Getting married in Fiance's country of Australia, honeymoon in US. What to expect with customs?

[Aps1979 1]

I am not sure where else to put this question. But since this is the thread for K3, CR1, spousal, etc maybe someone can help.

My fiance and I are getting married in early June in her home country of Australia. I am a US citizen. We are planning to come to the US for part of the summer to do our visa paperwork, honeymoon, and travel around in general so she can meet most of my family. After a few months, she will have to sadly return home while her visa finishes.

My question is this: in most cases when family or spouses travel together, they go through immigration then customs and border protection together, usually using one customs form per family; in order to not get separated if there is a problem.

What will the procedure be for my wife and myself since she isn't a US citizen? Will we still go through together like any other family travelling together or will we have to go through separately? I am asking because the worst thing I can imagine happening is if customs does have additional questions/issues with her, I could be stuck on opposite sides of the border from my wife. Which clearly I have to plan to not let happen.

Do we have the same process as any other married couple travelling together or do we just have to get in the same line with her in front of me and hope for the best?

Background: Shes an Aussie that hasn't been in the US since last September, has never overstayed, has a job to return to, and is only planning to stay 10 weeks.

Thanks in advance.

[Aps1979 1]

Followup: As long as I'm asking, would anyone expect any issues with customs in general in this scenario? As a visa wavier holder she should be allowed to be here up to 90 days with no issues.

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

Followup: As long as I'm asking, would anyone expect any issues with customs in general in this scenario? As a visa wavier holder she should be allowed to be here up to 90 days with no issues.

Even with VWP I think all the other requirements still pertain such as showing ties back to Australia. I think with a USC Souse that the proof has to be solid.

YMMV.

[Ryan H 3,821]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to General Immigration-Related Discussion; topic is not about the spousal visa process itself.

[canadian_wife 1,827]

Agreed, a newly married person to a USC may expect more scrutiny...be prepared to show ties to US or strong proof of return

good luck

[malamaja 1]

My husband and I got married in early January 2013. I am Australian, and he's an US citizen (he's living in Australia while our documents get processed). We started my visa paperwork in January and are about half way through.

I just returned from a 4 week US holiday. I had absolutely NO problems, at entry or exit. We separated at arrival (he went to US line, and I went to foreign). Since we filled out the forms as travelling with spouse, the customs agent asked me where my husband was. I explained the situation and he laughed and said to go with him in the US line next time. It was a great experience. I was prepared for questions (had a copy of our lease and other documents ready) but was never asked.

Good luck and I'm sure your plans will go as expected.

[velrich 50]

You can both go together through the citizens line.

We would go through separate lines until one day the Officer told me I could go through with him and my daughter though the citizens sections. That what we did ever since.