What to tell to the CBP officer?

[Pitaya 2,577]

"What to tell the CBP officer?" The truth.

[bluebird74 34]

I don't mean any disrespect, but the one thing, everyone has failed to point out - possibly intentionally, is the fact the you call your friend boyfriend. I've met my now wife online as well, but I don't see how anyone can label someone their bf or gf without meeting first. One should at least meet someone a few times before regarding one another as bf/gf. Come, meet the guy, spend some face-face time with him, then decide on putting that bf label Also, be really careful on deciding to become his fiance and going through this long immigration process. Just a friendly suggestion.

As far as your coming to visit him goes, just be honest about it and do just as Avery Kats suggested. Although, I would simply tell the CBP officer, than I came to see the country and meet with one of my good friends. Telling the officer you came to see your bf whom you've never met, may make him believe you might think of overstaying your allowed time (given by the CBP officer) and that you might go for the quick marriage and AOS. They don't like that.

[Boiler 47,026]

I was thinking the same, you have never met this guy, first things first.

Might be a OMG and I need to go home asap.

[cococacao 14]

I don't mean any disrespect, but the one thing, everyone has failed to point out - possibly intentionally, is the fact the you call your friend boyfriend. I've met my now wife online as well, but I don't see how anyone can label someone their bf or gf without meeting first. One should at least meet someone a few times before regarding one another as bf/gf. Come, meet the guy, spend some face-face time with him, then decide on putting that bf label Also, be really careful on deciding to become his fiance and going through this long immigration process. Just a friendly suggestion.

As far as your coming to visit him goes, just be honest about it and do just as Avery Kats suggested. Although, I would simply tell the CBP officer, than I came to see the country and meet with one of my good friends. Telling the officer you came to see your bf whom you've never met, may make him believe you might think of overstaying your allowed time (given by the CBP officer) and that you might go for the quick marriage and AOS. They don't like that.

No. It's perfectly normal to have a girlfriend/boyfriend relationship online, and there's nothing special about meeting face to face that would make it a prerequisite for adopting those titles. It's her relationship to judge, not yours.

Also, no, the officer won't be suspicious that they haven't met before. This concern is unfounded.

[bluebird74 34]

(...) there's nothing special about meeting face to face that would make it a prerequisite for adopting those titles. It's her relationship to judge, not yours.

Also, no, the officer won't be suspicious that they haven't met before. This concern is unfounded.

You have got to be kidding me. If you actually believe your words - I dare not to ask your age. The only time for this not be the "prerequisite," is when you're about 5 yrs old. Trust me, I've been in a situation where I've dated (term taken loosely) someone online, but this wasn't a relationship. Labeling someone their bf/gf is associated with a committed relationship. The author of this post, may have taken this seriously and she might not be talking to other prospects, but this doesn't change the fact that she cannot be certain of the other party's approach. Virtual dating is never a 100% black on white - meaning, you cannot be certain of what type of person you're dealing with. Dealing with someone in person gives you tools to learn about his/her personality. Enough said. I'm not trying to judge her "relationship." I have simply made an observation which may or may not be taken seriously by her and that's ok. I wish her well of course.

You're wrong about the CBP officer. She should not lie about her intent for coming to the U.S., but choosing her words, may be beneficial or detrimental to getting her entry stamp.

[YouAndMeForever 1,022]

You have got to be kidding me. If you actually believe your words - I dare not to ask your age. The only time for this not be the "prerequisite," is when you're about 5 yrs old. Trust me, I've been in a situation where I've dated (term taken loosely) someone online, but this wasn't a relationship. Labeling someone their bf/gf is associated with a committed relationship. The author of this post, may have taken this seriously and she might not be talking to other prospects, but this doesn't change the fact that she cannot be certain of the other party's approach. Virtual dating is never a 100% black on white - meaning, you cannot be certain of what type of person you're dealing with. Dealing with someone in person gives you tools to learn about his/her personality. Enough said. I'm not trying to judge her "relationship." I have simply made an observation which may or may not be taken seriously by her and that's ok. I wish her well of course.

You're wrong about the CBP officer. She should not lie about her intent for coming to the U.S., but choosing her words, may be beneficial or detrimental to getting her entry stamp.

So the best would be to say that I came to see the country and I'm staying with a good friend of mine (if they ask me I'll say we met online), right?

Edited March 24, 2014 by JustAGirl.

[OLee 64]

So the best would be to say that I came to see the country and I'm staying with a good friend of mine (if they ask me I'll say we met online), right?

I would say this answer is better and more truthful. Maybe I belong to an older generation, but I also think he is your GOOD friend before you meet him. Then, if you both positive about your relationship, call each other bf/gf

[Operator 1,927]

The best thing to do is just answer the questions honestly with confidence and without hesitation. If you think he's your boyfriend then he is your boyfriend, there is no legal definition.

You can't find the right answers here, you have them already.

#truth

[YouAndMeForever 1,022]

I would say this answer is better and more truthful. Maybe I belong to an older generation, but I also think he is your GOOD friend before you meet him. Then, if you both positive about your relationship, call each other bf/gf

You're right that's what is the best thing to say because he is actually a GOOD FRIEND of mine. And now that we have never met in person yet it's better to stick with the "good friend" expression instead of suggesting in any way that we have serious intentions with each other in future

[Boiler 47,026]

You can not be certain of their gender, plenty of examples of that.

[mikel54 0]

My suggestion to you is have as many pictures taken together as possible!! You can't ever have to many. It will help you in the future if you do get married. Also, If you have worked or lived in another country in the past 10 years you need a police clearance report from each country. My wife, fiancé then took 6 months to get her clearance papers from Lebanon then had to have it translated from Arabic to English. Good luck and best wishes.

[bluebird74 34]

So the best would be to say that I came to see the country and I'm staying with a good friend of mine (if they ask me I'll say we met online), right?

Yes, that is correct. If the CBP officer asks you how you know your friend, then I would suggest to say something like this: we've met on international tourism chat through a mutual friend. That will show the officer your interest in American culture itself, and not just a person who might be your potential future husband

[GusandCrys 3]

Yes, that is correct. If the CBP officer asks you how you know your friend, then I would suggest to say something like this: we've met on international tourism chat through a mutual friend. That will show the officer your interest in American culture itself, and not just a person who might be your potential future husband

She may not have met him through a mutual friend, or even on an 'international tourism chat'......

TELL THE TRUTH, plain and simple.

And bring plenty of proof of ties to your home country (that you are willing to do this process the legal way)

[bluebird74 34]

She may not have met him through a mutual friend, or even on an 'international tourism chat'......

TELL THE TRUTH, plain and simple.

And bring plenty of proof of ties to your home country (that you are willing to do this process the legal way)

They met online (most likely on some dating site), but since they are not a couple, I would embellish the truth a little and go with the tourism chat/site. People meet like this all the time and visit each other all over the world.

Now, why would she want to bring proof of ties to her country? She's not applying for visa - she's simply taking a trip to the U.S. as a tourist. She has that right you know. She's from Hungary, therefore she will be entering the U.S. under VWP. It's that simple. Please don't try and confuse her.

[jeffkadrliktorr 99]

Definitely tell the truth and you will be fine. When I visited my now husband for the first time, the POE officer asked the purpose of my visit

I just told him I was visiting friends. Didn't ask how we met or anything, just what my occupation was, how much money I had and how I could

afford the trip as a student. But it is possible you could be questioned further than I was, so even a small initial lie could get you caught out

later on and it would look pretty bad. To be honest I was pretty exhausted from the long flight, and didn't realise he was actually questioning me,

he was so casual about it that I just thought he was making small-talk while he checked my passport.

Make sure you take lots of photos and hold onto your boarding passes for if you end up going through with the fiance visa process!