trip home with UKC husband

I just wanted to ask, what has been the experience of those with UKC spouses going for a visit home to the US, in regards to immigration?

Did you get through smooth sailing, were you stopped and spouse was grilled for hours, or was it a small holdup but nothing major?

It will be a 2 week visit so dh and dd can meet my family. I've been living here 2+ years, dh has a stable job hes been in for 5+ years, will have a rented house, bills etc...but will he really need all of that? he'll take proof jic, but I'm hoping his being married to me and going to see my family will suffice.

we're not in the middle of getting a visa for him to go to the US, nor will we be when we go...just in case anyone is wondering as I know that would raise a few eyebrows.

The only "issue" (not sure I'd even call it that, to be honest) was when we once went through separate lines - him in the UK passport line and me in the US line. I had our return plane tickets in my handbag and they weren't particularly amused as they wanted to see proof he was leaving. But they just asked where I was and asked him a bunch of questions whilst he was in line. It wasn't really a problem.

My advice is to ask one of the little guard blokes if they would mind (they like to have authority) if you both go through the US line (always shortest, though it won't make you any friends with the people behind you'll hold up the line a bit). Makes life easier if you just go through together and they've always let us.

We have had no problems at all going through.  He comes with me in the US on the US Citizen line and I go with him on the UK Citizen Line when we get back home.  No one has said anything.

As Anne said, you should be able to go through the US line together. We do this, and have seen other people do it as well. Just inform the guard manning the queue about your situation, as you may have to wait for a minute at the head of the line as not all of the US-side desks have the finger print scanner (which your husband will need to do).

k thanks for that, I did try suggesting we go through together, but he said he couldn't...I'll let him know


he doesn't have the new passport (he got a renewal in 2005, so didn't need to get one, is that still the case?), does that matter for the fingerprint bit, or is that separate? sorry to sound stupid...we've never been on a flight together :/

Everyone gets finger printed now. And they take a picture of their eyeball too.

As for the visa part..I don't think he needs to apply for a special one.  I could be wrong..I am a Brit Citizen and when I flew to California I just had to fill out some visa paperwork whilst on the plane provided by the airline. one little visa form asking where I was staying and my return flight details and a Customs form.  They stapled it into my passport at the passport control point on arrival. I am not sure if there is a different rule if your flying over as a British Spouse ?

No, there isn't.  You fill in the visa waiver form.

Vicky

Cool beans!

The airline should notify you where the forms are. Mine were in the back of the chair in front with the flight magazines and some were also handed out by the stewards when people asked for them specifically. 

The US wants one landing card per family.  We went over in November and I can't even remember what happened.  So, I guess it wasn't a big deal.

We have never gone through together and we haven't ever had a problem.  good luck, I still get nervous about going through immigration on either side.

When we travel as a family they always want us to go through together (most often he goes through the US line with me). I am ALWAYS paranoid that we will get pulled because we began the immigration process for him to come to the US but withdrew it when we came to the UK. I always carry our complete USCIS file including copies of the letters we sent to withdraw that application. I know that they have it in their systems because every single time we go through the officer pauses and pulls up another screen for him. But to date no one has ever questioned us about it...but better safe than sorry. So if we get through...you shouldn't have any trouble.

We went back in late November to the US and went through the US line as we were told to always go through as a family. The immigration officer made a few jokes and told us to enjoy our stay and we were on our way. I'm sure you will be fine! 

As for the visa part..I don't think he needs to apply for a special one.  I could be wrong..I am a Brit Citizen and when I flew to California I just had to fill out some visa paperwork whilst on the plane provided by the airline. one little visa form asking where I was staying and my return flight details and a Customs form.  They stapled it into my passport at the passport control point on arrival. I am not sure if there is a different rule if your flying over as a British Spouse ?

Sorry, meant his visa to become a permanent resident of the US - We're going to be moving over sometime, hopefully in the next year and a half or so.


Thanks everyone! I didn't realize they preferred we all go through together..I definitely still get the jitters, I haven't been home in 2 years but I always worry about my son...turns out they bypass customs and immigration for minors traveling alone.

We flew into Newark together for the first time on Friday, and went through the US citizens line together - DH says it was the most positive American IO experience he's ever had.   Short, sweet, and service with a smile!  (Even I was shocked.)