Visiting same sex partner VWP

[JustShootIt 2]

Hello I wonder if you all could help.

I will be visiting my now boyfriend at the end of may for 2 weeks. I have previously stayed in the US for 9 days via the VWP. My main concern is trying to show ties to my home country (which is the UK). We do not plan to get married (i.e. nobody has proposed) YET as it is a bit too soon and he also needs to sort his stuff out with the IRS.

My main concern is being able to show ties to my home country. I have a job (which i'm also due for promotion in April), I am 24 years old, he is 23 years old and I live with my mum and I am required to help her towards costs of living, bills, rent, food etc. There is no way that she would be able to cope without me at this current time as we also have two pets. She has also recently suffered a little bit of ill health, but that is being sorted with an operation in April/May. I have talked to her about putting me on the water utilities bill, Tv/Internet/Broadband and the tenancy agreement which she is happy to do. She is also a secondary user on one of my credit cards. At the moment, I just give her money for those things. I will also have my itinerary printout showing my return flight.

I will also be taking around $750 in cash and two credit cards.

Should I be questioned about my stay I do intend to be up front and tell them I am visiting my boyfriend (even though I've read all the horror stories of people being denied POE based on saying that they are visiting a loved one) On my last visit I was asked no questions at all. We only started getting to know each other in January and begin "officially" dating in February. We met on an online game.

Is there anything else I can do to prove that I do not intend to stay beyond those two weeks?

Edited March 24, 2016 by JustShootIt

[Boiler 46,091]

Why do you think you will be interrogated this time?

[JustShootIt 2]

Why do you think you will be interrogated this time?

Well, mainly browsing these forums and reading the horror stories o.o They got me pretty worried! I think maybe that they will see that I visited fairly recently (it'll be around 2 months since I last visited) at the time I visit so would that be considered frequent? I don't know.

I would much prefer to go prepared than be unprepared at risk of being turned away at the POE if they do delve further into my reason for visiting! Theres all sorts of things going against me!

When I visited last time, the CBP officer just looked at me, did the usual fingerprints and photo and sent me on my way! He didn't even want my blue customs declaration! No words, nudda. I highly doubt I'm likely to get someone like that again!

Also a few concerns... If he does ask:

1) Same sex - I'm sure there is bound to be some sort of discrimination!

2) Young age

3) Apparent lack of ties to my country!

Also! I have a trip that is paid for and pre-booked for August to a completely different area of the USA with my mum and friends + children. I figure that they already have this information to hand though.

Edited March 24, 2016 by JustShootIt

[Transborderwife 4,666]

1. Unlikely. This isn't a factor

2. Perhaps

3. Your biggest hurdle

[JustShootIt 2]

1. Unlikely. This isn't a factor

2. Perhaps

3. Your biggest hurdle

Nods, see number 3 is what worries me.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

You come from a low fraud country try not to worry too much

[Penny Pincher 11]

You'll be fine. They mostly scrutinize people coming from countries of Asia and Africa.

[Jack2107 46]

Well both me and my husband are same sex and I've never had an issue with POE because of that and I've been to see him in 6 times within the past 12 months and he's been to the uk 3 times in the past 12 months too.

I've never been asked about ties to my own country.... In fact the only thing I've been asked is what work I do.... Only been asked this twice.

Apart from that no lies have been told to the officer nor have I been asked what my plans are. Now I'm not expert and I don't know what their screen tells them about me or if they already know I'm going through a petition or not?

But I've always entered the USA either nyc Atl or Sanford Orlando.

Hope this eases your concerns ?

Plus I wouldn't worry as its not like you are even engaged as of yet. But sounds like your planning on immigrating as you say your not engaged yet but your boyfriend is trying to sort "things" out with the IRS.

[JustShootIt 2]

Well both me and my husband are same sex and I've never had an issue with POE because of that and I've been to see him in 6 times within the past 12 months and he's been to the uk 3 times in the past 12 months too.

I've never been asked about ties to my own country.... In fact the only thing I've been asked is what work I do.... Only been asked this twice.

Apart from that no lies have been told to the officer nor have I been asked what my plans are. Now I'm not expert and I don't know what their screen tells them about me or if they already know I'm going through a petition or not?

But I've always entered the USA either nyc Atl or Sanford Orlando.

Hope this eases your concerns ?

Plus I wouldn't worry as its not like you are even engaged as of yet. But sounds like your planning on immigrating as you say your not engaged yet but your boyfriend is trying to sort "things" out with the IRS.

Yes I agree but we are still unsure. Naturally when we first started the relationship, we did say that either one of us would have to eventually move to the others country, we don't want to do the whole LDR forever because what would that be?. But this is not now. Whenever we start talking about the future, it usually ends quickly with " but whatever,i'm sure it will sort itself out" It is going to take time for him to sort these things out (he hasn't even started) and I am genuinely not in the position to even think seriously about moving right now, I simply cannot as I have a duty to my employer, especially because my employer is about to pay to put me through training (and I wish to further my career) and I also do not want to leave my mum in an even worse position than she is in now, I am the only family she has.

Edited March 24, 2016 by JustShootIt

[Jack2107 46]

Maybe if and when you guys get engaged you can petition for him to come to the U.K. So you can stay with your mother. Must faster and easier too! My friend and his fiancé just did it and it took 3 days!

[JustShootIt 2]

Maybe if and when you guys get engaged you can petition for him to come to the U.K. So you can stay with your mother. Must faster and easier too! My friend and his fiancé just did it and it took 3 days!

I do not earn enough.

[JustShootIt 2]

Also! I have a trip that is paid for and pre-booked for August to a completely different area of the USA with my mum and friends + children. I figure that they already have this information to hand though.

If i was to also supply CBP with this information should I be questioned, how would this look? It has been made clear to me by the people I am going with that he is not allowed to come because this is a family-close friend only holiday.

[Jack2107 46]

You are not engaged or married. You need to relax ? It's not that serious. Your going on vacation with your family....

You are just visiting.

I could understand if you was engaged or married but your not.

Maybe you might find comfort in a forum for visiting the USA on VWP and not and immigration based forum??

[JustShootIt 2]

You are not engaged or married. You need to relax ? It's not that serious. Your going on vacation with your family....

You are just visiting.

I could understand if you was engaged or married but your not.

Maybe you might find comfort in a forum for visiting the USA on VWP and not and immigration based forum??

You're right. I know I am overthinking this. I'm gonna leave this forum for a bit as it's stressing me out!!

You are not engaged or married. You need to relax ? It's not that serious. Your going on vacation with your family....

You are just visiting.

I could understand if you was engaged or married but your not.

Maybe you might find comfort in a forum for visiting the USA on VWP and not and immigration based forum??

You're right. I know I am overthinking this. I'm gonna leave this forum for a bit as it's stressing me out!!

[yuna628 9,712]

OP: Deep breath and relax a little. Chances are you will be just fine. Honesty is always the best policy, and make sure you have your return ticket, travel insurance, and any other proof that would assist you should you ever be asked questions. In the lengthy number of years my husband visited me - no matter his age, the status of our relationship, or his employment or non employment - none of it mattered too much at all. His first visit was quite a grilling and after that there was no more but basic questions. There are horror stories, and while you can keep them in mind, I often think trouble for people starts when they lie simply out of the fear of being denied for being honest or in their terror they haven't answers for questions being asked.

Anyway, let us know how it goes.

Good luck to you two