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

[jaycali 415]

What's that supposed to mean?

You could bring it, but it doesn't really prove anything other than the fact that you're able to pay for your acation. With online banking and ATMs you can have an active bank account in Sweden and still live in the US so it's not a proof of ties, just sufficient finances.

Edited April 18, 2012 by jaejayC

[jaycali 415]

If that is the case, then it is an incredibly unfair system! And it cost us a lot of money and heartache!

It it's the case, I would agree. But if 90% of travellers are Irish at the Dublin airport, and 20% are VWP travellers at LAX it makes sense. A CBP officer at LAX is naturally going to spend more time on travellers from South America for example than a VWP traveller simply because VWP have far lower rates of overstay or illegal work.

And, what can I bring to proof I have family ties to Sweden? As I'll be living with my parents next fall.Pictures of my parents? A letter from my parents that they are aware of my trip and will be expecting me back on the date that is written on my return ticket?

Don't stress. You'll worry yourself to death over nothing. Smile, answer the two questions they'll ask you and go to baggage claim. You'll be out of there in a minute and a half.

You have no criminal history, no history of overstay, no history of illegal work and you don't go to the US for 3 months every 4 months. You'll be fine.

Edited April 18, 2012 by jaejayC

[Nymphadora 1]

It it's the case, I would agree. But if 90% of travellers are Irish at the Dublin airport, and 20% are VWP travellers at LAX it makes sense. A CBP officer at LAX is naturally going to spend more time on travellers from South America for example than a VWP traveller simply because VWP have far lower rates of overstay or illegal work.

Don't stress. You'll worry yourself to death over nothing. Smile, answer the two questions they'll ask you and go to baggage claim. You'll be out of there in a minute and a half.

You have no criminal history, no history of overstay, no history of illegal work and you don't go to the US for 3 months every 4 months. You'll be fine.

Thank you, I'll try not to worry too much about all this, and I try to keep my thoughts about it positive.

[Nymphadora 1]

I'm still not sure whether I should tell the CBP that I'm visiting my boyfriend, or if I should say that I'm visiting a friend.

Last time I went to the US I said that he was a friend, not a boyfriend.

It's just that most people tell me NOT to say that I'm visiting my boyfriend. They tell me that I should say that it's a friend, that I'm visiting, cause the CBP will immediately think that I'm going to marry him and stay illegal in the country. And I don't have any intention to overstay. People say that I'm not lying if I say that it's a "friend" instead of "boyfriend". Apparently, in America, you can be dating several persons and just call them "friends" and not "boyfriends(girlfriends)". People say that I have to think like an American, and to say that I'm visiting my boyfriend for the summer would mean that we're gonna get married and all that...

So I'm confused.

Edited May 1, 2012 by Nymphadora

[jaycali 415]

I'm still not sure whether I should tell the CBP that I'm visiting my boyfriend, or if I should say that I'm visiting a friend.Last time I went to the US I said that he was a friend, not a boyfriend.It's just that most people tell me NOT to say that I'm visiting my boyfriend. They tell me that I should say that it's a friend, that I'm visiting, cause the CBP will immediately think that I'm going to marry him and stay illegal in the country. And I don't have any intention to overstay. People say that I'm not lying if I say that it's a "friend" instead of "boyfriend". Apparently, in America, you can be dating several persons and just call them "friends" and not "boyfriends(girlfriends)". People say that I have to think like an American, and to say that I'm visiting my boyfriend for the summer would mean that we're gonna get married and all that...So I'm confused.

You could say friend. If they ask boyfriend, say yes.

[Nymphadora 1]

You could say friend. If they ask boyfriend, say yes.

Thanks!

[jaycali 415]

When is your trip?

As for the CBP thinking you're going to 'immediately marry him' I doubt it. I entered the US with my wife a few weeks ago and it was a complete non-issue to the CBP. He just asked how long I was staying and if I had ESTA.

Edited June 9, 2012 by jaejayC