Entry troubles?

[kisschick1976 0]

I'm taking a trip over there and will arrive on 1 March. I am a bit worried because I will be visiting my fiance this time instead of my boyfriend. All I will have to prove I am not staying there is my return ticket and a letter from my employer saying when I am expected back. I won't have any NOA's to show since after we get married in the United States we will be getting a visa for me to move over there. I remember last time out I was asked more questions than usual and was asked to see my return ticket as well as being asked how much money I was bringing in with me (that may be everywhere though... not sure) so I have a feeling this was notated and will happen again this time out

Hope I don't panic and start to cry hahaha!

[Fandango 1,439]

Seeing this topic always gives me a pain in my stomach because the very first time I went over, I was detained for 9 hours or so, and locked in this room with all the other immigration detainees. There was communication between my mom and the head CO at the embassy, talk of 'possibly needing a lawyer' and all sorts of hoo ha. they wouldn't let me fly home, which I requested.

It all did get resolved, and I suppose in hindsight there were a few red flags...I was coming on a 6 mo ticket (which is allowed, but whatever), I had no ties to the US really, I had a brand new passport (my old one expired and it needed reissuing), and I apparantly didn't have enough 'cash' on me (I had $300, but 4 platinum cards and my atm card...who travels with boatloads of cash on their person?), and 3 full sized suitcases...all marked 'heavy'

They said I was trying to 'sneak' in....I told them, with 4 inch heels, a purple fur cuffed black leather jacket, a 'yield to the princess' t-shirt, and all my luggage, that I apparantly wasn't doing a very good job of blending, lol.

Hey, i just had a thought...wonder if that co is still there? My mom had gotten patched through to his house phone cos he wasn't at work...wonder if he remembers me? lol

[TimsDaisy 0]

Just to update: I went and had no troubles getting in - though I did have copies of all the I-129F papers and the NOA1 and a letter from my employer with me, just in case.

I went up to passport control, handed over my passport - the lady said "what's the purpose of your visit?" I answered, "holiday." She asked what I was planning to do - I said, hopefully, finally see more of the museums in London (which was a true statement). She looked at all the stamps into Heathrow on the passport pages and then asked what the address I had written on the landing card was - I said my fiance's house. She asked if he was British. I said yes. She flipped through the pages some more. So I started to say "but we're going to live in the US and -"

She basically waived off the rest of my sentence and said, no, no, fine (in a way that implied, really, stop talking), stamped my book with leave to enter for 6 months, yadda yadda, and I was in.

So, nothing to worry about - but I'm still glad I had documents with me, just in case. Peace of mind was worth the extra hand luggage weight . . . .

[TimsDaisy 0]

By the way - regarding the horror story above from Lisa D -that's just more reason to have the proof, as she learned in a really crappy way.

If anyone is in the UK and has watched or can watch that reality show "Airport" - it can be instructive as they generally profile a story about an immigration officer giving someone a hard time (earned or not). One thing I found fascinating (aside from confirmation that I shouldn't direct ire solely at US border control), was the level to which some passangers were scrutinized. They went through EVERYTHING - and I mean everything - each scrap of paper in a person's luggage, each document in briefcases, etc. They checked diary pages (UK diary - like planners, as I'd call them). So don't write "May 19: begin new life in the UK" if you're entering on the VWP, etc. It was nuts what some people wrote down . . . . they totally hung themselves.

[Fandango 1,439]

Great news that you got in fine...congrats!

By the way - regarding the horror story above from Lisa D -that's just more reason to have the proof, as she learned in a really crappy way.

If anyone is in the UK and has watched or can watch that reality show "Airport" - it can be instructive as they generally profile a story about an immigration officer giving someone a hard time (earned or not). One thing I found fascinating (aside from confirmation that I shouldn't direct ire solely at US border control), was the level to which some passangers were scrutinized. They went through EVERYTHING - and I mean everything - each scrap of paper in a person's luggage, each document in briefcases, etc. They checked diary pages (UK diary - like planners, as I'd call them). So don't write "May 19: begin new life in the UK" if you're entering on the VWP, etc. It was nuts what some people wrote down . . . . they totally hung themselves.

They went through everything of mine with a fine tooth comb. Even individual pictures.

I was trying to be helpful, so I was all 'that's my mom and dad' 'that's blah blah blah' to which she SNAPPED at me (I had a really rude lady, btw) and she says

'i think i can figure out what each picture is'

and I kid you not, the VERY next picture.....she said

'what's this?'

[flutter95 4]

Glad you got in ok!

Before I moved over here and my fiance would visit me in the UK, he never had ANY trouble thank god.

However when I visited the US, geez I always had the hardest time!

I like Lisa had everything looked over with a fine toothcomb, whos this in this picture? whos this phone number? what does this note mean? It was terrible. Was told again and again why was I lying, shouting yelling, throwing my underwear around! I was threatend to be put in a jail cell, blah blah.

I visited 9 times before coming in with my K-1 and bout 2 of those 9 times were easy and no hassle, the others were terrible!

[msu17 0]

That is craziness!!! Thank goodness Paul and I have never had any problems coming to the US/UK. Haha except for the time Paul had his luggage searched after having a stopover in Amsterdam. Of course that was the time he brought some "unmentionables" after saying he was visiting friends!!! HAHA, he just got an amused look from customs and then waved on. I wonder what it is that red flags some people and why they have to be so mean about it!!! Wishful thinking that everyone could be civil Just remember my mantra: minimalist packing...

Glad you got in ok!

Before I moved over here and my fiance would visit me in the UK, he never had ANY trouble thank god.

However when I visited the US, geez I always had the hardest time!

I like Lisa had everything looked over with a fine toothcomb, whos this in this picture? whos this phone number? what does this note mean? It was terrible. Was told again and again why was I lying, shouting yelling, throwing my underwear around! I was threatend to be put in a jail cell, blah blah.

I visited 9 times before coming in with my K-1 and bout 2 of those 9 times were easy and no hassle, the others were terrible!

[flutter95 4]

Well heres the crazy part --

The last time I visited before I came over with visa in hand, I didn't pack much because of this, or wrote anything down or ANYTHING, cause I KNEW what they would be like.

I got accused of already having stuff in the US and therefore living there already therefore staying past the 90 days!

[msu17 0]

Oh my goodness that is ridiculous!!! Did they let you the last time eventually? My SO is doing the same thing in a few months.

[flutter95 4]

The last time wasn't quite so horrid, I just played really dumb to the guy and he got nicer!

[bevray 0]

Hi just got back from visiting my wife in London. When asked at heathrow my purpose I just smiled and said I was visiting my wife, she is a British citizen. He then asked how long I was staying and I said sadly I would be leaving in four days. He just smiled and said have a nice visit! On returning to O'hare I asked the customs agent about my wife coming to visit me while we were in the visa process. The young lady was very helpful and even went and checked with her supervisor even though they were really backed up! The answer she gave me was to first and most importantly be honest and forthright that you are coming in to see your husband and that you are in the process of getting permanant resident status. Secondly be able to prove that you have a return ticket and third DO NOT cop an "attitude" with the customs agent. I have read other people on VJ say don't offer any more information than they ask for, just say your visiting, but I think she was saying if you tell them up front in a courteous manner what your situation is and give any evidence of your intent to return you won't have a problem. As always it's a prbably a good idea to have plenty of evidence just be pleasent and don't give them any reason to believe you're not being honest!

[kisschick1976 0]

Just realized I hadn't posted my entry experience. sorry!

well I didn't sleep but 30 minutes of my 9 hr flight so I was a little by the time I got to passport control. When it was my turn I swear I was just answering the questions all wrong at first (and realizing it after I said it!!!) and she was going to think I was a dummy!

*all smiles, I hand over my American passport*

Passport control lady: And where are you coming from dear?

Me: America *in my head I hear Homer Simpson saying D'OH!*

PCL: No I mean where from, what city.

Me: *blushing* Houston.

PCL: Business or pleasure?

Me: Pleasure

PCL: What is your business here?

Me: Visiting my fiance for a bit.

PCL: Oh really? Were is he from?

Me: Here *D'OH! SAY HE'S BRITISH, DUMMY!!*

PCL: Is he British?

Me: Yes.

PCL: When will you be getting married and where?

Me: In Texas and in October.

PCL: Oh how lovely, have you got everything sorted then? do you have a dress yet? Oh weddings are lots of planning!! but so exciting!!! GIIIIRRRLLLLL!!!

Me: *did she just say, 'Giiiirrrrlllll!!'?* We have some of it planned, we still have a ways to go yet.

PCL: *looks all excited*

me:

PCL: Where will you be planning to live after the wedding? Will you be living here or over there?

Me: We will be getting a visa for me to come over here at first, later we may move back to America.

PCL: Oh so you already know about how to get a marriage visa then?

Me: Yes, We will be applying to the embassy in Chicago.

PCL: May I see your return ticket?

Me: I don't have a return ticket exactly since it was an e-ticket but here's a print out of my itinerary...

PCL: lovely. *looks over, stamps passport OVER ANOTHER ENTRY STAMP I HAD IN THERE ALREADY TO ROMANIA!!!, stares at it for a bit, closes it and hands it over.

Me:

PCL: Enjoy your stay and congratulations!!!

easy, and here I was all nervous that I was going to be asked a million questions and that I was going to cry!

Edited March 8, 2007 by kisschick1976

[blspicer 0]

I'm the USC and i'll be flying into gatwick on march 30th to stay with pete and then we'll both be coming back to north carolina on april 10th. I'm not nervous about getting in over there but it scares me to death to think about him going through customs in charlotte. Has anyone ever had any problems there?