US Address / residency

[Aggie 0]

Hi,

I am travelling to the US on a B1/B2 tourist visa. The airline is asking me for the address in the US and I wanted to put the same address as the one on the visa application. I will be eventually staying there for few days and it's also the address of my friend that I am visiting there. BA however told me I should put the details of where I'm spending my first night in the States. Now, that will be a small hotel at a sea side in NJ. I don't know how important all this is but which address should I use in the advanced information and on the landing card? Will I have to show my reservation at the hotel? This might be a problem for me as we made it over the phone and sent a cheque for confirmation like in the ancient times.

The way we made the reservation makes it all complicated and it's already difficult to explain it on the forum so I worry how it'll go down with an officer at the border.

Also, I live in London now do I need to provide any details of my residency here? I am an EU citizen.

Many thanks,

Aggie

Edited June 13, 2013 by Aggie

[CC90 90]

You'll be fine. The first night address rule is the general guideline. Just do what you feel most comfortable with; you won't have any issues. Have the hotel info if asked, and just explain your trip (again, only if asked).

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Maybe BA wants the first night address so they know where to deliver luggage that gets lost or delayed.

[Boiler 45,663]

Where you will be spending the first night.

[lost_at_sea 995]

Hi,

I am travelling to the US on a B1/B2 tourist visa. The airline is asking me for the address in the US and I wanted to put the same address as the one on the visa application. I will be eventually staying there for few days and it's also the address of my friend that I am visiting there. BA however told me I should put the details of where I'm spending my first night in the States. Now, that will be a small hotel at a sea side in NJ. I don't know how important all this is but which address should I use in the advanced information and on the landing card? Will I have to show my reservation at the hotel? This might be a problem for me as we made it over the phone and sent a cheque for confirmation like in the ancient times.

I use BA a lot, they don't really care that much. I've often had the wrong address in by mistake, because they've assumed the same address as when I travelled last time when I was frequently flying to visit the husband and in fact we've gone off to stay somewhere else for the weekend or whatever. The address doesn't have to match anything. Remember, for most people it's just a hotel.

They need it for the advanced passenger information system[1] and then the customs declaration needs it on the way in (the blue form you'll complete on the way). It's never checked at the desk at check-in. Put that address of the seaside hotel and all is 100% fine!

If a bag goes missing, you'll get the opportunity to pick a different address to send it to, if you're going to be somewhere other than that first night's address stay a couple of days later, because you fill out a form when it's reported lost/undelivered (again, had experience of this specifically with BA on 3 occasions!).

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Passenger_Information_System

Edited June 13, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[Aggie 0]

Thank you so much guys! That's all very helpful.