UK BF entering the US for First time on a Tourist....

[pdmacca 3]

In December, my UK boyfriend and I will meet in person for the first time. He has his ESTA waiver and all is in process. He will stay the 90 days. Of course we hope all goes well and upon evidence of our meeting and relationship continuing we will eventually file the 129 petition. My question is he will be flying into Detroit. It is his first time for international travel and a little nervous about what is to be expected when he goes through immigration. Can anyone tell us what will happen. We are both worried he'll end up with some guy that has something to prove and he won't get in. Is that silly? Would love some advice on this.

Thanks

Dawn

[Inky 1,110]

Hes a tourist he doesnt go through immigration he goes through the visitor line.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

To help his chances, and to help him feel calm, have him bring ties to the UK - lease/mortgage, job letter, utility bills, car note, etc - to show that he must return to the UK

Good luck

[CBM 14]

I read your other thread in the K-1 forum, and just wanted to let you know (in case you didn't already know!), you don't have to wait until your boyfriend/fiance leaves the US to file the I-129F. If you decide after you have met the first day that you want to go ahead with the K-1, all you would need to do is send a copy of his boarding passes and passport stamp indicating he has been to the US to meet you, and maybe a photo or two of you together, and you can file the next day. Same day, I guess technically.

That way, you could wait out much of the process together, since the service centres seem to be getting quicker, and you might possibly have NOA2 within 3 months, and he would of course have to leave then since his i-94 expires.

If you filed quickly after meeting, you might need more proof of relationship at the interview, but I've heard London isn't too sticky with proving your relationship.

Anyway, you might already know all that, but just wanted to make the process easier if possible

[pdmacca 3]

I read your other thread in the K-1 forum, and just wanted to let you know (in case you didn't already know!), you don't have to wait until your boyfriend/fiance leaves the US to file the I-129F. If you decide after you have met the first day that you want to go ahead with the K-1, all you would need to do is send a copy of his boarding passes and passport stamp indicating he has been to the US to meet you, and maybe a photo or two of you together, and you can file the next day. Same day, I guess technically.

That way, you could wait out much of the process together, since the service centres seem to be getting quicker, and you might possibly have NOA2 within 3 months, and he would of course have to leave then since his i-94 expires.

If you filed quickly after meeting, you might need more proof of relationship at the interview, but I've heard London isn't too sticky with proving your relationship.

Anyway, you might already know all that, but just wanted to make the process easier if possible

Wow!!! Thanks for that....sounds like wonderful advice. I think my only concern/question would be if they scheduled an interview for him in London. How much time to they give ... notice I mean?

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Wow!!! Thanks for that....sounds like wonderful advice. I think my only concern/question would be if they scheduled an interview for him in London. How much time to they give ... notice I mean?

Your entire process will take about five or six months.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Dawn - I wonder if Paul has bought his ticket yet? When doing so, please be careful when calculating his departure date. 90 days does not 3 months make. If Paul stays one day past the 90 days allowed by the Visa Waiver program, he has lost his visa waiver privileges for life.

Hes a tourist he doesnt go through immigration he goes through the visitor line.

He most certainly does go through "immigration". He has to be granted entry by Customs and Border Patrol. That's "immigration" at airports. In every country.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Dawn - Paul isn't coming over on a tourist visa. Since he's a British citizen he's coming on the Visa Waiver program. He doesn't need a visa for a visit. People from some other nations do need a visa just to visit.

This thread isn't exactly in the right forum. But you'll probably get the answers you need anyway.

[pdmacca 3]

Dawn - I wonder if Paul has bought his ticket yet? When doing so, please be careful when calculating his departure date. 90 days does not 3 months make. If Paul stays one day past the 90 days allowed by the Visa Waiver program, he has lost his visa waiver privileges for life.

He most certainly does go through "immigration". He has to be granted entry by Customs and Border Patrol. That's "immigration" at airports. In every country.

Thanks Johnny,

We will be getting the ticket next week and we'll make sure he's a couple days early to be safe. What process should be expected at US border?

Dawn - Paul isn't coming over on a tourist visa. Since he's a British citizen he's coming on the Visa Waiver program. He doesn't need a visa for a visit. People from some other nations do need a visa just to visit.

This thread isn't exactly in the right forum. But you'll probably get the answers you need anyway.

Oh....should I move it? Can I move it?

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Thanks Johnny,

We will be getting the ticket next week and we'll make sure he's a couple days early to be safe. What process should be expected at US border?

Has he been to the US recently?

If not, then not too much to worry about really. They'll ask him why he's here.........the best response would be to tell them he's on holiday.

Not meaning to be impolite, but I'm wondering why you two are thinking of scheduling such a long visit for your first face to face? Now believe me, I have been in your shoes. In the kindest way I would remind you that occasionally this type of thing goes horribly wrong. We were brutally realistic regarding our first meeting and had an initial three week visit.

I don't know if Paul could run into any questions regarding the length of this visit. If he's not a "frequent flyer" to the US, then if he answers that he is just on holiday, they may wave him through. But I'd say he might get some queries. He should then just tell them he's visiting a friend. If I were him, I would not use the word "girlfriend". If they press him, he should tell them he's met a lady online and she invited him for a visit. It's the truth. He should be prepared to show proof of ties to the UK.

[Inky 1,110]

Dawn - I wonder if Paul has bought his ticket yet? When doing so, please be careful when calculating his departure date. 90 days does not 3 months make. If Paul stays one day past the 90 days allowed by the Visa Waiver program, he has lost his visa waiver privileges for life.

He most certainly does go through "immigration". He has to be granted entry by Customs and Border Patrol. That's "immigration" at airports. In every country.

No he doesn't Tourists are not immigrants. Yes he goes through CBP but that is not immigration that is CBP. Most large airports have visitor lines and immigration lines. Immigrants are taken to a different area/room or to a different window to process their papers. Tourists and visitors are spoken to by CBP and then sent on through to their next flight or to the baggage claim.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

No he doesn't Tourists are not immigrants. Yes he goes through CBP but that is not immigration that is CBP. Most large airports have visitor lines and immigration lines. Immigrants are taken to a different area/room or to a different window to process their papers. Tourists and visitors are spoken to by CBP and then sent on through to their next flight or to the baggage claim.

Everybody goes through the same initial clearance point. If there is visa paperwork, you are then possibly moved to another desk, depending on the airport.

[Used to be broken 147]

In December, my UK boyfriend and I will meet in person for the first time. He has his ESTA waiver and all is in process. He will stay the 90 days. Of course we hope all goes well and upon evidence of our meeting and relationship continuing we will eventually file the 129 petition. My question is he will be flying into Detroit. It is his first time for international travel and a little nervous about what is to be expected when he goes through immigration. Can anyone tell us what will happen. We are both worried he'll end up with some guy that has something to prove and he won't get in. Is that silly? Would love some advice on this.

Thanks

Dawn

You should meet each other and find out if this person is "the person" .. why even worry about 129 mess now, since you haven't really been together yet?

Also, if I were CBP person and saw someone planning on staying for 90 days with no business purpose, unless the person was retired I would expect to see VERY STRONG TIES to home country, and a good explanation of what this person did for earning a living that they could afford to take off work for 90 days.

Other questions I would have are of a safety nature, I find this a very risky proposition ... be careful.

[sachinky 465]

What kind of work does he do that he is able to get 90 days off?

[sachinky 465]

Hes a tourist he doesnt go through immigration he goes through the visitor line.

'Immigration' and 'Customs' have to be cleared by EVERYONE entering the U.S. through a POE -- citizens, non-citizens, residents, tourists. The process that each one of them undergo is yes, different. For example, new immigrants have to wait a while to have their papers processed. And yes, there are separate lines for citizens/PRs and visitors.

The term 'immigration' -- in this case -- doesn't mean the lengthy process of migrating to another country but rather obtaining the clearance/requisite paperwork/stamp in passport to enter the country. These terms are used rather broadly in the airport. For example, you'd ask, "Miss, which way is immigration, please?"

Edited November 8, 2010 by sachinky