Buying a roundway ticket and then flying back later, is this smart?

[Dutch88 27]

Hey guys, im on a VWP right now. In the proces of a K1, waiting to get our petition approved.

My fiancé wants me to spend the holidays in the US to meet some of her family. I was thinking about getting a roundway ticket because it's cheaper than a one way ticket to the US soon. I'm not sure when I will be flying back yet so I will be getting a one way ticket later while I'm in the US to fly back home, from a different state because we will be doing a roadtrip.

So at the airport when the officer will ask me I will probably say I will only stay a week (the date on my ticket), while I already know I will be staying longer. Is this smart? Is this legal? Will this come back to bite me later? I don't want any problems but since I don't know when I'll be flying back yet I figured this is a option. Also my chances will be higher getting entry into the US if I say i'll only stay a week. But again I don't want this to come back later and bite me.

Will I be in trouble if I decide to fly back later than what I told the officer? Even if its well within the 90 days of the visa waiver?

[Georgia16 2,858]

Don't lie to them nothing good will ever come out of that!!! And since you are in the middle of K-1 they might want to see your return ticket.

[caly 48]

I doubt your plan will work. When entering the US on the VWP I've always only been admitted for the duration of my stay (ie up to the date on my return ticket).

Edited to add that you should not try to game the system, it will come back and bite you later even if by some miracle they admit you past the date on your return ticket that you don't plan to use.

Edited November 5, 2015 by caly

[mallafri76 1,012]

As long as you can show strong proof of ties to your home country, such as a letter from your employer and a mortgage/rental agreement, you shouldn't have any problems entering the US under the VWP with a fiance in the US. And as far as extending your stay, well I've done that several times under the VWP with no issues. You're allowed to stay up to 90 days and plans do change, but if you already know at time of entering the US that you're gonna stay longer than your return ticket, be truthful about it. It's NEVER a good idea to lie to the US federal government.

Also, mention the K-1 to the CBP officer and bring proof of having filed. That shows you're doing it the right way, which should hopefully convince CBP that you're only coming as a tourist.

[az2014 381]

Why not just book the ticket for the length of stay you want to stay?

It's pretty simple, why complicate things?

Unless it means you are gonna spend less time out of the US than in?

[Boiler 45,949]

Why not just book the ticket for the length of stay you want to stay?

It's pretty simple, why complicate things?

Unless it means you are gonna spend less time out of the US than in?

This

VWp does not allow you to seek entry on a one way ticket.

[Dutch88 27]

I doubt your plan will work. When entering the US on the VWP I've always only been admitted for the duration of my stay (ie up to the date on my return ticket).

Edited to add that you should not try to game the system, it will come back and bite you later even if by some miracle they admit you past the date on your return ticket that you don't plan to use.

Ive gotten a 90days approval stamp in my passport. Even if I didnt stay for 90 days.

As long as you can show strong proof of ties to your home country, such as a letter from your employer and a mortgage/rental agreement, you shouldn't have any problems entering the US under the VWP with a fiance in the US. And as far as extending your stay, well I've done that several times under the VWP with no issues. You're allowed to stay up to 90 days and plans do change, but if you already know at time of entering the US that you're gonna stay longer than your return ticket, be truthful about it. It's NEVER a good idea to lie to the US federal government.

Also, mention the K-1 to the CBP officer and bring proof of having filed. That shows you're doing it the right way, which should hopefully convince CBP that you're only coming as a tourist.

Thanks I'll definitely be bringing the K1 papers to prove we are doing it the legal way.

Why not just book the ticket for the length of stay you want to stay?

It's pretty simple, why complicate things?

Unless it means you are gonna spend less time out of the US than in?

Thats the problem, we arent sure yet when we will be flying back. Also I will be flying back from the other side of the states since we will be doing a roadtrip.

[Boiler 45,949]

Book a ticket when you have a better idea?

[JohnR! 5,495]

No problem at all. You can change the date on your return ticket as long as you don't overstay. Don't count on a 90-day stay however. The length of your allowed stay in the US will be determined by the officer upon your arrival.

As others have suggested, consider finalizing your trip plans before you buy your ticket, or buy a ticket that can be rebooked - most tickets can be changed for a fee, which will be less expensive than buying two tickets separately.

Will I be in trouble if I decide to fly back later than what I told the officer? Even if its well within the 90 days of the visa waiver?

[Boiler 45,949]

For the VWP it is 90 days or nothing.

[Dutch88 27]

For the VWP it is 90 days or nothing.

Yeah, thats what I was thinking. So if get entry into the states it doesnt matter if I stay 1 day or 90. I've never heard of people only getting entry for 14 days or something.

So with that in mind I was thinking it wasn't a bad idea.

[LionessDeon 2,060]

Couldn't you book the return portion of the ticket closer to the actual departure date? You stated you book the return portion for one week. Why so short if you know you'll be staying longer? Even if you end up purchasing a one way home this is still showing a more accurate length of stay. Just a thought.

[Unidentified 2,930]

Should be completely fine unless you're one of those unlucky ones that arrive on VWP and get a date stamp in your passport that says a way shorter time then the 90 days you should have gotten... So just to be safe I'd say give yourself more than just a week to be on the safe or make sure you know how long you'll be there before you go.

I've never had an issue getting my 90 days. Last trip I made I told the officer I was only going to be there for 3 weeks (which was true at the time) CBP officer gave me the full 90 days. I ended up re-booking my flight as we got our 90 days and figured I would at least stay until the Embassy got my case. Ended up staying about a month.

[Jawaree 718]

How you put it makes sense & theres some savings, however why complicate

things with CBP, this savings can very well work against you with such tickets,

there'll be questions regardless what evidence of ties to your country that you carry

[LORIEandPHIL 123]

How you put it makes sense & theres some savings, however why complicate

things with CBP, this savings can very well work against you with such tickets,

there'll be questions regardless what evidence of ties to your country that you carry

I used the VWP several times to enter and always got 90 days. I was NEVER asked about ties to my country. What ties would the OP. be able to show? they are planning to legally move here in the not to distant future.