Key Takeaways
• JFK Terminal 1 had average passport wait times over 2 hours, maxing at 3 hours 17 minutes in May 2025.
• Delays result from high passenger volumes, limited CBP staffing, and peak arrival times at JFK airport.
• Technology and trusted traveler programs like Global Entry provide limited relief amid sustained summer 2025 delays.
Travelers arriving at New York’s JFK International Airport are facing some of the longest passport check wait times in the United States 🇺🇸, with recent data showing average waits of more than two hours during peak periods in May 2025. These delays, especially at Terminal 1, have left many passengers frustrated, worried about missing connecting flights, and searching for ways to make their entry into the country smoother. Here’s a detailed look at what’s happening, why it matters, and what travelers, airlines, and officials are doing about it.
Long Waits at JFK: Who’s Affected and When?
Between May 15 and May 21, 2025, international passengers arriving at JFK International Airport’s Terminal 1 between 2:00 and 3:00pm waited an average of two hours and five minutes at passport check. The longest wait during this period reached a staggering three hours and 17 minutes. Terminal 5, home to JetBlue and other major airlines, saw similar problems, with average waits of two hours and four minutes and some travelers waiting up to two hours and 52 minutes. Terminal 4, used by Virgin Atlantic and other carriers, reported average maximum waits of over two hours between 9:00am and 1:00pm.
In contrast, Terminal 7, which mainly serves British Airways, did not experience excessive queues during this period. This means that the worst delays are not spread evenly across the airport, but are concentrated in certain terminals and at specific times of day.
Key facts:
– Terminal 1: 2:00–3:00pm, average wait 2 hr 5 min, max wait 3 hr 17 min
– Terminal 5: 8:00–9:00pm, average wait 2 hr 4 min, max wait 2 hr 52 min
– Terminal 4: 9:00am–1:00pm, average max wait over 2 hr
– Terminal 7: No excessive queues
These wait times are much higher than those at other major U.S. airports. For example, Atlanta, Chicago O’Hare, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, and Orlando rarely see passport check waits approach two hours. At Austin, Texas, the longest recent wait was just 90 minutes, with typical waits around 20 minutes.
What’s Causing the Delays?
Several factors are driving these long waits at JFK International Airport:
- High Passenger Volumes: The number of international travelers has rebounded sharply since the pandemic, especially during the busy summer travel season. On May 21, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) processed over 40,000 passengers and crew at JFK in a single day.
- Limited CBP Staffing: CBP officers are responsible for checking passports and interviewing arriving passengers. When there aren’t enough officers on duty, lines grow quickly.
- Peak Arrival Times: Most long waits happen during periods when many international flights land at once, especially from Europe.
- Infrastructure Strain: JFK has long struggled with congestion and limited space in its arrival halls, making it hard to process large crowds efficiently.
CBP officials say they are aware of the problem and encourage travelers to have all their documents ready before arrival. However, they have not announced any new policies or major staffing increases to address the delays.
The Step-by-Step Arrival Process at JFK
For travelers arriving at JFK International Airport, the process of clearing passport check and customs involves several steps. Understanding this process can help passengers prepare and possibly reduce their wait times.
- Disembark and Proceed to Passport Control: All international arrivals, even those with connecting flights, must clear CBP before moving on.
- Queue by Passport Type or Region: Lines are now divided by passport region. There is also increased scrutiny in the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) line, especially for green card holders.
- Present Documentation: Travelers must show a valid passport, visa (if required), and any supporting documents.
- CBP Interview and Biometric Capture: Officers may ask questions and collect fingerprints or photos.
- Secondary Screening (if flagged): Some travelers are sent for additional checks.
6. Proceed to Baggage Claim and Customs: After passport control, passengers collect their bags and clear customs.
For more details on entry requirements and documentation, travelers can visit the official CBP website.
Technology and Fast-Track Options: Are They Helping?
JFK International Airport has started using new technology to try to reduce wait times, especially at Terminal 4. Steve Tukavkin, Vice President of IT & Digital at JFKIAT (the operator of Terminal 4), says the airport is using Beonic’s AI-powered system to monitor passenger movement and dwell times. The goal is to spot bottlenecks and adjust staffing or open more lanes as needed.
However, the impact of these efforts has been limited so far. While real-time monitoring helps airport managers see where problems are happening, it does not solve the underlying issue of too many passengers and not enough CBP officers.
Fast-Track Lanes: Terminal 4 offers a fast-track lane for passengers with urgent connections, but space is limited and not all travelers can use it. This means that most people, especially those arriving at Terminal 1 or Terminal 5, should expect to wait in the regular lines.
Global Entry: The Global Entry program allows pre-approved travelers to use automated kiosks for faster passport control. In 2024, the fee for Global Entry increased from $100 to $120, but it now includes TSA PreCheck. While this can save time, not everyone is eligible, and the application process can take several months.
Mobile Passport Control: The MPC app allows U.S. citizens and Canadian visitors to submit their passport information and customs declaration via smartphone, but recent changes have led to more checks for green card holders, which can slow things down.
How Do These Delays Affect Travelers?
Missed Connections and Travel Stress
Long passport check waits at JFK International Airport are more than just an inconvenience. Many international travelers have connecting flights to other U.S. cities or even other countries. When passport control takes two hours or more, the risk of missing a connection goes up sharply.
Airlines like JetBlue, Air France, Lufthansa, TAP Portugal, and Virgin Atlantic have all reported increased numbers of missed connections due to these delays. While some airlines try to help by rebooking passengers, there is often little they can do if the next flight is full or if the delay is too long.
Impact on U.S. Citizens and Non-Citizens
Wait times for U.S. citizens are usually about half as long as for non-citizens, but during peak periods, even American travelers can face waits of an hour or more. For non-citizens, especially those who need visas or have complex travel histories, the process can take even longer.
Families, Elderly, and Travelers with Disabilities
Long waits are especially hard on families with young children, elderly passengers, and people with disabilities. While JFK International Airport offers some assistance services, the sheer volume of travelers can make it hard to get help quickly.
Smaller Airports Offer Relief
Travelers who can choose to arrive at smaller U.S. airports often experience much shorter wait times. For example, at Austin, Texas, the longest recent wait was 90 minutes, and typical waits are just 20 minutes. However, not all international flights offer direct service to these airports.
What Are Officials and Airlines Saying?
CBP’s Response: CBP says the delays are due to high travel volumes and encourages travelers to prepare all documents in advance. On May 21, 2025, CBP reported an average passenger wait time of 19 minutes and a maximum wait of under 49 minutes for that day. However, independent data and passenger reports show much longer waits during peak times.
Airport IT Leaders: Steve Tukavkin of JFKIAT says that AI and real-time monitoring are helping to spot problems faster, but admits that the impact on passport check times is still limited.
Airlines: Airlines are worried about the effect on customer satisfaction and the cost of rebooking missed connections. However, they have little control over CBP staffing or the passport check process.
Background: Why Is This Happening Now?
JFK International Airport has long been known for congestion and long waits at passport check, especially during busy international arrival windows. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport struggled with similar problems, but travel volumes dropped sharply during 2020 and 2021.
Now, as international travel has bounced back, the airport’s infrastructure and staffing have not kept pace. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the combination of more flights, bigger planes, and limited space in arrival halls has created a “perfect storm” for long lines.
Efforts to speed up processing, like Global Entry, Mobile Passport Control, and AI-powered monitoring, have helped some travelers but have not solved the problem for most people.
Policy and Practical Implications
No Major Policy Changes Announced
So far, CBP has not announced any major changes to passport control policies at JFK International Airport. The agency says it is monitoring the situation and encourages travelers to be prepared, but there are no new staffing plans or process changes on the horizon.
REAL ID Requirement
Starting May 7, 2025, all U.S. domestic travelers must have a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of identification to board domestic flights. This does not directly affect international arrivals, but it is another layer of documentation that travelers should be aware of.
Global Entry Fee Increase
The fee for Global Entry, which allows for faster passport check, increased from $100 to $120 in 2024. The fee now includes TSA PreCheck, which can help speed up security screening for domestic flights.
Technology Expansion
JFK International Airport is expanding its use of AI and digital queue management, but these changes are not expected to bring immediate relief for summer 2025. The hope is that, over time, better data and smarter staffing will help reduce wait times.
What Can Travelers Do to Prepare?
While there is no guaranteed way to avoid long waits at JFK International Airport, there are steps travelers can take to make the process smoother:
- Arrive Prepared: Have all documents ready, including your passport, visa (if needed), and any supporting paperwork.
- Consider Trusted Traveler Programs: If eligible, apply for Global Entry or use Mobile Passport Control to speed up processing.
- Check Arrival Times: If possible, choose flights that arrive outside of peak periods (midday to early evening).
- Allow Extra Time for Connections: If you have a connecting flight, allow at least three hours between arrival and your next departure.
- Monitor Wait Times: Use the CBP Airport Wait Times tool to check current and historical wait times at JFK and other airports.
- Ask for Assistance: If you are traveling with young children, are elderly, or have a disability, request assistance from your airline or the airport in advance.
Looking Ahead: Will Things Improve?
For summer 2025, travelers should expect continued long waits at JFK International Airport, especially at Terminal 1, Terminal 4, and Terminal 5 during peak hours. Unless CBP increases staffing or expands fast-track options, the situation is unlikely to improve quickly.
Ongoing technology upgrades, including AI-powered monitoring and digital queue management, may help over time, but these solutions are still being rolled out and tested.
The Global Entry program may see more applications as travelers look for ways to avoid long lines, but the fee increase and lengthy application process may limit how many people can benefit.
Resources and Where to Get Help
For the latest information on wait times, terminal maps, and travel updates, visit the official JFK Airport website. For questions about travel documentation and entry requirements, the CBP website is the best source.
If you need to apply for or renew a passport, the JFK Airport Passport Office is open Monday to Friday, 11:00am to 4:00pm, by appointment. Call (718) 656-6433 for more information.
Final Thoughts and Practical Takeaways
JFK International Airport’s long passport check waits are a major challenge for travelers, airlines, and airport officials. While technology and fast-track programs offer some hope, most passengers should plan for significant delays, especially during busy summer travel periods.
Key steps for travelers:
– Prepare all documents before arrival
– Consider trusted traveler programs like Global Entry
– Allow extra time for connections
– Monitor official wait times and updates
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the situation at JFK International Airport highlights the need for continued investment in staffing, technology, and infrastructure to keep pace with rising international travel. Until then, patience and preparation remain the best tools for travelers facing long lines at passport check in Terminal 1 and beyond.
Learn Today
CBP → United States Customs and Border Protection agency responsible for passport checks and border security.
Global Entry → Trusted traveler program allowing expedited passport control via automated kiosks for pre-approved travelers.
Mobile Passport Control → App-based system letting U.S. and Canadian citizens submit passport info to speed customs processing.
REAL ID → U.S. federal identification standard required for boarding domestic flights starting May 7, 2025.
Terminal → Distinct airport building section where passengers board and arrive from specific airlines or international flights.
This Article in a Nutshell
JFK Airport faces severe passport check delays, with waits over two hours during peak times in summer 2025. Limited staffing and surging international travel cause bottlenecks. Technology and fast-track options help some but don’t fix underlying issues. Travelers must prepare and allow extra connection time for smooth entry.
— By VisaVerge.com
