Visiting girlfriend for 3 month. How to answer the immigration officer's questions.

[yuna628 9,713]

From experience:

It never seemed to matter how long my fiancé came for(long trips or short trips) or whether he was employed, unemployed, or a student. He was only questioned about how much money he had on him exactly once in the ten years he's been coming. If you have access to a bank account it makes sense that it's not logical to carry a vast amount of cash on you for a trip and if your fiancé is supporting you during such a trip. He was only questioned at length for exactly once (his first time iirc) - questions such as who I was, what did I do, what did my family do, where was he staying, how did we meet, what did he/his family do. He also lived at home, and many times arrived bringing no further evidence beyond a return ticket and travel insurance. An employer letter certainly cannot hurt.

It will all depend on your POE, the IO, and your honesty. Take proof of what you can and be honest. Oh, and try to relax.

[dead-ced-dead 3]

From experience:

It never seemed to matter how long my fiancé came for(long trips or short trips) or whether he was employed, unemployed, or a student. He was only questioned about how much money he had on him exactly once in the ten years he's been coming. If you have access to a bank account it makes sense that it's not logical to carry a vast amount of cash on you for a trip and if your fiancé is supporting you during such a trip. He was only questioned at length for exactly once (his first time iirc) - questions such as who I was, what did I do, what did my family do, where was he staying, how did we meet, what did he/his family do. He also lived at home, and many times arrived bringing no further evidence beyond a return ticket and travel insurance. An employer letter certainly cannot hurt.

It will all depend on your POE, the IO, and your honesty. Take proof of what you can and be honest. Oh, and try to relax.

Relax... yeah, I need to relax. Thanks for this, this does seem to be the common experience. One of my best friends has been in a LDR for about 2 years and she's had minimal problems. Her words echoed yours: "Dude, you need to chill out. You'll most likely not have a problem."

My GF will be supporting me, and we're both house cat like people, meaning I'll only be expected to pay for a few meals or drinks every week or so; the rest of the time she'll be supporting me. Which makes it a shame that having my GF write a letter seems to be looked down on here, because then they'd have more than my word that I wouldn't be expected to pay much. I get it though, it makes me look more like I'm intending to stay.

When I went over for ten days in February, I brought $300 with me. I still have $150 with me, because for the most part we just watched junk food and watched TV. I would have had closer to $180, but a chunk of that was spent in the airport after my flight had been cancelled and that I hadn't eaten in like ten hours.

Thanks for the advise. I think I just need to take my mind off this for now.

Edited May 11, 2015 by dead-ced-dead

[TL2016 208]

Like some others have said, you will most likely be fine. We're in a similar situation and I've been to the US a handful of times now. I'll explain my situation a little, so even in a worst case scenario you'll be fine if your experience will be similar to mine:

I'm a German citizen and have an American girlfriend. I've always used the VWP to travel to the US, and even stayed almost the maximum time allowed twice. I did however have 'trouble' at the POE a couple of times, and I did have to go through the secondary inspection a few times.

I was asked what my plans are, how much money I have on me and who I will be staying with. I always mentioned my girlfriend when asked, and even when things got a little rough for me I was always allowed into the country. I didn't have a job when I was visiting my girlfriend frequently and I didn't have great ties home either. I was asked a lot of questions about my family, my life in Germany and a few about my girlfriend and her family. In the end I was never actually asked for any proof of ties home besides my return ticket (ALWAYS have the flight confirmation with you, I needed to show it to them every single time). I even had less money than you and I was fine.

Sometimes they kept on asking the same question over and over again, but changed the way they asked the questions. As long as you're honest, don't abuse the VWP (as in don't stay the maximum time allowed too many times. They've told me that the maximum time allowed is 90 days, but they don't actually expect people to stay for that long), and have a reasonable story, you'll be fine. But I totally understand your concerns, I always get very nervous before my trip too. I even applied (and luckily obtained) a B2 visa even though I don't really need one after my negative experiences and what a CBP officer has told me.

But remember, my story is just a scenario that COULD (and that is a very big could) happen to you if things go bad. But they most likely won't. Just be prepared and expect the worst, and be happy if they'll let you in without any big problems Good luck.

[JCV 5]

Can you not book a ticket for just 2 weeks and then extend the return flight?

[LORIEandPHIL 123]

I made a couple of long trips, and never really got questioned about finances, or ties. I was asked how could I get so much time off work, and I told him honestly that I had taken a redundancy package, and was not even working. He just told me not to work while here, and let me in.

[lmatos1978 14]

Can you not book a ticket for just 2 weeks and then extend the return flight?

That's a terrible idea as he doesn't plan on going back in 2 weeks, as soon as they ask how long does he plan on staying and he says about 80 days or so that will be a huge red flag as they will say how come your return ticket is in 2 weeks? He just need to be honest all the way and preferably keep his cool and not be too nervous about it.

[dead-ced-dead 3]

I think I will be cool on the day. That's why I'm doing this with 3 months to go, to get my nerves out of the way now.

[JCV 5]

That's a terrible idea as he doesn't plan on going back in 2 weeks, as soon as they ask how long does he plan on staying and he says about 80 days or so that will be a huge red flag as they will say how come your return ticket is in 2 weeks? He just need to be honest all the way and preferably keep his cool and not be too nervous about it.

I said book a return ticket for 2 weeks, then change it when you arrive. I was allowed to change my return for an extra $100.

[lmatos1978 14]

I said book a return ticket for 2 weeks, then change it when you arrive. I was allowed to change my return for an extra $100.

I know what you wrote but looks like you failed to understand what I wrote ;-)

[az2014 381]

I know what you wrote but looks like you failed to understand what I wrote ;-)

Actually you are the one who failed to understand.

By advising to book a 2 week flight, that means telling them at POE he wants to stay for 2 weeks, and then changing the flight after he gets the standard 90 day stamp.

Telling them 80 days instead of 2 weeks...thats so stupid I dont know why you would even think thats what he meant.

[raven52 233]

Apply for a credit card, and hopefully you will get a good limit. Then hope you get lucky. Debit card not good.

[JCV 5]

Actually you are the one who failed to understand.

By advising to book a 2 week flight, that means telling them at POE he wants to stay for 2 weeks, and then changing the flight after he gets the standard 90 day stamp.

Telling them 80 days instead of 2 weeks...thats so stupid I dont know why you would even think thats what he meant.

Thanks, that is what i meant

[lmatos1978 14]

Actually you are the one who failed to understand.

By advising to book a 2 week flight, that means telling them at POE he wants to stay for 2 weeks, and then changing the flight after he gets the standard 90 day stamp.

Telling them 80 days instead of 2 weeks...thats so stupid I dont know why you would even think thats what he meant.

Well last time I checked this website don't condone messages telling people to lie so they can enter, stay in the US, get a visa etc. I understood completely what JCV meant.

OP said he wants to be honest, his OP didn't say "hey everyone what kinda lie should I come up with so I can get in the States?" he plans on staying for about 3 months, let's say he does what both of you are recommending and at the time he's talking to the officer he gets nervous and ended up saying he plans on staying for 3 months but has a return ticket in 2 weeks, that would be a huge red flag.

So again I KNOW EXACTLY what JCV meant.

[Jawaree 718]

OP I suggest you not get a letter from g/friend , it ,ay

indicate immigrant intent, be aware they will take you (at times)

to pull the balance on the CC you say you have & check cash

you are carrying once you tell them you will be spending all that

time, your job letter should be clear & concise about time and you

return to work, carry paystubs. Clear text messages B4 traveling

just a precaution some innocent texts can be misconstrued by CBP.

[Unidentified 2,930]

I think you'll be fine. I have visited my fiance on VWP twice and I told them I'll be there for 3 months visiting my fiance. They didn't care. Only thing they cared about in my case was whether or not I was coming on the VWP or the student visa I had. They did ask what I do for a living but they were not interested in knowing how much money I had (which was pretty much nothing).

But it will always depend on what officer you get. I always fly into IAD (Dulles International Airport) and they are always super nice.