Love online

[Anna Grant 169]

I have traveled 5 times to the US and have only been asked for proof once - on my last visit I was asked to show my return ticket. Bring evidence to prove that you have to come back to your home country, a copy of your return ticket and a copy of your ESTA and you should be fine. Only answer the questions you are asked by immigration (i.e. don't volunteer infomrato) and never, ever lie.

[bigdog 376]

No matter what you do tell the truth, figure out the best way to accomplish your goal and do it.

[jenoral 3]

Thank you all very very much for making this a bit easier for us.

Up to now as I said before the general thrust of all the information I got was to be ultra-careful because if they (immigration people) get even a sense that I was visiting my girl that I would be turned away and possibly banned or at least be made to jump through hoops to ever get back again. What a relief to hear all these positive experiences.

She plans to visit me in June and now at least we can plan a return visit by me when she goes back home.

All I can say is thanks again guys/gals and I`ll keep you posted on our progress.

A much much happier Jenoral....

[Operator 1,927]

Don't US bound passengers clear CBP in Dublin?

[jenoral 3]

Don't US bound passengers clear CBP in Dublin?

Yes we do Operator.

[QueenOfBlades 224]

You are allowed to visit a girlfriend/boyfriend/fiance. I visited for the first time last November and I told the immigration officer I was returning with my US citizen boyfriend and staying at his house for 2 weeks. He asked where I work, what I do in my job (assumingly to check I did definitely have a job) and then he let me in.

[stephen&kimmy 6]

My path and age are very similar to your own. I met my now fiance 10 years ago for the last few years we have spoken about wanting to marry and live with each other. Our children now have their independence my son went to University last year and Kim's children have moved out of the family home.

I visited her in the U.S in Dec returning in March after 90 days. This visit was made under the VWP which as I understand it allows a stay of up to 90 days in a year. In December when I entered the U.S I was asked several questions regarding my stay particularly as it was for a lengthy spell. I was honest and said I was spending a lengthy period with my fiance as we had never had the opportunity to do so. I told them we were going to buy an engagement ring and I was going to work on painting the house.

They asked me where she lived, where she worked and asked me how I could leave my job. Again an honest answer, "I am self employed and have made provision for blokes who were with me to look after my interests while I am gone"

Whilst we were there we filed the I-129f petition and I have now returned to the UK. Now begins the wait and worse the not knowing how long things will take. I appreciate fully the predicament you are in, it feels like your life is in limbo and you are treading water, like your life is on hold.

Firstly I would suggest you file an I-129f as soon as possible providing a) your both not married b)you have know each other for two years. With regards to visits I will not be returning to the U.S until my Visa is granted unless god forbid that takes over a year. The way I see it is, firstly continued trips to the U.S may flag up a problem and having reached this stage that is the last thing we need. Also financially starting out a new life overseas with my wife to be, any money saved now will be a blessing after we are married.

We have discussed her coming here for a visit if things get difficult (its hard being apart) but again we have been doing trips back and forth for ten years now, that is no longer what either of us want anymore.

I am not sure if I have helped my advice is sit tight get the paperwork done, make Skype your best friend and know that what your working towards will be worth it and give you a strong basis on which to start a happy life together.

GOOD LUCK

[jenoral 3]

You are allowed to visit a girlfriend/boyfriend/fiance. I visited for the first time last November and I told the immigration officer I was returning with my US citizen boyfriend and staying at his house for 2 weeks. He asked where I work, what I do in my job (assumingly to check I did definitely have a job) and then he let me in.

Thanks for your reply Queen of Blades,

My only worry is that I`m retired and have no real ties here except for my car, rented house and bank accounts so I guess they might see me as a likely immigrant if i`m seeing a girl there.

The annoying thing is that even if I do end up over there I will be a net contributor to the US economy as I have cash and will never need any financial assistance from there plus I would be buying a house thus enriching the economy almost immediately. If I was wet and smelling of the Rio Grande I could understand it.....but I`m far from an economic immigrant trying to bleed the US coffers dry....

[jenoral 3]

Stephen and Kimmy....excellent reply....thank you so much, all these posts are giving us great hope.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Jenoral, you already visited, right? The fact that you left before will also work in your favor. Dublin is a pre-clearance POE so you'll know right away if you are let in. Don't worry too much. They also consider social ties, but you probably won't be asked.

[QueenOfBlades 224]

Thanks for your reply Queen of Blades,

My only worry is that I`m retired and have no real ties here except for my car, rented house and bank accounts so I guess they might see me as a likely immigrant if i`m seeing a girl there.

The annoying thing is that even if I do end up over there I will be a net contributor to the US economy as I have cash and will never need any financial assistance from there plus I would be buying a house thus enriching the economy almost immediately. If I was wet and smelling of the Rio Grande I could understand it.....but I`m far from an economic immigrant trying to bleed the US coffers dry....

I think you'll be ok. Some of it also depends on who you get on the day I suppose. I know it's a different country, but when my fiance came to visit me for 3 months in the UK, he came here with a letter from me saying he was staying with me, but had no money, didn't have my address or anything. He was still let in. A lot of people don't have problems at POE, but you're bound to find horror stories online.

[jenoral 3]

Jenoral, you already visited, right? The fact that you left before will also work in your favor. Dublin is a pre-clearance POE so you'll know right away if you are let in. Don't worry too much. They also consider social ties, but you probably won't be asked.

Yes Harpa, I`ve been there twice so far (2 weeks in June 2012 and 3 months Nov 2012 to Feb 2013).

Thanks for the reply.

[jenoral 3]

Thanks again QueenOfBlades,

I`m much more confident now that I know so many of you had no problems going there, as you said the `net is full of horror stories and it was these stories that kept us apart worrying about being banned from ever visiting again.

[Anna Grant 169]

Thanks again QueenOfBlades,

I`m much more confident now that I know so many of you had no problems going there, as you said the `net is full of horror stories and it was these stories that kept us apart worrying about being banned from ever visiting again.

That's the thing. People who have 'horror stories' to report, will write them up in full. People who have no problems at all, don't feel they have anything to report. That's why the 'Yes Can You Visit' topic was started. So that people like you who were concerned could have more confidence in travelling. I didn't realize that Dublin had CBP there - I wish London did then I wouldn't spend the flight worrying about it! It was finding the topic about 'Yes You Can Visit' which gave me the confidence to travel once we'd submitted out I129-F.

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

That's the thing. People who have 'horror stories' to report, will write them up in full. People who have no problems at all, don't feel they have anything to report.