Spending summer in the US - how much money do I need to bring?!

[jaycali 415]

Actually they DO care how much money you have AND what kind of ties you have to your home country. We lost $1,200 because my then boyfriend was turned away at POE for not having proof of being able to support himself while here. We knew nothing about the requirements in place to use the VWP at the time. We thought you could just come as long as you were from a VWP country and had a return ticket that was not further than 90 days from arrival. NOT the case. Good luck to the OP, hopefully you'll have no problems, but I'd be prepared and do my "homework" on the requirements of people using VWP to come for an extended visit to the US.

Generally, yes, you need to be able to prove it. They can turn you away for insufficient finances and it does happen. Most of the time, it doesn't happen. If you stay for closer to 90 days, they'll be more likely to ask. I stayed for 88 days once and the officer asked what I did back home. I answered what my job was and that I was on temporary leave of absence and that was that.

I'm not telling the OP that they won't ask. I'm telling her the odds are fairly low.

[aaydrian 479]

Actually they DO care how much money you have AND what kind of ties you have to your home country. We lost $1,200 because my then boyfriend was turned away at POE for not having proof of being able to support himself while here. We knew nothing about the requirements in place to use the VWP at the time. We thought you could just come as long as you were from a VWP country and had a return ticket that was not further than 90 days from arrival. NOT the case.

Was your ex a student? Not saying you're wrong but how much money would the officers really think a student who's traveling would have? As a precaution what the poster can do is get an official letter (signed & stamped/with school's insignia) stating how many years she currently has left and or a letter stating that you have paid X so far in tuition (if on a scholarship even better, just bring official document from school stating so) to prove ties. As it relates to the length of the OP's stay I don't think it'll be a problem as 3 months is pretty average for students when vacationing in the US (when you have family and friends, that is, to help).

Edited April 11, 2012 by aaydrian

[mmlz 6]

Was your ex a student? Not saying you're wrong but how much money would the officers really think a student who's traveling would have? As a precaution what the poster can do is get an official letter (signed & stamped/with school's insignia) stating how many years she currently has left and or a letter stating that you have paid X so far in tuition (if on a scholarship even better, just bring official document from school stating so) to prove ties. As it relates to the length of the OP's stay I don't think it'll be a problem as 3 months is pretty average for students when vacationing in the US (when you have family and friends, that is, to help).

No, he was not a student. Luckily in our case, his POE was in his home country so he didn't spend hours on a plane, get turned away, and have to go through the hassle of having to get home and all that entails.

I just wanted her to be well informed and prepared. The letter sounds like a good idea. I know most people don't have a problem, but it can happen and it helps to have as much information as possible. This can be a very upsetting and costly error to make.

[Stu4Lee 66]

Actually they DO care how much money you have AND what kind of ties you have to your home country.

This is my experience on several occasions too.

[at long last 58]

This is my experience on several occasions too.

Most of the time I go across the border I go for at least 6 weeks - 10 weeks. ALWAYS asked how I can be away from home for so long. Of course I tell them the truth that I have my own pension. If you are going to see your BF though you better make sure you have documentation to substantiate your ties to your country to show you will be returning.

Have a great summer vacation.

Terri

[jaycali 415]

Luckily in our case, his POE was in his home country

Most of the time I go across the border I go for at least 6 weeks - 10 weeks.

I believe the POE in these cases are a factor. POEs in Ireland and Canada get a vast majority of non-US citizens/residents being Irish and Canadian.

The airports in LA, New York, Atlanta, Chicago etc, get a much higher percentage of travelers from all over the world, and in the grand scheme of things, VWP program travelers with no negative immigration history or unusual travel movements aren't their priority in my experience.

Just my two cents.

Edited April 11, 2012 by jaejayC

[Nymphadora 1]

The thing is that I've not studied on a college, nor university for these last 3 years. I've studied on a "folkhögskola"/"residental college for adult education".

Of course I've got student loans, but someone told me that I shouldn't show that to the immigrant officer if they asked me for evidence, since that kind of debt rather would make them believe that I'm trying to escape from it and form my country.

Would it be possible for me to bring my home insurance papers as an evidence for ties to Sweden? Of course, those papers are in Swedish, would I have to let the insurance company translate them into english? But I don't know if that's even an option. I'll be living at my parent's house next fall, and that's the adress for my home insurance.

[Nymphadora 1]

The thing is that I've not studied on a college, nor university for these last 3 years. I've studied on a "folkhögskola"/"residental college for adult education".

Of course I've got student loans, but someone told me that I shouldn't show that to the immigrant officer if they asked me for evidence, since that kind of debt rather would make them believe that I'm trying to escape from it and form my country.

Would it be possible for me to bring my home insurance papers as an evidence for ties to Sweden? Of course, those papers are in Swedish, would I have to let the insurance company translate them into english? But I don't know if that's even an option. I'll be living at my parent's house next fall, and that's the adress for my home insurance.

I also own shares, would that be possible to use as an evidence for my intent to return to Sweden?

[Alaska2012 462]

I've never been asked any questions about my financial situation when entering the us, they just ask me what i'm gonna do there. However, if they did ask you just tell them how much you do have and tell them you also have a credit card with you for emergencies or something

[Roxxi 3]

Personally I think that is WAY too little money... but everyone is different. But if it's your first trip you don't even have any idea of the prices there (are you going to a big city for instance?) and you may actually want to see some sights when you're there and find that shopping is way more fun there than here

Another thing... with the risk of sounding negative, I hope that you have some backup, as in your parents would bail you out if something happens? Medical or otherwise..How long have you known your bf...have you ever lived with him for an extended time etc... all kinds of things can go wrong and you will be halfway across the world. Just saying...

As for questions at the border... it will depend on the officer in front of you and probably somewhat which airport you get to. They do ask me how much money I have and what I'm gonna do there if I'm taking a long trip. On the other hand they've never once asked me about ties to my home country. Just to show my return ticket on a few occasions.

I will say this: if you seem very nervous they WILL ask you more questions.

Sad but true...as being nervous not necessarily means you have something to hide, but I think they see it that way.

Anyways I wish you the best trip and have fun!!

[Boiler 45,670]

How does Insurance or Shares tie you to Sweden?

[Nymphadora 1]

Personally I think that is WAY too little money... but everyone is different. But if it's your first trip you don't even have any idea of the prices there (are you going to a big city for instance?) and you may actually want to see some sights when you're there and find that shopping is way more fun there than here

Another thing... with the risk of sounding negative, I hope that you have some backup, as in your parents would bail you out if something happens? Medical or otherwise..How long have you known your bf...have you ever lived with him for an extended time etc... all kinds of things can go wrong and you will be halfway across the world. Just saying...

As for questions at the border... it will depend on the officer in front of you and probably somewhat which airport you get to. They do ask me how much money I have and what I'm gonna do there if I'm taking a long trip. On the other hand they've never once asked me about ties to my home country. Just to show my return ticket on a few occasions.

I will say this: if you seem very nervous they WILL ask you more questions.

Sad but true...as being nervous not necessarily means you have something to hide, but I think they see it that way.

Anyways I wish you the best trip and have fun!!

We've known each other for about 7 months now, and I went to visit him for a couple of weeks in January this year. So, I've done one trip to the US before.

I'm planning to bring at least 1000USD now, anyway, after reading all the answers. But do I have to show them all the money in cash? It's kinda scary to walk around with a lot of money. :/

I'm going to NJ, and the Newark Liberty International airport.

How does Insurance or Shares tie you to Sweden?

I don't know, that's why I am asking.

Isn't the insurance an evidence that I do have a place to go back to in Sweden, and that I do live there?

[Nymphadora 1]

My bank account, would that be possible to use as evidence for my ties to Sweden?

[Boiler 45,670]

My bank account, would that be possible to use as evidence for my ties to Sweden?

I have an Apartment, Bank Account, Investments, Insurance, Credit Cards etc.

But I live in the US.

[Nymphadora 1]

I have an Apartment, Bank Account, Investments, Insurance, Credit Cards etc.

But I live in the US.

What's that supposed to mean?