British person travelling to the US

I've done a search on this, and can find nothing...perhaps I'm posting in the wrong forum, and if so I'm sorry

My question is this -- we're planning a trip to the US for my British boyfriend, and want to know on the US visa issues. Will he be 'grilled' like I was when I first came to the UK? I know they have a visa waiver program, and that the UK is included in it, but I don't know what he should expect/prepare for in terms of actually walking on past the immigration into the US. What sort of questions should he expect, what sort of proofs he might need, etc.

Any help on this would be appreciated

Usually, if you're just going to the US on holiday (i.e. no ties like a boy/girlfriend in the US), they will just ask you the purpose of your visit and maybe how long you are staying - I usually go over with my family to visit my aunt in the US and we've never had more than 'what is your reason for visiting the US?'.

I've never needed proof of anything other than my British passport and the I-94 visa waiver form that I filled out on the plane, but I'm not sure of the protocol for if you are visiting your other half (i.e. if proof of ties to the UK etc. are needed).

Whenever Dh & I go home to the States we always have our return flight itinerary with us so that Immigration can see that Dh is only going to be in the States for a certain amount of time & that he truly is only visiting. Sometimes they ask to see it and sometimes they don't.

Other than that, don't be shocked when they ask for your fingerprints and a photo with their little camera, every overseas person gets it from what I have seen.

Other than that, don't be shocked when they ask for your fingerprints and a photo with their little camera, every overseas person gets it from what I have seen.

Oh, yeah - I forgot about that part. They've only been doing the fingerprinting for the last few years - since 9/11 really. If I remember correctly, your boyfriend will have to give fingerprints of his thumbs and/or first fingers and then look into the small camera.

Thank you for your replies

I am still hoping to get some travelers that came to see people not already related, to see if the questioning is hard, etc...it would help to know in advance so he doesn't get flustered etc. (Truth to tell, when I go to the UK it's harrowing each time, as I wait for my turn to be questioned and hoping they won't send me home.../sigh I know it's their job but, dang it's a scary thing!)

The only thing they want to know is that he won't be staying in the US and will leave. There's no definite list of things to bring, he'll just need to show he has ties to the UK. I'm going in February and am taking my mortgage details and getting my work to write a letter stating when I'm coming back (just because it's not the first time I've been and am a worrier and want to make totally sure ) I'll also have my return ticket.

The questioning again is not set in stone but will probably be roughly:

- Are you visiting for business or pleasure?
- Do you have friends or family in the US?
- How do you know them?
- that'll probably be it.

All you need to do is answer the question honestly and don't volenteer any information unless asked. Also do not expect the miserable b*stards to smile at all.

When arriving as a visitor I was only ever asked for my passport and visa waiver form, plus the basic question about purpose of visit.  One time they didn't even want a full U.S. address.  That was back around 1993 though, as after that I was on a permanent resident alien stamp. 

I've found both types of immigration officer at different times.  The ones I saw at JFK when I actually arrived with my immigration visa were the most miserable &*#$@! you could imagine as they processed the paperwork for permanent admission.  Grouchy doesn't even begin to describe them.  By contrast, the officer I saw at Newark once was a scream.  My half brother was along for the trip and he'd forgotten something silly on his waiver form.  The immigration guy was joking with him about the mistake and making light-hearted comments, something  like "Looks like dinner's on you tonight!"   Turns to me: "Call me if he doesn't buy, I'll have the FBI after him!"   

We rent and my husband is self-employed (he is a web-designer, so could work from anywhere). What would be good for him to use as proof of ties to the UK?