mattsta

I'm heading over to Oregon on New Years day to visit my girlfriend for a month

I'm a bit concerned about what to say if I'm questioned at immigration regarding the purpose of my visit. I've heard about people being barred entry into the USA as soon as the word girlfriend or boyfriend is mentioned as a reason for the visit.

Has anyone experienced this problem? If I'm asked, do I just lie and just say I'm on holiday and I'm not staying at one address?

I'm not intending to stay illegally in the USA. I've got a mortgage to pay in the UK!!!

I'd appreciate your thought

Elvira

'Visiting friends' should do it.

Take plenty of evidence of ties to UK - but *only* show if asked.

Only answer the questions asked - as briefly and concisely as possible.

NB: What is your history of visits to the US? This could have a bearing...

ian-mstm

You *never* lie... but you are also not obligated to volunteer any information not specifically asked.

Ian

twiggy1984

I'll second "staying with friends" I've been back and forth at least a dozen times over the past 3 years and have had no problems (ok, I've had an F1 visa for the past year, which has made things slightly easier)

But, I've always just put one address down, never actually had to show ties to the UK, and have forgot to print my return e-ticket on many occasions. homeland security (have so far) been really good about it. I even stayed the entire 3 month duration on a VWP 2 years ago and was never really questioned.

crg

The "visiting friends" approach could be risky. If they dig a little and get "girlfriend" they may feel like digging some more.

I'd throw out the "girlfriend" and be prepared to show return tickets and foreign ties. Honesty is the best policy.... if/when you're not doing anything wrong.

twiggy1984

But then again, why would they doubt the "visiting friends" part?

Your grilfriend/boyfriend is still theoretically a "friend" you just happen to have a more intimate relationship with them.

When I used to visit my boyfriend, I would just say I'm visiting friends, it was totally acceptable and I didn't feel as if I were hiding anything. Afterall, I consider my boyfriend to be my best friend (BFFs forever! OMG PONIESS!!)

Semantics, schemantics, I know. Alright, my argument has many holes, but I see no reason why it should be thrown out entirely.

lofty79

Whenever i’ve entered (DFW) and they've asked who lives at the address i’ve given, i’ve always replied "my girlfriend," and never had any problems. Once or twice they've asked how we met or how long have we known each-other, but that's it really. I've always had plenty of evidence with me to show ties to the UK but never had to show it. Honesty is always the best policy IMO.

Once when my girlfriend came to visit me in the UK, she used the "friend" approach at UK POE, which just aroused the suspicion of the officer (a lone young female travelling all that way to visit a male "friend.") She then had quick-fire questions fired at her in such a way as to try and catch her out and use the b word. Fortunately she stayed cool, stood her ground and was granted entry. Although this happened at UK POE it just goes to show that if they suspect you're being economical with the truth, they will try to catch you out.

Best of luck

Alan

latempleton

I was stopped and questioned when coming into the USA in 2002 having only been back to the UK for a short time. I was honest with my replies and just had tons of evidence with me that I had ties back home (copy of a hospital appointment, copies of my bank account showing funds, etc etc). They did search my luggage to check I had appropriate belongings with me for a visitor, and eventually after some questioning I was allowed in.

I am really glad now that I was honest, as I had to bring up that interview when I just did my citizenship interview. One of the citizenship questions is "have you ever lied to gain entry to the US" so be careful as if you ever do marry and live over here in the US, you may one day want to be a citizen and it would all come up again

Good luck - just be prepared, be truthful and I'm sure all will be fine.

Lucy

J-Man

I've always been asked if I had any friends and family in the US and then asked who when I say yes so I've never been able to "get out" of saying I was visiting my girlfriend. However it's never been a problem and after answering a few simple questions like how/when/where we met I've been let in.

You say you have a mortgage so definitely bring some paperwork for that with you just in case it's needed.

mattsta

Thanks for the response everyone

I'll definitely include some paperwork, mortgage statement, bank statement etc.

The yanks have gone pretty mad with this whole 'war on terror' thing too haven't they? Seems like everyone is a suspect or a villian

My GF got detained at Portland airport for 4 hours for trying to re-enter her own country!

I heard another story of a lady being detained for several hours for having an open bag of airline brand peanuts in her handbag.

Meanwhile, thousands of people pour across the Canadian and Mexican borders with no opposition. I suspect the Bush administraion is waging a war against its own people, rather than any terrorists. The Patriot act is a disgrace. It's unconstitutional and gives Bush and Cheney way too much power.

I'm a bit uneasy about emigrating to the USA unless someone sane gets to the Whitehouse, and looking at the candidates........I'm not exactly filled with confidence in US democracy.

lj2

FYI I arrived in the States for my 3rd trip of the year on 8th December and (using my L1A for the first time) I said that I was there to visit my gf. If I'd said friend I'd have felt like a liar even if it's technically the truth, and I have nothing to hide so...

I also said gf the previous 2 visits this year.

I had a few extra questions this time around about how the relationship was going, how many times she'd been over, whether there was any marriage intent at this stage etc etc but at no time was the POE officer anything other than curteous, polite and friendly.

He took me into the secondary questionning area too, where they asked me very few questions but took a few copies of my paperwork and then wished me a nice holiday.

It took an hour to get seen in the first instance, and half an hour to get through, but all in all it was a pleasant experience.

Elvira

Why would you say that you are here to visit your GF when you're on an L1?

L1 is dual intent, anyway...

lj2

Because my job is in chicago, and I was flying into MSP for a few days before and after 2 days in Chicago looking at homes. So of course they wanted to know why I was spending time in MN.. she is the answer!

Edit: Oh, and I know that L1 is dual intent but you still aren't able to come over with the intention of changing status so I understand. And the point I made to the OP is that I also was honest about my gf on my previous 2 trips under VWP and had no problems.

Elvira

Dual intent means you are allowed to adjust status.

Marocco

You can say "visiting friends" or "pleasure". I did it many times when visiting my wife (my girlfriend at the time). I was never asked for more details.