Visiting boyfriend with ESTA, looking for advice.

[SusieQQQ 11,585]

1 hour ago, ALGS said:

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They didnt  ask for any proof of return or funds or anything. Never a bad idea to take them of course, but I doubt you’ll need them on an ESTA. Just remember to be sure to leave before 90 days. You’ll get a text telling you you have to leave soon when you’re close to the 90.

 

 

It’s a condition of traveling on an ESTA that you have a return ticket. They don’t need to ask, they can see on their computer systems.

[csk2b1 44]

We were married 6 or 7 years when we visited the US on vacation after flying in from India (I'm a UK citizen, my better half and the munchkins are US citizens). On arriving at Detroit, I was asked 

 

Official: Where did you fly from?

Me: Mumbai, India

Official: How long you planning to stay here for ?

Me: 6 weeks (on ESTA)

Official: Do you have an address?

Me: We own a home in xxxx

Official: Do you have a return flight?

Me: Yes:

Official: Show me?

<>

Official: Enjoy your stay...

 

I wouldn't worry as long as you are straight forward and truthful...

[Seepia 49]

I have visited my fiancé in the US twice now (2 and a half months per visit) on ESTA, and didn't have any problems.

 

The first time I was living on my own and had a lease but didn't even think of bringing it with me as proof, I basically just had my tickets with me, to show that I was planning on going back. I flew to Florida and the guy questioning me seemed super nice and casual. He asked the reason for my visit (I think I just said vacation), where I was going to stay (with my boyfriend) and how we met. He also said something like "Oh so that's why you're so nervous!" when I told him I was meeting my boyfriend for the first time, and made a sympathetic face when I told him that we'd be driving for about 7 hours to get where he lives.  Then he told me to have a great trip and let me through.

 

The second time I flew to Atlanta (much closer to where my boyfriend lives, thankfully) and I just had my tickets and boyfriend's tickets (he flew back with me to visit my family) as proof, no lease since I had moved out and lived with my mom at the time to save money. The lady questioning me asked the reason for my visit (to see my boyfriend), when was the last time I visited, how much money I had with me, if I had a job back home (unemployed at the time) and how I was going to live in the US (I said my boyfriend is working and I'm staying with him) and then she let me through.

 

So I was never asked to actually show any proof of ties to my country and they seemed to be fine with the long visits too, I did have about a year and a half between the visits though. Oh and I'm from Finland by the way.  

[Pixelx 29]

Thank you guys so much! I appreciate it.

It's just difficult when it's all so new to me and it's hard to not be nervous. Just want to be prepared for everything.
Feels better know having sort of a clue of what papers to bring with and what to ish- expect. 

I'll obviously update about how it goes later. Just a few weeks left! 

[Pixelx 29]

It’s been awhile, but I thought I’d update this and tell all how it went. I just came back home after spending 3 months in the US with my now fiance, so I was admitted! But boy, getting through CBP was a nightmare and a half. I was taken aside, questioned for hours and had all my belongings searched too. I was thrown every question in the universe and the CBP officer actually went out to find my fiance in the waiting area in the airport to question him too! Had no idea they could do that. We did tell them everything, about our plans on filing for K1 and get married, and in the end they just decided to let me in. It was scary, some questions were ridiculous but that’s what it is. Just stay calm through it all and be honest about everything.

 

Cheers, and thanks for all the good luck messages.