Declare or disclose marriage overseas when returning to States?

[NS17 0]

Hello,

 

New to the forums and had a few questions. I tried searching but maybe my terms weren't specific so here goes:

 

1) When arriving back in the States, should I tell the immigration officer the reason for visiting my wife's country was to get married or should I just say vacation?

I recently got married in my wife's home country (Philippines). She currently has a US tourist visa and I'm wondering if they will put this in their records. Will this hurt her chances of entering the States and visiting me in the future? She also has family in another State.

 

2) When visiting the States and passing through immigration, what is the best answer for her if they ask what is the purpose of her trip?

She has had several trips to the States in the past several years (her reason would be vacation and visiting family) but now that we're married and in the process of doing a CR-1 visa, I wanted to know what changes we have to make in approaching this.

 

3) What major documents (if any) am I required, declare, or change from "single" to "married" would help our visa application? Credit cards (authorized user), banks (joint account), etc?

 

Thank you in advance!

[aaron2020 11,652]

1 minute ago, NS17 said:

Hello,

 

New to the forums and had a few questions. I tried searching but maybe my terms weren't specific so here goes:

 

1) When arriving back in the States, should I tell the immigration officer the reason for visiting my wife's country was to get married or should I just say vacation?  You tell the truth if asked the purpose of your trip.  

I recently got married in my wife's home country (Philippines). She currently has a US tourist visa and I'm wondering if they will put this in their records. Will this hurt her chances of entering the States and visiting me in the future? Many spouses have visited during the CR-1 process.  If CBP suspects that she is using the tourist visa to enter with the intent to adjust, they can refuse her entry.  She also has family in another State.

 

2) When visiting the States and passing through immigration, what is the best answer for her if they ask what is the purpose of her trip?  Once again, the truth.  She is coming to visit her husband.  

She has had several trips to the States in the past several years (her reason would be vacation and visiting family) but now that we're married and in the process of doing a CR-1 visa, I wanted to know what changes we have to make in approaching this.

 

3) What major documents (if any) am I required, declare, or change from "single" to "married" would help our visa application? Nothing. Credit cards (authorized user), banks (joint account), etc?  Not gonna happen without a SSN.  It's incredibly hard to commingle finances with a spouse who is residing abroad.

 

Thank you in advance!

 

[HRQX 4,146]

55 minutes ago, NS17 said:

the reason for visiting my wife's country was to get married

It's recommended to answer the question, because otherwise it "may cause delay" https://www.aclunc.org/our-work/know-your-rights/know-your-rights-us-airports-and-ports-entry If you do answer the question, tell the truth.

58 minutes ago, NS17 said:

what is the best answer for her if they ask what is the purpose of her trip?

"Visiting my husband." She should travel with documentation that shows strong ties to the Philippines.

[Ryan H 3,925]

1 hour ago, NS17 said:

1) When arriving back in the States, should I tell the immigration officer the reason for visiting my wife's country was to get married or should I just say vacation?

 

Answer truthfully, the CPB officer you are speaking with may even congratulate you (they said that to me when I was in that scenario).