Doing research and visiting my US partner on ESTA

[Rocio0010 5,697]

Just now, Happy_go_lucky said:

Is that okay to do like that? 

It's the only way to do it, unless you get another visa for your research.

 

1 minute ago, Happy_go_lucky said:

I asked the US consulate in Frankfurt via email. Also asked the CBP information office. Both said it should be fine.

Then I would print those "confirmations" out, and take them with you for when you enter the US. You might not have to show them, but if the need arises, then you're better prepared.

[Rocio0010 5,697]

1 minute ago, Happy_go_lucky said:

I am sorry, I find your comments very hurtful

Sorry, but I am just trying to point out your "inconsistencies" (so to speak) before you actually try to attempt it with CBP. Probably you have not dealt with CBP a lot, and you can expect to get asked the same type of questions that I am asking here. If a stranger on the internet that does not have anything to do with CBP sees some inconsistencies, you can bet CBP has seen that movie before, too. I know you have all the intentions to do things the right way. I believe in you. CBP does not have any obligation to do so, and will make a decision based on the answers you give them when attempting to enter. The first thing they try to pick is inconsistencies such as the one you have presented here.

 

4 minutes ago, Happy_go_lucky said:

There seem to be a lot of assumptions

CBP will also make those assumptions.

 

4 minutes ago, Happy_go_lucky said:

I could take the time to explain my whole research area and what it is all about, but that has nothing to do with regard to my questions

You are under no obligation to explain it to me or anyone here, but since the purpose of your trip is to do some research, it has EVERYTHING to do with your questions. Otherwise, if you were not doing this research, this trip would not happen (at least that's my understanding based on how you have presented your facts).

 

Sorry if I hurt you. I am just trying to help. Good luck with everything.

[Happy_go_lucky 9]

1 hour ago, Rocio0010 said:

It's the only way to do it, unless you get another visa for your research.

 

Then I would print those "confirmations" out, and take them with you for when you enter the US. You might not have to show them, but if the need arises, then you're better prepared.

That is the question whether I need a visa for my research. After reading the guidelines of ESTA and the B1/B2 tourist visa, after the emails of the consulate and CBP offices, after reading on this topic on US universities homepages, and other academic's testimonies that it should be fine, I think it is okay to do with ESTA or a tourist visa due to the facts presented: No US institution involved that pays me or benefits, no collaboration, I am not taking any classes (even though that would be allowed to do up until a certain amount of hours/week) and won't get any credits.

Yes, I will definitely print these emails out and will bring the following:

• confirmation of my university about the purpose of my trip and my enrollment
• confirmation of my thesis and the date of my thesis defense at home from my thesis supervisors
• confirmation of my part time job that I am on leave and when I am expected back at work
• payslips
• proof of my apartment in Germany

[Happy_go_lucky 9]

1 hour ago, Rocio0010 said:

Sorry, but I am just trying to point out your "inconsistencies" (so to speak) before you actually try to attempt it with CBP. Probably you have not dealt with CBP a lot, and you can expect to get asked the same type of questions that I am asking here. If a stranger on the internet that does not have anything to do with CBP sees some inconsistencies, you can bet CBP has seen that movie before, too. I know you have all the intentions to do things the right way. I believe in you. CBP does not have any obligation to do so, and will make a decision based on the answers you give them when attempting to enter. The first thing they try to pick is inconsistencies such as the one you have presented here.

 

CBP will also make those assumptions.

 

You are under no obligation to explain it to me or anyone here, but since the purpose of your trip is to do some research, it has EVERYTHING to do with your questions. Otherwise, if you were not doing this research, this trip would not happen (at least that's my understanding based on how you have presented your facts).

 

Sorry if I hurt you. I am just trying to help. Good luck with everything.

I am sorry, too. My anxiety has gotten the best of me! I know that you - and everyone else who commented - means well and just wants to help. Unfortunately, I have taken it personally and for that I would like to apologize. Let me take a moment to thank everyone again who read and commented on this thread, thank you for taking that time!!

So, I will try to explain my research: My Master's degree is in Professional Public Decision Making. I am doing research on the implementation of deliberative mini-publics, i.e. civic assemblies and the effects certain values of deliberative democracy have on 1. problem-solving and 2. the participants. The concept of deliberative democracy and civic assemblies is not new (look at Aristotle), but the ways in which it is implemented and possibly institutionalized are. There is overall not much in-depth empirical research on actual cases, which is why I would like to do this study. Many cases in Germany are ad hoc, one time cases and the problems discussed are not very controversial, more in the realms of city planning. In the case in the US, however, ordinary citizens were asked to come up with new solutions to the issue of youth homelessness. In that area, it is a controversial topic and I want to find out in which regards this civic assembly has found different policy recommendations through a deliberative process. There are two NGOs involved in the process, one of which is Democracy Next with their leader Claudia Chwalisz, who has written many papers on this topic, I read her a lot during my studies. It would be an honor for me to meet her.

Yes, you are right, regardless, I could have just found a case study in Germany as well. Why the US? I have many ties to the US and North America in general: I was an exchange student in Canada in high school, I have a Bachelor's degree in North American Studies, I was an exchange student at Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, I have been working for the Canadian embassy in Berlin as well as the German Academic Exchange Service with a focus on North America - and I have a personal tie now due to my American partner whom I met while I was an exchange student in Bellingham. He followed me to Germany afterwards, we broke up eventually, got back together and are trying to figure out this long distance relationship plus are making plans to move to the same country, Germany.

So, overall, yes, you can definitely argue that for a tiny Master's thesis of 80-100 pages I could just do a case study in Germany. Due to my explained ties to North America I was intrigued to do it there - and to combine my studies with visiting my boyfriend who is still living there as of now. And yes, I could also do the interviews online, although not all of them. Some participants have medical conditions and/or are older and I can only do the interviews in person. Also, an interview in person has a different quality than one online.

So, these are my honest facts. I am sorry about the confusion earlier.

[Happy_go_lucky 9]

To add: I have had many experiences with CBP due to being an exchange student and multiple visits. Port of entries varied, I have done both land borders and airport entries. I have always been honest, also when I visited my friends in the US and Canada in the past. I crossed land borders with my American/Canadian friends in the car and was questioned where we all know each other from - but that was it.

I have also talked to two former colleagues of mine from the German Academic Exchange Service and they confirmed that almost no researcher acquires a research visa for a short research, they all use ESTA/tourist visas. 

So, I think, in the end, it is up to the CBP officer and nobody can say for sure whether things will work out or not.

I can offer to update this thread when I travel.

Edited March 20 by Happy_go_lucky

[Ontarkie 14,707]

You do not need a different visa. You're working on a school project you can do that on ESTA. You already confirmed that. Can CBP see it differently sure, we can't read their minds. 

When you arrive at CBP all you do is answer their questions. Visiting your BF while you work on your school thesis and see the sites. 

[SalishSea 18,367]

12 hours ago, Happy_go_lucky said:

I was an exchange student at Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA,

One of my kids has a degree in neuroscience from WWU.  He loved it there.  Great school!

[Happy_go_lucky 9]

8 hours ago, SalishSea said:

One of my kids has a degree in neuroscience from WWU.  He loved it there.  Great school!

Wow, neuroscience, so cool! WWU is fantastic! Studied English literature, linguistics and political science (my second Bachelor) there and had such a great time! Additionally, for lovers of outdoor activities like me it is a true paradise.

Edited March 21 by Happy_go_lucky

[Cathi 5,813]

On 3/19/2025 at 7:43 AM, Happy_go_lucky said:

And NO I have zero interest in staying in the US.

Understood, BUT millions who have gone before you have said the same and proceeded to do the opposite. You don't need to convince me, it's convincing CBP you need to worry about. I know it's discouraging and no on is telling you it's impossible, we're just letting you know the reality that it will be an uphill battle. 

[Cathi 5,813]

On 3/19/2025 at 4:34 AM, Happy_go_lucky said:

Doing interviews for a school project that is unpaid is not considered work in this case. I have confirmed it with the US embassy.

It's not up to the embassy (DOS) to make that decision.

[Cathi 5,813]

On 3/20/2025 at 10:47 AM, Happy_go_lucky said:

My anxiety has gotten the best of me! I know that you - and everyone else who commented - means well and just wants to help. Unfortunately, I have taken it personally and for that I would like to apologize. Let me take a moment to thank everyone again who read and commented on this thread, thank you for taking that time!!


 

Anxiety can get the best if us all, it's very big of you to apologize.

I know you said that this thread has been discouraging, I get it, you need to understand that people here are only telling you the truth of the matter. No one here is going to give you false expectations, that wouldn't be fair to you. Immigration is very stressful when coming to the US, even in the best of circumstances. The current administration is looking to stop most immigration/visas to this country, unless you fall into the billionaire class. Every last detail will be put under a microscope and scrutinized.

I wish you the best.

Edited March 22 by Cathi

[Happy_go_lucky 9]

16 hours ago, Cathi said:

Understood, BUT millions who have gone before you have said the same and proceeded to do the opposite. You don't need to convince me, it's convincing CBP you need to worry about. I know it's discouraging and no on is telling you it's impossible, we're just letting you know the reality that it will be an uphill battle. 

I completely understand and that was the reason why I posted in this forum: To get advice from people who have gone maybe through a similar situation  Yes, I know that I have to convince CBP that I am not planning to do anything illegal. Therefore, I will bring proof of all the ties to Germany, the date of my thesis defense, and when I am expected back at my part time job. I am very, very anxious about the whole situation and have not made a decision regarding what I should do. On the one hand: I want to allow enough time there so that I can conduct all the interviews and attend a couple of council sessions as an observer. I also realize that the rejection rate of ESTA travelers is very low and many people even do long trips, including research trips, without any issues. My travel history in the US is great, too, I always left when I said I would, no overstays etc. On the other hand: I realize that staying 10 weeks in total may be too long/cause too much scrutiny/too suspicious in the eyes of the CBP officer. I thought that I can spend a couple of weeks "off" after my research and spend time with my boyfriend, but maybe that is not possible on this trip. 

Edited March 22 by Happy_go_lucky

[Happy_go_lucky 9]

16 hours ago, Cathi said:

It's not up to the embassy (DOS) to make that decision.

I know that the CBP officer is making that decision. However, it was good to ask the CBP information office and the consulate regarding whether a different visa is needed regarding my research trip.

[Happy_go_lucky 9]

Update: Just got another email from the CBP information office (got two emails now regarding my one inquiry, but the more the better!) and thought I would share it, in case someone else is a student like me and wants to conduct research/is on a field research trip in the US:

"Thank you for contacting the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Information Center.

You can enter the US with an ESTA for the Visa Waiver Program to conduct the research. The business activities allowed are similar to a B1 visa.

https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-visitors-for-business/b-1-temporary-business-visitor

For International Visitors
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors

Visa Waiver Program
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/visa-waiver-program

ESTA
https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/"
 

Edited Monday at 09:21 PM by Happy_go_lucky