POE question with wife with a B1/B2

[AeroRedBaron 1]

Howdy,

I have a question about what documentation our family will need when entering the US. Here's our situation:

I am a USC but have been working as a missionary for the past six years in Venezuela.

My wife is a Colombian national and has been in Venezuela for the past eight years and is a youth pastor.

My daughter is seven months old and is a USC, Venezuelan and Colombian.

We're going to the states so that my folks can meet my wife and daughter, and also so that I can get my visa for Venezuela squared away. Due to a number of circumstances on the VZ side of things we needed to leave at the end of September. Since we have no desire to live in the states and we didn't have time to do the expedited nationalization of my wife, we thought we'd give the B1/B2 visa a shot but without much hope that it would be approved. But miraculously enough, my wife was approved last friday!

Given our situation, I'm sure they are going to ask us a number of questions at the POE and I want to have all the documentation we could have.

What documents would you recommend bringing with us and what have been your experiences entering under similar circumstances?

[JohnR! 5,495]

In this case you need to have a return ticket for the entire family, in the least. Also, make sure she brings along evidence of ties with Venezuela, as would be required of any tourist.

In addition make sure you are able to produce evidence that YOU will need to return to Venezuela, in the form of letters from your employers, business cards, etc. Your ties with Venezuela are as important as hers, because if you need to return, so will she.

Last but not least, be honest with the CBP officer upon your arrival, explain the reason for your visit. You should be OK.

Good luck!

[Andrea&Henry 311]

Hi! Some of the questions might be: how long are you planning to stay? Where are you coming back? Do you have family and friends in the States? When are you staying?. Basically are going to be the same questions, like any tourist. She has no intention to stay, she is just visiting. Having a return ticket its very helpful but I think she will not encounter any issue at the POE. Just be honest! Good luck

Edited August 22, 2013 by Andrea&Henry

[Stressed Out 81]

I don't bring anything real fancy when I go through POE with my husband with his B-2. I always make sure we have round trip/return tickets, our original/international copies of our marriage certificate and a letter from my husband's employer stating when they expect him to return to work. If you're in line with her and you both have that "happy tourist" look on your faces then they won't even be asking for any evidence, most likely. A USC living in a foreign country with no wish to return home is a pretty strong tie to Venezuela for your wife.