82 days on ESTA

[Kot_kreskowy 0]

Hi everyone. I’m currently in US and I think I made a mistake of staying 82 days. My bf lives here. I told CPB that I’ll leave after a month but plans changed and I stayed longer. I wanted to come back sometime in August/September but now I’m terrified I’ll be denied entry due to my really long stay. Am I at high risk? How long should I stay away? 

[Boiler 45,458]

There is always a risk, they might wonder how you are able to visit for so long, what you do. 

[Daphne . 1,852]

Keep your next stay shorter than this one for sure. How were you able to stay this long? Do you have a job? 

[Kot_kreskowy 0]

30 minutes ago, Boiler said:

There is always a risk, they might wonder how you are able to visit for so long, what you do. 

I’m working in retail. They allowed me long vacation. But I plan to change jobs so I’m sure I won’t be able to take off that long. Not even a month I think 

Yes I do have a job 

 

[Kot_kreskowy 0]

Is 8 months enough because I know there’s no rules but I’m wondering. I can aim for the end of the year. It’ll be closer to staying away from us for a year 

[Daphne . 1,852]

Just now, Kot_kreskowy said:

Is 8 months enough because I know there’s no rules but I’m wondering. I can aim for the end of the year. It’ll be closer to staying away from us for a year 

I don’t see a lot of issues there, just make sure to have a shorter visit than you had now.

 

I was able to visit my bf/fiancé/husband throughout our entire relationship, even after we started the spousal visa process. I visited for 2 weeks every 3-4 months. I had a stable job/life and never had any issues visiting. 

[Kot_kreskowy 0]

3 minutes ago, Daphne . said:

I don’t see a lot of issues there, just make sure to have a shorter visit than you had now.

 

I was able to visit my bf/fiancé/husband throughout our entire relationship, even after we started the spousal visa process. I visited for 2 weeks every 3-4 months. I had a stable job/life and never had any issues visiting. 

Thank you that’s reassuring. Other people told me that cpb won’t believe me this time and I’ll be denied 

[Daphne . 1,852]

7 minutes ago, Kot_kreskowy said:

Thank you that’s reassuring. Other people told me that cpb won’t believe me this time and I’ll be denied 

CBP is strict because there are plenty of people who try to enter on a non-immigrant visa or Esta and will try to stay. So make sure that you keep your job (or get the other one you mentioned), have shorter visits and don’t extend your stay once you’re in the US. CBP will see a clean travel history (you leave the US as scheduled every time) and that will help! 

Edited January 3 by Daphne .

[Kot_kreskowy 0]

52 minutes ago, Daphne . said:

Keep your next stay shorter than this one for sure. How were you able to stay this long? Do you have a job? 

 

4 minutes ago, Daphne . said:

CBP is strict because there are plenty of people who try to enter on a non-immigrant visa or Esta and will try to stay. So make sure that you keep your job (or get the other one you mentioned), have shorter visits and don’t extend your stay once you’re in the US. CBP will see a clean travel history (you leave the US as scheduled every time) and that will help! 

That’s understandable. I’m just hoping I won’t run in trouble, it’s just my first visit 

[Daphne . 1,852]

8 minutes ago, Kot_kreskowy said:

 

That’s understandable. I’m just hoping I won’t run in trouble, it’s just my first visit 

But you are thinking about doing the next one more by the end of the year, right? So that will be a healthy amount of time in between visits. 

[millefleur 5,046]

20 minutes ago, Kot_kreskowy said:

Thank you that’s reassuring. Other people told me that cpb won’t believe me this time and I’ll be denied 

Don't have any messages on your phone that could be construed as plans to stay, also don't overpack and bring a lot of luggage. We've seen both such cases on VJ were people were turned away for such reasons. 

[Kot_kreskowy 0]

3 minutes ago, Daphne . said:

But you are thinking about doing the next one more by the end of the year, right? So that will be a healthy amount of time in between visits. 

Depends on finances. August/September would be perfect but I’m not sure if it’s not too early 

[Daphne . 1,852]

20 minutes ago, Kot_kreskowy said:

Depends on finances. August/September would be perfect but I’m not sure if it’s not too early 

Aim for a couple of weeks in September? 

[SalishSea 17,818]

1 hour ago, Kot_kreskowy said:

Thank you that’s reassuring. Other people told me that cpb won’t believe me this time and I’ll be denied 

They may assume you’re working illegally in the U.S.

[ShazShaz 32]

Please leave soon and do not overstay this visit. 
 

When I had ESTA previously, I stayed for 85days, left for 6mths and came back for another 85days. I was truthful when asked in my second visit that I was planning to get married, apply for spousal visa, travel and then leave  before my 90 days as I am fully law abiding. So… be truthful, don’t overstay and show reasons why you won’t “break the law”.