O'Hare (ORD) Customs & Immigration Wait Times
Estimated customs and passport control wait times at O'Hare International Airport.
Estimated Customs Wait at ORD
Based on historical data (time-matched)
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Customs Wait Times by Hour
Average wait times based on the last 7 days of CBP data
US Citizens & Residents
- Use Automated Passport Control (APC) kiosks
- Have passport and customs declaration ready
- Global Entry: Skip the line entirely (~5 min)
Non-US Citizens
- Complete I-94 form before arrival
- Have return ticket and accommodation proof ready
- Mobile Passport: Free app, can reduce wait to 10-15 min
How to Speed Up Customs at ORD
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Full Immigration AnalyticsUpgrade for PredictionsFrequently Asked Questions
How long does customs take at O'Hare International Airport?
Current average customs wait at ORD is 7 minutes. US citizens average 7 minutes, while non-US citizens average 22 minutes. Global Entry members typically clear in under 5 minutes.
What is the difference between customs and immigration at ORD?
Immigration (passport control) verifies your identity and travel documents. Customs inspects goods you're bringing into the country. At US airports like O'Hare, both are handled by CBP (Customs and Border Protection) in the same area, so wait times cover both processes.
Is Global Entry worth it at O'Hare?
Absolutely. With average non-expedited waits of 7 minutes at ORD, Global Entry ($120 for 5 years) pays for itself quickly. Members use dedicated kiosks and typically clear in under 5 minutes.
When is the best time to arrive through customs at ORD?
The shortest customs waits at O'Hare are around 01:00 (averaging 7 minutes). The busiest times are around 23:00 (averaging 22 minutes). Try to book flights arriving during off-peak hours.