Proposing in the US and ring

[ILikeBread 43]

My previous thread was locked fast.

To clarify I will declare the ring. No suggestion of hiding it please. I want advices on my proofs of ties with my country.

Now, to sum up the situation:

I'm visiting my US girlfriend and I will propose during the trip. The ring was bought in France, so it will travel with me. I'll put it on the customs form, I have a receipt with the price with me.

Now on the immigration part, I will be traveling on the VWP for 2 weeks. I imagine the agents seeing jewellery on the form will be suspicious.

I am bringing the following with me as a proof of my ties with France:

Work contract

Letter of employment

Lease agreement

Last payment for internet (my address is on it and it's the most recent one)

Payment schedule for the car loan (running until 2019)

Travel health insurance with the travel dates

Full itinerary from expedia (as a return ticket)

In addition my girlfriend and I plan to live in France, I am bringing her forms I filled for her long stay visa in France, so that she can complete them and send the package to the French consulate . The main form is in English and mention we are applying for the visa with the intent of getting married and live in France.

What do you think of those proofs?

I'm already expecting to be sidelined and spend some quality time with CBP agents...

I have 3 hours layover, hopefully it will work out.

[JFH 12,189]

Truthfully, I think you're over-thinking it. It will be fine. It's Christmas and you are entitled to bring gifts for your loved ones and you are going to declare it. No problem there at all. Even if it wasn't Christmas, you can still take the ring. How many times have you entered before? Ever had a problem before? I don't think this will be any different. You don't need to tell them it's an engagement ring, it's a ring. Always be truthful but never volunteer extra information. State on the form that t is a ring and its value and that it is a gift. You don't need to approach the CBP officer's desk with a War and Peace story in your head.

I have entered dozens of times, even with my wedding ring on my left hand. Never had a problem. Never each been asked to prove I have a job, etc. I've always left on time, on the date I said I would.

When they ask the purpose of your visit you say "to see my girlfriend". No need to mention that you are going to propose unless they specifically ask that question (then you must be truthful). My entry questions have pretty much always been:

What's the purpose of your visit? To see my boyfriend/fiancé/husband

How long are you staying? Until the 17th/next Wednesday/for one week

I have been asked those two questions every time. I have once been asked what job he does and the first two occasions I was asked how we met and how long we had known each other. My most recent entry last month I was asked only the first two questions and my passport was stamped before I could get the answer to the second question out of my mouth. Over time the questioning has reduced. Maybe it's because I've developed a "record" with them and they see that I visit regularly but always follow the rules and leave on time and that I have built up a regular pattern.

Edited December 13, 2015 by JFH

[mallafri76 1,012]

I agree with above poster, you are overthinking this WAY too much. When I flew over to marry my now husband, I brought with me a letter from my employer and a letter from by bank that I had a mortgage with them, that was it. When asked by CBP why I was coming to the US, I answered to marry my fiance. Follow up question was when am I flying back home, my answer "in two weeks". That was it, the CBP officer told me good luck and congratulations on my upcoming wedding. I was never asked to show any proof of ties to my home country and I wasn't sent to secondary screening or anything like that. I did have a solid track record of visiting and leaving the US on time though.

You have more than enough evidence, so don't worry about that. Have you visited the US before, meaning can CBP see that you have visited and left within the appropriate time before? If so, I doubt you have anything to worry about.

[ILikeBread 43]

Thanks for your answers guys.

I'm probably over thinking indeed. I put that on the stress of getting the ring/ keeping the surprise and so on haha

I've been to the US a lot both as a kid and adult. Altough it's only the 2nd time with the purpose to visit her (she was living and working in France until recently)

Last visit was at the end of October and left on time.

Wasn't asked much last time, like why are you here and how long are you staying.

I landed in Denver though which seem to be a small airport with very few international flights.

Landing in Chicago this time, I'm picturing it as a place with "sharper" agents as it's bigger with lots of international flights.

[canadian_wife 1,808]

You say you have 3 hours, what airport will you be going through Customs in? I ask because if it is Atlanta, 3 hours will likeky not be enough time during the Christmas rush.

good luck

[ILikeBread 43]

You say you have 3 hours, what airport will you be going through Customs in? I ask because if it is Atlanta, 3 hours will likeky not be enough time during the Christmas rush.

good luck

Thanks,

At O'hare in Chicago, 3 hours of layover was the most I could get for a reasonable price. But I agree, it may be tough to make the connection.

[JFH 12,189]

It does sound like the excitement of the proposal is making you nervous. Just make sure you don't act too nervous when you arrive. CBP officers are trained to spot nervous passengers. Stay calm and you'll be fine.

[ILikeBread 43]

Yup, I'm telling myself I'm doing it by the book and I have proof of it so it will go alright

[mallafri76 1,012]

Three hours connection at O'Hare is plenty of time. I usually fly through Dulles (Washington) or Newark (New York), done O'Hare a couple of times too. Personally, I prefer the big international airports because I would think that CBP there know more of what they're doing, because they have so many international travelers, you would think that they're specialists in dealing with international travelers wanting to visit.

You have a proven track record of visiting and leaving on time too. That together with your evidence of ties to your home country will be more than enough. No need to worry. Just focus on your proposal and have a wonderful visit.

[ILikeBread 43]

Thanks!can't wait to get on the plane!

[NikLR 13,227]

Thanks for your answers guys.

I'm probably over thinking indeed. I put that on the stress of getting the ring/ keeping the surprise and so on haha

I've been to the US a lot both as a kid and adult. Altough it's only the 2nd time with the purpose to visit her (she was living and working in France until recently)

Last visit was at the end of October and left on time.

Wasn't asked much last time, like why are you here and how long are you staying.

I landed in Denver though which seem to be a small airport with very few international flights.

Landing in Chicago this time, I'm picturing it as a place with "sharper" agents as it's bigger with lots of international flights.

Denver is a pretty large airport, (5th largest in the USA by total passenger traffic) but there are few international flights because of where it's located. Most flights land on the east or west coast first before proceeding to Denver.

Chicago, however, sees a lot more international traffic and is the 3rd largest in the USA.

[mlh 93]

You may never even speak to a CBP officer. Most, if not all, of the big international airports (O'Hare included) now have the automated kiosks for US and Canadian citizens, and all LPRs and people traveling on VWP. You scan your passport, it asks you the same questions that are on the blue form, and it prints out a form and you're on your way. Only if it can't recognize or match your passport or you're flagged for some reason do you get an X on your print-out and have to actually speak to CBP.

[ILikeBread 43]

Denver is a pretty large airport, (5th largest in the USA by total passenger traffic) but there are few international flights because of where it's located. Most flights land on the east or west coast first before proceeding to Denver.

Chicago, however, sees a lot more international traffic and is the 3rd largest in the USA.

I stand corrected, there was indeed lots of United or Frontier planes (plane nerd here haha)

You may never even speak to a CBP officer. Most, if not all, of the big international airports (O'Hare included) now have the automated kiosks for US and Canadian citizens, and all LPRs and people traveling on VWP. You scan your passport, it asks you the same questions that are on the blue form, and it prints out a form and you're on your way. Only if it can't recognize or match your passport or you're flagged for some reason do you get an X on your print-out and have to actually speak to CBP.

That would be sweet, there was some in Denver, but everyone had to see an agent anyway sadly. The deplaning process was quite tedious too as there were no separate lines for USCs it was quite a mess.

I remember JFK being very fast when it came to immigration but that was like 8 or 9 years ago.

[ILikeBread 43]

Just a couple of news, I'm in the U.S.

Immigration went alright although the agent was quite suspicious, I guess the fact that I met my GF in France and lived with her there before helped (he seemed very suspicious about ppl meeting online)

Customs didn't ask me anything about the ring and cleared me with a head nod...confusing.

But holidays have started and she said yes!

[NikLR 13,227]

(sometimes they don't care about the duty on rings.... My husband didn't have to pay duty on either of my rings even though he properly declared them. The CBSA officer just wished him good luck both times. LOL)