What to say: friend or boyfriend?

[JuanAustin 0]

Hi everybody!

My Colombian girlfriend finally got a tourist visa and she is planning to visit me 3 weeks. We have been together for over two years. We are planning to get married next year. This trip is for her to come visit me in the US for the first time. She will be visiting for 10 days.

My concern right now is what she should say when going through CBP. I've been reading through a lot of the posts but don't seem to find a consensus.

If they ask, "what is the purpose of your visit", should she say "vacation", "visiting friends" or "visiting my boyfriend" or all of the above? It does seem that the consensus is not to offer more information than what is being asked.

And if/when they ask "where are you going to stay"? Should she answer "friend's" or "boyfriend's" home.

I understand that you should never lie, and if they ask her if she has a boyfriend, she has to say yes.

However, given that this is her first visit to the US, we just want things to go as smooth as possible.

And my girlfriend will take all possible documentation proving strong ties to colombia: she is in the middle of her MBA, has her own company, car lease, bank statements, she will be bringing cash, credit cards and return ticket.

Thanks for the help.

[aaydrian 479]

Question, what did she say her purpose of visiting the US would be at her interview?

[JuanAustin 0]

Question, what did she say her purpose of visiting the US would be at her interview?

During the interview, she wasn't asked that question! (hard to believe but it's true)

The questions she was asked during the interview were the following:

Q: What type of visa are you applying for?

A: B2

Q: Have you traveled outside of Colombia?

A: Yes

Q: Which countries did you visit and why?

A: Spain, Switzerland and France for school. I'm currently doing a masters.

Q: What type of masters?

A: Master in Finance

Q: Do you also work?

A: Yes, I have my own company that import/exports.

Tourist visa approved!

[jaycali 415]

Since "boyfriend" is neither a legally defined, nor a specifically defined term, saying she's staying with a friend isn't lying. However, if asked specifically if you're her boyfriend, she should obviously say yes.

Edited October 3, 2012 by jaejayC

[aaydrian 479]

Well that's nice. Her application musta been looking real sexy. How many times has she applied?

Just tell the truth. If she's visiting only you her bf then that's the answer. If for friends, bf and family then that would be it (but primarily the bf). Give the correct place of stay while on the trip. Just tell your lady to be calm, no nervousness and answer with a smile. Just saying friends is okay but these border folks read body language, facial expressions and could note change in tones when they ask you specific questions. I preferred to go through airport immigration with a free conscience than to be 'ifing', 'butting' and 'maybing' when I join that visitors line.

Your gf should also be careful of they documents she brings with her eg BC, degrees etc because it could look like she wants to have the necessarys to intentionally marry and adjust status on a B2 and start a new life in the US.

Edited October 3, 2012 by aaydrian

[mrsSpitze 9]

Like what you said- dont lie. :-) got in the US twice and both I said boyfriend. :-)

[jaycali 415]

Like what you said- dont lie. :-) got in the US twice and both I said boyfriend. :-)

Agreed. I've entered 4 times since I got married to a USC - no problems. Once I was never asked who I was visiting, three times I told them I was visiting my USC wife. Never had any problems or extra scrutiny.

[melancolia2020 0]

Agreed. I've entered 4 times since I got married to a USC - no problems. Once I was never asked who I was visiting, three times I told them I was visiting my USC wife. Never had any problems or extra scrutiny.

You should say the true, you will be surprise how years later they could ask the same question. For example: In they year 2012 you was visiting USA with B2 visa, did you stayed with friends or with your boyfriend?

[jaycali 415]

You should say the true, you will be surprise how years later they could ask the same question. For example: In they year 2012 you was visiting USA with B2 visa, did you stayed with friends or with your boyfriend?

I agree, but again, "boyfriend" is not a legally, or even well defined term. Saying you're staying with a "friend" isn't necessarily lying. Being specifically asked "your boyfriend?" and responding "no" is lying.

In the end, I would probably say "boyfriend" anyway.. Well in my case "girlfriend."

Edited October 5, 2012 by jaejayC

[Levifamily 0]

Because your girlfriend has a valid tourist visa, I don't think it would be a problem if she says that she's visiting you. Also, good to stress maybe to US immigrations that she's leaving in 10 days.

Hope this helps.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Hi everybody!

My Colombian girlfriend finally got a tourist visa and she is planning to visit me 3 weeks. We have been together for over two years. We are planning to get married next year. This trip is for her to come visit me in the US for the first time. She will be visiting for 10 days.

My concern right now is what she should say when going through CBP. I've been reading through a lot of the posts but don't seem to find a consensus.

If they ask, "what is the purpose of your visit", should she say "vacation", "visiting friends" or "visiting my boyfriend" or all of the above? It does seem that the consensus is not to offer more information than what is being asked.

And if/when they ask "where are you going to stay"? Should she answer "friend's" or "boyfriend's" home.

I understand that you should never lie, and if they ask her if she has a boyfriend, she has to say yes.

However, given that this is her first visit to the US, we just want things to go as smooth as possible.

And my girlfriend will take all possible documentation proving strong ties to colombia: she is in the middle of her MBA, has her own company, car lease, bank statements, she will be bringing cash, credit cards and return ticket.

Thanks for the help.

I believe you answered your own question in the bold print. I'm not sure why this seems to be an issue for some folks. If they ask who you are visiting or where you are staying, tell the truth, your boyfriend/girlfriend. If you just say friend, you are not telling the truth. Lying by ommission is still lying. As soon as you begin to twist the truth, the tangled web begins.

Edited November 12, 2012 by Teddy B