Second Wedding in the US via Tourist Visa

[iliveinacake 0]

Hi all,

I appreciate this has been tackled in other threads - I just want a bit of advice and reassurance on a few things before I fly out next week.

To summarise, I'm a British Citizen. I've lived with my (now) wife here in London, UK since August 2011. She's a USC and has lived here in the UK on various study, post-study work, and now spousal visa(s) since September 2008 when we first met

I've been to visit her in the US (through San Francisco) once during our relationship (this was back in 2010 and the last time I was in the US). I originally met her studying abroad on a J-1 back in 2009.

We got married here in London at the end of March (registry office) but have now planned a much grander celebration with her extended family at the end of the month. This is not a legal ceremony, simply a religious blessing with those close to us - and a bit of a party

Given the lengthy nature to the spousal and fiancé visa processes, I was planning on attending our wedding via the VWP (my ESTA has gone through all fine). I'll be in California for 7 days, after which we have our honeymoon booked in Jamaica (which we fly directly to from Sacramento) and then back to the UK and our jobs 7 days after this.

To clarify, we live together in London, are both employed full time (I've just signed another year's contract at my work), and have a flat we're contracted to until the end of this year. Additionally, my wife has just received her UK spousal visa, which we paid a fair amount of money for - entitling her to another two years in the UK.

Now, will I have any issues at the POE in San Francisco? Is what I'm doing considered wrong or in any way a misuse of my VWP? I know this depends on the CO, but should I say we're already officially married (I'll have a copy of our marriage certificate with me plus my employment contract, a letter from my boss confirming the job I am expected to return to, plus a letter from our letting agent). We do plan on moving to the US in the next few years but want to process all of that whilst we're both set up and permitted to live and work here in the UK. In no way do I plan on staying in the US on my tourist visa.

Should I say I'm here to celebrate our marriage with her family and friends who couldn't make it to our UK wedding? What would you suggest to make my POE experience as smooth as possible?

I've invested so much money into making our second wedding wonderful, I can't think of anything worse than it all going wrong at the airport. My whole family is flying out too

Any advice is much appreciated. Apologies for the long thread!

tl;dr - I'm British Citizen already married to a USC here in the UK. Can I enter the US (in San Francisco) on a tourist visa to celebrate our marriage with her family?

Edited May 15, 2013 by iliveinacake

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

1. It is perfectly legal to marry on the VWP. You don't need a special visa to marry like you do in the UK.

2. You are already married anyway.

[didopage 337]

Your plan has nothing wrong or illegal. Fiancé and spouse visas are intended for people who actually want to immigrate to the US. As it is not your actual intent, it would be a waste of time and money to apply for that kind of visa right now.

Take all the proofs that will show you only intend to stay a few days, and that you will for sure return back to the US. I've never had problems at customs in SFO, my family who came last month had no problem either, and the border agent was even very friendly. It is possible that you get someone in a bad day which would be over-suspicious, but you have no reason to lie. Just tell the truth and if you are asked in-depth questions, show them your proofs.

Usually they only ask you if you are here for tourism or business, where and how long you are staying, ... There's no need to answer in details. I always strictly answer truthfully to their questions, and I have (well, had) proofs ready in case they were suspicious on my intend (I never had to show them).

It's been 3 years since you visited the US, it's not like you come very often so they should not be bothering.

Enjoy your time in Sacramento/SF!

[lost_at_sea 995]

tl;dr - I'm British Citizen already married to a USC here in the UK. Can I enter the US (in San Francisco) on a tourist visa to celebrate our marriage with her family?

Yes! This is no way a concern for them. Just make sure you have your return ticket information with you, just incase they want to know when you're returning (but this is normal for tourist visas, anyway, and I didn't realise this until a couple months ago but a condition of ESTA is that you travel with the details of your return flight).

I go through SFO all the time, and I've never had a hold-up, even when my (now) husband was living there during the long-distance portion of our relationship and I used to say "I'm visiting my boyfriend".

Sounds like fun! Enjoy!

Edited May 16, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Should I say I'm here to celebrate our marriage with her family and friends who couldn't make it to our UK wedding? What would you suggest to make my POE experience as smooth as possible?

I've invested so much money into making our second wedding wonderful, I can't think of anything worse than it all going wrong at the airport. My whole family is flying out too

Any advice is much appreciated. Apologies for the long thread!

tl;dr - I'm British Citizen already married to a USC here in the UK. Can I enter the US (in San Francisco) on a tourist visa to celebrate our marriage with her family?

I would have the wife go through the same line together so she is with you and has proof of her living in the UK as well. You don't have to explain your whole plan unless they specifically ask.

What is the purpose of your trip?

We're on holiday to visit my wife's parents in Sacramento. (true, right?)

Then wait for them to ask you anything further like does your wife live in England? How long are you staying? What are your plans while her?

There's nothing wrong with visiting and they don't scrutinize every visitor, but you don't have to feed them every last detail before they ask.

[Jawaree 718]

Are U saying U both will continue living in the UK?...should not be a problem

[singhmince 0]

Hi, every time I visited through business purpose but having B1/B2 visa if suppose I have to go to visit US for holidays then what are the documents I have to carry with me. I have girl friend there also and if i marry her then is it legal? Pls advice?

[iliveinacake 0]

Great stuff - thanks for the help and advice, guys! Very reassuring.

Now, which line should I stand in on arrival at SFO?

Can I stand with my wife in the US Citizen's passport queue, or should I go by myself into the non-US citizen's section?

Likewise, If I go down the non-US citizen's line, can my wife come through this with me, so we can explain our intentions / show proof of UK ties together (if necessary).

Just wondering what the best option is?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Great stuff - thanks for the help and advice, guys! Very reassuring.

Now, which line should I stand in on arrival at SFO?

Can I stand with my wife in the US Citizen's passport queue, or should I go by myself into the non-US citizen's section?

Likewise, If I go down the non-US citizen's line, can my wife come through this with me, so we can explain our intentions / show proof of UK ties together (if necessary).

Just wondering what the best option is?

Either line is probably fine. Normally they allow spouses to remain together. If there is someone directing traffic to the lines, ask them which they prefer since you want to remain together.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Yes, just ask the person directing traffic which line you can go in together.

[Autumnal 25]

Generally someone with a USC can go in the citizens line. I never got separated from the person I was traveling with. Just have your documentation ready.

[iliveinacake 0]

So I went in the USC line with my wife and all was fine! Didn't ask for any documentation, just fingerprints and a 90 day date stamp - plus a 'congratulations' and have a nice trip!

[lost_at_sea 995]

So I went in the USC line with my wife and all was fine! Didn't ask for any documentation, just fingerprints and a 90 day date stamp - plus a 'congratulations' and have a nice trip!

That's great! Have a good time.

[lost_at_sea 995]

So I went in the USC line with my wife and all was fine! Didn't ask for any documentation, just fingerprints and a 90 day date stamp - plus a 'congratulations' and have a nice trip!

That's great! Have a good time.