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Topic: First visit back to the States - Advice please?  (Read 1216 times)

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First visit back to the States - Advice please?
« on: November 13, 2012, 10:26:14 AM »
This Thursday my husband (UKC) and I will be flying to the States for Thanksgiving. I have a few questions about the trip. I'm still quite nervous about this trip, since I had trouble from the UKBA on my first trip. I had no trouble whatsoever coming back on a spousal visa through Gatwick though.

1 - I've heard that when entering the States, he should come with me to the USC line, and when coming back I should go with him through the UKC/EUCitizen line. Is this true? (I know all airports are different)

2 - We are flying out of Norwich through Amsterdam and coming back the same. Since I'm here on a spousal visa and my page will not be stamped coming back into Norwich, should I just keep all of my flight information of when I re-entered the UK? I don't want to go for ILR or Citizenship and have them say that something's wrong due to the no stamp from Norwich.

3 - Can I bring back home-canned jelly? Especially some of my speciality grape jelly. It's all labelled and sealed but I'm not 100% sure on the rules.

I think that's it so far, but I'm fairly certain I'll probably think up more later on. Thanks in advance!


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Re: First visit back to the States - Advice please?
« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2012, 10:31:10 AM »
Hi :) In my experience you can go together through the US line at home but I've always had my husband come with me through the non EU line in Manchester. Maybe we are doing it wrong but I've always been let back in :) I would keep your info from your flight but that is just because I am a worrier and didn't want anything to go wrong with my citizenship-nothing did, by the way. I am a citizen now. And yes, I brought back jelly-make sure you put it in Ziplocs and wrap it up! Don't want it to break. Have a great time back home :D
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Re: First visit back to the States - Advice please?
« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2012, 10:45:34 AM »
1 - I've heard that when entering the States, he should come with me to the USC line, and when coming back I should go with him through the UKC/EUCitizen line. Is this true? (I know all airports are different)

It seems to vary from airport to airport which line they want you in, but I'm generally fine wherever.  I often go to whichever is shortest and let them sort us out and just put whichever passport applies to that queue on the top of the pile of passports.  Now and again, they will need a different stamp than they have at the counter and they may move you over to someone who has that stamp.  There used to be formal guidance on this here on UKY, but it still seems to sometimes be handled differently in different places or days.  You should be fine though. Don't stress.

2 - We are flying out of Norwich through Amsterdam and coming back the same. Since I'm here on a spousal visa and my page will not be stamped coming back into Norwich, should I just keep all of my flight information of when I re-entered the UK? I don't want to go for ILR or Citizenship and have them say that something's wrong due to the no stamp from Norwich.
My passport usually is stamped coming in (even within the EU), since I have a non-EU passport, but if it isn't, it isn't the end of the world.  I don't think it matters tonnes as you'll be showing your proof of living here through utility bills and such, which you wouldn't have if you hadn't returned.

Having said all that, the few times that it looked like they weren't going to stamp my passport at passport control coming from EU countries, I've just asked the IO "I'm working towards ILR, do you mind stamping it so I have evidence of when I came and left?" I've never had trouble getting the stamp when I asked for it.  I think you're thinking of the posts from people talking about concerns about coming through Ireland on your first visa when you do need a UK stamp.  There are no concerns with coming in once you have the visa.  You are free to travel just like anyone who lives here.

3 - Can I bring back home-canned jelly? Especially some of my speciality grape jelly. It's all labelled and sealed but I'm not 100% sure on the rules.

Think so, I've not had trouble with stuff like that.  I never feel like it's uber clear, but I don't think there's any problem with jams and jellies.  It's mainly meats, fruits and vegetables that are troublesome.


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Re: First visit back to the States - Advice please?
« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2012, 10:56:47 AM »
Manchester is fine with you both going through either line. (My husband and I tended to go through the EU line together just because it was usually shorter). You can definitely stay together in the "US" line in the US.
I would keep your info from your flight because the ILR requires you to list times in and out of the country and reading those stamps can be impossible! You don't really "need" a stamp as it is all on computer now, but I'm sure asking for one won't hurt.


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Re: First visit back to the States - Advice please?
« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2012, 11:00:30 AM »
Thank you everyone! I'm not planning on making any more trips until I have my ILR, but you have assuaged my fears!


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Re: First visit back to the States - Advice please?
« Reply #5 on: November 13, 2012, 12:35:01 PM »
No idea on the first question as that doesn't apply to me so I have no experience.  For question 2:  You will get a stamp coming in from the EU. It's the Common Travel Area countries where you will not get a stamp.

For question 3: I have never had trouble bringing into the US homemade jams-jellies-chutneys-mincemeat - baked goods-sweets-coffee-tea-beer-wine or likewise on the way back. 
I did declare an apple once (I forgot I had it until I was going through my carryon after 19 hours of travelling) and that was confiscated.  So as long as its not meat-dairy-or fresh vegetables-fruit, etc you should be OK. 


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