Jump to content

18 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

Filed: Country: Netherlands
Timeline
Posted

My first visit was 12 days, my visit now is going to be 83 days next Tuesday and I will be flying back to Holland. I want to come back first week of November but I am scared to death US customs is going to deny me entering again. I reconnected with my American boyfriend after a long time and we are both very happy to have found each other. It's agonizing to leave him again and put 4200 miles between us.

I still own a car and house in Holland, but am trying to sell them both. Due to the 'nice' financial crises in Holland people aren't eager to buy so that could take a long time.

I would love to hear all stories possible about other people's experiences with returning to the US and the customs people. Bad and good ones because it might help me. :help:

Thank you already very much for sharing and helping. It's much appreciated!!

Bi

Posted

This is a really helpful topic:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/67796-yes-you-can-visit/page__p__903059#entry903059

My fiance is visiting me in 2 weeks (for 9 days), here's hoping! From what people say, you just need to show as many ties to your home country as possible (a copy of the NOA1/2, lease, doctor's appointments, a letter from your employer stating your return date, return ticket, etc.).

Naturalization Process (FINALLY!)

05.29.14 - N-400 filed

06.02.14 - Packet received at the Lewisville Texas Center

06.05.14 - Check cleared

06.04.14 - NOA date

06.13.14 - Biometrics letter received

07.02.14 - Biometrics appointment

07.07.14 - In line

07.17.14 - 'Yellow Paper' date

09.10.14 - Interview scheduled NOA date

10.15.14 - Interview date

10.15.14 - RFE (missing documentation)

10.21.14 - RFE response received in NYC facility

11.04.14 - Oath ceremony scheduled, approved!

11.19.14 - Oath ceremony (8:30am) in Brooklyn - Completed! DONE WITH USCIS!

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: England
Timeline
Posted

Definitely check out that thread that GAP linked. It is, indeed, very helpful. Also just make a mental note that under the VWP you are allowed to stay up to 90 days at a time which you haven't exceeded but I believe you're also limited to a total of 180 days within a 1 year period. You didn't mention how long you were planning on staying when you come back in November so just be aware of the limits and make sure not to overstay. Good luck! :star:

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Ghana
Timeline
Posted

I seem to go through a lot with customs everytime I fly back and forth to Ghana, mind you I am the US citizen visiting my husband in Ghana. But the worst experience I has was in Holland at Schiepol airport around December 2009 after the Nigerian boy tried to blow up the plane. They questioned everyone for like ten to fifteen minutes before they boarded the flight back to the US. When I told them I was coming from Ghana, that I was visiting my husband, they said oh mam is your husband a terriost? I said you think because my husband is african he is a terriost? They guy said well with what just happened we have to be sure. I know they tried to blow up a plane to the US but come on. Like if he was one I would tell them. They had already started to stereotype africans just days after the nigerian boys incident.

I normally get asked a lot of questions when I arrive back home too, More at Dullus in VA than JFK. It seems they are a little better with the who what where questions in NY than here in DC. They want your whole life story in DC.

I wish you the best on coming back from your trip. You will be fine.

Posted

I'm wondering if I should be prepared when I visit him in the UK this December. I know since he's applying to live in the States the UK officials shouldn't consider me a threat, but I still worry. I visited there a month after we sent in our application and I just had the standard "Purpose for visit (vacation), enjoy your stay!" greeting but by the next time I fly over our case should be forwarded to the embassy (I hope) and that may change. Do you think I should prepare to show ties to the US next time I visit?

Naturalization Process (FINALLY!)

05.29.14 - N-400 filed

06.02.14 - Packet received at the Lewisville Texas Center

06.05.14 - Check cleared

06.04.14 - NOA date

06.13.14 - Biometrics letter received

07.02.14 - Biometrics appointment

07.07.14 - In line

07.17.14 - 'Yellow Paper' date

09.10.14 - Interview scheduled NOA date

10.15.14 - Interview date

10.15.14 - RFE (missing documentation)

10.21.14 - RFE response received in NYC facility

11.04.14 - Oath ceremony scheduled, approved!

11.19.14 - Oath ceremony (8:30am) in Brooklyn - Completed! DONE WITH USCIS!

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: England
Timeline
Posted

Ghanagal,

I'm so sorry to hear about your troubles with CBP officers. "Is your husband a terrorist?" Thats awful! And what do they expect you to say? Why yes, yes he is. Psh, NO! Ridiculous. :angry:

I've also noticed the trend that big POE's like JFK and SFO tend to be much easier whereas smaller ones like Boston Logan (the POE my Fiance always flies into) give you a much harder time. Napoleon complex, perhaps? :P

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: England
Timeline
Posted

Gina,

It couldn't hurt. I doubt you'll get too much trouble but it never hurts to be prepared. Take a copy of your lease (make sure its signed by your landlord) have a copy of your return itinerary, and bring a copy of your NOA1 or NOA2 or whatever you have a that point. That should be way more than enough proof that you've no intention on staying in the UK.

Posted

Ghanagal,

I'm so sorry to hear about your troubles with CBP officers. "Is your husband a terrorist?" Thats awful! And what do they expect you to say? Why yes, yes he is. Psh, NO! Ridiculous. :angry:

I've also noticed the trend that big POE's like JFK and SFO tend to be much easier whereas smaller ones like Boston Logan (the POE my Fiance always flies into) give you a much harder time. Napoleon complex, perhaps? :P

I hope that's true! If so that means Chicago should be fairly easy on my fiance next month. Amy, let me know if you have any trouble entering the UK next week! I wonder if we should be bringing paperwork as well.

Naturalization Process (FINALLY!)

05.29.14 - N-400 filed

06.02.14 - Packet received at the Lewisville Texas Center

06.05.14 - Check cleared

06.04.14 - NOA date

06.13.14 - Biometrics letter received

07.02.14 - Biometrics appointment

07.07.14 - In line

07.17.14 - 'Yellow Paper' date

09.10.14 - Interview scheduled NOA date

10.15.14 - Interview date

10.15.14 - RFE (missing documentation)

10.21.14 - RFE response received in NYC facility

11.04.14 - Oath ceremony scheduled, approved!

11.19.14 - Oath ceremony (8:30am) in Brooklyn - Completed! DONE WITH USCIS!

Posted

I seem to go through a lot with customs everytime I fly back and forth to Ghana, mind you I am the US citizen visiting my husband in Ghana. But the worst experience I has was in Holland at Schiepol airport around December 2009 after the Nigerian boy tried to blow up the plane. They questioned everyone for like ten to fifteen minutes before they boarded the flight back to the US. When I told them I was coming from Ghana, that I was visiting my husband, they said oh mam is your husband a terriost? I said you think because my husband is african he is a terriost? They guy said well with what just happened we have to be sure. I know they tried to blow up a plane to the US but come on. Like if he was one I would tell them. They had already started to stereotype africans just days after the nigerian boys incident.

I normally get asked a lot of questions when I arrive back home too, More at Dullus in VA than JFK. It seems they are a little better with the who what where questions in NY than here in DC. They want your whole life story in DC.

I wish you the best on coming back from your trip. You will be fine.

hi, sorry to butt in this thread, but i just wanted to share with you a similar 'is your boyfriend a terrorist?' question i got in secondary when i was going to visit my fiance the for the first time in august of 2009. the only difference between you and i: my fiance is canadian!

i kind of chuckled a little bit when the CO asked, because i thought it was a ridiculous question. he got REAL angry for a second and scolded me about the seriousness of terrorism...they let me through though.

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: England
Timeline
Posted

Gina,

Last time I visited my Fiance in England I brought a copy of my lease with me. I didn't end up needing it but I felt secure knowing that I had it. I also had my return itinerary. This time (in 1 week!!!! :) ) I'll bring my NOA1 as well. I like to be over-prepared rather than under-prepared, especially because i was JUST in England a month ago.

I'll be sure to let you know how it goes!

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: England
Timeline
Posted

Valerie,

You're obviously more than welcome to butt in! Thats so bizarre about your story, how random! I was under the impression that the relationship between the US and Canada was pretty smooth, why would they ask if your bf was a terrorist? Did you say something to set them off or was the CBP officer just having a bad day I wonder. I'm glad you got in, in the end. :)

Posted

The UK CBP can be just as prickly as ours can be - so bring the same types of proofs of ties to the US as you can find listed in that thread and in the FAQ. www.visajourney.com/content/k1visit

The guys in Manchester seem to be especially interested in how you are going to support yourself, and can ask a LOT of questions if they get a whiff of you being in a relationship with a UK citizen. In this case, I think proof that you are going through the US immigration process and intend to make your lives together over there should go a long way!

All that said, just like UK people visiting the US, MOST people have no problems. My two entries to the UK were such non-events (immigration wise - my mind was definitely just outside of customs!!!!!!) that I can't even remember what the officer asked me now.

K-1:

January 28, 2009: NOA1

June 4, 2009: Interview - APPROVED!!!

October 11, 2009: Wedding

AOS:

December 23, 2009: NOA1!

January 22, 2010: Bogus RFE corrected through congressional inquiry "EAD waiting on biometrics only" Read about it here.

March 15, 2010: AOS interview - RFE for I-693 vaccination supplement - CS signed part 6!

March 27, 2010: Green Card recieved

ROC:

March 1, 2012: Mailed ROC package

March 7, 2012: Tracking says "notice left"...after a phone call to post office.

More detailed time line in profile.

Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Scotland
Timeline
Posted
10.1-10.10 - He is visiting me in Chicago (fingers crossed for no customs issues)

Amyduck...I wonder if he and Rob are going to be on the same flight in to Chicago. American Airlines?

"You don't marry someone you can live with, you marry the person you can't live without."

Mailed K-1 on 2-6-10

USCIS received packet on 2-8-10

NOA 1: Received 2-16-10

NOA 2: Approved 4-29-10 (72 Days)

NVC Forwarded Petition to London- 5-6-10

NVC Letter Received: 5-7-1010

London Received Packet: 5-14-10

London Mailed Packet to Rob: 5-18-10

Packet 3 Received by Rob: 5-22-2010

Packet 3 paperwork mailed to Rob 6-12-10

Medical- July 8, 2010

Everything mailed to Embassy 7-19-10

Interview Date: 9-14-10- Approved pending non-machine washed replacement passport.

Entry to US- 10-6-10 POE- Newark

Wedding- 10-23-10

AOS

Mailed AOS paperwork to the Chicago lockbox 1-7-11

Delivery Notification 1-10-11

Text stating application was received 1-20-11

Check Cashed 1-21-11

NOA 1 received 1-22-11

Biometrics letter received 1-29--11

Biometrics appointment 2-24-11

Received notice- I-485 has been transferred to the California Service Center 2-9-11.

3-11-11 - EAD production ordered

3-19-11- EAD Received

3-31-2011- AOS approved without interview

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: England
Timeline
Posted

Nik+Heather,

You're totally right, I've heard Manchester can be a huge pain the butt! It just adds more evidence to my theory: big airports that handle loads of tourists every day (JFK, SFO, LHR) seem to go a lot easier on you than small ones like Boston and Manchester, UK.

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...