How many times can you visit the US on the ESTA?

[callum2015 0]

Hey, I was just looking for some advice. My partner lives out in the states, and I was wondering if there is an amount of times I can visit without being refused entry as someone at work told me I would have visited too many times.

I visited in April for ten days, I then came home for 8 weeks and visited again end of June for ten days for my birthday, I've now got flights for next week which would mean I've been out the country for seven weeks and I am visiting for 25 days until university starts again. Will this visit be a problem?

I have a job in the UK, I am also part way through a medical degree, I have my dogs and a car that I am responsible back home. Since being told I might struggle because its my third visit in four months i've been looking online and just found a lot of horror stories. Does anyone have any personal experience?

Thanks

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi,

Your pattern of travel fits with someone living abroad who makes brief trips to the US. You have nothing to worry about.

A person who spends 3 months in the US, goes home for 2 weeks, then comes back to the US for another 3 months, etc. fits the pattern of a person living in the US with brief trips outside the US. This is the type of person abusing ESTA/VWP and gets kicked out of it.

Bring proof that you are enrolled in school with you. You may feel better if you have something to show CBP that you intend to go home after a brief visit as you have done twice before.

You'll be fine. Happy trails.

[CJKylie 161]

Yeah, you'll be fine. I visit every other month, and never had any issues.

[Hypnos 6,576]

Aim to spend at least six months out of every year outside the US.

Since you're already doing that then I doubt it will be an issue.

[callum2015 0]

Also, sorry I'm knew to this so apologies if it don't make sense. The first time I visited I was asked the purpose to which I replied visiting friends which was the truth because we weren't dating then... they didn't ask the second time but if they were to ask on this trip should I be honest and say visiting a girlfriend... Although I don't tend to use that word, being nearly 30 n all, I'm not sure just doesn't flow naturally... or should i just stick to friends. I don't want to lie and be further questioned but I also don't want to be scrutinised for telling the truth which I've heard can happen.

Once again thanks for your replies..

[callum2015 0]

Yeah, you'll be fine. I visit every other month, and never had any issues.

Hey just curious how long you stay for every month?

[yuna628 9,528]

Hey, I was just looking for some advice. My partner lives out in the states, and I was wondering if there is an amount of times I can visit without being refused entry as someone at work told me I would have visited too many times.

I visited in April for ten days, I then came home for 8 weeks and visited again end of June for ten days for my birthday, I've now got flights for next week which would mean I've been out the country for seven weeks and I am visiting for 25 days until university starts again. Will this visit be a problem?

I have a job in the UK, I am also part way through a medical degree, I have my dogs and a car that I am responsible back home. Since being told I might struggle because its my third visit in four months i've been looking online and just found a lot of horror stories. Does anyone have any personal experience?

Thanks

No issues. I don't know why the work person would think that, nor am I sure as to the circumstances of the horror stories you've found. If you're spending more time in the US than you are in your home country, then yes that's a problem. If you spend 90 days in the US, go home for a week or two, and attempt to spend 90 more days, rinse and repeat then that may also be a problem. It sounds like you're not doing any of that, so it's of no issue to you.

An ESTA is not the same thing as the VWP. The visa waiver is what grants you the 90 day stay based on the agreement between countries. Think of an ESTA being like a pre-clearance background check (that is usually good for a year or two now I think before you have to renew it). Bring proof if you feel it makes you more secure, but you should have no issues. Always be honest OP. For us it never mattered if we said, friends, bf/gf, or fiancé. They didn't care. They care about you not overstaying. And usually insist you don't get married.

Edited August 16, 2015 by yuna628

[CJKylie 161]

Hey just curious how long you stay for every month?

Usually 10 days, every couple of months. Up to 3 weeks over Christmas.

I've actually found the more I've been over, the less I've been questioned at POE... guess they can see I have a record of leaving on time.

Edited August 16, 2015 by CJKylie

[Boiler 43,436]

In my pre VJ innocent days I just said GF.

You certainly can find horror stories, in most cases there is a pretty good reason, you do not have an obvious pattern that would raise issues, my guess is if they think you are pushing it you will get a warning first.

[Ketsuban 1,034]

They care about you not overstaying. And usually insist you don't get married.

Bear in mind, OP, that it is legal to marry your girlfriend on one of your visits. It's just not legal to stay and adjust status afterwards if that was your intent when entering with the VWP. Personally, I got married on a VWP visit then filed for the CR-1 visa. It just suited our situation at the time.