Use of VWP

[NK1972 0]

Hello everyone

I have just returned from a VWP trip to the US lasting 74 days to see my boyfriend. I know this question has problably been asked a thousand times but is there any recommended 'safe' period that I stay in the UK before returning? I am currently unemployed (my choice) and would like to make the most of not working and being with him before he deploys to Afghanistan next year. We have no intentions of getting married at this point or me overstaying and I have plenty of funds to support my flights and spending money. My POE was Newark and was very easy, just the normal questions. It may be worth noting that I spent 88 days in the US from July to October 2011 and a few shorter visits prior to that. Is there a definitive period of time that one can spend in the US in any, say, rolling one year period or is it purely down to what the officer at POE decides on the day?

Thanks!!

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

It's purely down to the officer. Safe is generally considered spending more time outside the US than inside, and no more than 180 days in a rolling year inside the USA. So in your case, if you want to be reasonably save, wait about 11 weeks before returning- this would also mean you could then spend the holiday period (Thanksgiving/ Christmas/ New Years) with him. That doesn't mean going back earlier will cause a denial- but it is more likely to.

[Hannah B 16]

Hi there, I have heard that the maximum time someone can spend on VWP is no more than 6 months in any 12 month period. I am not certain about this though so I'm sure someone with more solid facts will confirm the rules. And I don't know how this would even be enforced, e.g. if someone does stay longer than that period whether it comes up as a red flag upon the next entry or something like that.

I would say that with any entry, however, it will be up to the immigration officer who processes you to determine your intended reason for visiting so be sure to have as much documentation with your ties to the UK with you at the POE. I remember one thread by a girl from the UK who was asked to provide proof of funds for her long visit (around 80 days) and she did not have it on her, as she used online banking, and she was refused entry. So be sure to be safe than sorry and print off sufficient evidence to show you can support yourself during your visit.

[NK1972 0]

Thanks for the speedy responses guys! My Boyfriend is actually planning to come over to the UK at Christmas and I may fly back with him. I was well prepared this time and took printed bank statements but I wasn't asked for anything! Actually the guy told me to hurry up and get to the desk as he was going home so I was lucky he rushed me through quickly!

[JoannaV 174]

You should be spending more time in the UK than in the US. However the practical outworking of that depends on the officer at POE. The more time you try to spend in the US the greater the chance of being denied entry. So you need to weigh up the risks. Of course you'd also prefer not to spend more time in the UK than you need to, so it's a hard decision to make. One option would be to plan on spending three months in the US just before your boyfriend deploys, and then work out what other visit you could fit in between now and then.