Will I have trouble visiting again..? (On VWP)

[peachkitten 0]

Hey everyone.

Sorry in advance for any spelling mistakes, I have no laptop right now so I'm using a crappy old iPod touch that doesn't work properly, haha.

So, long story short, I'm a UK citizen and I plan on visiting my ex (yes, ex) boyfriend/fiance in April. I'm 19 and he's 21.

We met online nearly 5 years ago and last July I went to visit him until September, which was oir first time meeting.

I'd read so many horror stories about people getting refused entry and I spent days before my trip, plus the whole of my 13 hour flight panicking thinking I was going to be sent straight back home - needless to say, all that worrying was for nothing, and after a couple of questions I was on my way to rush to my connecting flight, haha.

I told the CBP officer I was visiting a friend, which was the truth - although I was pretty certain my ex and I were going to start dating, which we did. He even proposed to me, although it wasn't a "proper" proposal, so I'm not sure if that even matters seen as we've broken up since I've returned home anyway.

However, he wants me to come and stay with him again (chances are we'll sort out the relationship) so I'm planning to go back in April, because I want to see him for my birthday. I want this to be another "long" trip, however, I'm freakin out about the CBP officers again. -.-

What should I say when they ask who I'm visiting? A friend, boyfriend, or ex fiance? Seen as, like I said, we'll probably get back together.

Should I go for a shorter period of time? I was thinking a minimum of two months but I feel like they'll get suspicious of me and not let me through.

My last visit was from July 19th - September 26th last year, so pretty long in terms of visiting on the VWP.

By the time I go to visit him, which will probably be the beginning of April, I'll have been out of the country over 6 months - will this work in my favour?

Also, I've read that some airports are "easier" when it comes to the CBP officers - I entered the US at CLT on my last visit but I've read that larger airports (eg JFK) tend to have more easy-going with foreigners - does anyone have any experiences to share regarding this?

I know it depends on the CBP officer, but from what I've written, what do YOU guys think? I want to visit him for around 2+ months again but I don't know. I really don't want to be turned away, it would break my heart.

It will only be my second time in the US.

Also, despite him being my ex, we hav tqlked about marriage. Assuming the next trip goes well, we may get married. I'm aware that I can marry him on the VWP as long as I still leave the country.

I've looked up a lot about Visas and thought that the CR1 Visa would be good for us, but then I've seen so many people say that the K1 is better - why is this?

Sorry for so many questions, I know that these questions probably get asked a lot on here.

Thanks for any help.

[JensJrny2Ray 367]

Hey everyone.

Sorry in advance for any spelling mistakes, I have no laptop right now so I'm using a crappy old iPod touch that doesn't work properly, haha.

So, long story short, I'm a UK citizen and I plan on visiting my ex (yes, ex) boyfriend/fiance in April. I'm 19 and he's 21.

We met online nearly 5 years ago and last July I went to visit him until September, which was oir first time meeting.

I'd read so many horror stories about people getting refused entry and I spent days before my trip, plus the whole of my 13 hour flight panicking thinking I was going to be sent straight back home - needless to say, all that worrying was for nothing, and after a couple of questions I was on my way to rush to my connecting flight, haha.

I told the CBP officer I was visiting a friend, which was the truth - although I was pretty certain my ex and I were going to start dating, which we did. He even proposed to me, although it wasn't a "proper" proposal, so I'm not sure if that even matters seen as we've broken up since I've returned home anyway.

However, he wants me to come and stay with him again (chances are we'll sort out the relationship) so I'm planning to go back in April, because I want to see him for my birthday. I want this to be another "long" trip, however, I'm freakin out about the CBP officers again. -.-

What should I say when they ask who I'm visiting? A friend, boyfriend, or ex fiance? Seen as, like I said, we'll probably get back together.

Should I go for a shorter period of time? I was thinking a minimum of two months but I feel like they'll get suspicious of me and not let me through.

My last visit was from July 19th - September 26th last year, so pretty long in terms of visiting on the VWP.

By the time I go to visit him, which will probably be the beginning of April, I'll have been out of the country over 6 months - will this work in my favour?

Also, I've read that some airports are "easier" when it comes to the CBP officers - I entered the US at CLT on my last visit but I've read that larger airports (eg JFK) tend to have more easy-going with foreigners - does anyone have any experiences to share regarding this?

I know it depends on the CBP officer, but from what I've written, what do YOU guys think? I want to visit him for around 2+ months again but I don't know. I really don't want to be turned away, it would break my heart.

It will only be my second time in the US.

Also, despite him being my ex, we hav tqlked about marriage. Assuming the next trip goes well, we may get married. I'm aware that I can marry him on the VWP as long as I still leave the country.

I've looked up a lot about Visas and thought that the CR1 Visa would be good for us, but then I've seen so many people say that the K1 is better - why is this?

Sorry for so many questions, I know that these questions probably get asked a lot on here.

Thanks for any help.

Do you have strong ties to your country? A job, your family is there, you rent or own your home etc. Be truthful when asked why you're entering the country, "to visit my boyfriend". They're basically looking for ties to your country so that you'll go back. They may ask to see your return flight information for example.

[Done--Really 331]

There should be zero issues...you were here before, didn't overstay, have been away more than six months, and are coming from the UK which is not a high fraud country.

As to K-1 versis CR-1, read the guide so you can see the differences and if you decide to get married, you can pick the one that best fits your circumstances.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare

Edited February 27, 2013 by magical

[Gosia & Tito 199]

Do you have strong ties to your country? A job, your family is there, you rent or own your home etc. Be truthful when asked why you're entering the country, "to visit my boyfriend". They're basically looking for ties to your country so that you'll go back. They may ask to see your return flight information for example.

" as we've broken up since I've returned home anyway."They are friends only, again. The truth is that OP doesn't know what the outcome is going to be, but it is clear that OP doesn't seem to have intent to stay: "I'm aware that I can marry him on the VWP as long as I still leave the country."

So, I'd just say friend; you are not required to tell all the details of an on-off relationship and/or that there is some possible reconciliation.

As for time frame, even if ideally you would want to stay 2 months, is there a specific time frame discussed with friend?? If not, I' djust say 3-5 weeks you can alwaqys change your mind and decide to leave after a week, or stay longer, as long as dont overstay.

[Gosia & Tito 199]

Hey everyone.

Sorry in advance for any spelling mistakes, I have no laptop right now so I'm using a crappy old iPod touch that doesn't work properly, haha.

So, long story short, I'm a UK citizen and I plan on visiting my ex (yes, ex) boyfriend/fiance in April. I'm 19 and he's 21.

We met online nearly 5 years ago and last July I went to visit him until September, which was oir first time meeting.

I'd read so many horror stories about people getting refused entry and I spent days before my trip, plus the whole of my 13 hour flight panicking thinking I was going to be sent straight back home - needless to say, all that worrying was for nothing, and after a couple of questions I was on my way to rush to my connecting flight, haha.

I told the CBP officer I was visiting a friend, which was the truth - although I was pretty certain my ex and I were going to start dating, which we did. He even proposed to me, although it wasn't a "proper" proposal, so I'm not sure if that even matters seen as we've broken up since I've returned home anyway.

However, he wants me to come and stay with him again (chances are we'll sort out the relationship) so I'm planning to go back in April, because I want to see him for my birthday. I want this to be another "long" trip, however, I'm freakin out about the CBP officers again. -.-

What should I say when they ask who I'm visiting? A friend, boyfriend, or ex fiance? Seen as, like I said, we'll probably get back together.

Should I go for a shorter period of time? I was thinking a minimum of two months but I feel like they'll get suspicious of me and not let me through.

My last visit was from July 19th - September 26th last year, so pretty long in terms of visiting on the VWP.

By the time I go to visit him, which will probably be the beginning of April, I'll have been out of the country over 6 months - will this work in my favour?

Also, I've read that some airports are "easier" when it comes to the CBP officers - I entered the US at CLT on my last visit but I've read that larger airports (eg JFK) tend to have more easy-going with foreigners - does anyone have any experiences to share regarding this?

I know it depends on the CBP officer, but from what I've written, what do YOU guys think? I want to visit him for around 2+ months again but I don't know. I really don't want to be turned away, it would break my heart.

It will only be my second time in the US.

Also, despite him being my ex, we hav tqlked about marriage. Assuming the next trip goes well, we may get married. I'm aware that I can marry him on the VWP as long as I still leave the country.

I've looked up a lot about Visas and thought that the CR1 Visa would be good for us, but then I've seen so many people say that the K1 is better - why is this?

Sorry for so many questions, I know that these questions probably get asked a lot on here.

Thanks for any help.

IN many cases, couples decide on K-1 or CR-1 based on estimated times for completion. Not sure what is the timeline these days, but keep seeing postss here of how behind and delayed the K-1 process is; a CR-1 might be faster now; but it can change in the next 2-3 months. That said, in certain countries, it is advisable to go for CR-1 because of the level of scrutiny and fraud. UK is not one of those. Another reason to decide one or another is that K-1 are often more expensive overal (but not in all cases, and your specific case would has to account for additioanl costs of traveling: for example, you are already traveling so let's say you marry in the US in this trip and start a CR-1; then you would not add the costs of this trip to the total cost). K-1 requires an adjustment of status after marriage and inclusing that you would not be able to work until that a work permit is secure, which means more $$ and time (about 2-3 months from date of filing for AOS). On a CR-1, you get a GC on entry to the country, overall is a bit less costly in certain cases. As before, you need to estimate those costs in your specific case.

SOme reasons people choose a K-1 include that you can get going faster, meaning you could file now, while on the CR-1 you have to first marry, which could take time. In your case, it would seem to me that the financial considerations might be the ones that would decide it, assuming that is that if you decide that a marriage is the thing to do, you can marry while visiting and start CR-1 then. Then you go back to UK, waiting for the process while you arrange your move.

[peachkitten 0]

Thanks for your replies

He wants me to stay for as long as I did last time, which was about 10 weeks but I'm gonna keep it to two months just to be safe.

Then, if this trip is successful, my next visit would probably be at the very end of October then stay until early January so I could spend his birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years with him, which would be just over two months again.. do you reckon that'd be okay too? (Ugh, look at me.. I'm such a worrier I'm already worrying about something that hasn't even been planned yet, haha)

Oh, and something else has got me worried.. When I was asked how long I'd be staying last time, I wasn't focusing (all that worrying!) and said 9 weeks when it was actually 9 weeks and 6 days.. that won't affect anything, will it? Seen as it was under 90 days. I plan on printing out proof of my okd tickets anyway just incase they bring it up though.

Just to reassure everyone, I have zero intention of lying to the officer or overstaying / doing anything else illegal.

In all honesty I DON'T have many strong ties to the UK (family, that's pretty much it) unless I can get a job before then so my only evidence of returning will be my return ticket and I guess my insurance policy that I will take out for the duration of trip - although to CBP officers, these might not mean much.

Gosia & Tito - Thank you so much for that. I think I'm going to stick with the CR-1 route as time isn't really an issue for me and I'm not exactly well off either, haha. ^^

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

My opinion. He is your friend. You don't have to give a history unless the officer says, "have you ever been engaged to him in the past?" If he asks "is he your boyfriend?" you can say you've known him a long time, but aren't a couple. That's true, isn't it? Other than that, you sound sincere and like you could easily talk your way in with sensible answers. It's never guaranteed. People have given you some good suggestions. At your age, you may not have a job, money, lease or school to show you have ties to the UK if they ask, so at least look like a happy tourist on an adventure instead of someone paralyzed with guilt and fear.

As a former K1, I vote for CR1. It's cheaper and you would have greencard status as soon as you arrive. Read the sad stories of the bored K1s who have months of sitting home all day while the USC works because they have to wait before they can work or get a driver's license.

Edited February 27, 2013 by Nich-Nick

[jaycali 415]

If the CBP asks "who are you visiting?" you can say "my friend" or "my boyfriend" or my "ex boyfriend." It's up to you. Legally, they're all sound options.

A "boyfriend" is not a legal definition of anything.

If the CBP officer asks specifically "Are you visiting your boyfriend?" or "Is this your boyfriend?" normally, the answer would be "yes" but since this is your ex boyfriend, again, he's your friend. I would probably just say "my ex boyfriend." if they ask specifically.

As for the length of your travel, you have zero reason to worry. The CBP worries about people who come for 3 months, leaves for a week and comes back for another 3 months. They don't care if people come for a few months once a year. It's not about how much time you spend in the country per se, it's about whether they think it is likely that you're working illegally or a risk of overstay.

If you're a millionaire with a vacation home in Florida, the CBP won't really care that you're visiting for 3 months, twice a year. Not because rich people are "more welcome" but because it makes sense how you can afford it. Likewise, if you're a businessman who holds a weekly board meeting in New York every Friday, the CBP won't care that you're visiting once a week - It makes sense why and how you're doing it. If you're am unemployed 20 year old on the other hand, it makes no sense how you can afford to stay in the US 6 months out of the year, or how you can visit once a week. That's when their eyebrows raise.

A 19 year old British girl visiting for 10 weeks once a year? Sounds normal to me.

As for the 9 weeks and 6 days, it doesn't matter. At all. Not one bit. You stayed less than 90 days and you didn't overstay. No CBP officer will even look twice at that.

Edited March 1, 2013 by Jay Jay

[rosiemct 0]

So what happened?? Did you get in ok?? I read all these threads of people worrying but never hear the outcome. I am travelling over in 2 weeks to dtay 76 days with my boyfriend. I have a job to come back to, a lease on a flat as well as a car and money but still worried about what to say at border. Do I say boyfriend?? Anyway! If you could update us that would be marvellous : )

[Ontarkie 14,419]

Sorry to tell you that you will not be getting an update. The member who started this thread has not been back since Feb 2013.

If asked yes you tell them the truth.

~~Thread locked to further discussion~~