Time between ESTA visits

[aphex 0]

Hi. I live in the UK and my partner lives in the US. So far I have visited him 3 times as follows:

 

Feb 2023 - 1 month stay

Nov 2023 - 2 week stay

Feb 2024 - 2 week stay

 

On my last visit, the officer I spoke to mentioned to start bringing proof of my ties back home as visiting frequently can look suspicious. I am planning on visiting again for 1 week in May and was wondering if that would be enough time between visits or if I should postpone the visit. I last left on 24th Feb and would be re-entering on the 22nd May. I don't want to risk losing the privilege of the ESTA so not sure if I should leave more time between the visit. This would be the last time I see my partner until the end of the year.

 

Thanks in advance!

[wildbug100420 102]

1 hour ago, aphex said:

Hi. I live in the UK and my partner lives in the US. So far I have visited him 3 times as follows:

 

Feb 2023 - 1 month stay

Nov 2023 - 2 week stay

Feb 2024 - 2 week stay

 

On my last visit, the officer I spoke to mentioned to start bringing proof of my ties back home as visiting frequently can look suspicious. I am planning on visiting again for 1 week in May and was wondering if that would be enough time between visits or if I should postpone the visit. I last left on 24th Feb and would be re-entering on the 22nd May. I don't want to risk losing the privilege of the ESTA so not sure if I should leave more time between the visit. This would be the last time I see my partner until the end of the year.

 

Thanks in advance!

Maybe your partner can visit you? Sounds like a lot of frequent visits 

[TabeaK 517]

These don't really look like suspicious frequent visits to me. Short stays each time, you returned as planned. I think you are fine. I visited my partner more frequently back in the day...

 

But to cross your ts and dot your is, bring along evidence that you are returning (rental agreement, job contract, evidence of approved vacation time).

[aphex 0]

20 minutes ago, TabeaK said:

These don't really look like suspicious frequent visits to me. Short stays each time, you returned as planned. I think you are fine. I visited my partner more frequently back in the day...

 

But to cross your ts and dot your is, bring along evidence that you are returning (rental agreement, job contract, evidence of approved vacation time).

This was my thinking too and it's reassuring hearing that someone has visited more often and been fine before (although I know it's ultimately down to the discretion of the officer at the boarder). I just don't want to wait so long to see my partner again so wanted a small trip in the meantime to make the waiting more bearable  

[Boiler 45,467]

That is within the normal allowance of UK holiday allowance, I would take a letter from your Employer just in case and just to be shown if the question comes up.

[yuna628 9,671]

I don't see anything really suspicious that stands out about those visits. There was a period of time when my husband would visit twice a year usually on his university breaks. Besides his first visit he was never questioned. It might be good to take some sort of employer letter as proof. I'd say we certainly would leave larger gaps in-between visits (if he came in spring he wouldn't return until winter). Perhaps the officer thought a visit in Nov and then again in Feb was too soon. 

[Redro 4,611]

2 hours ago, aphex said:

This was my thinking too and it's reassuring hearing that someone has visited more often and been fine before (although I know it's ultimately down to the discretion of the officer at the boarder). I just don't want to wait so long to see my partner again so wanted a small trip in the meantime to make the waiting more bearable  

The first month long trip in Feb might have also triggered the discussion as officer might have assumed you were looking at another month long visit this Feb. 

Personally another visit in May seems too quick to me. I would wait until the summer UNLESS May is when you have the time. 
Also, not knowing about your type of employment/ your situation you might want to consider delaying a trip so soon. 
If you’re a student. I would delay OR if you are someone who works from home and doesn’t have to go into the office I would delay the trip. 
If you’re in a more established career with a home you own, I would visit. 
Either way, expect a visit to secondary on your next trip and feel good/ lucky if it doesn’t happen. 

[aphex 0]

2 minutes ago, Redro said:

The first month long trip in Feb might have also triggered the discussion as officer might have assumed you were looking at another month long visit this Feb. 

Personally another visit in May seems too quick to me. I would wait until the summer UNLESS May is when you have the time. 
Also, not knowing about your type of employment/ your situation you might want to consider delaying a trip so soon. 
If you’re a student. I would delay OR if you are someone who works from home and doesn’t have to go into the office I would delay the trip. 
If you’re in a more established career with a home you own, I would visit. 
Either way, expect a visit to secondary on your next trip and feel good/ lucky if it doesn’t happen. 

May is the only time I'm able to book off currently due to other people in my department booking at peak times during the summer. I work an office job with no remote working - in the office all week. I know secondary is a possibility, which is kind of scary as I know they can turn you away if they want to. I don't want to wait another 9 months to see him again but if that would be the safer option it is something to consider.

[Redro 4,611]

19 minutes ago, aphex said:

May is the only time I'm able to book off currently due to other people in my department booking at peak times during the summer. I work an office job with no remote working - in the office all week. I know secondary is a possibility, which is kind of scary as I know they can turn you away if they want to. I don't want to wait another 9 months to see him again but if that would be the safer option it is something to consider.

You need to figure out your own risk tolerance. No one can tell you what will happen. You could breeze through on your next visit or you could have a little visit to secondary or you could be asked to return to the UK. If you consider worst case scenario, you’re likely not visiting the US until you receive an immigrant visa. Best case scenario you’re able to visit every 3-6 months without issue. 

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

5 hours ago, aphex said:

Hi. I live in the UK and my partner lives in the US. So far I have visited him 3 times as follows:

 

Feb 2023 - 1 month stay

Nov 2023 - 2 week stay

Feb 2024 - 2 week stay

 

On my last visit, the officer I spoke to mentioned to start bringing proof of my ties back home as visiting frequently can look suspicious. I am planning on visiting again for 1 week in May and was wondering if that would be enough time between visits or if I should postpone the visit. I last left on 24th Feb and would be re-entering on the 22nd May. I don't want to risk losing the privilege of the ESTA so not sure if I should leave more time between the visit. This would be the last time I see my partner until the end of the year.

 

Thanks in advance!

Your visits seem to be short and infrequent.   I wouldn't worry.  Just bring an employment letter with you. 

[discoverusa 258]

Any chance your partner can travel to UK? 

Aside from esta worries, shouldn't the partner return the favor and not have you travel all the time.

[Sukie 1,459]

It's hard to predict what a Border Officer will do - and you might catch one on a good day, and one on a bad day.  Prior to our marriage and subsequent immigration journey, my partner did get a warning when she came through one time.  Scared her to death.  And we were visiting for MUCH longer times than you were.  And we got through ok.

 

The suggestions above are good.  Bring the letters, etc. with you, just in case.

 

Best of luck!

 

Sukie in NY