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

[scotchland5206 5]

The last visit I made to my now fiance was 84 days exactly...! Allowed a fews days to be on the safe side in case of freak flight cancellations etc.

I was taken off to secondary interviewing as they were suspicious because I had already visited in Jan/Feb of this year...

I didn't have any evidence of ties to the UK as I'm self-employed (which is why I was able to take the time off) and I don't have a mortage. I was really nervous but the officer was actually quite pleasant and worked out pretty quickly that I was telling the truth and only wanted to see my boyfriend. He did say that as I was staying for almost 3 months that I shouldn't attempt to visit for at least 3 months after that as I probably wouldn't be allowed back in on the visa waiver.

This was in Chicago, where I think they are pretty rigourous. A friend of mine seems to be in and out of Atlanta every other month and has never had any problems...

I do realise that this could have gone the other way though, I think I was lucky.

If he can bring documents of ties to the UK I think he'll be fine.

Oh and tell him not to stand in the line where there is a female CO, I think they're worse!!! LOL

[nickm 1]

I came to the US on the visa waiver program last september, during which time my wife and i decided to get married and we filed the I-129f.

I stayed for 86 days, at the POE i was aksed, what is the purpose of your visit, to visit my GF's family, travel, play..

asked where i would be staying, i told the lady i would be out and about most of the time but the home base address was...

I had no ties to the uk but i was never asked.. She smiled and said have a good time..

You dont need to worry, just have a few bits of infomation about ties to the uk just incase

Immigration and entry clearance are pretty much the same thing, you queue in a big room behind the yellow line until you are called up by a CBP officer, they ask a couple of questions, take your finger prints scan your passport and take a photo.. There are lines for US citizens and lines for everyone else..

Simple anwnser is be honest, when asked the purpose of his visit say exactly that you guys are meeting for the first time, to see how things go and then you are going to work out the best course of action.. Dont elaborate too much unless asked, i would leave out any info on an i-129f for now again unless asked but right now its all theoretical anyway, who knows, maybe you will want to move to the uk, heavens knows why you would want to do that but maybe..

Good luck and have fun.

P.s. i came to the us twice on the VWP and both times i said i was visiting my girlfriend and i was never asked for any proof of ties, which was probably good cos i didnt have any..

[Barbara J 115]

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

I would just like to add Dawn coming over on a waiver visa fro Uk is fine I did the same thing from Australia and stayed here in US for 86 days I think it was and it was our fist face to face meeting. There is no way in hell a person can know someone well enough in 3 weeks. I had the best time and we co mingled very well hence I went back to OZ and we started the 129f process. I came back again in March while it was processing and then went back June to have my interview in Sydney then back here 4th Sept married the 11th. He will go through Immigration at main airport LA or SAN Fran or where ever he lands first to change over to St Louis. They will take his fingerprints and take a picture of him look at his I-94w stamp it with leaving date and ask why he is visiting and who and say have a great trip.

He will be fine tell him no worries.

[Rob and Jill 82]

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

UK vacation benefits make US benefits look like a JOKE. It made me want to cry when I found out how much vacation they get per year.

To the OP- Just bring some ties, paperwork, and what brain cells we have left after these long flights and travel and cross your fingers. Rob has never had problems coming in here, but I had problems going over there. Don't stress over it! Relax for your visit.

[N M 96]

I'd also add that 90 days (or just shy) is a LONG time to be anywhere on holiday. It's quite possible that the CBP agent will ask him how he will support himself for almost 3 months in America (at this stage, the agent will want to be satisfied that he won't work here illegally).

I think I made 9 trips to the U.S. under the visa waiver system (before I came here on a K1) and for the longer trips, the CBP agent often asked about finances. A wad of cash/ traveler's checks and a couple of credit cards should satisfy them, but (as accommodation is generally the most expensive part of a long trip), he may need to disclose that he'll be staying with you for the duration - and that could lead to a grilling from the agent about your relationship.

Not trying to cause any unnecessary worry here - but it's a scenario that could happen.

[Gemmie 142]

To the people asking how he can possibly get 90 days off from work, or advising a shorter trip for the first meeting, or asking why they're thinking of visas when they haven't even met yet.... the OP didn't ask for your personal opinion. Plenty of people on the forums meet online and then travel to the US to meet in person, some of them stay for short periods of time and others use the full 90 days; either way, it's up to them how they do things.

What to expect at the airport: Not much, since it's his first time coming over. The only reason they might get feisty is when they find he's planning on staying for nearly 90 days (they will ask him what he does for a living, how he will support himself, how long he's known you, etc) as they need to make sure his plan isn't to overstay his VWP. In that case, get him to bring whatever evidence he can that he's going back to the UK. I brought my flat contract, a letter from my lecturer at uni, and a return ticket. I managed to come over about 10/11 times in the space of three years and only once did I get questioned heavily because I re-entered the US twice within one summer.

They'll take his picture, fingerprints, ask him those questions about his intentions... then he can pick up his bags and go into the aiport to meet you. Good luck!

[Nik+Heather 121]

The title of this FAQ is for people already in the process, but honestly, the suggestions are great for anyone looking to visit when they are in a relationship with a USC.

visajourney.com/content/k1visit

Nik was never refused entry, but every time except one he came into the US he was pulled into secondary inspection where he was "grilled" (his word, I wasn't there). Including his first 5 day trip.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

To the people asking how he can possibly get 90 days off from work, or advising a shorter trip for the first meeting, or asking why they're thinking of visas when they haven't even met yet.... the OP didn't ask for your personal opinion. Plenty of people on the forums meet online and then travel to the US to meet in person, some of them stay for short periods of time and others use the full 90 days; either way, it's up to them how they do things.

Gemmie - As I was the one who brought up a shorter meeting for the first visit, I'd like to comment. I'll start off first by saying you are absolutely right. It's strictly up to Paul and Dawn what they do.

My comment came from my own personal experience. My relationship began online also. We felt very much in love with each other even though we had not met in person. We did not even have web-cams; we communicated by telephone and chat. We had a few photos of each other. We did not refer to each other as "fiance"; we did call each other boyfriend and girlfriend.

We researched immigration to the US before our first face-to-face and discovered there was nothing but marriage as an option.

Frankly, we worried and fretted over our first meeting. We worried that what we had online would not translate to real life. We were giddy with anticipation to meet; we were terrified of disappointing each other.

Mostly because of work schedules, our first meeting was three weeks. Due to our mutual concerns, we were happy with that plan. Our families and friends were satisfied with it also. Safety issues were allayed; the doubters felt that at least it would be out of our systems; the supporters thought it was a good "test".

As it often turns out with this sort of thing, our fears were for naught. We separated at the end of three weeks and planned another visit three months down the road. During that time, we found out another thing. We found out that we had was good enough to make it through the separations. Our relationship was "real" now. Being apart was harder, but the relationship - well it was tangible.

So that's where I was coming from. In case anyone was wondering.

[Damian&Kelly 16]

I'll jump in here and give my own experiences. First off with VWP, My husband visited me in the US 3 times, and stayed about 85 days each time. The first time was a breeze, he had no ties, and all they asked him was "Business or Pleasure?" The second time was similar, on the 3rd visit they did question him, He was honest. They asked why so long of visits, and why he was here and then advised him to look into visas, they let him in and that trip was actually planned to start wedding/visa planning. I've had terrible experiences myself visiting England, always needed ties and got grilled every time, was actually held 2 hours the first time, but we're talking US here. Of course, Paul should plan on bringing ties, and he has to show him return ticket.

Second, I actually met my husband online, we talked for 10 months online: Chat, Phone, Skype, Webcam, Snail mail... We decided to take the next step and didn't have a lot of money, knew we loved each other so decided to go all out. He actually flew over here and stayed the max first time. He had no hotel booked, planned to stay with me. My mom took me to the airport to meet him and pick him up. We put safety precautions in, and my mom took it a step further as I was still living at home and actually was 19 when we planned his visit, She talked to his parents. Looking back we were nuts, but that day I wasn't nervous at all, felt like I was seeing a friend I haven't seen in a while. The whole way to the airport my mom asked "Aren't you nervous?" and I was worried how calm I was. But we knew each other, I knew more about him then I had any of my other boyfriends I met in person. The 3 months was amazing, though it made that first goodbye that much harder. Didn't take me long to follow him though, 3 weeks later I flew to England for 4 months.

[Gemmie 142]

I understand Johnny. flew to Boston to meet mine for the first time, and stayed just 4 nights. We wanted to see if we blended together as well in person as we did online (as we had talked for nearly 2 years). When I look back, I wish I had stayed for longer but I was cautious at the time, and when I went back to the UK I was bouncing off the walls about him.

[JoannaV 174]

Just get him to bring any evidence of ties he has to the UK: his living arrangements, his work arrangements, any study he is doing. And his return ticket.

Also, tell him to be truthful. You don't always need to tell everything. But if a question is asked he must answer it 100% truthfully.

Ultimately, just try not to worry about it. Other than the things above, there is nothing you can do about it. He will just have to play it by ear, responding to what questions he is asked.

My own experience of visiting the US: on my first visit I was asked quite a few questions about how I knew my boyfriend etc. Mostly this felt more like the guy being concerned for my safety and nothing to do with immigration! On subsequent visits I was mostly just happily waved through, although the one female official did act a bit more doubtful. No US official ever asked me any questions about finances, or wondered how I was able to travel whenever I felt like it. It's all luck of the draw, really.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

I keep wondering if this guy is in the US now and how things are going.