misslondon

This post has nothing to do with K-1

moving from K-1 to Travel during US immigration forum

Knew to this! Thanks!

Immigration might not know you are married, but the form does ask the purpose of the visit and if you have any immiediate relative in US and their details.

You will have to tell at that point the truth and they would know you have a husband, if you lie on this and even if you are able to enter the country it will come back and haunt u forever as they keep their records for a quite long time and it would be considered mis-representation and fraud.

Thanks for your input! I checked the last ESTA i applied for and it was only a year ago so is still valid, meaning i won't have to fill a new one in.

Thanks again!

Immigration might not know you are married, but the form does ask the purpose of the visit and if you have any immiediate relative in US and their details.

You will have to tell at that point the truth and they would know you have a husband, if you lie on this and even if you are able to enter the country it will come back and haunt u forever as they keep their records for a quite long time and it would be considered mis-representation and fraud.

Hi, thanks for your input, are you referring to the ESTA form?

Immigration at the NYC airport will not know you married in February. Even if the US citizen had filed a petition, they wouldn't know at the airport. I asked the officer at the airport that question when he was processing my passport. He said that kind of information is not in their system.

THANK U VERY MUCH for your input!

The ESTA questions/information is here https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/WebHelp/ESTA_Screen-Level_Online_Help_1.htm#APA2

It asks the address where you will stay and that could be a hotel or a home. It doesn't ask about relatives or their details or who you are seeing while on your trip.

Thank you!

Do immigration know when they scan us passport that u are married? even if no visa has been applied for yet?

I (uk) married him (US) in Feb at NYC city hall. I'm visiting him in 2 wks, going to NY from London. when i land, and at the border when they can my passport, will they some how know (maybe it just appear on their system) that i am married to a US citizen?

Even though we have not filled for any visa's yet, i am just visiting on a 3 month visa waiver for 10 days.

any advice pls! ESPECIALLY if you have entered on a similar background! thank you!!!!

You probably know about ESTA.

Saying you had a Tourist Visa suggested there were other issues that prevented you from using the Visa Waiver Program. Hence the confusion.

Ahh i see, thanks!

I don't have any direct experience, but my cousin does. They have been married almost 2 years, and he's never had problems visiting. I think the longest he stayed was 30 days at once. He's from the Netherlands, and they are a young couple (20 or 21). Good Luck!!

Thanks for your input!

The fact that you even have a B2 (tourist) visa is unusual. Most Brits travel to the US without a visa as the Ukay is part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). You must have stayed in the US prviously for longer than 3 months at a time in order to even have seeked a B2.

thanks for your reply, i wasn't very clear when i say tourist visa i mean visa waiver, i didn't util now, know there was a difference. I will be flying hoping to enter on a 3 month waiver, as i always have.

Yet you specifically asked the question whether or not somebody has been denied with a tourist visa. If you don't have a tourist visa, heck, if you don't have any visa at all, I wonder why you would ask such a question then.

Okay, I thought a tourist visa for people from the uk comes in the form of a 3 month waiver? It seems you are suggesting they are 2 different thing? I will do some research on this. Let's keep things polite shall we. Just some advice was all i was asking.

The fact that you even have a B2 (tourist) visa is unusual. Most Brits travel to the US without a visa as the Ukay is part of theProgram (VWP). You must have stayed in the US prviously for longer than 3 months at a time in order to even have seeked a B2.

????

I don't have a B2 visa, I fly under the 3 month Visa Waiver program

Hmmmm...I would be prepared to answer some questions at POE for choosing B-2 over Visa Waiver Program.

??? I didn't...

Of course people have been denied. And the more you trawl the internet the more stories you will find. But the VAST MAJORITY of people are NOT denied entry.

Personally I never had a problem, despite visiting boyfriend/fiance/husband 5 times for a total of nearly 6 months in the space of 12 months. AND I was intending on moving to the US. I only ever had to show my return ticket, nothing else. Of course I worried more each time because I had heard more bad stories, but ultimately all you can do is try.

If you are expected back at your waitressing job, take proof of that. If you have something showing proof that your husband has applied for jobs in the UK, take that. You probably won't be asked, but it makes you feel better having it if needed. It shouldn't be that hard for them to believe that your husband is intending to move to the UK.

I visited a lot whilst a student/ex-student, and always worried they would interrogate be about how I had the time to travel. But no-one did. When transiting through Canada the Canadians wanted to know who paid for my ticket and where the money came from: student loans But the US agents never seemed to be suspicious at all.

Hi, visiting 5 times for a total of nearly 6 months in the space of 12 months sounds very similar to what my last 3 yrs have looked like, thanks do much for your reply, appreciate it and it really helps!

ALWAYS tell the truth. Just because I was denied doesn't mean that you will be. If you present a strong case, with ties (even a letter from your job with an expected return date, maybe some utility bills with your address on it - perhaps a car bill or a cell phone bill, a return ticket)

IF they ask you if you have family in the US then yes, you must answer yes. You can say you are going on holiday but if they ask where you are staying...then you HAVE to tell the truth.

Good luck

Appreciate your input! Thanks!

My visits have gone like this:

Adam lives in Derby, England. I, Michele, live in Detroit MI. We filed our I-129F April 12, 2007.

November 3, 2006 - November 13, 2006:

Adam visits me for the first time. He entered at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, and was asked simply his reason for visit (visit a friend), where he was staying (hotel), length of visit (ten days), and to see his itinerary showing his flight back home. No proof of ties to England requested. Welcome to America.

January 3, 2007 - January 22, 2007

Adam visits for second time, entering again at Detroit, MI. Asked same questions, answered 'reason for visit' this time as 'to be with my girlfriend' and was told he can't marry me while he's here, that would be a violation. Adam assures officer he won't. Asked how he could afford to visit again so soon, replied 'using student loan money'. No proof of ties to England requested. Welcome to America.

February 13, 2007 - February 20, 2007.

Michele goes to England. Depart Detroit, arrive at Gatwick, UK. Asked reason for visit (visit boyfriend), length of visit (one week), and where I'd be staying (hotel). I too was told sternly I couldn't marry Adam while I was there. Promised I wouldn't. No proof of anything requested. Welcome to England!

February 21, 2007 - Current (Adam will leave May 20, 2007)

Adam arrives at Detroit MI. Was asked usual 'reason for visit, length of visit' questions. Answered 'to see girlfriend, 3 months'. Was asked about his employment and housing in England, answered that he left his job but it was being held for when he gets back, and that he lives with his mother. Officer apparently thinks something fishy, converses with several other officers, Adam ends up in 'interview room'. Was asked same questions, answered same truthfully. Was asked to describe Michele, how we met, what Michele does for a living. Customs calls Michele at work and asks if Michele knows Adam, what is relationship to him, etc. Answered yes, he's my boyfriend. Call ends. Luggage searched, and laptop plugged in to read emails we've sent back and forth. Officers satisifed we knew each other. Passport stamped, approved for full three month visit. Was advised again not to get married while here (yeah, we know!) Side note, as Adam was leaving, one guard asked the other "so that guy is okay?" Other guard answers, "yeah, he's just in love." No "proof" of ties was requested. Questions were asked, but no paper produced. Welcome to America.

Hey, thanks so much for this post. I'm visiting my husband in May he is a USC and im from London. I can't believe they searched his laptop!!!

And read his emails!!! Can i ask, did they force him to sign into his email and then read them or they just looked through the laptop without any permission?

Any advice please!

(shireenhanson@gmail.com)

Yes - happened directly to me...twice!

Now Canadians don't travel on a tourist visa, we have very liberal travel privledges to the US and the 1st time was becasue I didn't have enough ties to Canada. The 2nd was presumed immigrant intent due to my USC husband.

No guarentee that you'll be admitted entry to the US

Good luck

Omg that's what i was worried about! Some people are telling me not to even mention my husband (thus lie) others say and that people travel to visit husbands that work abroad all the time and it's fine. I'm 22 I don't own a house in London and the only thing that is a tie to London is my waitressing job...which seems like a weak case. I'm worried they can pull up my name on the system if they want to take me aside for secondary questioning and then catch me out..

Any advice at all?

Thanks for your input!

Hi guys!

Question: Has anyone been denied entry at US border when visiting spouse on a tourist visa?

I'm asking because i am going to be visiting my husband in NYC in may, We got married 3 weeks ago in NY, i am currently in London, and am a UK citizen. He has applied for jobs in London so he will probably move to London where i am from.

I was initially considering not telling the border official that i was visiting my husband, and just telling them i was going to NY for a holiday.

But people have told me NOT TO LIE at all, as i could be in trouble for misrepresentation.

MY question is, have you guys heard of anyone getting denied entry on a Tourist visa, because the border officials are suspicious that the person entering intends to stay and live with their husband and to just apply for adjustment of status.

I'm 22 yrs old, would have JUST graduated in may when i visit him (may to them look like a perfect time for me to make a move to the US and live with me husbad) and i feel they always ask me soooooo many question at the border, i've been traveling alone for about 5 years and my passport is FULL of stamps and the always question me about my intentions and funds and how i can travel so much.

I've been taken in for secondary questions twice before, which was such an experience that i don't want it to happen again! Now that i'm married to a US citizen im worried it will get worse?

Plus, I got denied 2 work permits in Dec. Though they were not for work in the US per say, it was a foreign media work permit. Anyway, i figured they would ask me a ton of questions and although i will be fully prepared with all evidence proving my intentions to return to London, a return tickets, bank statement and ties to the UK... I'm still anxious they may turn me away on suspicion.

Anyone heard of such denials of tourist visa's at entry based on suspicion or ANY similar experiences?

ANY ADVICE PLEASE!!

I agree with the above 100%, however to answer your question, if your spouse has not filed a petition, there is no way that they would know if you are married or not!

Thanks a lot for your input!

It is fraud. You are lying to gain entry into the US.

Lying is also a great way to get a lifetime ban from the US. If you get caught, the consequences will be severe. Is a single trip worth it?

Just tell the damn truth that you are married to a US citizen. Bring supporting documents showing your ties to the US; a job, banking accounts, etc.

Thanks for your input!

I asked CBP the guy checking me in at the airport. "So what do you see on that computer about me? Do you know I have a British fiance? Do you know there has been a petition filed?" He said "No. We have overstays, denied entries, suspected terrorists and bad guys." Pack appropriately for a short visit, meaning don't bring 50 pairs of shoes, your entire CD collection, and kitchen utensils...which might make it look like you were moving in if they happened to choose your luggage to search. I know a lot of people go into great detail when asked the standard "What is the purpose of your visit?" (when I was entering the UK). I always thought the answer they wanted was business or pleasure. So I always said "pleasure" or "I'm on holiday" and they always went on to "how long are you staying?" I never considered that I was lying or hiding something. I thought business or pleasure was what they wanted to know.

Wow you asked him the exact question i needed answering! Thank you for your reply. I've been on trip to NY a lot and even though i never did anything wrong i always got questioned, twice! they seem to always question me so now i make sure i pack my bags EXPECTING them to be searched. i've answered 'pleasure' and they've asked..are you sure your not here modelling...or working..or trying to get work...i have a .com with my full name with all my modeling work and i always wonder if they just google me and then get suspicious, for that reason i now get extra nervous. Appreciate your reply!

I agree with all the people that are agreeing with what others are agreeing to.

John

lol Thanks!

You don't have to volunteer information, but if you are directly asked a question, you shouldn't lie, and I'll tell you why.

If for some reason they pull you into what's known as secondary inspection, it will be on record linked to your personal data for as long as computers have a memory, as will be anything you say. If you say something that's not true, just to get out of there or to be let into the US, it would be misrepresentation, most likely material misrepresentation. Material if they had not let you enter had they known the truth. The punishment for material misrepresentation is a lifetime ban from the US of A.

That's such a high risk, that telling the truth seems to be the more viable strategy.

Most definitely. Thanks for your input! Appreciate it!

Like the others say.... don't lie. At the intial Customs/Immigration desk all they see is the biographical data when they swipe your passport. If you're sent to secondary they have access to all kinds of things, including the ability to search your belongings. You're not doing anything wrong. Just answer confidently and truthfully and bring your ties. The link I've included below has some good information.

Visitation FAQ's

Moving from K-1 Process to Tourist Visas.

Thanks for the link! I think answering confidently is key. I need to do that. Just a little over anxious i think. We intend to move to the US some where along the line so i just reallyyy don't want to get refused entry and hinder the process. Appreciate the reply!

100% agree with all that has been said before. If you were asked a direct question (i.e. "are you married" or "do you have close relatives in the US") and you point blank lie and get caught of that lie, that will be a mistake that won't be so easy to shake. It'll be misrepresentation, they will deny entry, it will stay on your file and if you ever want to apply for a residence permit in the US, that lie could seriously harm the process. Even though you are now planning to reside in the UK, you want to keep your options opened for the future. So, as all the others have said before me, DO NOT lie. Be prepared to prove ties to UK, tell the truth, hope for the best.

Thanks so much!

Like the others say.... don't lie. At the intial Customs/Immigration desk all they see is the biographical data when they swipe your passport. If you're sent to secondary they have access to all kinds of things, including the ability to search your belongings. You're not doing anything wrong. Just answer confidently and truthfully and bring your ties. The link I've included below has some good information.

Visitation FAQ's

Moving from K-1 Process to Tourist Visas.

That's what i thought, i've been sent to secondary before, for questions about why i was visiting, (and that was when i wasn't married!) and i thought the same thing, they may possibly be able to pull up all kinds of info about my life and records. Just wanted to know for sure, just telling them i have no ties in the US seems like i would help my case so much, to avoid a possble denial or just to stop any chances of increased suspicion, i thought why not just not tell them. but really thinking about if that's a good idea now.

Thank you!

My sister (a US citizen) got married to UK citizen less than a year ago and he's never been denied entrance on all his trips here. They even got married here and he told immigration the truth which is that he was coming to get married but was returning to his job in less than 1month (they both now live in London). What will prob happen is that they will pull you to the side and ask A LOT of questions. But if you have proof of ties to your country like a letter from your boss saying he's expecting you back to work on 00/00/0000 and you tell them your husband is currently planning a move to the UK you should be fine.

Thanks for your advice! Yes i'm preparing myself for being asked a ton of question, i applied for a foreign media work permit in dec and when i visit in jan they asked me soooo many questios, they took me aside to another room. luckily i convinced them i was not goign to work and i was going to return to london. but now with the work permit denial.... (2 work permit denial because i tried again with more paperwork and they just said i was young needed to get a degree them apply for a work mermit because i just wan't qualified).... plus the marriage i was worried i would just look suspicious. that's why i thought not telling them i was married would help my case.. Again thanks for your real life example!

I don't know what they can and can't see in their system.

What I do know is that lying to border patrol is a very, very, very, very bad idea.

Don't even consider it.

Bring ties to your home country to prove that you are going back and tell the truth.

Thanks, i intend to bring evidence of living in london and of my intentions to return, they just always give me a hard time getting in, because i travel ALOT and they always ask em how i can afford to do so and at such a young age. they always ask if i'm working, and i get nervouse because an entrance denial on my passport will just hinder all my other future visits. they gave me such a hard time when i was just a regular tourist, now that i am married i feel like it will get worse... thanks for ur comment though! Appreciate it!

I agree with the above 100%, however to answer your question, if your spouse has not filed a petition, there is no way that they would know if you are married or not!

Really? great! that is what i was hoping would be the case. Do you mind me asking, do you know this from experience? A lawyer? the internet or word of mouth? Thanks for your input, Appreciate the advice!

Can US border control type my name in2 their computer & pull up my marriage history & see that I am married?

I am a British citizen and just got married to an American a month ago, in NY. I live in London and my husband will probably move to London instead of my moving to the US. We are still waiting to see if he got this job in London that he's been hoping for. I am going to NYC in May to visit him, I got told by a friend to make sure that I DO NOT TELL BORDER CONTROL I AM MARRIED TO AN AMERICAN because they will suspect I am trying to travel there on a tourist visa with a desire to actually stay. Of course if I was really doing that I should get a spouse visa to got the US. If they did suspect I was going on the wrong visa with a desire to stay they’ll see it as ‘Visa Fraud’ so I’m wondering...

Can border control type my name into their computer upon entry and pull up my marriage history?

I was thinking of just saying no if they ask me if I have immediate relatives in the US which is a question I usually get asked at the border. My worry is, if I say that and they pull up my records and see I AM married they will probably turn me away for lying and I will really look like visa fraud to them!

Question: Do marriages register on their system? I’m assuming t hey are pretty well informed systems with everyone’s details? Does anyone know or anyone had a similar experience?

Also, I have been to New York A LOT!!! in the last 5 years and have previously been denied work permits in the past so it doesn’t make me look good. I’m 22 years old and a little anxious about what to say at the border. Lying is not good but it seems the best bet to avoid a grilling and possible denial.

ADVICE PLEASE!