Second Visit to USA this year to see new girlfriend

[CuddleMerchant 0]

Hello everyone!

I've had trouble finding out some information and finding this site I see you are all very helpful.


I'm 21 from the UK, I am a British citizen with a UK passport. I flew to Memphis, TN in January - Feburary 2014, to stay with a friend and in that time I happened to meet a girl who I am currently dating. I've booked my tickets to return to see her for when I finish University at the end of May.
So May 23rd till June 27th (Want to spent a good month with her) I'll be flying to Chicago for a connection flight to Memphis. I have money to spend, I have my ETSA, return ticket, I'm staying in a hotel near her house (Which I will print documentation of) cause she lives with elderly grandparents who she cares for (so can't stay there).

I was just wondering if this would cause any problems?

On a sidenote, I also have a gift for her that I'll have to declare, do I just declare it as soon as I land at Chicago at the POE or do I have to do anything in advance?

Thanks in advance for all your answers!

[anhes 1]

Can't see why it should be a problem at all, so no need to worry. I was 20 when I flew to see my boyfriend (well, fiancé now ), and I had everything ready because I've heard so many horror stories. First time I flew out to see him was a year and a few months ago, and I've been there four times all together since we met and haven't had any problems, not once. They have all been really nice at the airport, asked simple questions and told me to enjoy my stay.

I'm not sure when it comes to the gift though, I've never had to declare anything before. I hope I was able to help anyway!

[CuddleMerchant 0]

Can't see why it should be a problem at all, so no need to worry. I was 20 when I flew to see my boyfriend (well, fiancé now ), and I had everything ready because I've heard so many horror stories. First time I flew out to see him was a year and a few months ago, and I've been there four times all together since we met and haven't had any problems, not once. They have all been really nice at the airport, asked simple questions and told me to enjoy my stay.

I'm not sure when it comes to the gift though, I've never had to declare anything before. I hope I was able to help anyway!

Thank you for the quick reply! Was there anything missing on my list that you carried and I didn't? How do I prove I'm staying in the UK if they think I'm not? I still have my graduation to go to in July and I have a house I pay rent at, are those enough?

Sounds great though cause like you said, I got shook up a little by the horror stories.

[Snag 57]

I've never been asked for proof of my return at any airport/POE. My return ticket seemed to be enough. Better safe than sorry, though, I suppose, so if you want to take copies of your evidence (rent + proof of graduation), it couldn't hurt.

As for things that need declaring, I've declared at the POE. Honesty is best and required. I know that on my trip home/back to the US, they give you a form to fill out on the plane to declare, and you hand it at the right point in the airport. No worries.

[CuddleMerchant 0]

I've never been asked for proof of my return at any airport/POE. My return ticket seemed to be enough. Better safe than sorry, though, I suppose, so if you want to take copies of your evidence (rent + proof of graduation), it couldn't hurt.

As for things that need declaring, I've declared at the POE. Honesty is best and required. I know that on my trip home/back to the US, they give you a form to fill out on the plane to declare, and you hand it at the right point in the airport. No worries.

interesting! Have you travelled many times in one year then?

And thank you very much, It's just a pair of shoes, so I will just tell them about it being in my luggage, shouldn't cause any problems then.

[HK12 273]

I agree with the other posters. As long as you are truthful about your intentions, no need to worry. I visited my then-boyfriend in the US five times. Four out of those five times I wasn't even asked anything except for the purpose and length of my trip. Only once was I questioned more thoroughly (how I got to know my boyfriend, how I was financing my trip, when we intended to get married and some other easy questions. Nothing to worry about). The last time I visited him I had binding ties with me (because I had gotten really nervous after reading all those horror stories here on VJ), but I was never asked to show them. The other times I only had my return ticket.

You will be fine.

[JayJayH 546]

They have waaaay bigger fish to worry about.

You'll be fine.

The gift - Depending on what it is, you may or may not have to declare it. That's a customs issue, rather than an immigration one.

Edited April 16, 2014 by Yang-Ja

[christeen 966]

You should be fine, have fun... However if your "gift" is an engagement ring, you might get a few questions....

[Snag 57]

interesting! Have you travelled many times in one year then?

And thank you very much, It's just a pair of shoes, so I will just tell them about it being in my luggage, shouldn't cause any problems then.

Yeah, twice to the US. No questions were asked. Safe travels!

[CuddleMerchant 0]

I agree with the other posters. As long as you are truthful about your intentions, no need to worry. I visited my then-boyfriend in the US five times. Four out of those five times I wasn't even asked anything except for the purpose and length of my trip. Only once was I questioned more thoroughly (how I got to know my boyfriend, how I was financing my trip, when we intended to get married and some other easy questions. Nothing to worry about). The last time I visited him I had binding ties with me (because I had gotten really nervous after reading all those horror stories here on VJ), but I was never asked to show them. The other times I only had my return ticket.

You will be fine.

Wonderful! Thank you so much for letting me know not all the stories are bad. I'll definitely bring some sort of binding documentation as the poster above said, better safe than sorry.

They have waaaay bigger fish to worry about.

You'll be fine.

The gift - Depending on what it is, you may or may not have to declare it. That's a customs issue, rather than an immigration one.

Thank you! I'll make sure to declare it at POE just in case, no need to make things harder for myself.

You should be fine, have fun... However if your "gift" is an engagement ring, you might get a few questions....

Haha no! It's just a pair of shoes, no rings yet, way too young for that sort of crazy behaviour. Thank you!

Yeah, twice to the US. No questions were asked. Safe travels!

Great! Hope all your future travels are safe too!