SFO Airport Immigration & Customs Wait Times
Typical passport-control wait at San Francisco International Airport is about 16 minutes. Based on U.S. CBP data from the last 90 days, through 2026-09-03 — updated daily, not live.
When Is Customs Busiest at SFO?
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.
SFO Immigration at a Glance
💡 Tips for Clearing Customs Faster at SFO
- ✓ Apply for Global Entry — about 13% 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 23 minutes vs. 12 for U.S. citizens.
- ✓ If you can pick your flight, avoid arrivals around 5a, the busiest hour for customs at SFO.
- ✓ 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 SFO?
On average, passport control at San Francisco International Airport takes about 16 minutes, based on U.S. Customs and Border Protection data over the last 90 days. Waits are longest around 5a (typically ~25 minutes) and shortest around 12a. Actual times vary with the number of international arrivals and booths open.
When is the best time to clear immigration at SFO?
The quietest passport-control times at SFO are typically around 12a. The busiest window is around 5a (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 SFO?
About 13% of arriving travelers at SFO 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 SFO 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.