Advice on entering the US

[HumanUnit 0]

I read through the post (thanks Aussiewench for the link!) about entering the US while the application is in process and we definitely know to have as much supporting documentation as possible.

Our travel situation has a bit of a wrinkle. Both of us currently live in Canada, and I'm the US citizen. I'm moving to NYC in September, which is hopefully when Josh (my husband) will have his interview. In July we're flying down to check out apartments with my broker for a couple of days. My question is - how much information should be offer up to the immigration officials when we try to get in the country? Obviously we'll be nothing less than truthful, but neither do I want to offer up a whole load of unnecessary information on the front end that will have us scrutinized if we don't have to! Random questions:

• is a trip to look for apartments "pleasure" or "business"?
  
• should he even be saying anything about looking for an apartment with me - isn't that a huge red flag?
  
• should he say that he's travelling with his wife (a US citizen) who is travelling on business? We have to go through the lines separately at the airport. I guess I'm wondering if this is too much information!
  

I think that's all. Any advice or personal experience would be helpful, thanks!

[Tim and Bethanie 1]

I read through the post (thanks Aussiewench for the link!) about entering the US while the application is in process and we definitely know to have as much supporting documentation as possible.

Our travel situation has a bit of a wrinkle. Both of us currently live in Canada, and I'm the US citizen. I'm moving to NYC in September, which is hopefully when Josh (my husband) will have his interview. In July we're flying down to check out apartments with my broker for a couple of days. My question is - how much information should be offer up to the immigration officials when we try to get in the country? Obviously we'll be nothing less than truthful, but neither do I want to offer up a whole load of unnecessary information on the front end that will have us scrutinized if we don't have to! Random questions:

• is a trip to look for apartments "pleasure" or "business"?
  
• should he even be saying anything about looking for an apartment with me - isn't that a huge red flag?
  
• should he say that he's travelling with his wife (a US citizen) who is travelling on business? We have to go through the lines separately at the airport. I guess I'm wondering if this is too much information!
  

I think that's all. Any advice or personal experience would be helpful, thanks!

Only offer what they ask of you, is the simplest way. He should take supporting documents, such as a lease agreement, job information etc. My guess looking for an Apartment is personal which could be for pleasure purposes. Don't know that I would even state your intentions besides "pleasure", you aren't lying by doing this just offering what they ask. The simpler the better, the more you give freely the more questions your likely to get. In our experiences, they never ask open ended questions, basic yes and no questions. Good luck!

Bethanie

[aussiewench 9]

A good ananlogy is.....If someone says to you 'Do you have the time'.......answer simply 'Yes'.....not 'Yes, its half past whatever'. If they ask further questions then he will have his supporting documents that will show he is returning to Canada.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Exactly, dont offer more than you have to, but be honest!! They would normally ask me "business or pleasure"" I would state pleasure and would be returning on such a such date!! I travelled monthly to DC and I never had a problem (just my experience!!!) I didnt travel with a lot of luggage, had apartment lease, letter from employer and return tickets. Ensure one doesnt have any resumes on them in case u get searched. I wouldnt be saying I'm looking for apartments!! More or less it comes to the POE officer, some are more stringent than others.

[meauxna 15]

A good ananlogy is.....If someone says to you 'Do you have the time'.......answer simply 'Yes'.....not 'Yes, its half past whatever'. If they ask further questions then he will have his supporting documents that will show he is returning to Canada.

Hope you don't mind, wenchie. I'm going to cite the author of that thought in his own words, because it's such a great example (and served us well over the years!):

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showpost.ph...849&postcount=5

Answer ONLY the question asked and nothing more. This rule is the hardest one to follow. You don't have to explain your answers unless asked. Example: Q: "Do you know what time it is?" The only correct answers are either "yes" or "no" -- if you say "8:30", you've given more than asked for [i know that the question actually is a polite way of asking "what time is it?", but I'm using it to make a point].

There's some great AOS interview (or any interview) advice in that post, too.

[aussiewench 9]

A good ananlogy is.....If someone says to you 'Do you have the time'.......answer simply 'Yes'.....not 'Yes, its half past whatever'. If they ask further questions then he will have his supporting documents that will show he is returning to Canada.

Hope you don't mind, wenchie. I'm going to cite the author of that thought in his own words, because it's such a great example (and served us well over the years!):

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showpost.ph...849&postcount=5

Answer ONLY the question asked and nothing more. This rule is the hardest one to follow. You don't have to explain your answers unless asked. Example: Q: "Do you know what time it is?" The only correct answers are either "yes" or "no" -- if you say "8:30", you've given more than asked for [i know that the question actually is a polite way of asking "what time is it?", but I'm using it to make a point].

There's some great AOS interview (or any interview) advice in that post, too.

great info Mo.....I for one know I will have a hard time at interview not to go into a long story hahaha Dans always telling me to get to the point.

I flogged it off cmartyn Plus Dans always giving me insight into interrogation lol Im trying to learn short and sweet

Edited May 28, 2006 by aussiewench

[meauxna 15]

great info Mo.....I for one know I will have a hard time at interview not to go into a long story hahaha Dans always telling me to get to the point.

heheheh.. I beat it into the dude---I have every confidence in you that you'll manage to not tell the CO about your sore bum.

[aussiewench 9]

great info Mo.....I for one know I will have a hard time at interview not to go into a long story hahaha Dans always telling me to get to the point.

heheheh.. I beat it into the dude---I have every confidence in you that you'll manage to not tell the CO about your sore bum.

hahahahaha I dont think I'm going to live that one down.

Apologies to the OP.....I will get my sore bum out of here