Visiting girlfriend with ESTA.

[Fifteen0 1]

I am planning on visiting the USA to see my girlfriend in a few months for around 30 - 40 days. I currently don't have a job and I'm not in school right now due to surgeries. I'm 18, and I am wondering if this will be an issue due to me not having strong ties at home. I live with my parents so I don't pay rent or anything. Is there anything I can do to convince the CBP Officers I fully intend on going home within the right time frame? I can provide proof of sufficient funds. Not sure what else I can do and I am very scared, this is my first time entering the USA and I don't want to be sent home.

[Suze1 366]

42 minutes ago, Fifteen0 said:

not having strong ties at home

You are correct, not having strong ties at home could be an issue, particularly given your age, no job, and not being in school.

What country are you coming from & what is your citizenship (could be different)?

You will need to be able to convince the border control officer that you will return home.

What ties DO you have?

 

[Fifteen0 1]

3 minutes ago, Suze1 said:

You are correct, not having strong ties at home could be an issue, particularly given your age, no job, and not being in school.

What country are you coming from & what is your citizenship (could be different)?

You will need to be able to convince the border control officer that you will return home.

What ties DO you have?

 

UK, I am a British Citizen. What ties do I have, I don't really know. Just family here really and potentially an appointment to have surgery sometime down the line. And enough money in a bank account to fund my trip.

[Suze1 366]

Okay, so enough money to fund the trip? And a round trip ticket? And a possible doctor's appointment?

And you want to stay for a month to a month and a half with your girlfriend?

 

Well, IF you were applying for a visa, I would say that your chances are weak. (But you have ESTA, so. But you do still have to convince the border control officer.)

 

Enough money for the trip - does not say much.  And money is easily transferable, so.

A return trip can be discarded if you really want to stay, so. But at least do NOT get a one way ticket, of course.

 

We have doctors in America, but you might have medical insurance in the UK, I imagine, so that might be a significant issue, because surgery could/can be very expensive here.

If the surgery is not really elective, but really significant, then that might be a reason you would return.

 

Maybe planning a shorter trip and then following through on leaving within that time, MIGHT help???

 

Just spit-balling here with you.

 

Not sure how Brits with ESTA, at your age, and in your circumstance, are treated.

More experienced VJ folk will likely weigh in shortly.

 

At least you are aware of the issue - TIES. You are correct about that.

 

Edited February 11, 2020 by Suze1

[SalishSea 18,477]

5 hours ago, Fifteen0 said:

I am planning on visiting the USA to see my girlfriend in a few months for around 30 - 40 days. I currently don't have a job and I'm not in school right now due to surgeries. I'm 18, and I am wondering if this will be an issue due to me not having strong ties at home. I live with my parents so I don't pay rent or anything. Is there anything I can do to convince the CBP Officers I fully intend on going home within the right time frame? I can provide proof of sufficient funds. Not sure what else I can do and I am very scared, this is my first time entering the USA and I don't want to be sent home.

CBP will assume you want to stay in the US and adjust status.  Is that your plan?

[Fifteen0 1]

5 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

CBP will assume you want to stay in the US and adjust status.  Is that your plan?

No, that isn't my plan. My girlfriend has already visited me multiple times here in the UK and I want to visit her this time, no intentions of anything but to see her. 

Edited February 11, 2020 by Fifteen0

[SusieQQQ 11,588]

1 hour ago, Jorgedig said:

CBP will assume you want to stay in the US and adjust status.  Is that your plan?

An 18-year old? I think he has age on his side. 
 

I dunno how deeply they’ll quiz. It’s a while back but when I was backpacking around the US I met many young kids here for indefinite amounts of time. Granted... some of the brits had overstayed lol. My own kid just did some backpacking and met similar types though, so... I dunno. It’s never definite but I think on balance probably ok. Would be better to have something specific (like a uni course starting) to go back to though.

Edited February 11, 2020 by SusieQQQ

[Fifteen0 1]

12 hours ago, SusieQQQ said:

An 18-year old? I think he has age on his side. 
 

I dunno how deeply they’ll quiz. It’s a while back but when I was backpacking around the US I met many young kids here for indefinite amounts of time. Granted... some of the brits had overstayed lol. My own kid just did some backpacking and met similar types though, so... I dunno. It’s never definite but I think on balance probably ok. Would be better to have something specific (like a uni course starting) to go back to though.

I would bring a letter from my mother saying I live with her and I will be back by a certain date, as well as medical records showing my surgeries (to explain why I don't work/go to school right now), and probably a letter indicating a future surgery. Do you think this would be good enough if I were to be questioned? 

[SalishSea 18,477]

2 minutes ago, Fifteen0 said:

I would bring a letter from my mother saying I live with her and I will be back by a certain date, as well as medical records showing my surgeries (to explain why I don't work/go to school right now), and probably a letter indicating a future surgery. Do you think this would be good enough if I were to be questioned? 

No idea.  Those ties seem weak, honestly.

[Fifteen0 1]

Just now, Jorgedig said:

No idea.  Those ties seem weak, honestly.

I agree to be honest, but I have heard most ESTA visitors on their first trip won't really be questioned too heavily. I wouldn't be making consistent trips every few months, more like once a year if anything. So I'm really just wondering if I have a decent chance at being let in this first trip more than anything else.

[SusieQQQ 11,588]

10 minutes ago, Fifteen0 said:

I would bring a letter from my mother saying I live with her and I will be back by a certain date, as well as medical records showing my surgeries (to explain why I don't work/go to school right now), and probably a letter indicating a future surgery. Do you think this would be good enough if I were to be questioned? 

An 18 year old financially dependent on parents and the NHS... again while normally an upcoming surgery might be “weak ties', in your situation it does tend to show a need to go back. Just my opinion of course.

[yuna628 9,884]

OP, be prepared to potentially expect a grilling. Once upon a time when I and my husband were just mere kids (oh so long ago :P) he came to see me. He too lived with his parents, had just been released from his temporary job, and was thinking about starting higher education. He had money for his trip of course,  permission from his parents, and of course I would take care of him. That did not mean the CBP weren't going to pull him aside and throw every single question they could at him to 'trip him up'. The reality was we were young and dumb and had no idea what to expect, he didn't have any evidence or ties to home that he could show, all he had was plane tickets and travel insurance. And of course honest answers to every question - which included anything and everything about me, my life, and extended family lives. He satisfied their answers and every trip since then was pretty much a breeze. 

 

Your chances are about the same as anyone else though I reckon. You may be grilled, you may not.

[Fifteen0 1]

10 minutes ago, yuna628 said:

OP, be prepared to potentially expect a grilling. Once upon a time when I and my husband were just mere kids (oh so long ago :P) he came to see me. He too lived with his parents, had just been released from his temporary job, and was thinking about starting higher education. He had money for his trip of course,  permission from his parents, and of course I would take care of him. That did not mean the CBP weren't going to pull him aside and throw every single question they could at him to 'trip him up'. The reality was we were young and dumb and had no idea what to expect, he didn't have any evidence or ties to home that he could show, all he had was plane tickets and travel insurance. And of course honest answers to every question - which included anything and everything about me, my life, and extended family lives. He satisfied their answers and every trip since then was pretty much a breeze. 

 

Your chances are about the same as anyone else though I reckon. You may be grilled, you may not.

Thank you, should I be scared of a grilling? I'm a nervous/anxious person, I don't plan on telling any lies and I'd tell the complete truth, so I shouldn't have anything to be worried of right?

[yuna628 9,884]

4 minutes ago, Fifteen0 said:

Thank you, should I be scared of a grilling? I'm a nervous/anxious person, I don't plan on telling any lies and I'd tell the complete truth, so I shouldn't have anything to be worried of right?

It's understandable to be nervous or have anxiety. I have it every single time I go through UK customs, but as long as you're being honest and can answer the questions asked of you, there's not a lot to be worried about. The CBP are there to try and stop persons being stupid and doing things shady, and yes they can have bad days and be suspicious. They have a decision to make, and it's up to you to be as calm and honest as possible.

[SusieQQQ 11,588]

16 minutes ago, Fifteen0 said:

Thank you, should I be scared of a grilling? I'm a nervous/anxious person, I don't plan on telling any lies and I'd tell the complete truth, so I shouldn't have anything to be worried of right?

If it happens it might not be pleasant, but as you have nothing to hide you don’t “need” to be worried.