Help with something please

[nicknackzz 0]

Hey i am going to the US again in December 3rd time in the US on a VWP to see my girlfriend this time! im heading back with her

Im wondering can i bring my xbox 360 console with me? (im a hardcore gamer) ???

and when i bring my laptop last time they looked through it, why do they do this? i have private things in my laptop, (banking info my log ins for banking and emails and work stuff for where i live and things of this nature)

what is it there looking for when they do this? could i get my GF to bring my laptop for me?

Also.... Do they do background checks on your work back home? work with my sister and im bringing proof of work (which is a paper she has made me up stating where i work and what i do and that im allowed to be traveling there for so long and due back on a certain date) is this okay? and do they do background checks on your work?

Edited November 11, 2014 by nicknackzz

[Ontarkie 13,915]

~~Moved to Tourist Visas from Off Topic - As the OP is traveling with VWP~~

[nicknackzz 0]

~~Moved to Tourist Visas from Off Topic - As the OP is traveling with VWP~~

No help from anyone?

[Lorvin 45]

Be honest - that's the best approach, but no guarantee things will go the way you want them to.

Traveling on the VWP is no guarantee of entry. In spite of following the guidelines to the letter the last time (only the second trip) my boyfriend (now fiancé) was stopped, lead into the small room and all of his things gone through. The immigration officer couldn't believe he could travel for such an extended stay (he's self employed). He was even told he no longer had ties to Ireland (because his children are adults), imagine - his whole life, other than me is there. They let him come but he was told don't come back for "at least" a year.

We were told by a US immigration attorney that all people entering the country are looked at as wanting to stay - so they need to be convinced otherwise. BTW - He was clearing US customs in Shannon.

I see no reason why you can't bring the Xbox.

[TeaCup 65]

More Irish?! I'm amazed! lol

I've never had any problem flying to the US on VWP. I'd never had my belongings searched, nor mine or my husbands laptop.

but I did have a pat down once returning from Chicago, guess I look like a bogey? haha

Your xbox would probably be useless because the voltage is different, but I'm not completely sure.

I never brought any letters from my work or anything to say I'd be returning home, but the officer at Dublin Airport was very stern when he said I must return home at the time stated on my ticket, and so I did, as we were just going to the US for a family wedding.

If you've been a target beforem just be honest about returning and bring proof like you stated, the letter should be fine.

[Penguin_ie 5,985]

They are probably looking through your laptop to see if there is anything like talk of moving permanently, a job offer or such.

One year I went to the US 5 times (usually just long weekends), and they got suspicious and puled me into secondary and questioned me, looked at my bag etc.

X-box: yeah you can bring it, but between the danger of it being damaged in transit and the different power source/ plug, you may be better off renting one in the US?

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

I am surprised you have never had your baggage or/and luggage searched.. I was returning from Ghana in early this year (before the ebola scare) and I had to go to a second room at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. TSA chooses who to search. You can bring your xbox but have it in your hand baggage or the carryon. You could be international travel adapter when you get here. I believe laptops have ' a power converter' because we travel out USA, I have never had to use a different adaptor but im not sure about xbox..just google what you need to bring with your xbox to in other to use it here. Just know that immigration is a privilege so in doing their job, they can basically waste your time with "unnecessary" searches. Good luck