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ORD Customs & Immigration Wait Times

Immigration Snapshot

Plan your international arrival at ORD around customs processing times.

Peak CBP waits can reach 78 minutes on Sundays around 4 PM. 30 lower-wait time slots appear in the historical data below.

Peak wait
78 min
Best signal
Late PM / early AM
Quiet slots
30
Data type
Estimate + historical

Useful pages for this airport

Check estimated CBP processing times at O'Hare International Airport, then compare immigration wait patterns by day and hour. 30 lower-wait time slots appear in the current dataset.

Estimated Wait Right Now

1 min

ORD local time: Monday at 3 AM

Peak Wait Time

78 min

Sundays at 4 PM

Best Times to Arrive

Under 10 minutes

30 time slots with minimal wait

CBP Wait Time Lookup Tool

Check estimated customs and immigration wait times for any day and hour. The "Estimated Wait Right Now" card above shows current conditions.

Estimated wait for selection

1 min

Morning CBP Processing Times (AM)

Historical CBP customs and immigration processing times at O'Hare International Airport for morning hours (12 AM - 11 AM), organized by day of week
HourMonTueWedThuFriSatSun
12 AM6m4m5m8m13m6m12m
1 AM6m10m10m11m12m3m15m
2 AM11m8m9m2m6m1m12m
3 AM1m4m1m1m7m3m2m
4 AM6m5m3m4m11m10m11m
5 AM7m17m8m10m15m20m17m
6 AM17m13m20m20m25m16m24m
7 AM19m23m21m23m24m28m23m
8 AM18m22m22m27m30m21m35m
9 AM25m28m27m22m37m28m42m
10 AM29m31m24m28m44m34m38m
11 AM37m32m36m30m42m40m47m

Afternoon & Evening CBP Processing Times (PM)

Historical CBP customs and immigration processing times at O'Hare International Airport for afternoon and evening hours (12 PM - 11 PM), organized by day of week
HourMonTueWedThuFriSatSun
12 PM34m38m32m33m49m39m47m
1 PM47m41m40m43m61m46m60m
2 PM53m44m44m50m60m58m69m
3 PM49m45m51m59m63m61m76m
4 PM52m46m50m57m66m60m78m
5 PM49m52m54m51m63m57m68m
6 PM40m38m37m42m56m53m63m
7 PM35m34m37m40m52m47m55m
8 PM32m28m30m34m42m35m39m
9 PM31m21m23m24m30m32m30m
10 PM19m21m18m21m27m23m23m
11 PM10m15m19m15m16m11m20m

Wait Time Legend

- No data≤10 min11-20 min21-30 min31-40 min41-50 min50+ min

Tips for Clearing Customs at ORD

  • Enroll in Global Entry for expedited CBP processing ($100/5 years, includes TSA PreCheck)
  • Use the free CBP Mobile Passport Control app for a dedicated inspection lane
  • Have your passport and customs declaration form ready before reaching the booth
  • Check peak times above and adjust your connecting flight buffer accordingly
  • Declare all agricultural items and purchases above the duty-free allowance
  • If connecting domestically after arrival, allow extra time for customs and re-checking bags

ORD Customs & Immigration FAQ

How long are customs and immigration wait times at O'Hare International Airport?

This page shows estimated CBP processing times at ORD. Peak waits can reach 78 minutes on Sundays around 4 PM. The best times to clear customs are usually early morning or late evening, with 30 time slots showing waits under 10 minutes.

What is the best time to arrive for customs at ORD?

The best times to go through customs and immigration at ORD are typically early morning and late evening. Our data shows 30 time slots with wait times under 10 minutes. Avoid Sundays around 4 PM when waits are longest.

Can I check customs wait times for a specific day and time at ORD?

Yes. Use the day and time selector in the wait time tool to view the estimated CBP processing wait for any day-of-week and hour block. The "right now" number above it is the quick view for the current time slot.

Should I get Global Entry for ORD?

Global Entry can significantly reduce your customs and immigration wait time at O'Hare International Airport. Members use automated kiosks to bypass the regular CBP line, reducing processing time to under 5 minutes in most cases. The $100 fee covers 5 years and includes TSA PreCheck. If you travel internationally at least once a year, Global Entry is usually worth it.

What documents do I need for international arrival at ORD?

When arriving internationally at O'Hare International Airport, you need a valid passport (with at least 6 months validity), any required visas, and a completed CBP customs declaration (usually provided on the plane or via the CBP Mobile Passport Control app). Global Entry and SENTRI members can use automated kiosks. U.S. citizens returning from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean may also use the Mobile Passport Control app for a dedicated lane.

Official Travel Resources

5 verified external links from airport operators and U.S. agencies.

Official Airport Resources1 link▼
Customs and Border Protection4 links▼