Multiple long visits on ESTA VWP How long before i can go back?

[concernedesta 2]

Ok so I went to USA end of september and came back a few days ago. I had originally booked 3 weeks but extended my trip whilst I was there. I am missing america soooo much and was planning to return in February, exactly 2 months after coming back to the UK. I want to stay for just under the 90 days.

Will this be ok? I know it says you can have as many visits as you like under the visa waiver program but it also says a reasonable length of time between visits. would two months be reasonable? I do not work I claim benefits in the UK so I would not be able to stay much longer than I plan to in the US. I can prove I have enough money to stay in the US without working. I would be staying with a friend. Would I be better off booking a shorter return trip of a couple of weeks and then paying to change my departure or because I did this before would that be a red flag? I just want some reassurance or advice really. Anybody else have experience with this? At the moment I am not even sure if I can hold out until February to go back. Please help!

[canadian_wife 1,827]

If asked at the border, what ties do you have to the UK?

You are visiting this 'friend' a lot

good luck

[concernedesta 2]

My ties are my whole family live here, mother father brothers grandfather etc. I am on state benefits and medication. Other than that I guess it would be rather awkward.

[canadian_wife 1,827]

How old are you? Family is not really considered a 'tie'. Most of us on here have left, or have asked our significant others to leave, behind their entire families.

Good luck

[concernedesta 2]

I am 26. I mean how much of an issue do you think it would be. It would only be my 2nd visit. I have read that normally on the 3rd trip they would pull you aside. Im just concerned and dont want to be focusing on february if i need to leave it until march?

[Hypnos 6,578]

I would expect to be asked further questions.

In general terms, you should aim to spend at least six months of the year outside the US on a tourist visa or VWP.

[sia82 10]

i'd wait at least 3 months since you were in the US for 3 months.. the longer the better anyway. they might ask more questions.

[az2014 381]

I can smell your desperation to enter the USA just by reading your posts...VWP is for visiting..not living..

[Transborderwife 4,666]

You may possibly be denied, as you rightly should be at this point

[concernedesta 2]

I stayed for 2 and a half months and would be in england for 2 months before going back... is that not a long enough wait? This is really not what I wanted to hear. I have no intention of working in america at all! Or moving there and after this trip I would not be considering returning for atleast 4 months. This is purely another long trip there. I had read somewhere that they would not grant a visitor visa as my trip would be less than 90 days so i should use the VWP. What would you suggest I do?

[MacUK 983]

The big question would be how you can afford so much time in the US while on benefits. Flights to the States ain't cheap.

Is this 'friend' more than a friend?

[sia82 10]

nobody can tell you if you will be denied or not. it's at your own risk. being unemployed for several months at 26 while not looking for work in your country, not studying and keeping travelling to the US, doesn't sound good. i'd say the CBP Officer would think the same, if he gets a bit deep with the questions. but who knows.

Edited December 14, 2015 by sia82

[Transborderwife 4,666]

The big question would be how you can afford so much time in the US while on benefits. Flights to the States ain't cheap.

Is this 'friend' more than a friend?

One must also question of the giver of the benefits is aware of the time away and if permitted by them. I know in Canada if on welfare or disability anything more than a week away from ones province results in a deduction or disqualification

[JFH 12,191]

I won't say what I really think here (as a UK taxpayer working full time despite being a stroke survivor with partial paralysis...)

OP, you are not only going to be questioned by the CBP regarding your visits but also by the DWP about your fitness/willingness to work and your long absences from the country. As a rule of thumb, spend as long away from the US as you spent here on your last trip. But I have a feeling you're going to do whatever you want, despite what anyone here says.

Please tell me how someone on benefits can afford several hundred pounds for a flight ticket and even more for subsistence in the US for over 2 months. This surely isn't what you are paid benefits for. Have you told them that you are having these long holidays out of the country?

[concernedesta 2]

Gosh this is not what I wanted to hear!

I was signed off from work when I was 16 so have never had a job and my benefits are fine as long as i spend 6months a year in the country. I can afford to travel as I saved my money for 10 years! The friend I would be staying with is just a friend but he is a male so would they assume it was a relationship? What are my options? If they may not let me in on the ESTA what can I do? I will ring the embassay tomorrow but I am guessing they will give the answer that you can make as many trips as long as their is a reasonable time between trips. What is a reasonable time though? Would I be better booking a shorter trip and then extending once I am in?