How to prove strong ties to home country when visiting the US on a VWP?

[A.P 1]

Hi, so with the recent travel ban restrictions lifted, me (beneficiary) alongside my entire family are planning on visiting my husband in the US sometime soon.

Due to Covid-19, we didn't get to have a proper wedding and just got legally married to start this process. 

My family will be visiting for a few weeks whereas I want to stay abit longer (2 months?) to have our 'wedding' with both our families this time.

 

However, I have recently graduated and am currently only doing temporary work with an agency as a supply teacher (I did not apply for a full-year teaching job at the time thinking my visa would have moved much further). I also live with my parents and so do not currently own any property, car or anything of that sort.

 

My question is, what other proof, besides a return ticket can I bring to when travelling as I feel like my link to my home country is weak, eventhough I fully intend on returning?

I could try to get a letter from my work agency but the whole premise of that is it is temporary work (a few days to a month), I choose when to work and work is not booked until the very end.

 

[Crazy Cat 41,894]

18 minutes ago, A.P said:

Hi, so with the recent travel ban restrictions lifted, me (beneficiary) alongside my entire family are planning on visiting my husband in the US sometime soon.

Due to Covid-19, we didn't get to have a proper wedding and just got legally married to start this process. 

My family will be visiting for a few weeks whereas I want to stay abit longer (2 months?) to have our 'wedding' with both our families this time.

 

However, I have recently graduated and am currently only doing temporary work with an agency as a supply teacher (I did not apply for a full-year teaching job at the time thinking my visa would have moved much further). I also live with my parents and so do not currently own any property, car or anything of that sort.

 

My question is, what other proof, besides a return ticket can I bring to when travelling as I feel like my link to my home country is weak, eventhough I fully intend on returning?

I could try to get a letter from my work agency but the whole premise of that is it is temporary work (a few days to a month), I choose when to work and work is not booked until the very end.

 

Job documentation

School documentation

Lease documentation

Anything showing you need to return

A return ticket is REQUIRED for VWP travel.

 

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Tourist Visas forum; topic pertains to visiting on an ESTA.

[A.P 1]

On 9/22/2021 at 9:18 PM, Crazy Cat said:

Job documentation

School documentation

Lease documentation

Anything showing you need to return

A return ticket is REQUIRED for VWP travel.

 

I don't have any school nor lease documentation. & my 'job' is temporary so would end before I travel?

Is there anything else that can be possibly used?

[Crazy Cat 41,894]

1 minute ago, A.P said:

I don't have any school nor lease documentation. & my 'job' is temporary so would end before I travel?

Is there anything else that can be possibly used?

Put yourself in the shoes of the officer.  What would convince you that the traveler intends to return?  Everyone who requests entry into the US is already, by law, presumed to have intent to stay.  

[jakelake 222]

Not sure what a proper wedding means but you did a legal wedding and so that is what matters. 

You have a pending case and so in the eyes of USCIS, you may decide not to return to your country and instead file to adjust your status.

If you and your family really want to see your husband, he can visit you and your family in your country.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

21 minutes ago, jakelake said:

Not sure what a proper wedding means but you did a legal wedding and so that is what matters. 

 

Marriage = legal union 

Wedding = celebrations of that legal union 

many people have these at the same time but many do not for various reasons, including those who need a legal marriage to start the immigration process but do a celebration with family and friends at a later date  

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

On 9/22/2021 at 12:57 PM, A.P said:

Hi, so with the recent travel ban restrictions lifted, me (beneficiary) alongside my entire family are planning on visiting my husband in the US sometime soon.

Due to Covid-19, we didn't get to have a proper wedding and just got legally married to start this process. 

My family will be visiting for a few weeks whereas I want to stay abit longer (2 months?) to have our 'wedding' with both our families this time.

 

However, I have recently graduated and am currently only doing temporary work with an agency as a supply teacher (I did not apply for a full-year teaching job at the time thinking my visa would have moved much further). I also live with my parents and so do not currently own any property, car or anything of that sort.

 

My question is, what other proof, besides a return ticket can I bring to when travelling as I feel like my link to my home country is weak, eventhough I fully intend on returning?

I could try to get a letter from my work agency but the whole premise of that is it is temporary work (a few days to a month), I choose when to work and work is not booked until the very end.

 

It’s a little tricky when you don’t have proper ties. Possibly think of it maybe as more what not to bring.  Don’t bring all your civil documents. Don’t bring a resume. Don’t bring 3 suitcases full of clothes that will last for weather beyond the season you are arriving in. Do expect to be questioned by CBP- you can be honest about it, you miss him, you want to spend time, you want to have a celebration before going back to wait the rest if the process out. 

[jakelake 222]

This is really not a unique situation. Many people have to go through this process and wait for the celebrations later. Many people are waiting months and sometimes years before getting approval.

Again, if you miss him, then he can come and visit you. 

[A.P 1]

1 hour ago, SusieQQQ said:

It’s a little tricky when you don’t have proper ties. Possibly think of it maybe as more what not to bring.  Don’t bring all your civil documents. Don’t bring a resume. Don’t bring 3 suitcases full of clothes that will last for weather beyond the season you are arriving in. Do expect to be questioned by CBP- you can be honest about it, you miss him, you want to spend time, you want to have a celebration before going back to wait the rest if the process out. 

Just for extra clarity, why do you suggest not bringing all my civil documents -  to show I do intend on returning as I have important documents awaiting me?

Edited September 25, 2021 by A.P

[A.P 1]

1 hour ago, jakelake said:

Not sure what a proper wedding means but you did a legal wedding and so that is what matters. 

You have a pending case and so in the eyes of USCIS, you may decide not to return to your country and instead file to adjust your status.

If you and your family really want to see your husband, he can visit you and your family in your country.

As @SusieQQQ explained, whilst we are legally married, we do not get to celebrate a 'wedding' due to Covid last year, which is also very important in our culture to be viewed as a married couple officially.

My husband has visited my country, but it is hard for the rest of his family to come visit as oppose to mines going to the US to have a wedding celebration.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

8 minutes ago, A.P said:

Just for extra clarity, why do you suggest not bringing all my civil documents -  to show I do intend on returning as I have important documents awaiting me?

Well, you wouldn’t normally bring those on vacation, would you? Have you ever taken your birth certificate on holiday with you?!

on the other hand if you were planning to stay and immigrate you’d need them.

[jakelake 222]

3 hours ago, A.P said:

As @SusieQQQ explained, whilst we are legally married, we do not get to celebrate a 'wedding' due to Covid last year, which is also very important in our culture to be viewed as a married couple officially.

My husband has visited my country, but it is hard for the rest of his family to come visit as oppose to mines going to the US to have a wedding celebration.

As already stated, you are not the only one in this situation. Many people have not had the chance for a celebration because of Covid-19. In fact, prior to Covid, many have had to wait months and even years before approval.

 

This is not meant to discourage you, but several thousands of people, if not hundreds of thousands, go through this every year.

 

 

Edited September 25, 2021 by jakelake
Edit

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

Just now, jakelake said:

As already stated, you are not the only one in this situation. Many people have not had the chance for a celebration because of Covid-19. In fact, prior to Covid, many have had to wait months and even years before approval.

 

 

Not sure why you are being so aggressive towards this poster. Yes, many people are in the same position, but if OP and family have the chance to celebrate in the foreseeable future why shouldn’t they? If she has the chance to visit, as many VWP people in particular do during this process, why shouldn’t she? If she is the one who does not have a permanent job and the husband does (I don’t know this for a fact but assuming he does to sponsor her), especially given how poor Americans’ vacation allowance is, why shouldn’t she be the one to visit him rather than the other way round?  

[jakelake 222]

34 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

Not sure why you are being so aggressive towards this poster. Yes, many people are in the same position, but if OP and family have the chance to celebrate in the foreseeable future why shouldn’t they? If she has the chance to visit, as many VWP people in particular do during this process, why shouldn’t she? If she is the one who does not have a permanent job and the husband does (I don’t know this for a fact but assuming he does to sponsor her), especially given how poor Americans’ vacation allowance is, why shouldn’t she be the one to visit him rather than the other way round?  

I am not being aggressive. She should certainly try to get a visa. I am just being realistic.

We all wish things would go faster or a certain way. Unfortunately, that is not how things go in life.

Many people are in the same situation of not being able to celebrate a marriage. You have the chance of getting a visa, that many people don't, then do so.

It's just that you don't have very convincing evidence that shows you intend on going back to your country.

The only way to find out is if you apply.