Will my boyfriend have trouble entering? (VWP)

[beeldn12 5]

I'm a US citizen and my boyfriend is coming to visit me in the US (he's from glasgow, scotland). He's been here three times before for shorter periods, 2-3 weeks, but this summer while we are both off school, he's planned to stay with me for about 55 days. He has got both his arrival and return ticket booked and is bringing about 700 American dollars with him; he's staying with my family and me so he doesn't need much money for food or lodging. Will this sound acceptable to customs? I'm worried about them denying entry because of insufficient funds, but we're both students and on a budget. My family takes good care of us both. I feel like I'm being paranoid, he's never had trouble with customs ever before, but because its the first time he's stayed this long I'm feeling nervous. Anyone have any insight or past experience with this?

[Boiler 45,525]

Customs will not care, presumably he had Credit Cards anyway.

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

I've seen people be asked why they haven't bought more money but he has a decent explanation. Proof that he is enrolled on a course in Scotland and the return ticket will help. They are looking to make sure that people have ties to their home countries and won't stay so anything he can show to prove this will be good.

[shippingforecast 126]

I can only echo the above. Last time I went through Houston for a two week stay I took $2,000 with me for a two week stay and was asked whether I thought it would be enough. I explained that I was staying at my wife's house so I don't have to pay for lodging and that seemed to be enough for the customs officer. I also took my payslips and some other documents with me just to prove my ties, but I wasn't asked for them.

[beeldn12 5]

Thanks for the help all. I think he's going to borrow some more cash to bring with him just to be safe. I'd be really upset if he was denied entry, I haven't seen him in 5 months now.

[TheCaptain 67]

He is from a VWP country and he can stay for 90 days without a problem.

Having a small amount of cash could raise an eyebrow but only if he is asked by CBP how much he is bringing with him. Don't offer any additional info for free.

If he has access a credit card or backup money there should be no problem. But trying to survive on $350 a month or $85 a week is a hard ask by any stretch of the imagination especially for a vacation in a foreign country. So expect some scrutiny.

As long as he can justify the question (if it is even asked) then there will be no problem.

[beeldn12 5]

As long as he can justify the question (if it is even asked) then there will be no problem.

just curious, is it actually even possible that they wouldn't ask about finances for an almost two month trip?

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

just curious, is it actually even possible that they wouldn't ask about finances for an almost two month trip?

It's possible but it's most likely he'll be asked for a trip of that length. I've been asked every time except my two shortest trips. One guy was very persistent, he asked me three times but spaced apart, maybe hoping I'd change my answer. But every other time I've been asked I've said I have X amount in dollars and my UK bank card in case I need more, that always seems to satisfy them.

[beeldn12 5]

Okay thanks so much. I'll have him sort it

[Anna Grant 169]

I had 2 long trips to the US - 89 and 90 days. The only things I was asked was why I was coming to tell U.S. and where I was staying. On only one occasion was I asked for my return ticket (I visited the U.S. 5 times).

It may be more important for him to show his ties to the UK. To show that he is not going to enter under the VWP and then attempt to AOS from within the U.S. Check the pinned thread at the top on the K1 subforum f o r details of documentation for him to bring.

P.S. I have always read that funds available through a credit card can't be used to support actual money in a bank account. I'll check that out to see if it's true.

Edited June 9, 2014 by Anna Grant

[RhettVoe 282]

Always tell the truth.....and don't try to play mind games with the border folks....

[beeldn12 5]

yes, thats what we've always done. He never says like i'm visiting a "friend", always girlfriend

[QueenComley 295]

I visited my (now) husband 3 times in the space of 10 months.

In 2012 I visited for 2 weeks in the February, Then I flew out for the full 90 days from June -August, then I flew out again in the November for full 90 days.

Its all down to the mood of the customs officer at that particular airport on that particular day. I do know personally of people turned away and sent back to the UK on their first or second visit..... very rare. But it does happen. You will find some examples here on VJ.

However, what I always did when I travelled to America was carry plenty of evidence to show I had a life back in the UK to return to. I always had with me my contract of employment, most recent pay slips and bank statements and my lease agreement for my house.

But I don't foresee any problems for you guys. When asked questions at point of entry the key is for your boyfriend to answer TRUTHFULLY. However, never give or offer any information that has not been asked of you. For example, I was never asked if I was visiting a "Boyfriend" or a "Fiancé" so I never disclosed that I was. The first time I ever travelled to visit him I was asked who I would be staying with and I replied "a childhood friend" (he was... we grew up in England together). I was never questioned on my further two visits other than what my plans were.

I never had any more than a few hundred $$$$ at the most on me whenever I travelled to America. I always had my bank card in my purse. If I was ever stopped and questioned, I always planned to tell the simple truth....I feel uncomfortable carrying large amounts of money on me and would withdraw money during my stay in the states, but again, it was never even questioned.

Edited June 10, 2014 by QueenComley

[RinaW 1]

I've visited on VWP for 89 days, a few times for 4 weeks and shorter periods of times. I've never been asked how much money I brought.

He'll be fine don't worry

[topaz75 1]

Prior to coming to the US on a K1, i visited my US fiancee probably a dozen times on VWP, and when asked, I always told them i was visiting my girlfriend/ fiancee. Not once was I asked about the amount of money I was bringing with me. And the answer would have been zero $, as it is cheaper to get dollars from an ATM with my bank or credit card once i am in the US, rather than bring it with me.

Maybe this depends on age/ profession/ country of origin but it is definitely not a standard question