Home For Christmas!!

[Dave and Jess 0]

Hi Guys,

I just thought I would follow up on my previous post regarding visiting the US during "the process" and experiences at immigration etc.

I have been stressing over this trip for the last couple of months as it is quite a long one and is the first time I have attempted to enter the US since we got engaged. I have also sold my house and been made redundant from my job.. so solid ties are a little scarce.

Anyway.. so I flew into Newark last Thursday. Thankfully the lines were not to long and I got to my BCO in about 5 mins. He looked like he was tired and having a bad day and to be honest I thought he was gonna give me a hard time as he seemed to be asking lots of questions to the middle aged couple in front of me who looked quite respectable etc etc...

So my turn came and it went something like this:

Me : Hi!! how are you today?

BCO: Good Thanks. Where did you fly from?

Me: London, Heathrow

...Thumbing through my passport..

BCO: Have you been here before ?

Me: Yes a couple of times

BCO: What are you here for?

Me: I am visiting my sweetheart, family and friends for thanksgiving and the holidays.

BCO: Sweetheart ?????

Me: Yes my girl :-)

BCO: How long are you here for?

Me: I am here for thanksgiving and the holidays, heading "home" in January.

BCO: What do you do?

Me: I work in property maintainence.

BCO: They gave you a lot of time off??

Me: Yeah.. I work maintainence for a guesthouse and this is a quiet time of the year for them.

BCO: What does your girlfriend do?

Me: She works for a health insurance company...

BCO: I hate those guys!! .. not your girlfriend :-)...

....We spoke a little about Jess and how proud I was of her and her recent promotion etc. ...... yadda yadda!!

BCO: So when are you leaving?

Me: In january after the holidays.

.....Finger prints....Smile.!!! Stamp Stamp!!!

BCO: Have a good trip!!

Me: Thanks have a great Christmas :-)

BCO: You Too :-)!!!

And that was it..!! i strolled through and now I am here until I get my p3 and go home for my interview - I have until end of Feb according to my passport and NOA2 should be here any day now.. so the plan is to chill here and enjoy our first xmas as a family and then shoot back to the UK to finish up for a week or maybe a forthnight once the embassy are ready for me :-)

I was worried and had a bundle of documentation with me luckily i didnt need it though.

I am just so happy to be home with my baby for the holidays.. this is gonna be the best xmas ever.

I hope it goes just smoothly for anybody else coming this way.

Dave.

[Gemmie 142]

Seems like a pretty standard conversation, I've been asked all of those questions before.

I'm happy that you made it through, mine is coming up next week and I'm still really nervous. We're not talking "been here a couple times before", we're talking 8 times.

[Big Papa Zone 93]

Seems like a pretty standard conversation, I've been asked all of those questions before.

I'm happy that you made it through, mine is coming up next week and I'm still really nervous. We're not talking "been here a couple times before", we're talking 8 times.

Don't worry, Gemster - you'll be fine.

[LorriQ 0]

Seems like a pretty standard conversation, I've been asked all of those questions before.

I'm happy that you made it through, mine is coming up next week and I'm still really nervous. We're not talking "been here a couple times before", we're talking 8 times.

I know how you feel, but mine is on the flip side. He can't come see me, not enough ties to England, so I have made 7 trips in the last 2 years to England. I'm always afraid they are going to turn me away! But it has been okay as I always handover the e-ticket iternerary with my passport and have even shown the NOA2 - Customs have been really helpful as to knowing processing times based on the rec't number - They have even given me advice on how to apply to move there!

Just be truthful - tell them you are waiting on all the proper forms, believe it or not that helps your ties to your home country!

Good luck!

[*Snowdrop* 604]

I had made something like 15 trips to the US in the last 3 years - noone ever questioned how many times I had visited. The last three trips have been after we were married and applying for the CR1 visa - and still no questions about why we were living in different countries or any hint of a mention about the visa.

[Damian&Kelly 16]

My hubby never had trouble coming to the US through Newark. they only questioned him the last time and said he should look into visas but every time I go to England through LHR they give me a really hard time. I feel like I have to fight my way in. I always tell the truth, leave on time. but it's like they see me coming. only went 3 times and he came here 3 times but for the whole 90 days every time.

[Stinky Monkey 1]

So pleased that you got through ok, after how worried you were

24 more days for me and counting yipeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee roll on Christmas Eve

I even did the ESTA thing even though it is not up and running till Jan, but at least it approved me

did I tell you I was excited hahahahahahahahahahahaha

[Gemmie 142]

Don't worry, Gemster - you'll be fine

Thanks.. I'm quaking in my boots. But here's hoping! Think of me next Thursday (11th)..

My hubby never had trouble coming to the US through Newark. they only questioned him the last time and said he should look into visas but every time I go to England through LHR they give me a really hard time. I feel like I have to fight my way in. I always tell the truth, leave on time. but it's like they see me coming. only went 3 times and he came here 3 times but for the whole 90 days every time.

Bill had problems at LHR last time too, and it was his second visit. The woman asked what he did for a living, he said IT consultant and graphic designer, and when she asked how he had managed to get time off work for a month, he responded with how his boss wants him to do a little work from England too (naively).. OH NOOOO! That was it, she went on at him for about 15 minutes apparently, asking him all about his rights and about me, and finally stamped him through.

As soon as he told me his answer about working, I cringed and now he's learned his lesson. Anything to do with working here = NO!

Edited December 1, 2008 by Gemmie

[Stinky Monkey 1]

Don't worry, Gemster - you'll be fine

Thanks.. I'm quaking in my boots. But here's hoping! Think of me next Thursday (11th)..

My hubby never had trouble coming to the US through Newark. they only questioned him the last time and said he should look into visas but every time I go to England through LHR they give me a really hard time. I feel like I have to fight my way in. I always tell the truth, leave on time. but it's like they see me coming. only went 3 times and he came here 3 times but for the whole 90 days every time.

Bill had problems at LHR last time too, and it was his second visit. The woman asked what he did for a living, he said IT consultant and graphic designer, and when she asked how he had managed to get time off work for a month, he responded with how his boss wants him to do a little work from England too (naively).. OH NOOOO! That was it, she went on at him for about 15 minutes apparently, asking him all about his rights and about me, and finally stamped him through.

As soon as he told me his answer about working, I cringed and now he's learned his lesson. Anything to do with working here = NO!

Have fun hon

I will be thinking of you so let me know how it goes

Wish I was going on the 11th, how long you going for

[Jason&Sarah 0]

Sarah came in through Cincinnati and said it was a breeze, they only asked her how long she was staying, why she was visiting and then passed her one through. It's good to see that the POE folks are considerate at most places!

A bit nervous about flying over to Heathrow again around the holidays. Was there in March and it was pretty simple, but I flew in late at night, and the guy was yawning lol. Hopefully they'll be the same at 5:30am! hehe

[Gemmie 142]

Have fun hon

I will be thinking of you so let me know how it goes

Wish I was going on the 11th, how long you going for

Ah, but your visa will be coming in soon and you have a December trip to look forward to as well.

I'm going for 26 days.. I land around 9pm so hopefully I get a nice guy who can't be bothered with all the questions. Yeah, that's hoping for too much..