What to say at the border security...

[bella88]

Do you tell the truth to the border officer when they ask why have you come to the UK? (or whatever country you're visiting).

I don't know what to say when you are asked this. Do you tell them you're visiting a friend/relative? or do you just say the truth that you're visiting your boyfriend/girlfriend?

[Tooki]

Given that you're an Australia visiting the UQ, I would be highly surprised if you run into any trouble. When I went to London (from Tallinn, Estonia) the Customs Officer was more concerned with why I flew in from Tallinn (he thought that I was an exchange student, not a tourist visiting with my Estonian GF) than my proposed activities in the UK.

I just say that I'm visiting friends (which is true, I would consider my GF's sister and brother-in-law to be friends by definition). I dare say that it's only the USA that will give scrupulous attention if you say that you're visiting your long-distance partner. As long as you have a return ticket to Australia and an address for your boyfriends house (which is required on the UK customs entry form) then you're all good to go!

[Oldblighty]

Whenever I've been asked 'who I'm visiting' I just say friends and family. I never go in to too much detail. Another question they ask is "How long are you staying". As long as you have a return flight booked then you shouldn't have any problems....

[bella88]

lol I always wonder if they would come find me at my boyfriends in his room with all my stuff and they say GET BACK TO OZ!! ;P

[Karlijn92]

I always told customs I'm visiting my boyfriend. The first time he asked how we met (We actually met online, but I told them we met during a trip in Europe). He asked where my boyfriend lives and stuff. He was very nice.
The second time customs asked me how long I was staying, if I paid the ticket myself, if I had a job, what my boyfriend does for a living.
I think USA customs is ok, they're nice. And I'm sure you won't get in any trouble when you visit the UK. But it's up to you whether you tell them you're visiting friends/family or your boyfriend/girlfriend.

[13000km]

When I came into the States on the visa waiver program I remember one time they asked me who I was visiting. I said friends and they asked for names! So I said my now sister-in-law's name, SO's and MIL's, who all have different last names. If you are not planning to stay in the country long term illegally, I think it is easier to not tell the whole truth and not have any suspicions raised against you.

[Oldblighty]

Border controls differ from country to country...Everytime I've flown to the states I've been greeted with a grumpy officer. I hate it, feel like I'm a criminal when all I'm doing is wanting to spend time with the people I love. Can't wait until I get my CR1 and those gits can't hassle me anymore....

[.:*Shaunna*:.]

Another one I get asked when entering the states is how mcuh money did I bring to spend... I'm so relieved once I am let through as after being on such a long flight I am always paranoid about being turned back around again

[Phantomrose]

When I went to the UK to visit my hubby back in December, I told the truth to the Border Officer, saying that I was visiting my husband and my in laws for the holidays. The Border Officer was nice, and she asked if they were residents in the UK, to which I replied yes. She then asked a bit about what I did at my job. I told her what I did, and showed her a letter from my employer. After she checked it, she stamped my passport, smiled, and told me to enjoy my holiday. I plan I going back to England in August, and plan on bringing the same things with me again. I brought my return ticket, a letter from my manager, and a bank statement (although they never checked the bank statement.) I know others had different experiences with Border Control officers, though it is always good to tell the truth and not lie.

[Hollandia]

I told the truth last time and almost did not get let into the Netherlands. The Border Control started to grill me on how long, 89 days, and how I would support myself. I had a return ticket but he did not seem to care and thought I was going to be a drain on their economy. LOL. I spend money when there and stay with my SO, so I totally don't get it. My SO's parents suggested flying into Belgium next time and driving over to NL. That is what I intend to do.

Does NL really have that many crazy immigrants from USA breaking into their country??? I am planning on saying I enjoy travel and love Europe next time. Not a lie, but frak em about my love life till I can get my residence permit. My SO's employer will have to give him a longer term contract for a few more Euros a month and then we can apply.

[LacePeony]

I've always told the truth. And I've never had any issues, apart from the last trip in February. The immigration officer asked me the same question three times in a row 'but why are you visiting so often?' (After asking me how many times I'd been there in the last year and for how long each time.) My answer was the same each time he asked me. This is the reason I always tell the truth - because you never know if you could come unstuck when you're trying to get out of a potentially hard time at the border! In my opinion it isn't worth telling lies, and that goes for every situation, basically.

The officer was pretty mean last time for me... and said that next time I could be turned right back around and sent back to England, all because "it looks like I'm visiting often to try to move to the country". And guess when 'the next time' is? Next Thursday. Who's petrified of being refused entry? Me! I've never overstayed or broken any rules, I always stay out of the country for way longer than I stay in the country. Does anyone have any advice? I am actually really worried I won't get through this time

[Moon]

I've always told the truth. And I've never had any issues, apart from the last trip in February. The immigration officer asked me the same question three times in a row 'but why are you visiting so often?' (After asking me how many times I'd been there in the last year and for how long each time.) My answer was the same each time he asked me. This is the reason I always tell the truth - because you never know if you could come unstuck when you're trying to get out of a potentially hard time at the border! In my opinion it isn't worth telling lies, and that goes for every situation, basically.

The officer was pretty mean last time for me... and said that next time I could be turned right back around and sent back to England, all because "it looks like I'm visiting often to try to move to the country". And guess when 'the next time' is? Next Thursday. Who's petrified of being refused entry? Me! I've never overstayed or broken any rules, I always stay out of the country for way longer than I stay in the country. Does anyone have any advice? I am actually really worried I won't get through this time

While I don't have any tips for Thursday, I am curious as to if you fly into the same airport each time? Your profile says your SO is in NY, but is that NYC? If so, you have at least three airport options open to you, JFK, LaGuardia and Newark. Also, if you fly British Airways, you can fly into Philadelphia directly and easily, it's only 90 minutes to NYC from Philly. If it's NY state, then I'm not too sure, sorry about that. Chances are you just got a jerk having a bad day, if you're only visiting for a week or two, a few times a year, then they really have no reason to kick you out. I would get together any paperwork for any rental agreements, bills, and maybe a letter from your employer stating you work and have a job to go back to though, just in case.

[LacePeony]

While I don't have any tips for Thursday, I am curious as to if you fly into the same airport each time? Your profile says your SO is in NY, but is that NYC? If so, you have at least three airport options open to you, JFK, LaGuardia and Newark. Also, if you fly British Airways, you can fly into Philadelphia directly and easily, it's only 90 minutes to NYC from Philly. If it's NY state, then I'm not too sure, sorry about that. Chances are you just got a jerk having a bad day, if you're only visiting for a week or two, a few times a year, then they really have no reason to kick you out. I would get together any paperwork for any rental agreements, bills, and maybe a letter from your employer stating you work and have a job to go back to though, just in case.

Thanks for the reply My boyfriend lives in NY state - Niagara Falls to be precise. So, I always fly into Philadelphia then get another flight into Buffalo. The queues in Philly for passport control are always insane and I'm inline for around 50 minutes each time, then it's a matter of running to get the shuttle bus to terminal F -- which is rarely even regular. So missing my flight to Buffalo is on my mind as well.

I think the last officer I got is playing a huge part in these worries. Everyone before then has been fine. It's been 9 weeks in between my last visit and this one, for which I'm staying 18 nights, so all in all there shouldn't be any issues with that. With regards to the letter from my employer, do you have any suggestions as to what I could ask her to write in this letter? Thank you again for the advice!

[Moon]

Thanks for the reply My boyfriend lives in NY state - Niagara Falls to be precise. So, I always fly into Philadelphia then get another flight into Buffalo. The queues in Philly for passport control are always insane and I'm inline for around 50 minutes each time, then it's a matter of running to get the shuttle bus to terminal F -- which is rarely even regular. So missing my flight to Buffalo is on my mind as well.

I think the last officer I got is playing a huge part in these worries. Everyone before then has been fine. It's been 9 weeks in between my last visit and this one, for which I'm staying 18 nights, so all in all there shouldn't be any issues with that. With regards to the letter from my employer, do you have any suggestions as to what I could ask her to write in this letter? Thank you again for the advice!

I've never had to get an employer's note, so I'm not sure, but I bet if you posted that question on the regular part of the forum, instead of this subforum, you'd get some good answers from people who have. Good luck!

[Kiyama]

I think the last officer I got is playing a huge part in these worries. Everyone before then has been fine. It's been 9 weeks in between my last visit and this one, for which I'm staying 18 nights, so all in all there shouldn't be any issues with that. With regards to the letter from my employer, do you have any suggestions as to what I could ask her to write in this letter? Thank you again for the advice!

I wrote it myself and had my employer sign it. Just a few lines such as. " To whom it may concern. I hereby confirm that xy works at this company and that she is expected back at work on xy...
Nothing big. I didn't need it but I'll have another one ready it his time. It just feels safer