POE questions

[Paul123 0]

My Sweetie is coming to the States soon However, I am worried about her immigration questions. We have not yet filed for the i-129f but what should she say when they ask the purpose of her trip so that she isnt lying but is also vague enough not to be grilled? Before, She never lied, she said she was visiting friends and tourism. If she said the same thing this time, It would actually be true. we plan on doing alot of sight seeing and my whole family loves her so much and they are dear friends. they havent seen her in 2 years and they're very excited about her visiting. On top of that, she is also MY best friend. I dont know, these little details always bug me out because I get scared they could come back to bite me in the you know what, if something gets answered wrong. Ive been to Brazil several times over the past 3 years for extended visits, so a big reason for her coming here this summer is so she can see my family again since its been so long. I believe in total honesty, especially with this. I just dont want her to have a hard time or be turned away.

Shes been here 2 times, one time the year before last for 3 months and also for 5 weeks in 2003. Will that look like shes visiting too much for too long just to be touring and seeing friends? I mean Ive been to Brazil several times over the past 3 years for extended visits, one big reason for getting her up here this summer is for her see my family again since its been so long.

Edited June 24, 2006 by Paul123

[JenT 0]

No worries Paul. Just tell her to answer questions as they're asked. Be honest without offering more info than what's being requested.

Jen

[Anna Sif 0]

Agree. Be honest without giving the story of your life to the officer.

Last 2 times i've been to the US i said I'm visiting my boyfriend. They then asked how long i was staying for, and for some reason both times they asked me what he does for a living... Can't understand the officers' fascination with how people earn their bread!

But as has been suggested here before, if you are worried she might have problems, make sure she has her return ticket plus a letter from her employer stating she's to go back to work on such and such day, a copy of her rent contract, etc. to show she has a "life" back home she's going back to.

[bebop + rocksteady 0]

We say visiting boyfriend/girlfriend all the time. It's a pretty acceptable answer. They'll probably ask her some questions about you (i.e. How long have you been together? How'd you meet? Where does this person live? What does he do for a living?) but just as long as you don't mention the word fiance you'll be good. As soon as you mention anything about marriage some big ole red flags go up.

[vartan 0]

I know other countries could care less if you say Fiance.. Taiwan's Immigration after I said I was there to visit my fiance they asked about my life back home.. after that .. they let me go. Now I dont want to be the person that gives you bad info but I am a firm believer of telling the truth.. I would tell them honestly. "I am here to visit my fiances parents.. " That is just me though. Lies can easily be seen through and lies I believe is what sparks doubt, which sparks probing, which causes.. "Turn around and go back to your country" But that is just my 2 cents.

[bebop + rocksteady 0]

I believe, saying boyfriend/girlfriend isn't lying if the person is your fiance(e). A fiance(e) is still a boyfriend/girlfriend in my mind.

And I would strongly recommend against mentioning you are a fiance. It's just divulging more information than is necessairly, and it's information that can cause a hitch. Unless they ask "Are you planning on getting married?" then sure, tell the truth.

Edited June 24, 2006 by cass

[vartan 0]

Guess I haven't really thought about it since Immigration has been really strict.. So I agree.. maybe Fiance is a bad thing to say.... especially with how hard US is cracking down on Illegal immigrants.. But make sure whatever she says.. make sure she is comfortable with it.. I can easily call my fiance either girlfriend, wife, fiance.. they all are real to me .. but if you asked me to call her my friend .. or something like that.. it would not be comfortable and I think I would start to show my lie.. but I am a bad liar.. so .. hahaha

I believe, saying boyfriend/girlfriend isn't lying if the person is your fiance(e). A fiance(e) is still a boyfriend/girlfriend in my mind.

And I would strongly recommend against mentioning you are a fiance. It's just divulging more information than is necessairly, and it's information that can cause a hitch. Unless they ask "Are you planning on getting married?" then sure, tell the truth.

[Ladylethal 12]

Being brazilian as well and knowing what is like to get a visa to US, when I went to visit Luis, we weren't engaged, but were dating, and at the interview I put his name down and all, but said he was friend, that I was visiting. I knew that if I said he was my boyfriend, my visa would be denied. In fact, the official that interviewed me asked me if he was just a friend, 6 times in a row, and I kept saying no, 'cus of course after I said no once, I wouldn't go back and say something different. Even though I was never planning to overstay my visa, I knew that if I had said he was my boyfriend, they wouldn't believe in me anymore. If he was my fiance back then, I would have said the truth though, even though I knew they'd deny my visa. We got engaged a year later only.

[m_olask 0]

hi, i really dont think you have anything to worry about

there was a person on here who practically visited every other month and was ok.

it all really depends on the person on the gate, but generally speaking you should be fine if you have spent much longer away from the US than you have in it.

when im asked the purpose, i say vacation, then if asked if im seeing friends or family, i say friends. then i go through

people who get denied are usually those who have visited for 3 months and then turn around and come back again and try to get in a month later.

i personally would never say visiting my fiance as its probably going to raise a flag in the officers mind, just no point also, if you that worried, break up the week before and then you wont be lying about a thing

[calidreamer80 0]

I didn't say fiance either and I got pulled over, then again I wasn't engaged either yet. You can get pulled over and sent back even if u say boyfriend/girlfriend. depends on the border guard you meet.

[m_olask 0]

hi calidreamer80, did you try and get in 3 times in 3 months? I cant work out from your timeline if you had problems on your 3rd try to get in?

[KarenCee 3]

We say visiting boyfriend/girlfriend all the time. It's a pretty acceptable answer. They'll probably ask her some questions about you (i.e. How long have you been together? How'd you meet? Where does this person live? What does he do for a living?) but just as long as you don't mention the word fiance you'll be good. As soon as you mention anything about marriage some big ole red flags go up.

From my experieces when visiting my fiancé when he lived in Canada - going through Halifax Airport....saying the word "fiancé" always raised a flag I think because I was questioned over and over, the smile would

disappear and I had to almost give them my whole life history (except my blood type). When I've mentioned "boyfriend" I had no problems, just was reminded that I was only allowed to stay for 6 months. I pointed out my return date on the tickets and that seemed to satisfy the officer.

Eh, I'd just do whatever you feel is best. Like I said, it's just the experiences I've had.

[calidreamer80 0]

hi calidreamer80, did you try and get in 3 times in 3 months? I cant work out from your timeline if you had problems on your 3rd try to get in?

Yeah pretty stupid huh? I was pretty uniformed about it all back in 2004 and now its coming back to haunt me I think. Sigh.

[m_olask 0]

hi calidreamer80, did you try and get in 3 times in 3 months? I cant work out from your timeline if you had problems on your 3rd try to get in?

Yeah pretty stupid huh? I was pretty uniformed about it all back in 2004 and now its coming back to haunt me I think. Sigh.

no not stupid, unless you knew someone with previous experience, your not gonna find out until its too late

i hope things go fast for you, fingers crossed

[CutienPurg 0]

We say visiting boyfriend/girlfriend all the time. It's a pretty acceptable answer. They'll probably ask her some questions about you (i.e. How long have you been together? How'd you meet? Where does this person live? What does he do for a living?) but just as long as you don't mention the word fiance you'll be good. As soon as you mention anything about marriage some big ole red flags go up.

I know each situation is different but this has been our experience..

When my fiance ( now husband) and I would travel between Canada and Michigan,( every 3- 6 weeks)we always said fiance'. I even went so far after receiving my engagement ring to wave it like a school girl saying " see see see isnt it pretty". In hindsight it probably wasn't my wisest idea but man I was excited. The guy just chuckled and said " Congratulations have a good one " .

The questions they ask vary greatly from serious, standard questions to random, seemingly insignificant queriers such as " hey how's the new Walmart" When asked when the date for our marriage was my husband would typically reply ....she hasn't told me yet.......which always got a resounding roll of laughter from the males and a smirk from the women.

We have never had a single problem........well except the one time I had 2 bananas on my dashboard and I was sent in for " a random agricultural inspection". So I said to the guy ......really you can have the bananas. The ag guy about spit when i told him I had 2 friggin bananas. Anyway I got off track......

I have a binder in which I carry significant docs regarding my home ownership and bank account info , letters for the children to travel etc and my husband always has a military leave pass. In the 50 or so times we have crossed(combined) we have been asked for that info maybe 3 times. I always say........just look em in the eye, be relaxed and honest and treat the border guards like theyre just regular people doing their job, its all they ask. I have to say that Im typically casual and very playful with them.....maybe they figure Im too much of a ditz to be a threat of any kind ....hey whatever works eh!

He's coming for his 1st trip home since we got married, on Friday...........I hope it goes as well this time as it has in the past.

So good luck to all trying for that oh so missed kiss goodnight