what should my gf tell port of entry officer reason of stay?

[rocket34 0]

Hello all. My girlfriend will be visiting me on a tourist visa in a few months. We plan to get married one day but not at the moment.

Simple question. What should she tell the custom officer (when she arrives in US) for reason of stay? We want her to stay for 6 months and have I-94 form reflect that. Could she just say she's here to learn as a student and use my address? (last time she visited me she stayed for 3 months, used my address, and said the same reason). If not, what are some other reasons? Thanks in advance.

[Anh map 2,098]

The truth is something worth trying.

[Ruffie 22]

I'm a big fan of speaking the truth...

[rocket34 0]

Forgive if I sound ignorant but is this true - she can say she is visiting her boyfriend without hassle?

I've read numerous articles saying individuals should not get married on a tourist visa. Not that we'll get married but we just want to minimize scrutiny from the customs officer.

[Que Saudade 284]

Forgive if I sound ignorant but is this true - she can say she is visiting her boyfriend without hassle?

I've read numerous articles saying individuals should not get married on a tourist visa. Not that we'll get married but we just want to minimize scrutiny from the customs officer.

It appears that you are already conceding that you will be scrutinized. She visited before without a hassle. What makes you think now that there is going to be a hassle?

The bottom line is why wouldn't you advocate speaking the truth like any other person visiting the US?

Yes, CBP will not allow entry into the US if they suspect an intent to immigrate without the proper Visas in hand. But if you are not trying anything, you have nothing to fear. Furthermore, if one intentionally deceives the CBP there could be serious ramifications to incur.

You guys CAN get married here on a tourist visa, but she still will have to leave and go back to her country to start the Visa process. The problem occurs when people try to get around the lengthy visa process. We all hate the time we have to spend apart. We all hate how long it takes. But, everyone here has gone through it.

[rocket34 0]

It appears that you are already conceding that you will be scrutinized. She visited before without a hassle. What makes you think now that there is going to be a hassle?

The bottom line is why wouldn't you advocate speaking the truth like any other person visiting the US?

Yes, CBP will not allow entry into the US if they suspect an intent to immigrate without the proper Visas in hand. But if you are not trying anything, you have nothing to fear. Furthermore, if one intentionally deceives the CBP there could be serious ramifications to incur.

You guys CAN get married here on a tourist visa, but she still will have to leave and go back to her country to start the Visa process. The problem occurs when people try to get around the lengthy visa process. We all hate the time we have to spend apart. We all hate how long it takes. But, everyone here has gone through it.

John&Mari - Thanks, I appreciate the response. Not conceding but just being curious and careful (due to ignorance) for my gf's sake since she wanted to know if staying in the US for 6 months (vs 3 months) will require her to change her reason. I told her that she could still say she's here for school but now I'll tell her that she's visiting a boyfriend. =) I suppose there's no harm in that as we're not breaking any rules. We just don't want to unknowingly break any laws.

PS - I'm aware that we could get married on her tourist visa but I'm thinking K1 Visa route if all goes well.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

I am a bit surprised how she got through the last time saying she is here to 'learn as a student' on a tourist visa.

[rocket34 0]

I am a bit surprised how she got through the last time saying she is here to 'learn as a student' on a tourist visa.

Let me rephrase as in "she took some classes". There are community colleges and such that offer short courses of study for 2, 4, and 12 week courses of less than 18 hours per week. You can do this on a visitor visa and that was our original intent.

[Que Saudade 284]

John&Mari - Thanks, I appreciate the response. Not conceding but just being curious and careful (due to ignorance) for my gf's sake since she wanted to know if staying in the US for 6 months (vs 3 months) will require her to change her reason. I told her that she could still say she's here for school but now I'll tell her that she's visiting a boyfriend. =) I suppose there's no harm in that as we're not breaking any rules. We just don't want to unknowingly break any laws.

PS - I'm aware that we could get married on her tourist visa but I'm thinking K1 Visa route if all goes well.

No worries. But, as far as 6 months visitation goes, it is up to the determination of the inspecting officer to determine how long she can stay. It is not guaranteed. She will have to show extensive ties back to her home. In very simplistic terms, she has to prove to the CBP that she is planning on returning home.

Enjoy your visit together. Make your plans on what you want to do for the future. But don't try to deceive the CBP officer, it will not turn out good.

[rocket34 0]

No worries. But, as far as 6 months visitation goes, it is up to the determination of the inspecting officer to determine how long she can stay. It is not guaranteed. She will have to show extensive ties back to her home. In very simplistic terms, she has to prove to the CBP that she is planning on returning home.

Enjoy your visit together. Make your plans on what you want to do for the future. But don't try to deceive the CBP officer, it will not turn out good.

Ding, ding, ding. This is why I posted the question. We want the full 6 month visitation. So, she needs to bring documentation with her when meeting with the CBP officer? What artifacts or things she needs to "show" to prove her ties back at home? Now I'm thinking if her saying she's here to take courses would be a better idea to avoid the hassle I was talking about!!

[Que Saudade 284]

Ding, ding, ding. This is why I posted the question. We want the full 6 month visitation. So, she needs to bring documentation with her when meeting with the CBP officer? What artifacts or things she needs to "show" to prove her ties back at home? Now I'm thinking if her saying she's here to take courses would be a better idea to avoid the hassle I was talking about!!

No Rocket. You can not get around the hassles. They are there for a reason. If she is going to take a class for that long, she would need a F1 visa. No one comes on a tourist visa to take a short "cooking class". That would be highly suspect-able. Especially for 6 months. Well if they do, they would have full documentation of the classes, fees paid, etc....

Also, you can not be guaranteed the full months. No one here can. That is up to the admitting officer based on their determination on that day.

The answer to your question here on VJ is, "Your GF should tell the truth for her reason of stay". It is up to the CBP officer to admit her, or not. Anything short of that would be ill-advised. If someone is caught lying to a CBP officer for reasons to gain admission into the US, they can be banned for life. I apologize for the roughness of the answer, but it is just the way it is.

[Noel194 53]

Could she enter for 90 days and then apply for an extension?

[rocket34 0]

No Rocket. You can not get around the hassles. They are there for a reason. If she is going to take a class for that long, she would need a F1 visa. No one comes on a tourist visa to take a short "cooking class". That would be highly suspect-able. Especially for 6 months. Well if they do, they would have full documentation of the classes, fees paid, etc....

Also, you can not be guaranteed the full months. No one here can. That is up to the admitting officer based on their determination on that day.

The answer to your question here on VJ is, "Your GF should tell the truth for her reason of stay". It is up to the CBP officer to admit her, or not. Anything short of that would be ill-advised. If someone is caught lying to a CBP officer for reasons to gain admission into the US, they can be banned for life. I apologize for the roughness of the answer, but it is just the way it is.

No roughness taken! I wonder then in most cases are visitors granted 3 or 6 month stays? It seems a bit pointless to be in the hands of the CBP officer and he/she can determine the stay. I'll tell the gf to be honest, say 6 months and to see boyfriend and go from there. Dumbfounded.

Could she enter for 90 days and then apply for an extension?

Am interested, how would that work?

[jundp 191]

She should just be prepared to show ties to her country (as well as telling the truth). Lease/rent agreement for a flat, letter from her employer stating that she is being granted leave but will return to her job, etc. But it's a bad idea to lie to the CBP officer. Ever.

[kmarion1968 5]

i would be prepared for the six months not being a realiry. most likely they will only give 90 days om a tourist visa. and also how much and what type of school can someone do in three months??? Think about it, they arent dumb, they see this stuff everyday. Just tell the truth and see what happens in my opinion. best of luck to you,