IAH Airport Immigration & Customs Wait Times
Typical passport-control wait at George Bush Intercontinental Airport is about 20 minutes. Based on U.S. CBP data from the last 90 days, through 2026-07-21 — updated daily, not live.
When Is Customs Busiest at IAH?
A dot instead of a bar means no scheduled international arrivals that hour — not a data gap.
Wait-time data: U.S. Customs & Border Protection — Airport Wait Times. Historical averages over the last ~90 days, refreshed daily — not a live feed. Not affiliated with CBP.
IAH Immigration at a Glance
💡 Tips for Clearing Customs Faster at IAH
- ✓ Apply for Global Entry — about 12% of travelers here already use it and clear passport control in minutes.
- ✓ Have your passport and any customs declaration filled out and ready before you reach the booth.
- ✓ Where available, the free Mobile Passport Control app can put you in a faster lane.
- ✓ Visitor (non-U.S.) lines run longer here — about 27 minutes vs. 16 for U.S. citizens.
- ✓ If you can pick your flight, avoid arrivals around 10a, the busiest hour for customs at IAH.
- ✓ Connecting to a domestic flight? Budget extra time — you must clear customs and re-check your bags before your next leg.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does customs and immigration take at IAH?
On average, passport control at George Bush Intercontinental Airport takes about 20 minutes, based on U.S. Customs and Border Protection data over the last 90 days. Waits are longest around 10a (typically ~25 minutes) and shortest around 12p. Actual times vary with the number of international arrivals and booths open.
When is the best time to clear immigration at IAH?
The quietest passport-control times at IAH are typically around 12p. The busiest window is around 10a (typically ~25 minutes), so if you can choose your arrival, avoid that hour. See the hour-by-hour chart above for the full weekly pattern.
Is Global Entry worth it at IAH?
About 12% of arriving travelers at IAH already use Global Entry, which lets you skip the regular passport-control line and typically clear in a few minutes. If you fly internationally even a couple times a year, it usually pays for itself in time saved.
Are these IAH immigration wait times live?
No. These are historical averages from CBP's Airport Wait Times program, which publishes with about a two-day lag. This page is refreshed daily so the typical patterns and the most recent available day stay current, but the figures are not a real-time feed.
Wait-time data source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Airport Wait Times. Figures are historical averages, not live, and are for informational purposes only. Not affiliated with CBP.