Hey there guys,
I am slightly paranoid after my guy (he's American) was held at Manchester Airport immigration for a little while for questioning when he came to visit me for the first time at the end of January. The reasons for this looking back now are completely evident and I realise that the IO was just doing her job. He was asked the reason for his visit, he told her that he was here for vacation and to meet me.
Then they asked details about our relationship, we were both completely open and honest. Told them how we met online etc. I was actually called and had to verify a few things. He didn't put an address on his landing card (cause he didn't know the address of the B&B I had booked) and he only had like £50 on him in cash. He had previously sent me money via PayPal to pay for half of the stay, we thought it safer than for him to be carrying large amounts of cash with him. Little did we know this would cause a problem, cause they didn't think he had enough money on him etc. Anyways... they did let him in, gave him the stamp to stay for up to 6 months and he left at the end of the 2 weeks.
I'm going over to the U.S in June, again just for a couple of weeks. Due to work commitments and only having so much vacation time etc. It will be the first time I have ever been abroad, terrified of flying! In the process of getting my passport etc, flight is booked. I just wanted to know if it's likely I will get the same treatment flying into JFK. If they ask why I am there, is it ok just to say I'm here on holiday for my birthday? Cause that's the entire reason I'm going in June, to spend time in the US for my birthday. I've always wanted to visit and obviously spending time with my man is gonna be great, saying see you later again...not so great, but we're not thinking about that yet!!
For the forseeable future it's just going to be short visits of a week/couple weeks every few months either way for the both of us. We're not in a position right now to do anything any more serious, like marriage etc. I'm still married to my ex-partner for starters, have a fair bit of debt and I wanted to get those issues sorted out before we even think about living with one another.
So really, I'm just looking for advice on how to make our trips to each other as smooth as possible from an Immigration point of view.
From him being questioned last time, is this likely to be held on record and will it mean he'll get grilled again next time he comes over? Will the fact that he did what he said he was gonna do and go home after the 2 weeks go in his favour?
Another thing that happened, when they asked my name... He gave him my Maiden surname and I gave them my married name (as it's officially still my name) as that's what he knows me by... and even with that discrepancy, they believed the both of us and gave him his stamp.
I am just terrified and looking for support and advice from people that we once in my position...
You guys really are an inspiration!
Thanks,
Stephanie xxxxxx
