VWP questions

[somuchtrouble 0]

Hi,

I have been looking on this website for a while now for information since i am planning a trip with my girlfriend for 90 days this year to LA. And lots of horror stories so got bit worried. We are Europeans and only once visited US in 2008 for less then 2 weeks. Now we want to go for 90 days to travel around, maybe costa rica also for a week.

We will have enough money with us around 10k dollars, will stay in apartment complex, rent car for that time etc etc. We will be most likely without a job so we can travel for 3 months but we will return again to UK after those 90 days. Will temporary be without a job and house in home country be a huge problem?

Since there are so many rejections stories here we were considering maybe even to book a 2 week ticket and then once there rebook and stay no longer then the 90 days VWP. Would this be possible, and what would be best for us to do?

So much trouble to go on a allowed 90 days VWP to just travel, not like you break any rules lol.

Thank you all so much for the help!!

Edited August 2, 2012 by somuchtrouble

[Que Saudade 284]

your girlfriend is a US citizen? or both of you European?

[EM_Vandaveer 2,408]

Hi,

I have been looking on this website for a while now for information since i am planning a trip with my girlfriend for 90 days this year to LA. And lots of horror stories so got bit worried. We are Europeans and only once visited US in 2008 for less then 2 weeks. Now we want to go for 90 days to travel around, maybe costa rica also for a week.

We will have enough money with us around 10k dollars, will stay in apartment complex, rent car for that time etc etc. We will be most likely without a job so we can travel for 3 months but we will return again to UK after those 90 days. Will temporary be without a job and house in home country be a huge problem?

Since there are so many rejections stories here we were considering maybe even to book a 2 week ticket and then once there rebook and stay no longer then the 90 days VWP. Would this be possible, and what would be best for us to do?

So much trouble to go on a allowed 90 days VWP to just travel, not like you break any rules lol.

Thank you all so much for the help!!

If you have been never been refused for the VWP and never overstayed on your earlier visit(s) to the US, than 99%, you'll get the VWP don't worry. The CBP officer at the border will determine how long you can stay and IF you can stay, but really should not be a problem. I just said "3 months" and that's what he stamped in there. (And I did not have 10,000 dollars LOL)

[somuchtrouble 0]

your girlfriend is a US citizen? or both of you European?

Both European unfortunately

[Que Saudade 284]

Both European unfortunately

You guys shouldn't have a problem. Provided nothing in your history of overstays or criminal activity.

[Moomin 292]

Yeah, enjoy your trip. Most of the horror stories you're referring to would probably be when traveling alone visiting a girlfriend/boyfriend in the US which is a completely different story, usually because one person is a US citizen. US citizens are aligible to petition for a spouse(if they were to get married). When you're both Europeans aaaand traveling together, it rarely seems as suspecious.

I'd however try to cut it down to 89 or 88 days only in case something goes wrong and you aren't stuck in the US beyond the 90th day.

--

Usually, people are more or less requested to show strong ties to home country, or at least be prepared to show it to a CBP officer upon request. Things taken out of context aren't relevant to you since you're on a forum for people who already have one foot planted on US soil - if not physically, then mentally.

An example is a friend of mine who had been traveling Asia for 6 months before she and a friend finally came to New York to spend a month. They were never questioned, nor had any problems despite being low on cash and not having been in home country for 6 months. It completely depends on your situation.

[somuchtrouble 0]

Thanks for all the replies. So what you think is better just to book a ticket for lets say 88 days or a 2 week flexible ticket and change return once I am there (this is what an american friend of mine advised)? Thanks again

[Moomin 292]

Thanks for all the replies. So what you think is better just to book a ticket for lets say 88 days or a 2 week flexible ticket and change return once I am there (this is what an american friend of mine advised)? Thanks again

As long as you don't overstay, then whichever you prefer is fine. I managed to miss my flight TWICE two days in a row, one of the times I was visited. Delta(or KLM; they do the codeshare, so I mixed them up) rebooked it both times, the second time for free. But definitely try to book it around the 88 days so you have a day to give from if anything goes wrong, so you still may use VWP another time

A flexible ticket is fine however most likely more expensive.

[Boiler 45,656]

Not all European Countries are eligible for the VWP. Seems like they are living in the UK.

[somuchtrouble 0]

I've been advised to go with like a 10 days ticket and then change it, as the 90 days with no strong ties to the UK might look suspicious and I dont want to risk that.

My question is, if I follow that advice and then change the ticket once there and stay for 89 days, the next time I enter the US after that (as they will notice this) what will happen?

[Boiler 45,656]

Probably

Assume they will.

[somuchtrouble 0]

Probably

Assume they will.

And will that be a problem? What do you think the consequences may be?

[somuchtrouble 0]

Have a friend that went for 90 days to new york and was sent back cause they thought she was going to try live there, thats why we are scared.

So what do you think? What would you do in our situation?

[Moomin 292]

Please only read this when looking at it as facts and not a scare tactic. People mostly tell you about bad experiences rather than "I was let in, woohoo!!", and you're less likely to read about the throusands of people who aren't even questioned.

Your travel history(arrival/departure record) is logged into a database. So yes, they will notice. The issue isn't whether or not a CBP officer will notice the travel pattern, the issue is if they see it as suspecious. It IS a big if. and it does depend on your situation, the CBP officer and the ties to home country you're able to show - if asked. That equation can't be done until you're going through immigration. Too many factors to take into consideration(like your friend who got refused).

Are you from a VWP country originally? The situation changes if you only have residency in UK(or any other VWP country) but originally from a different country.

You are allowed to change your departure date after your arrival. I did that when missing a flight, and I would've adored to stay an extra week the very first time.

I at one time didn't have any proof of returning other than a return ticket but was let right in with a smile. I might as well have been your friend who was refused. Answer briefly, truthfully when the CBP officer asks you. Don't try to rehearse what you'll say, it'll most likely make you nervous or it simplysounds rehearsed. No CBP officer will fall for that.

Enjoy your trip and please come back to leave some feedback.

Edited August 7, 2012 by moomin

[Harsh_77 718]

I've been advised to go with like a 10 days ticket and then change it, as the 90 days with no strong ties to the UK might look suspicious and I dont want to risk that.

My question is, if I follow that advice and then change the ticket once there and stay for 89 days, the next time I enter the US after that (as they will notice this) what will happen?

You think immigration is not aware of these things?

Immigration is mostly aware the way ppl try to tweak the system, you will have return ticket for 10 days, your itinerary would be for 80 days, you think that would add up?

Best and ultimate advice I can give is never lie or try to deceive immigration officer.