Visiting on an ESTA/Proving ties

[Theodora 2]

Hello

 

If everything goes well, I'm planning on visiting my boyfriend in March/April, and stay for like a month, max two (we're still deciding). I know that I need to prove ties so they will let me in, but I can't show a lease or a job contract because I moved in with my dad knowing that I would be out of a job by then, and it's the reason why I can go and visit my boyfriend since having that time off would allow me to spend a few weeks out of the country ,and luckily I also have some savings, although I don't own a house or a car.

 

I'm not planning on staying, I'm actually continuing my university degree in September after a few years off, but I don't know if showing my university's paperwork will be enough. I'm also travelling in June to see my sister who's looking to get pregnant and I have my plane tickets for this. Would it help? Anything else I could do? I'm desperate to see him, it's been a year, and having to spend 14 days in a non-banned country makes it very difficult to visit while having a job.

 

I know that no one can tell me for sure if they will let me in, of course, but I'd love some feedback and ideas.

 

Thank you.

Edited January 25, 2021 by Theodora

[Dashinka 24,494]

You can only show what you have.  Generally, work/property ties are considered the strongest, but who knows.

 

Good Luck!

[millefleur 5,046]

4 hours ago, Theodora said:

I'm also travelling in June to see my sister who's looking to get pregnant and I have my plane tickets for this.

So you have return tickets already booked? Seems it would be minimum to show that and emphasize your obligation to return.

 

Also: pack light. Don't bring a bunch of stuff with you which makes it look like you're planning to say. If necessary, pack as light as possible and buy stuff when you get here. We've seen people here get the third degree or even barred from entering who came on ESTA to visit their fiancé(e) and had overloaded bags, which led CBP assume they were moving and not just coming for a visit. Don't have any messages on your phone between you and the boyfriend that could even be remotely interpreted as you moving there.....even some kind of naive wish like "if only we lived together already!" might be interpreted by CBP as "plans to move to the US" especially if you have a ton of luggage with you.

Edited January 25, 2021 by millefleur

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

^ watch a few episodes of the US edition of border security! Definitely see that on there. 
 

 

[Theodora 2]

20 hours ago, Dashinka said:

You can only show what you have.  Generally, work/property ties are considered the strongest, but who knows.

 

Good Luck!

Honestly, I absolutely never had issues with visiting before but since I'm going to invest so much in this trip (I have two spend two weeks abroad before taking a plante to the US...) I'd rather make sure they know. Thank you!

 

15 hours ago, millefleur said:

So you have return tickets already booked? Seems it would be minimum to show that and emphasize your obligation to return.

 

Also: pack light. Don't bring a bunch of stuff with you which makes it look like you're planning to say. If necessary, pack as light as possible and buy stuff when you get here. We've seen people here get the third degree or even barred from entering who came on ESTA to visit their fiancé(e) and had overloaded bags, which led CBP assume they were moving and not just coming for a visit. Don't have any messages on your phone between you and the boyfriend that could even be remotely interpreted as you moving there.....even some kind of naive wish like "if only we lived together already!" might be interpreted by CBP as "plans to move to the US" especially if you have a ton of luggage with you.

Thank you so much!! I always pack light but it's good to know!

 

I haven't booked any of the tickets yet, I want to wait a little bit longer just to make sure (although you neer know these days) that the country I will spend the two weeks prior to my flight to the US doesn't get "banned" (probably Croatia). I do have the plane tickets to visit my sister because she lives in Spain as well.

I've gone a couple of times to the US and I always had my return tickets already booked. I never encountered any issues when arriving (and I was also between jobs both times), but after doing some reading around here I kinda freaked out a bit.

 

14 hours ago, SusieQQQ said:

^ watch a few episodes of the US edition of border security! Definitely see that on there. 
 

 

I was avoiding that because I have a tendency to worry way too much, but I think I will just in case, thank you!!

[Crazy Cat 41,846]

6 minutes ago, Theodora said:

I've gone a couple of times to the US and I always had my return tickets already booked.

It is required for VWP visitors.  

[Theodora 2]

7 minutes ago, Lucky Cat said:

It is required for VWP visitors.  

Ok. I didn't know it was a requirement, and she asked. I always book a return flight whenever I travel. 

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi,

 

University plans may help.

 

Visiting your sister will not.

Edited January 26, 2021 by aaron2020

[Theodora 2]

45 minutes ago, aaron2020 said:

Hi,

 

University plans may help.

 

Visiting your sister will not.

Good to know, thanks!! 

[Megadreams 81]

During my IR1 process I visited the US multiple times (even for up to 3 months, the maximum) using the VWP without a job nor being in school AND living with my mom. Never had a problem entering. Just be honest, pack light as those above stated, have your return ticket ready and you'll be fine. The fact that you got paperwork showing that you intend to continue your studies back home will definitely be of help but I doubt you'd have to present them unless you do give them a reason to suspect you (do take it with you however).

[aaron2020 11,651]

18 hours ago, Theodora said:

Honestly, I absolutely never had issues with visiting before but since I'm going to invest so much in this trip (I have two spend two weeks abroad before taking a plante to the US...) I'd rather make sure they know. Thank you!

 

Thank you so much!! I always pack light but it's good to know!

 

I haven't booked any of the tickets yet, I want to wait a little bit longer just to make sure (although you neer know these days) that the country I will spend the two weeks prior to my flight to the US doesn't get "banned" (probably Croatia). I do have the plane tickets to visit my sister because she lives in Spain as well.

I've gone a couple of times to the US and I always had my return tickets already booked. I never encountered any issues when arriving (and I was also between jobs both times), but after doing some reading around here I kinda freaked out a bit.

 

I was avoiding that because I have a tendency to worry way too much, but I think I will just in case, thank you!!

Are there direct flights from Croatia to the US?  If you have a layover in a Schengen country or the UK, you'll wouldn't be able to continue on the next leg to the US.  

 

[Theodora 2]

11 hours ago, Megadreams said:

During my IR1 process I visited the US multiple times (even for up to 3 months, the maximum) using the VWP without a job nor being in school AND living with my mom. Never had a problem entering. Just be honest, pack light as those above stated, have your return ticket ready and you'll be fine. The fact that you got paperwork showing that you intend to continue your studies back home will definitely be of help but I doubt you'd have to present them unless you do give them a reason to suspect you (do take it with you however).

Thank you for your input!! I've never been worried about this and never encountered any issues, but after reading some experiences in this forum I started to stress (I'm that type of person) but yeah, you're right, I'll be honest and hope for the best

 

2 hours ago, aaron2020 said:

Are there direct flights from Croatia to the US?  If you have a layover in a Schengen country or the UK, you'll wouldn't be able to continue on the next leg to the US.  

 

Yes, thank you! I already checked and there are multiple flights with layover in Istanbul!