Entering US on VWP

[ImmemorialN 7]

Hi all :-)

I'm flying to see my girlfriend on Tuesday, to spend Thanksgiving with her (my first one, can't wait, no idea what to expect really!)

I was wondering if anyone could give me a heads up on US border these days? The last time I flew was prior to 9/11 and I was a minor, so didn't even really pay any attention. Just some questions:

Do I need to prove financially how I'll survive for the 2 weeks that I'll be there?

Is it perfectly fine to be brutally honest about visiting my girlfriend/staying at her address?

Are they likely to want any other forms of ID other than my passport?

Sorry, just slightly concerned having watched (in horror!) the process a colleague of mine had to go through when trying to get through UK border - I felt like I was watching a police interrogation!

Many thanks,

Nathan

[Apapaia 25]

As long as you have a round trip ticket and you never overstayed in the states, it's going to be fine. They will ask you how long you're going to stay and where but as long as you're honest everything is going to be okay. They will also ask you how much money you're taking with you and they usually want to know how much cash you have in your pocket, credit cards and prepaid cards don't count. You can tell them that you're staying with your girlfriend and they should only ask your passport (but keep your ID ready, you never know!).

You're basically "clean" so there's no reason for them to send you back home.

Good luck!

[ImmemorialN 7]

As long as you have a round trip ticket and you never overstayed in the states, it's going to be fine. They will ask you how long you're going to stay and where but as long as you're honest everything is going to be okay. They will also ask you how much money you're taking with you and they usually want to know how much cash you have in your pocket, credit cards and prepaid cards don't count. You can tell them that you're staying with your girlfriend and they should only ask your passport (but keep your ID ready, you never know!).

You're basically "clean" so there's no reason for them to send you back home.

Good luck!

Thanks for the advice Yes of course, booked a round trip ticket for a ridiculously good price given it's Thanksgiving. I was just getting worried since these days, it appears that so many people are hopping to the US and then getting married to be able to stay there that even mentioning the word 'girlfriend' would cause them to slap on the cuffs and return me home!

We are somewhat planning on starting the process of either her moving to the UK or me to the US, but certainly not in the next 6 - 12 months or so, far too impractical. Curious though - should I bring proof that I am employed in the UK just in case they do decide to be particularly stern?

Thanks again!

Nathan

[Vicomi 31]

HI Nathan, I think a letter from your employer is a good idea, as this will hopefully be good enough evidence that your intention is to return to the UK. They are very wary of foreign visitors who are visiting their USC bf's, gf's, spouses and fiances. Cheers

[ImmemorialN 7]

Yeah, the more I read on here (there seems to be a good thousand threads on people who've visited their girlfriends, got married and adjusted status) the more I think that's a wise idea.

I don't think they will write me a new letter, our HR department is not exactly brilliant. However, I naturally have a copy of my contract of employment - and I guess I could throw in my tenancy agreement for good measure. Combined with a return trip, that should be sufficient?

Or I suppose, I could just say "visiting a friend" and only clarify to "girlfriend" if they specifically ask?

Gosh, it's all so complicated these days! I would never have the balls to try and adjust status in the US, if that's ever the route we go down I'm doing it from safely within London!

Cheers

[Vicomi 31]

That sounds good too. I just think it's best to be prepared at POE because you never know...

They also very suspicious of multiple visits. I had a nerve-wracking experience on my last visit - April '12. I thought I was going to breeze through as usual, but 'twas not to be... I was questioned longer than usual then the guy ended by saying: "This time I'll let you into the Unites States"! My interpretation: "Next time you're on the next flight back!". You just never know... Good luck and enjoy your travels

[bigdog 376]

Good Luck, a smile will get you a long way.

[EnglishRose 1]

I've literally just returned from a trip to the US visiting my husband (went last Thursday and back in this Tuesday am). The POE officers are usually fine but be honest with them - they are trained to tell who is lying to them. I didn't have any trouble this time but that may be because my I-130F had literally just been acknowledged the day I flew in. Expect a long wait depending on which is your initial POE - Chicago and LAX have been my worse experiences. Naively I even told them I was visiting my husband prior to moving over to the states (only just discovered Visa Journey and the great advice everyone has - most of which I'll be abiding by on my next trip over). Just make sure you have an ESTA to travel and your return ticket and you should be OK. And thanksgiving is great fun (I celebrated my first one last year, it's like Christmas but without the presents).

[ImmemorialN 7]

No worries, I'll do my best!! I won't lie, I'll say I'm visiting a friend and take it from there.

How do you find Atlanta POE?

[jaycali 415]

Hi all :-)I'm flying to see my girlfriend on Tuesday, to spend Thanksgiving with her (my first one, can't wait, no idea what to expect really!)I was wondering if anyone could give me a heads up on US border these days? The last time I flew was prior to 9/11 and I was a minor, so didn't even really pay any attention. Just some questions:Do I need to prove financially how I'll survive for the 2 weeks that I'll be there?Is it perfectly fine to be brutally honest about visiting my girlfriend/staying at her address?Are they likely to want any other forms of ID other than my passport?Sorry, just slightly concerned having watched (in horror!) the process a colleague of mine had to go through when trying to get through UK border - I felt like I was watching a police interrogation!Many thanks,Nathan

You'll be fine. In the vast majority of VWP entries, the officers just ask a few simple, basic questions. Employer letters and the like are usually overkill / But a good backup to have, just in case.

No forms are necessary, just your passport.

However, if you haven't yet, DON'T FORGET ESTA! This is a per-clearance registration you have to fill out before travel. It's electronic, so you don't have to bring the approved ESTA to the airport though. It'll already be in their system, but without having filled it out, you won't even get on the plane. Link is here.

Edited November 16, 2012 by Jay Jay

[ImmemorialN 7]

Yeah, I did ESTA! I nearly didn't, I'm so glad I checked here first - but it wasn't an issue, was authorized after about 30 seconds.

So to clarify, and I think now I'm just over-thinking everything:

- Should I say I'm visiting a friend, and take it from there if there are any follow up questions?

- I have a 1h30m connection in Atlanta to get my next flight - do you think this will be an issue?

- I haven't visited the US since I was a small child - I presume this is fine/hardly multiple visits?

Thanks all!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Hi all :-)

I'm flying to see my girlfriend on Tuesday, to spend Thanksgiving with her (my first one, can't wait, no idea what to expect really!)

I was wondering if anyone could give me a heads up on US border these days? The last time I flew was prior to 9/11 and I was a minor, so didn't even really pay any attention. Just some questions:

Do I need to prove financially how I'll survive for the 2 weeks that I'll be there?

Is it perfectly fine to be brutally honest about visiting my girlfriend/staying at her address?

Are they likely to want any other forms of ID other than my passport?

Sorry, just slightly concerned having watched (in horror!) the process a colleague of mine had to go through when trying to get through UK border - I felt like I was watching a police interrogation!

Many thanks,

Nathan

It's going to totally depend on the officer who checks you in. When they say "what is the purpose of your trip?" I think they mean business or pleasure. We always answered "I'm on holiday", then let them choose whether to dig deeper or say "have a nice stay." You could even say "I'm visiting for my first American Thanksgiving" with a big friendly smile on your face. Let them choose to quiz you further about who you are visiting. Say you met a girl online who invited you to spend Thanksgiving with her family...if that's truthful. Brits visit America all the time, so you are unlikely to encounter any hassle on your first visit for a short holiday. It's the people who return over and over for the full 90 days that are most likely to be grilled.

Edit after reading your last post: Atlanta should be quite friendly with that southern hospitality.

Edited November 16, 2012 by Nich-Nick

[cathy2904 97]

The only time I had a problem in Atlanta was on my second extended stay to visit my now husband. They let me in but not before I was taken to secondary. It seems as if they couldn't find a record of my return flight because once I showed them the booking the mood changed. I was just advised that I would need a proper visa next time so, as Vicomi said, I took that to mean don't try it again. For a short trip you should be fine.

With reference to your other question, 90 minutes might be cutting it fine. As a visitor, I have queued for an hour in Atlanta in the past.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Edited November 16, 2012 by cathy2904

[MrsB2012 10]

Yeah, I did ESTA! I nearly didn't, I'm so glad I checked here first - but it wasn't an issue, was authorized after about 30 seconds.

So to clarify, and I think now I'm just over-thinking everything:

- Should I say I'm visiting a friend, and take it from there if there are any follow up questions?

- I have a 1h30m connection in Atlanta to get my next flight - do you think this will be an issue?

- I haven't visited the US since I was a small child - I presume this is fine/hardly multiple visits?

Thanks all!

That's a pretty tight connection to have in Atlanta... Better hope your flight from the UK doesn't take off late and if you're flying out of Heathrow that's always a strong possibility. There have been two instances lately when I've flown from Copenhagen to Atlanta and had to connect to Los Angeles. Both times I nearly missed my flight. Matter of fact, the last time they had already given up my seat to a standby passenger and were about to close the doors. Luckily there was 1 seat left on the plane and they let me on. You will most likely need to transfer terminals and if you get caught in a long line at customs, you're going to be sweating it. Also, you'll have to collect your checked back and re-check it and go through security again. Keep in mind Thanksgiving is also the busiest travel week of the entire year. I'm not trying to make you panic, but giving you a heads up of what to expect.

Btw- my husband visited me several times (while he was still by boyfriend) using ESTA and was never asked to provide information about his job back in Denmark. Each time he said he was here for vacation and to visit friends (which was true) and he never once had a problem. You'll be fine. Hope you enjoy your first Thanksgiving!

[Operator 1,927]

Enjoy your first Thanksgiving! Remember this is the time of year we Americans exchange expensive gifts so don't embarrass yourself.