Traveling to US twice in 5 months on VWP.Possible w/o issues?

[greeneyes86 0]

Hey Guys, I came to FL in April to stay with my boyfriend for almost 3 months. I am flying out on July 20th. Now I would like to come back for another 6 weeks at the end of August. Is this gonna raise red flags with the Immi Officer ? I had a friend who traveled to the States 3 times within 2 month and she never had any problems. I am just a little worried that they'll turn me back around. I hope you guys can give me some PRODUCTIVE answers. Thanks in advance

[cathy2904 97]

Hey Guys, I came to FL in April to stay with my boyfriend for almost 3 months. I am flying out on July 20th. Now I would like to come back for another 6 weeks at the end of August. Is this gonna raise red flags with the Immi Officer ? I had a friend who traveled to the States 3 times within 2 month and she never had any problems. I am just a little worried that they'll turn me back around. I hope you guys can give me some PRODUCTIVE answers. Thanks in advance

No-one can tell you for sure, it will depend on the CBP officer on the day. I came over for 8 weeks to stay with my then boyfriend in October 2010, returned for four weeks and then came back for another 8 weeks. When I came through that time I was taken into secondary processing and grilled. In the end they let me through but told me that I would not be allowed back on the VWP as a tourist.

I think my return ticket was a big plus but all you can really do is take as much evidence as you can to show that you will be returning to your home country

[Sirdaniel42 86]

No-one can tell you for sure, it will depend on the CBP officer on the day. I came over for 8 weeks to stay with my then boyfriend in October 2010, returned for four weeks and then came back for another 8 weeks. When I came through that time I was taken into secondary processing and grilled. In the end they let me through but told me that I would not be allowed back on the VWP as a tourist.

I think my return ticket was a big plus but all you can really do is take as much evidence as you can to show that you will be returning to your home country

:thumbs: :thumbs:

[Jules1951 0]

Yes, there is what I call the "human Factor". How experienced is the consular officer and whether he needs the brownie points for denials, is having a bad day etc. My girlfirend has a 2 year Non Im Visa - she came over twice for 6 months each. Time for renewal - BANG - she was denied even though she had not violated any of the official requlations.

[jaycali 415]

Don't take my experience as factual evidence or guarantee of success.

But I traveled to the US on the VWP in November of 2007 and stayed for 2 months. I was then home for 6 weeks, and traveled back in March 2008 and stayed for 88 days. I thus spent 5 months in the US over a 6.5 month time frame.

On my entry in March 2008 I went to secondary inspection. This is what happened:

CBP: What's the purpose of your visit today?

Me: Visiting friends.

CBP: Who do you know here?

Me: I have plenty of friends here, I was a student here in college.

CBP: You were a student huh? Can you come with me?

He took me into a waiting room where I waited for about 10 minutes. Another CBP officer behind a desk then told me to come up.

CBP: What do you do back home?

Me: I am a .....

CBP: Who are you staying with?

Me: A friend from college.

CBP: Your girlfriend?

Me: No, just a friend.

CBP: Ok, one moment.. (He then looked through my passport, and typed a bit on his computer, then handed me my passport back) Ok, have a nice stay.

When I exited towards baggage claim, another CBP officer came up to me and said:

CBP: Hi! Who are you visiting?

Me: My friend.

CBP: Your girlfriend?

Me: No, my friend.

CBP: Ok sir, have a good day!

So to answer your question, yes, it's a fully possible "stunt" to pull off, but expect some questions.

Edited July 5, 2012 by jaejayC

[greeneyes86 0]

Would it make a difference if I flew in through another airport? I have a very good friend of mine in SC and I could stay with her for the first week and then travel to Florida from there. Also, should I just book my US-stay for 2 weeks ? Would they still give me the 3 month visa stamp?

[kzielu 1,149]

Hey Guys, I came to FL in April to stay with my boyfriend for almost 3 months. I am flying out on July 20th. Now I would like to come back for another 6 weeks at the end of August. Is this gonna raise red flags with the Immi Officer ? I had a friend who traveled to the States 3 times within 2 month and she never had any problems. I am just a little worried that they'll turn me back around. I hope you guys can give me some PRODUCTIVE answers. Thanks in advance

Back in 2010 I was here 5 times during that year on B-1. One of this trips was month long. Came in September, November, December. No problems.

[Holly2234 66]

I went twice within a few months.

December 2009 i stayed for 3 weeks. I mentioned i was visiting my boyfriend. Sent to secondary inspection. They looked through my bags but didnt really ask many questions. They let me through. I left in January.

April 2010 i came back and stayed for 11 weeks. Mentioned again i was visiting my boyfriend. Sent to secondary inspection. They opened my bag but never really looked. He asked what i did in the UK, if i had any brothers or sisters, who i lived with. Asked for a phone number to contact my then boyfriend. I gave one but offered his fathers cell number too in case they had already left the house (he didnt have a cell phone back then). He went off to call but i later found out he didnt call at all! When he returned he said go and get my passport back from the desk and have a nice trip.

My POE was Philadelphia both times.

I never went on the VWP again since we then married but thats my experiences of going twice in a short space of time.

[Boiler 46,003]

VWP is for 90 days not 3 months

[jaycali 415]

Would it make a difference if I flew in through another airport? I have a very good friend of mine in SC and I could stay with her for the first week and then travel to Florida from there. Also, should I just book my US-stay for 2 weeks ? Would they still give me the 3 month visa stamp?

No, CBP databases are the same for all US airports. Usually, you get the 90 day stamp whether your return ticket is in 9 days or 90 days.