Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Dr. Lipschitz]

Hello!

I have a quick question for those of you decided to settle down with a korean.

When and if you visited America, what immigration line did your wife go in?

Since our son is a dual citizen and will show his US passport, I am thinking about my wife joining us in the citizen line

Any ideas? She will enter with no visa, solely as a tourists.

[ttompatz]

[Dr. Lipschitz]

Thanks for the reply! That is great to hear



Any other experiences would be great. We went to Guam but went in different lines. This is my wife's first time to america and my biggest sales pitch to moving back!

[nicwr2002]

I went last year with my wife and we were told to stay together. They also hounded me about not getting married and trying to stay in the country. I was scolded once at the immigration counter and again by the customs officer. Just be prepared for every officer to give you a stern warning.

[Weigookin74]

[pattinsons]

I went in and out of Honolulu. We stayed together. They looked at my daughter and myself it took a minute or two. For my wife it took longer. I think she was fingerprinted.

In my experience staying together in both Korea and the States wasn't an issue.

[atwood]

Stay together.

[nicwr2002]

[hellofaniceguy]

What worked for 10 people does not necessarily mean it will work for the next ten.
You are at the whim of the immigration person and then the custom's folks.
I have seen with my own eyes...customs giving the spouse (no visa just tourist) of a U.S. citizen the third degree and actually get immigration involved even though they cleared immigration! I have seen them take the spouse to another room/area and question them but don't know the outcome...did not stick around to find out.
My wife, a korean, has always been with me when we make our way through immigration; she did not enter the non U.S. citizen line. A few times she was jammed up, but no big problem. Again...depends on the mood of the immigration person.

[ttompatz]

So as mentioned much earlier in the thread...

Enter as a family together through the "citizen" line. Be prepared to be questioned about her entering as a tourist rather than on a spousal visa.

To ensure easy passage through customs and immigration a return ticket and itinerary is a good thing to have since under the visa waiver program proof of return passage (or exiting the US) is a requirement.

You can expect they will want to ensure that you are not trying to get around the K3/CR1 (spousal) visa process.

Proof of continuing employment in Korea (a copy of your contract, ARC and proof of residence) might be a good thing to have to show that you are planning to return to Korea and not stay in the US.

.

[Dr. Lipschitz]