Marrying under VWP

[ElDiablo 95]

When asked for purpose of visit at the POE just be truthful and say it's to get married to your boyfriend after which you will return home to file for CR1, so there is no confusion.

[Crazy Cat 42,531]

Just now, ElDiablo said:

When asked for purpose of visit at the POE just be truthful and say it's to get married to your boyfriend after which you will return home to file for CR1, so there is no confusion.

Good advice.......it clearly establishes proper intent for CBP records.

[RamonGomez 272]

Just say you are here to visit your boyfriend and leave it at that. Don't talk too much, don't answer any question that wasn't asked. 

 

I suggest booking the return ticket for 2-3 weeks out, then changing it to 90 days (or however long you want to stay)  after you're in.

[geowrian 22,338]

51 minutes ago, RamonGomez said:

I suggest booking the return ticket for 2-3 weeks out, then changing it to 90 days (or however long you want to stay)  after you're in.

Why?

[Cryssiekins 976]

56 minutes ago, RamonGomez said:

Just say you are here to visit your boyfriend and leave it at that. Don't talk too much, don't answer any question that wasn't asked. 

 

I suggest booking the return ticket for 2-3 weeks out, then changing it to 90 days (or however long you want to stay)  after you're in.

That’s straddling the line, at best.  

 

Deceiving CBP to think one is staying 2-3 weeks when the intent is actually much longer is dishonest.  It is never advisable to lie - even though staying 90 days in itself isn’t an issue, it’s the action of advanced planning to change the plan that presents the issue.  Not the greatest advice for someone who is already concerned/worried with immigration.

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

3 hours ago, RamonGomez said:

 

I suggest booking the return ticket for 2-3 weeks out, then changing it to 90 days (or however long you want to stay)  after you're in.

You suggest trying to deliberately mislead immigration authorities? You know that kind of thing has consequences (people posted here before doing that and getting their visas revoked on return home). Plus, it’s against the terms of service of this site.

[JFH 12,191]

I married on the VWP and returned to the UK 3 days later and we later filed for my CR-1(which became an IR-1 by the time it was issued). 

 

Has he visited you before? Marrying “at first sight” is s brave step. 

[Sarah G 179]

I married on VWP and stayed for 78 days on that visit (which was my third to the US). I was interviewed at secondary and asked about job to go back to, ties to UK, how much money I had. I had a job to go back to and about £2.5k in my bank account so they allowed me to enter. I don't want to worry you but I think you may have a few red flags with CBP if you have no job and no money and tell them you are planning on marrying.

 

The best advice I can give you is to only answer EXACTLY what they ask you and be completely honest with your answers. If you lie they may not find out there and then but it could definitely come back to bite you later and cause problems down the road. 

 

On my first trip to the US to meet him for the first time I was asked why I was entering, I told them to meet a guy I had been talking to online. I was asked how long I was staying - five weeks. I was not, on that occasion, asked how much money I had, about my job, or if I had plans to marry. I was allowed to enter on that occasion with no issues. I was fortunate because on that occasion, like you, I had no money and no job and no residence of my own but I was not asked about those things that time. 

 

I wish you the very best of luck. 

[thatguyuknow 147]

I did it am in happily settled here now with a CR-1

 

As people in this thread have previously said be honest with the border officer. 

 

This is just my own opinion but don't volunteer any information at POE. One word answers. 

 

Reason for your visit? Holiday

How long will you be staying for? 2 weeks

Where do you work?  Unemployed

How much money do you have? *****

 

As soon as you start volunteering information it's only making their job harder. They just simply want to tick the boxes and move onto the next person. 

Edited May 25, 2019 by thatguyuknow

[Sarah&Facundo 600]

3 hours ago, thatguyuknow said:

I did it am in happily settled here now with a CR-1

 

As people in this thread have previously said be honest with the border officer. 

 

This is just my own opinion but don't volunteer any information at POE. One word answers. 

 

Reason for your visit? Holiday

How long will you be staying for? 2 weeks

Where do you work?  Unemployed

How much money do you have? *****

 

As soon as you start volunteering information it's only making their job harder. They just simply want to tick the boxes and move onto the next person. 

I totally agree. I have had a LOT of people visit me in the US (including my now-husband) and I told them to say the same. When my husband was my boyfriend and my fiance, he just said his reason for traveling was for holiday and they never asked him about me (even after he applied for the K1). They don't need extra information. Most of the time, they don't even ask especially  for those on VWP. Keep it short and sweet. There is no need to elaborate unless asked specifically.

[Debzib88 85]

I got married to my husband when I visited on a VWP but it wasn't intended. It just happened due to him falling ill in hospital. I stayed for the whole 3 months and then came back to the U.K.. They asked me if I had a job to go back to which I said yes because I did and then asked to see proof of income and the most recent wage slip. I also showed them my return flight. they granted entry and made it very clear if I over stayed I could be banned from ever going back. I  suggest making sure you have a return flight! They wanna know you will be leaving and not trying to stay. We filed our i130 shortly after we got married and then I left to come back home. It's been a year waiting but we've finally been approved and now awaiting an interview. Patience is key!! Nothing is going to happen over night. We've visited each other so many times before we decided to get married. People rush in to things. I suggest taking time to visit each other for a while before jumping into marriage! Just because it's long distance you still shouldn't be so eager to get married to quicken the process. I've seen so many people wanting to divorce on here and wishing they didn't jump in to things . It takes time to get to know each other. You have to live with eachothers habits and see how compatible you are before making That decision. 

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

6 hours ago, Debzib88 said:

I got married to my husband when I visited on a VWP ...

. I  suggest making sure you have a return flight!  

Traveling on a return (or onward) ticket is actually a condition of using VWP.

 

[Debzib88 85]

Just now, SusieQQQ said:

Traveling on a return (or onward) ticket is actually a condition of using VWP.

 

Some people assume that they can get a one way....  so I'm just informing the OP that she needs a return flight!

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

1 minute ago, Debzib88 said:

Some people assume that they can get a one way....  so I'm just informing the OP that she needs a return flight!

You “suggested” it, I am pointing it out it is not a suggestion, it is mandatory for VWP.