you go through several transit points,
you will be assisted at most points by representatives of the International
Organization for Migration (IOM). If you have any difficulties on your
journey (for example, if a family member becomes ill), IOM representatives
will assist you and will notify your resettlement agency if your arrival
is delayed. In the United States, IOM representatives will meet you at
the port of entry and assist you with immigration formalities. They will
assist you to get to a connecting flight, if necessary.
Before you depart, you will receive a package of documents required for
entry, including immigration, medical, and resettlement documents. Be
careful not to lose these documents during your trip. You must carry these
documents with you; do not open them or pack them
in your suitcase. These documents must be given to immigration
officials at the first U.S. airport at which you arrive. There, officials
will open the package, inspect the documents, and return some to you.
The resettlement agency will ask to see these documents when you arrive
at your resettlement site and will make copies of them.
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