VWP Advice

[sirensong 0]

Hi, I'm new here so apologies if this is in the wrong section.

I'm going to be making a visit to the U.S. either at the end of February/beginning of March for an extended period (between 60-80 days) and I was concerned about being denied entry.

I'm visiting friends and they are giving me the whole tourist experience - I've recently been made redundant from my job so have a nice pay off. As such I don't have anything to show with regard to my ties to the UK

- Currently unemployed

- Living with family so no rent or house ownership

What things should I be taking with me as proof of my ties to the UK? On my last visit I only stayed for 5 days do was hardly questioned at point of entry.

Thanks in advance for any advice

[Boiler 45,802]

What do you have as proof of ties?

[sirensong 0]

What do you have as proof of ties?

Just generic bills really so bank statement, mobile phone bill. I'll have a return ticket with me too.

I never realised it could be an issue but read a few posts that worried me so thought I'd ask the question.

[Rosie1563 6]

My fiance came over twice from the UK for 80 day periods and both times he was sent to secondary inspection. I met him at his first POE both times. The first time they called me to verify his statement and let him through after being satisfied with our answers and his proof of ties back home. The second time they almost denied him entry. They wouldn't call me and they detained him for over 2 hours. Be prepared to show very strong ties or you could be denied entry.

[sirensong 0]

Oh that's kind of worried me now

I didn't think it would be that strict, I may have to reduce my visit to a shorter period then

[Boiler 45,802]

Most people have no issues, the one that do are likely to post.

[sirensong 0]

Most people have no issues, the one that do are likely to post.

Thanks for that Will gather some proof of ties anyway if I can. I'm going back to school in September and doing some classes over the summer so hoping I can get a letter from them

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thanks for that Will gather some proof of ties anyway if I can. I'm going back to school in September and doing some classes over the summer so hoping I can get a letter from them

That could be helpful

What you said here

"I'm visiting friends and they are giving me the whole tourist experience - I've recently been made redundant from my job so have a nice pay off. As such I don't have anything to show with regard to my ties to the UK"

How about something to show you were employed and made redundant is why you are free to travel. Proof of the nice payoff so they know you can fund your trip without seeking to work illegally in the US. Even a roughed out itinerary of the "tourist experience" places you plan to visit. That presents a whole different picture than I am penniless and going to live with my boyfriend for three months.

[Ontarkie 14,325]

~~Moved to Tourist Visas, from General Immigration~~

Edited January 24, 2015 by Ontarkie

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Good news: the US doesn't require Jews to wear a Star of David on their clothing, and neither are tourists required to have a notarized account of their life at hand.

If CBP asks you, tell 'em you are an art director and you are traveling alone because your spouse is a neuro-surgeon and has to stay home with your lovely twin girls. That'll cover it.

[Boiler 45,802]

Good news: the US doesn't require Jews to wear a Star of David on their clothing, and neither are tourists required to have a notarized account of their life at hand.

If CBP asks you, tell 'em you are an art director and you are traveling alone because your spouse is a neuro-surgeon and has to stay home with your lovely twin girls. That'll cover it.

Yet

[MacUK 983]

Good news: the US doesn't require Jews to wear a Star of David on their clothing, and neither are tourists required to have a notarized account of their life at hand.

Maybe not but the CBP can deny entry merely on a suspicion so what's the harm in being prepared?

If CBP asks you, tell 'em you are an art director and you are traveling alone because your spouse is a neuro-surgeon and has to stay home with your lovely twin girls. That'll cover it.

I truly hope that's said in jest!

[JayJayH 546]

Can only tell my own story:

Visited the US on the VWP plenty of times, at least 15, and was on two different student visas prior to becoming a permanent resident. Most of the VWP visits were less than a month though. Never did I have any trouble.

Took an 18 month break in my bachelor degree program however, and visited twice - Once for 60 days, once for 89 days (two months after the 60 day visit). The 60 day visit garnered a "have a great stay pal!" from the CBP officer. The 89 day visit lead to a 10 minute visit to secondary inspection. In secondary, the CBP officer borrowed my passport for about 8 minutes, returned and asked what I do for a living (I had a very flexible job) and told me to have a great stay.

When it comes to entering the US on the VWP, the only real concern is concern itself. In my personal experience.

Edited February 5, 2015 by JayJayH

[blueniv 5]

You have Seattle stated as "local office" in your profile, are you flying to seatac again? Apparently, according to my husband who came through there two weeks ago, VWP travellers who have already been to the U.S. on at least one occasion now get to use one of the automated kiosks instead of having to deal with an actual CBP officer. And even if you do, I wouldn't fret too much. If you tell them you're staying with friends, they'll ask you if they're any kind of "romantic" friend, and if the answer is "no", you have little to worry about

edit: nevermind, apparently after using the kiosk you still go to a CBP officer for final processing

Edited February 5, 2015 by blueniv

[sirensong 0]

I was planning on flying to Portland but one of the possible layovers is at Seattle.

I figure I'd rather be over prepared as it would be a trip of a lifetime for me and I wouldn't want to be left disappointed.

Thank you everyone for all your helpful advice