Questions about a long'ish vacation

[Scanditourist 0]

Hello, I'm new here.
I've been reading around and I read a few threads where people are concerned about proof of intent? And stuff like that.
So I'm curious about a number of things.
I'll keep this as short as possible.

So here's a little about me:
I am Icelandic, with an Icelandic passport.
Currently living in Norway, but I intend to move to Iceland with my parents to look at education etc...(Also easier to get a new job.) very soon.
During the holidays I intend on travelling to the states on my ESTA / visa vaiwer program.
I've done so before, but both times I have (last year and year and before.) I was only 2 weeks.
But I want to stay around 80 days this time. (ofcourse under 90 days.)
I haven't had a summer vacation, I've been working really hard at 2 jobs.
Prior to my vacation, I'll be selling / moving my stuff to Iceland. And changing my legal address to my fathers place.

I have saved up money which I will use on this entire process, and also for food etc when I am on vacation.

I've never had any legal trouble, I've never overstayed during my vacations anywhere.
I intend fully on coming back to Iceland, I will be stopping there for a short time before taking the flight further to the states.
I've read a lot of posts people being deined entry for various reasons.

So it got me a bit worried, (I tend to overthink official / beurocratic type of things.)

So here's the thing:
I'm going to the states to visit my girlfriend and spend time with her. Over Christmas...
She is a US citizen, and since we live so far a part. I figured to give this trip a longer stay, as a closure thing.
We do NOT intend on marriage, as we're not ready for it and it would feel very rushed. Plus I intend on studying.
However, I do love her. And I am going to stay at her place over this time, because hotels are way too expensive.
The money I have should suffice for food.

I also have family in the states, but they live far away. So I might not be able to see them, we'll see. Hopefully we can work things out with travel etc.
So...
I've read that some people are worried etc, and long vacations might raise suspicion on this forum.
(But isn't that mainly on other type of tourist visa's?)
>Does my situation/ future plans make it harder on me? Do I need to bring proof of my ties to Iceland? (And if so, what exactly...please be specific.)
I just want to make sure everything is 100% fine and dandy.

Also a couple of offtopic question:
>How much money am I legally allowed to carry on me? I remember this thing I had to fill out on the airplane had a question about that.

(Don't worry, I'm not filthy rich.)

>Also, I don't remember the ESTA thing 100%. But I was there last year around christmas.
Do I normally need to renew it? And is it possible to check the status of it?
Which leads me to the next question.

>Should I buy my tickets BEFORE doing the ESTA thing, or after?

And again, I do not intend to stay there overtime due to my plans of moving to Iceland.
Thanks a bunch in advance.

[Scanditourist 0]

Now that I think about it. If my ESTA / Visa vaiwer thing is still valid from last year.
Have I used up 2 weeks from it? Or is it every time I travel to the states?
(and if I have used it up, can I just re-submit it and get that time?)
And again, do I need to show any further proof than my ticket back to Iceland?
LOL idk, reading too much random stories on this forum is kind of confusing.

[MacUK 983]

Now that I think about it. If my ESTA / Visa vaiwer thing is still valid from last year.

Have I used up 2 weeks from it? Or is it every time I travel to the states?

(and if I have used it up, can I just re-submit it and get that time?)

And again, do I need to show any further proof than my ticket back to Iceland?

LOL idk, reading too much random stories on this forum is kind of confusing.

The ESTA and VWP are totally different things that work in conjunction with eacho ther. The is a pre-screening to allow you to travel to the States and the VWP is in lieu of a visa to actually gain entry into the US.

Time already spent in the US on an existent ESTA has nothing to do with permitted time when you next apply to enter.

Your valid ESTA allows you to fly to the US, you then apply to enter under the VWP. That is when the CBP determines how long you can stay.

The 2 weeks you spent in the States before was under a different application for entry so it doesn't get taken off of the 90 days permitted stay per visit.

[Scanditourist 0]

The ESTA and VWP are totally different things that work in conjunction with eacho ther. The is a pre-screening to allow you to travel to the States and the VWP is in lieu of a visa to actually gain entry into the US.

Time already spent in the US on an existent ESTA has nothing to do with permitted time when you next apply to enter.

Your valid ESTA allows you to fly to the US, you then apply to enter under the VWP. That is when the CBP determines how long you can stay.

The 2 weeks you spent in the States before was under a different application for entry so it doesn't get taken off of the 90 days permitted stay per visit.

Thank you for a straight forward answer. This cleared up a few things.

So the CBP determines how long I can stay?

Does that mean I should not buy a ticket back until he/she decides the dates?

My last experience with the officer was allright, I waited in a long line for about 2 hours.

And the officer was really nice, asked me standardized questions etc.

The CBP didn't comment on the time I spent there at all though!?

But, do I need to prove or explain to them why I am staying longer?

Do I need anything in advance for the CBP?

I'd wish to stay for about 80 days, is that a game changer for them?

(I did have to write down the address of where I was going to stay, not a problem at all. But is there anything more? other than my passport and flight ticket ofcourse.)

Edited July 15, 2014 by Scanditourist

[MacUK 983]

Thank you for a straight forward answer. This cleared up a few things.

So the CBP determines how long I can stay?

Does that mean I should not buy a ticket back until he/she decides the dates?

My last experience with the officer was allright, I waited in a long line for about 2 hours.

And the officer was really nice, asked me standardized questions etc.

The CBP didn't comment on the time I spent there at all though!?

But, do I need to prove or explain to them why I am staying longer?

Do I need anything in advance for the CBP?

I'd wish to stay for about 80 days, is that a game changer for them?

(I did have to write down the address of where I was going to stay, not a problem at all. But is there anything more? other than my passport and flight ticket ofcourse.)

You have to have your return or onward ticket when you enter. You might be asked how you'll afford 2 1/2 months in the States without working and you might be asked for proof of why you'll return home after your trip.

The chances are you'll be given the full time of your planned vacation, while 2 1/2 months might seem like a long vacation it's not totally unheard of although you may have to show them that you can stay that long without working illegally.

[Scanditourist 0]

You have to have your return or onward ticket when you enter. You might be asked how you'll afford 2 1/2 months in the States without working and you might be asked for proof of why you'll return home after your trip.

The chances are you'll be given the full time of your planned vacation, while 2 1/2 months might seem like a long vacation it's not totally unheard of although you may have to show them that you can stay that long without working illegally.

So I should show them my printed out bank statement?

Is there a standard to this? (Keep in mind that I'm not paying Hotel / rent as I am there thankfully.)

Is it better to have cash on me?

And is there anything else that I might have to prove, if they do insist on asking more questions?

And thank you again for your time, that was very reassuring.

[Jawaree 717]

Sound as if u have no major issues , u have done right in the past

U are a young man spending the summer before going back to school,

no bad history, (I suppose) will be accommodated and have major meals

with host. You don't need bank statement but I say have money on debit

card & as back up if U have the new semester info for school in Iceland

just pack it as insurance...u should be ok