UK citizen with 90 day visa - got turned away by USA at airport for no workers visa?

[BigDaddy28 228]

6 minutes ago, N-o-l-a said:

As someone who got married for the first time at 20, I can tell you I definitely wasn't thinking like an adult then.  It is just some wisdom being shared.  I'm 30 now, but on a second and better thought out marriage...

I think people are different and just because some don't have a good marriage doesn't mean everybody else will. I agree wisdom comes with age, but doesn't mean a young man or woman don't know what they are doing. Sometimes we see wise young man or woman and the older ones still act childish. 

Edited November 28, 2017 by BigDaddy28

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

8 minutes ago, BigDaddy28 said:

I think people are different and just because some don't have a good marriage doesn't mean everybody else will. I agree wisdom comes with age, but doesn't mean a young man or woman don't know what they are doing. Sometimes we see wise young man or woman and the older ones still act childish. 

I based my judgment on OP's posts explaining their thought processes.  Mature and financially secure couples can figure out how to abide by immigration laws and afford to visit each other.  The age is probably only a contributing factor to that.

[Pennycat 880]

25 minutes ago, BigDaddy28 said:

First of all some of the comments that I seen to tell a woman or a man to slow down on a relationship. You are in no place to tell anyone what they want to do in their life. They are adults and they can choose whether to get married or not. I got married with my wife when I was 21, we met 6 months before that and now I'm 29 happily married with 3 kids. So Jennifer, if you know he is the right one and you know it's true love, do as you please. You are the one who knows him best, love him and you are the one marrying him. Forget about who else who told you to slow down. Floor the paddle if you had too looool. 

 

Alright now my rant is over, I'm gonna talk about your case. You can try to call CBP and see if there was any ban placed on him (highly unlikely, but just to know where you stand). Getting married in UK requires a visa, without it you won't be able to. If I were you look for a country like France, Spain, Germany... one that doesn't require a special visa to get married there. If you found it, go there get married and spend your honeymoon there (2 birds with one stone). If you do that route you will have to apply for CR1 visa (takes around 1 year) and your future husband will get a green card once he crosses the border and he can work as soon as he comes here.  

If you want to go meet up, see each other, give him a chance to officially propose to you, you can do that and than apply for a fiance visa (k1 visa). When he comes here you have 90 days to get married and than adjust his status (which can take from 6 to 1 year) and he can't work until he gets a work permit (around 6 months). 

 

So as I said its your decision whether to get married or not. and I outlined the routes you can take as you want. 

Good luck. 

 

 

They haven't even met in person once and she's shopping around for where they can get married. Most people would find that a little extreme, even those who got married young and quickly. On top of it, they both, but he in particular, have just demonstrated *spectacularly* poor judgement in their immigration "plan" (in that they didn't have one at all) and in so doing were unknowingly attempting to commit fraud AND are facing some pretty serious repercussions for it (his lack of VWP will make them conducing an international relationship all the more difficult). It didn't have to happen this way if either of them had thought to look up the requirements to move/work in another country (or read the thing that comes before "Yes, I have read and understand the information and agree to these terms") before *quitting a job* and buying a plane ticket that couldn't have been inexpensive (or at least not by OP's standards as she's now complaining that they don't have enough money for multiple visits). That's not necessarily an age thing but it is for SURE a maturity and general preparedness thing.

 

Of course young and quick marriages work out, and this one easily could as well. But it's a risk that there's no reason to take, especially when they're so young and have time on their side. There really is no reason (beyond desire) to keep the pedal to the metal but there there are plenty of reasons to slow down and take more deliberate steps. No one gets married thinking it's a mistake and thinking they're doomed for divorce, and yet some marriages are mistakes and end in divorce. So why not spend just a wee bit of time to really make sure? Again, they have not even seen each other face to face ONCE and very clearly haven't thought much if any of this through. It's simply irresponsible to not try to encourage a bit of level-headedness and to demonstrate that alternate arrangements are possible and practical.

[Boiler 45,580]

17 minutes ago, N-o-l-a said:

 

Kind of interesting that he is 21, interested in an American and has a Canadian work visa.  Sounds like he doesn't want to live in the UK.

 

Honestly, Iceland might be a good option.  They even have wedding packages if you are super set on it.  

Sounds like he was on something similar to a J1.

[NikLR 13,227]

11 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Sounds like he was on something similar to a J1.

Agreed.  Canada and the other commonwealth nations tend to have working visas where for a year or two people can come over and work.  They need to have a minimum amount in their bank accounts and a few other things.  My mother hires people from the UK, NZ, and Oz all the time for her cleaning business on a ski hill.  I was surprised the US doesn't collaborate on this as well. 

~~moves to what visa do I need from tourist visas~~

[acidrain 325]

I want to share my story as it's a little similar to what your boyfriend went through. While my spouse and I have been together for 12 years and have a 5 year old son I got caught at a POE trying to immigrate. Keep in mind we are from Canada. I was processed with my photo taken and fingerprints. Your boyfriend is like others on VJ (and myself) who did not know the rules. I think those of us traveling from low fraud countries take our visa privileges to the US for granted. I wrongfully assumed I had the right to visit the US without sufficient ties. I warn you if you decide to pursue this relationship you are in for a very long and costly road.

 

When a person is processed you are flagged at the US border. I do not need to apply for a B2 visa as I show up to the airport and hope they grant me entry (being from Canada). However, trying to visit has not been an easy task. If your boyfriend applies for a B2 visit they will expect a bible worth of ties back to his home country. This includes things like a job or school, home ownership or lease, medical or other appointments, bank accounts, proof he will return back home when his trip is over. The fact the border denied him based on an attempt to work he would have to prove he has no intentions to do that. This includes getting a job in his home country and working there a while (to build credibility). I understand where you are coming from. Like you I was feeling very frantic and very desperate. But think through what you are doing.

 

Our family returned to Canada and regrouped. I would not attempt to apply for a B2 visa without a plan. If your boyfriend gets denied a B2 the chances of him being successful a second time are even more unlikely. The one thing the US border ALWAYS asks me every time I travel is for my immigration documentation to show I am following the process legally. They question me as to where I filed my paperwork, where I am in the process and what I have to do to complete it. Without starting the immigration process and lack of ties your boyfriend will almost certainly be denied a travelers visa. I did not attempt to cross the border until 6 months after I was denied at the border.

 

We spent months establishing ties back in Canada as we quit our jobs, packed up a U-haul and thought we could "try things out" in the US. Looking back it was foolish but there is this underlying assumption you can hang out in the US for 6 months no matter what. We signed a lease in Canada and came up with a plan. This was crucial not only for ourselves but for the border to believe I was being truthful. If we had tried to run the border a second time I can only imagine how that would've turned out.

 

You do have options and take some time to explore them. Understand the situation your boyfriend faces is not impossible but very serious. I will say the border is VERY good at reading people. It is also intense when you have been caught trying to enter illegally. I would expect from this point forward a high level of scrutiny whether it be applying for a B2 or at the border. I have been told repeatedly my passport is permanently flagged until my immigration petition is resolved. Which means I have to report to secondary every single time I travel and go through a lengthy interview. I know every time I cross there is a chance I could be on the next flight home.

 

I have replayed our initial border experience and wish I could time travel back and erase everything that happened. But unfortunately you can't. The best thing you and your boyfriend should do is take responsibility for what happened and come up with a concrete plan on what to do. Best of luck.

Edited November 28, 2017 by acidrain

[yuna628 9,677]

47 minutes ago, BigDaddy28 said:

First of all some of the comments that I seen to tell a woman or a man to slow down on a relationship. You are in no place to tell anyone what they want to do in their life. They are adults and they can choose whether to get married or not. I got married with my wife when I was 21, we met 6 months before that and now I'm 29 happily married with 3 kids. So Jennifer, if you know he is the right one and you know it's true love, do as you please. You are the one who knows him best, love him and you are the one marrying him. Forget about who else who told you to slow down. Floor the paddle if you had too looool. 

 

Alright now my rant is over, I'm gonna talk about your case. You can try to call CBP and see if there was any ban placed on him (highly unlikely, but just to know where you stand). Getting married in UK requires a visa, without it you won't be able to. If I were you look for a country like France, Spain, Germany... one that doesn't require a special visa to get married there. If you found it, go there get married and spend your honeymoon there (2 birds with one stone). If you do that route you will have to apply for CR1 visa (takes around 1 year) and your future husband will get a green card once he crosses the border and he can work as soon as he comes here.  

If you want to go meet up, see each other, give him a chance to officially propose to you, you can do that and than apply for a fiance visa (k1 visa). When he comes here you have 90 days to get married and than adjust his status (which can take from 6 to 1 year) and he can't work until he gets a work permit (around 6 months). 

 

So as I said its your decision whether to get married or not. and I outlined the routes you can take as you want. 

Good luck. 

Certainly we are in no place to tell anyone what to do with their love life. However this is an immigration forum and what the OP and her bf does in their love life is directly connected to smart immigration decisions, that clearly haven't been made straight out of the bat. Chances of a successful visa process are fairly low if they do not have stronger ties to one another, and have sound financials backing them up. I like to see successful immigration stories and happy marriages... screw up one... and the other may not go very far. It would be difficult for anyone here to not give advice and answers to questions without suggesting that the OP weigh all options that may strengthen the relationship, which would include taking things one step at a time. Some people find the fast lane work for them... and some don't. But it would be unwise to not consider the consequences of either lane... it ensures smart decision making.

[BigDaddy28 228]

4 minutes ago, N-o-l-a said:

I based my judgment on OP's posts explaining their thought processes.  Mature and financially secure couples can figure out how to abide by immigration laws and afford to visit each other.  The age is probably only a contributing factor to that.

I agree they lacked info when it came to him coming here but it doesn't mean it's the end of the road. Maturity include working out problems they disagree about and come up to a solution that will satisfy both of them financially and emotionally.

 

 

3 minutes ago, CatherineA said:

 

 

They haven't even met in person once and she's shopping around for where they can get married. Most people would find that a little extreme, even those who got married young and quickly. On top of it, they both, but he in particular, have just demonstrated *spectacularly* poor judgement in their immigration "plan" (in that they didn't have one at all) and in so doing were unknowingly attempting to commit fraud AND are facing some pretty serious repercussions for it (his lack of VWP will make them conducing an international relationship all the more difficult). It didn't have to happen this way if either of them had thought to look up the requirements to move/work in another country (or read the thing that comes before "Yes, I have read and understand the information and agree to these terms") before *quitting a job* and buying a plane ticket that couldn't have been inexpensive (or at least not by OP's standards as she's now complaining that they don't have enough money for multiple visits). That's not necessarily an age thing but it is for SURE a maturity and general preparedness thing.

 

Of course young and quick marriages work out, and this one easily could as well. But it's a risk that there's no reason to take, especially when they're so young and have time on their side. There really is no reason (beyond desire) to keep the pedal to the metal but there there are plenty of reasons to slow down and take more deliberate steps. No one gets married thinking it's a mistake and thinking they're doomed for divorce, and yet some marriages are mistakes and end in divorce. So why not spend just a wee bit of time to really make sure? Again, they have not even seen each other face to face ONCE and very clearly haven't thought much if any of this through. It's simply irresponsible to not try to encourage a bit of level-headedness and to demonstrate that alternate arrangements are possible and practical.

I agree that he should've the rules for ESTA. But international relationships doesn't mean that everyone is going their seperate way. Yes he should've not quit his job, but you know there are people who have ESTA who came here and got married and I can guarantee you they knew they were getting married before they crossed the border. I'm not accusing anyone of lying, but there are people who done it, is it right? no. Am I saying they should've done it that way? No. 

I don't think multiple visits are necessary to go through K1 or even a CR1. 

Look, I know meeting face to face is the norm these days before getting married. However people around the world until these days still get married with people who didn't even meet before and their marriage works out and they even passe away still married to the same person. It's maturity and not giving up on each other and love that makes a marriage work. 

 

@yuna628 I agree questioning and taking all situations is a wise move and I'm for that. Besides they still have time to think about their situation, study it and make decisions that suits them. Financially, I don't see them (especially her) being out of the norm. She is 23, she has a house, she has a job so she is still building wealth. I see her situation better than a lot of people when they were 23 ( she definitely done better than me when I was 23). But just because they can't afford multiple visits (depending on what time of the year it will cost at least $2000 between tickets and pocket money) , doesn't mean they can't afford immigration. 

But what I am saying is people don't have to tell her "don't you think it's soon to get married". Just because these days more than half of young people marriages don't work out doesn't mean their's won't. 

 

Again I'm not disagreeing with the advises we are giving her, I'm against when somebody tries to tell you this is whats going to happen just because it's what we see everyday.  

[DrEllaNJ 288]

3 minutes ago, BigDaddy28 said:

Look, I know meeting face to face is the norm these days before getting married. However people around the world until these days still get married with people who didn't even meet before and their marriage works out and they even passe away still married to the same person. It's maturity and not giving up on each other and love that makes a marriage work. 

well, it's also cultural expectations - there is a big difference between an arranged marriage with a LOT of community involvement, where everyone is basically supporting the couple, and US/Western culture where you're supposed to solve your own problems and where society is a lot more individualistic. 

 

not the same situation, but before I got married to a USC, I was an international grad student here in the US. I made $20k per year and still made it back to Europe 2x/year, and most of the time this was in peak season (Christmas and summer). It's a lot cheaper when you have a place to stay, and depending on where OP is from, tickets to the UK aren't THAT expensive if you're smart about it.

[BigDaddy28 228]

36 minutes ago, DrEllaNJ said:

well, it's also cultural expectations - there is a big difference between an arranged marriage with a LOT of community involvement, where everyone is basically supporting the couple, and US/Western culture where you're supposed to solve your own problems and where society is a lot more individualistic. 

 

not the same situation, but before I got married to a USC, I was an international grad student here in the US. I made $20k per year and still made it back to Europe 2x/year, and most of the time this was in peak season (Christmas and summer). It's a lot cheaper when you have a place to stay, and depending on where OP is from, tickets to the UK aren't THAT expensive if you're smart about it.

Look you are missing my point. What I am saying is the couple need to work out their problems and not run to a divorce when they disagree about what color should walls be painted. 

I dont even know why are we talking about that when I said clearly what gets me is people trying to tell others what to do just because of the norm. 

 

Second great for you when you made $20k before you got married. OP could easily make more than that but when we are talking about multiple visits doesn't mean only 2 a year. before I got married I was an international undergrad student didnt even hit $10k working. I had to pay my school and my parents helped so I didn't have the luxury to go to my home country X times a year. What im saying dont imply your situation on everybody else and make them feel they have to achieve that. Everyone has a different situation. 

Now I can afford to go anywhere in the world more than 6 times a year, do I do it? No. Do I want everyone else to follow my foot steps? No. Doesnt mean I want you to afford what I afford because its my norm. Your norm is nobody else's norm. 

 

Have a good day, you are getting out of what the OP was asking.  And get my point before throwing words all over the place. 

 

[dirtyhippiegirl 85]

I used this site over a decade ago to bring my husband over - I was 20 at the time - and we are still married.

 

OP - you need to meet your boyfriend once in person, UK might be cheaper assuming you could shack up with him, eat his food, etc.  File a K1 after you meet. UK is a low risk country in general. You'll probably be fine for immigration. You will need to meet financial criteria to get the visa, or have a sponsor that does, and you really need a couple thousand in the bank to pay immigration fees plus adding another person to the household who won't be able to work right away if he comes over on a K1. Whether your marriage makes it or not is up to you. I sometimes wish I'd taken things more slowly with my husband but we have a strong marriage that I don't regret.

[Throwaway1515 2]

Strictly on a logistics basis, as other posters have mentioned, since you two already have intentions to get married, it is not possible to enter the US on a tourist Visa or VWP, and then adjust status.

 

Your two options are k-1 or cr-1, both require you to meet outside the usa

 http://www.visajourney.com/content/compare
 

See the costs associated with them, requirements, as well as the time it takes to get entry. 

Its frustrating, but these are just the rules that US Immigration has, and they are not going to change, and there is no way to get around them.

 

See if you can make a plan that will satisfy USCIS as well as your relationship.  Read up on requirements; visits, income requirements, etc.  Many of us accepted long distance relationships for years before starting the immigration process.  This may be for monetary reasons, or simply to take away the sense of urgency and and enjoy times together.     Immigration is costly and time consuming.  Best of luck
 

[Jen&Cal 85]

2 hours ago, BigDaddy28 said:

Look you are missing my point. What I am saying is the couple need to work out their problems and not run to a divorce when they disagree about what color should walls be painted. 

I dont even know why are we talking about that when I said clearly what gets me is people trying to tell others what to do just because of the norm. 

 

Second great for you when you made $20k before you got married. OP could easily make more than that but when we are talking about multiple visits doesn't mean only 2 a year. before I got married I was an international undergrad student didnt even hit $10k working. I had to pay my school and my parents helped so I didn't have the luxury to go to my home country X times a year. What im saying dont imply your situation on everybody else and make them feel they have to achieve that. Everyone has a different situation. 

Now I can afford to go anywhere in the world more than 6 times a year, do I do it? No. Do I want everyone else to follow my foot steps? No. Doesnt mean I want you to afford what I afford because its my norm. Your norm is nobody else's norm. 

 

Have a good day, you are getting out of what the OP was asking.  And get my point before throwing words all over the place. 

 

Thanks for our your comments sticking up for us. 

 

I really think a part of it is a generational thing. These days with social media millennials meet all the time online. We videochat often and are on call pretty much all day every day. I know its not the same as meeting in real life but it's certainly not like we are complete strangers just getting married. We spend every second we can together. I am also a good just of character and I can assure everyone he has no shady intentions.

 

Yes I have a stable job, family here, car, house, etc... I haven't traveled outside of the US in 15+ years and he had never been here - so yes I agree we were naive with the rules but we honestly just didn't think it would be such an issue. He thought it would be a similar experience as when he went to Canada.

 

We will work through this and will meet either in the UK or Canada soon. 

 

Trust me we have heard the "wait and get to know each other" argument from literally everyone we know. 

 

It is just different for us and we will find a way to work it out - just smarter next time.

 

Thank you everyone !

[Pennycat 880]

1 hour ago, Jennifer W said:

Thanks for our your comments sticking up for us. 

 

I really think a part of it is a generational thing. These days with social media millennials meet all the time online. We videochat often and are on call pretty much all day every day. I know its not the same as meeting in real life but it's certainly not like we are complete strangers just getting married. We spend every second we can together. I am also a good just of character and I can assure everyone he has no shady intentions.

This is not a generational thing. Do you think everyone here got married before internet and smartphones? Everyone who has been in an international relationship in the past 10 +years has used Skype and messaging and all that, regardless of if they're Boomers, Xers or Millenials. Also most of the people on this thread are Millenials, older than you perhaps but Millenials nontheless. 

 

1 hour ago, Jennifer W said:

 

Yes I have a stable job, family here, car, house, etc... I haven't traveled outside of the US in 15+ years and he had never been here - so yes I agree we were naive with the rules but we honestly just didn't think it would be such an issue. He thought it would be a similar experience as when he went to Canada.

Why would he have thought that when he was arrivingin Canada with a certain visa he'd had to work out in advance? Did hr think ESTA was a work program and WHY would he think that when it is very clearly spelled out otherwise? This is deeply concerning in terms of judgement and responsibility. 

 

 

1 hour ago, Jennifer W said:

 

 

 

Trust me we have heard the "wait and get to know each other" argument from literally everyone we know. 

 

 

 

 

 

No Millenials I'm guessing because all of us are used to deciding to get married after an online only relationship?

1 hour ago, Jennifer W said:

 

It is just different for us and we will find a way to work it out - just smarter next time.

 

 

It's really not. It's clear that you think you're different but.... no.  Everyone thinks their love is different and special and in a way, of course each love story is unique. But it doesn't change the fact that it is usually best to actually meet and spend time together before deciding to get married. Maybe not strictly necessary, I'll give you that, but there's literally no harm in it so why throw caution to the wind?

 

[caliliving 606]

i will agree that lots of people do not know the rules, especially from low fraud countries. i know alot of canadians that packed up their car to the border to go 'visit' their boyfriend no idea they needed a visa for that! and they got turned away.

 

I will say that you are young and i dont care how many people meet online - which is normal - in a western country it is not 'normal' to marry and meet on the first visit!!! you are still 21 and living at home. what do your parents think about that?  

 

also, did he withdraw his application at the border? i assume he did, or else he would have a ban.  

 

i do have a couple friends from canada that met a guy online and 'flew' and dated them for a while.  my one friend lived with her bf here just shy of 6 months and they are no longer together (he was a dual citizen too and could have moved to canada). im just saying, as much as you millenial types talk EVERY day online and skype and what not, you think you have everything figured out!! also, presumingly he wants to live in the USA you have something to offer him and he is young (23) so he can be divorced by 26 and free to live a comfortable life of his own in the USA! I also find women fall harder then men - if my friend that moved here had it her way, she would have been married the next day. 

 

you wont have an issue getting an immigrant visa - uk really has no red flags. but you should WANT to get to know someone much better! planning to 'marry' before you ever met is not a good idea!  especially if the non USC brings it up - sorry but that is a huge red flag when the non USC brings up marriage or you do because he basically knows he just needs to 'woo' you over on a quick 2 day vacation and then get you to marry him.