A return visit to country of origin!

[BirdyGirl85 23]

Well I am a USC so I don't have a GC... I would just be a little worried to use my passport in my maiden name, even though my tickets are bought in my maiden name as well. But I guess how would they know necessarily, but I know I would still worry about it.. But it would be nice to not have to pay the fee to change it before my passport expires.

[earthwormgym 1]

Quick follow-up question: When we travel to the UK together, will she have to go in a separate line "as a visitor" (while I can go through the UK citizens line?) Or is there a way in which we can both go through the same line...?

Thanks!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

At Uk immigration, I would say "we have once citizen and one visitor" and ask them where to go. Generally it is better to keep families together, but I wouldn't presume which line they want you in.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Quick follow-up question: When we travel to the UK together, will she have to go in a separate line "as a visitor" (while I can go through the UK citizens line?) Or is there a way in which we can both go through the same line...?

Thanks!

My experience from our one trip back to the UK and my first not by myself....

Heathrow. I got in the visitor line as I had many times before. He whizzed through the UK line.

My turn...guy asks what is the purpose of my visit. I say "my husband is British and we are visiting his family". He says..where is your husband? I pointed behind his desk and said "he's waiting for me because his line was short".

The guy said, "Next time go through the UK line with him".

[earthwormgym 1]

Once again, I have an additional question relating to this topic. It has partly been answered, but need some clarification.

When my wife (US) and I (Brit) visit the UK for Christmas, is there any easy way for us to go together. Recently at Heathrow, they have put in these fancy electronic gates which read an E-passport, which mine is! But my wife doesn't have one of these...so should I ask for her to join me in seeing a UK officer in the UK/Eu section, or would it just be much simpler for her to go separately, knowing that I may have to wait for her...

[Cori and Rob 55]

My experience from our one trip back to the UK and my first not by myself....

Heathrow. I got in the visitor line as I had many times before. He whizzed through the UK line.

My turn...guy asks what is the purpose of my visit. I say "my husband is British and we are visiting his family". He says..where is your husband? I pointed behind his desk and said "he's waiting for me because his line was short".

The guy said, "Next time go through the UK line with him".

Like a few others in this thread, my husband and I are also traveling to the UK for the first time together next week. So to confirm, at Heathrow, we should both go through the UK line, even though I'll have my US passport. Then back in the US, we should both go through the US line, correct? That seems much easier than I was making it out to be in my head.

Also, I remember back when my husband used to visit me, he always had to fill out the ESTA form online. Does this apply now that he is a green card holder?

[Hypnos 6,578]

No.

[kimislas 0]

It's totally okay to have passport in maiden name and GC in married name. Book the tickets in your passport name.

I have the same situation too birch was wondering if it works in general like I have the GC WITH married name and Philippine passport with maiden name. Will that be fine and just put the maiden named passport on the plane ticket? My husband and I are planning a 2 week visit in the philippines around march.

Edited January 6, 2014 by kimislas

[kimislas 0]

It's totally okay to have passport in maiden name and GC in married name. Book the tickets in your passport name.

I have the same situation too so was wondering if it works in general like I have the GC WITH married name and Philippine passport with maiden name. Will that be fine and just put my maiden named passport to the plane ticket? My husband and I are planning a 2 week visit in the philippines around march.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I have the same situation too so was wondering if it works in general like I have the GC WITH married name and Philippine passport with maiden name. Will that be fine and just put my maiden named passport to the plane ticket? My husband and I are planning a 2 week visit in the philippines around march.

Take a copy of your marriage certificate which shows your name change and use if there are questions about the two names anywhere along the way.

Edited January 6, 2014 by Nich-Nick

[kimislas 0]

I have the same situation too birch was wondering if it works in general like I have the GC WITH married name and Philippine passport with maiden name. Will that be fine and just put the maiden named passport on the plane ticket? My husband and I are planning a 2 week visit in the philippines around march.

thanks! but is it best if i put my maiden name on the plane ticket?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

thanks! but is it best if i put my maiden name on the plane ticket?

The name on the ticket matching the passport gets you through the airline counters and on the plane easier. They are trained to make sure the ticket is for the passport holder. While you could explain to them with your marriage certificate that you go by a new married name now, it tends to be easier to just present a ticket and passport with the same name and avoid all the explaining to airline employees. When you re-enter the US with your greencard, they are US immigration folks and understand the process and recent marriage, etc. Always take your marriage certificate when your names don't match as proof of a name change for anybody who needs to know.

[kimislas 0]

The name on the ticket matching the passport gets you through the airline counters and on the plane easier. They are trained to make sure the ticket is for the passport holder. While you could explain to them with your marriage certificate that you go by a new married name now, it tends to be easier to just present a ticket and passport with the same name and avoid all the explaining to airline employees. When you re-enter the US with your greencard, they are US immigration folks and understand the process and recent marriage, etc. Always take your marriage certificate when your names don't match as proof of a name change for anybody who needs to know.

Thank you! this is a very big help!

[hmh33 117]

Also, I remember back when my husband used to visit me, he always had to fill out the ESTA form online. Does this apply now that he is a green card holder?

He should not apply for ESTA.