Hi, I’ve been lurking on this board for a few years now and as you can see I never post. However, I’ve seen the posts you’ve been making lately and feel compelled to try and calm your nerves. So, rather than tell you "problem" stories, I will give you my success story. I’m sorry if this is an epically long post.
I went over last March to visit a boyfriend that I had met in person (for 3 hours), but other than that our relationship was entirely online. Like you I had read the horror stories and made myself sick with worry about whether the Immigration Officers would deny me entry. I’m a 22 year old college student, so I felt like I was going to be immediately flagged even though my intentions were good. I brought my travel itinerary showing that I had purchased a round trip ticket and planned to go back to Boston in 10 days. I brought proof of funds, a copy of my class schedule and an official copy of my academic transcripts showing that I was in the process of obtaining a bachelor’s degree and that I currently had 5 courses in progress. I also brought pay stubs to show I had a job.
This is exactly what happened to me. I got off the plane and followed everyone to passport control (is that what you call it?). I waited in line and everyone ahead of me was quickly stamped through. When it was my turn I was called over to a IO who appeared to be a young lady. I handed her my passport with the landing card and she then asked me what the purpose of my visit was. I said, “I”m here on Spring Break to visit my boyfriend.” She asked if my boyfriend was a UK citizen and I said yes. She paused, told me to wait and went to talk to someone. When she came back she told me to go to the IO to the right of her. This made me nervous because it didn’t happen to anyone else. Just me.
So, the other IO was a guy in his late 20s or early 30s. He asked me what the purpose of my visit was and I replied the same way to him as I did to the woman. He asked if my boyfriend was a UK citizen. I said yes. He asked me what he did for a living and I told him where he worked and what his job title was. He asked me how long I’ve known him and how I met him. He seemed a little uneasy when I said I had only spent 3 hours in person with him. He asked me what I was studying in college and I told him what program I was in. He then stamped my passport and said “enjoy your stay. It must be hard to maintain a long distance relationship.” I then collected my luggage and met my boyfriend in the greeting hall. I never posted this story because I never post and because it was pretty much uneventful, but it was a success. While I had documentation to prove the my trip was only for 10 days and that I had ties to the US, he never asked for any of it. I’m not suggesting that they won’t ask you, but I think what helped me is that I was perfectly honest and it seemed like I knew what I was talking about.
Try not to go into it worrying that they’re going to deny you entry. While I’m sure some of them are jerks on a power trip, remember that they have a job to do and that some are perfectly reasonable. It all comes down to who you get on the day. You can’t control that. All you can do is come prepared and be ready to answer their questions clearly and honestly. Good luck and I hope you have a good trip!
