Terrified of NZ partner being denied entry to USA

[longhappydistance 0]

Hi all,

 

My partner (24 M) and I (26 F) are trying to arrange for him to come visit me in the United States this summer. He is from New Zealand, part of the visa waiver program. I am graduating from college in May and moving out, and in NZ, he lives with his parents. I am absolutely wracked with panic right now at the thought of him landing in the US and being denied entry (and I can't visit him right now or for a while). I am concerned because he lives with his parents and recently stopped paying rent to them; he makes money but as a freelancer for digital art and not with a "traditional" job; he is not enrolled in school. He is occasionally part of a volunteer conservation group, so we thought about getting a letter from the organizer. We have decided that he will stay for 2 weeks and already have a return ticket to present if asked. I know there's no absolute guarantee, but I'm just so anxious that he's marking all these red flags. We would be devastated if he was turned around. What else can we possibly pull together to make his chances of entry more likely? 2 weeks, with return ticket, and he'd be staying with me, so no hotel reservations. He's been to the US once in the past--once in 2015 for 5 days with his mom for a convention, and once to Canada in 2017 for 3-4 months, all without issue. This is keeping me awake at night. What else can we do? 

[S9471 60]

nothing you can do - if he is part of the VWP program, travel is easier without a visa but ultimately it's up to him to overcome any asumptions that he is there to immigrate. you won't know until he travels

[Verrou 1,962]

nothing you can do. he's been here before and never abuse his stay. he got his return ticket that seems good to me. CBP always have the final say.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

Just a reminder return (or onward) ticket is a requirement of entering on VWP - it’s not a “positive”, it’s expected.
He’ll just need to be honest on entry and hope they believe him.

[beloved_dingo 1,979]

47 minutes ago, longhappydistance said:

Hi all,

 

My partner (24 M) and I (26 F) are trying to arrange for him to come visit me in the United States this summer. He is from New Zealand, part of the visa waiver program. I am graduating from college in May and moving out, and in NZ, he lives with his parents. I am absolutely wracked with panic right now at the thought of him landing in the US and being denied entry (and I can't visit him right now or for a while). I am concerned because he lives with his parents and recently stopped paying rent to them; he makes money but as a freelancer for digital art and not with a "traditional" job; he is not enrolled in school. He is occasionally part of a volunteer conservation group, so we thought about getting a letter from the organizer. We have decided that he will stay for 2 weeks and already have a return ticket to present if asked. I know there's no absolute guarantee, but I'm just so anxious that he's marking all these red flags. We would be devastated if he was turned around. What else can we possibly pull together to make his chances of entry more likely? 2 weeks, with return ticket, and he'd be staying with me, so no hotel reservations. He's been to the US once in the past--once in 2015 for 5 days with his mom for a convention, and once to Canada in 2017 for 3-4 months, all without issue. This is keeping me awake at night. What else can we do? 

None of us can ever say what will happen at POE with absolute certainty, but I don't think you need to worry at all. My husband is from Australia, and he visited me 3 times with the VWP before getting the K-1 (fiancé) visa and he never had a problem. He stayed 4-6 weeks each time, and was barely questioned at entry. The first time he visited, he didn't have a job and he was living with his mom, so he really had no proof of strong ties other than his return ticket and his family back home.

 

The only advice I have is that he should pack for a 2 week trip - don't bring a bunch of extra stuff. There have been occasional instances where people have been questioned more heavily because they bring too much luggage. Even if it is just gifts or something, better to only bring what is needed.  

[MissOphelia 50]

On 5/9/2022 at 1:12 PM, longhappydistance said:

Hi all,

 

My partner (24 M) and I (26 F) are trying to arrange for him to come visit me in the United States this summer. He is from New Zealand, part of the visa waiver program. I am graduating from college in May and moving out, and in NZ, he lives with his parents. I am absolutely wracked with panic right now at the thought of him landing in the US and being denied entry (and I can't visit him right now or for a while). I am concerned because he lives with his parents and recently stopped paying rent to them; he makes money but as a freelancer for digital art and not with a "traditional" job; he is not enrolled in school. He is occasionally part of a volunteer conservation group, so we thought about getting a letter from the organizer. We have decided that he will stay for 2 weeks and already have a return ticket to present if asked. I know there's no absolute guarantee, but I'm just so anxious that he's marking all these red flags. We would be devastated if he was turned around. What else can we possibly pull together to make his chances of entry more likely? 2 weeks, with return ticket, and he'd be staying with me, so no hotel reservations. He's been to the US once in the past--once in 2015 for 5 days with his mom for a convention, and once to Canada in 2017 for 3-4 months, all without issue. This is keeping me awake at night. What else can we do? 

I don't see there being any issue. 

I visited my now husband in the states on a VWP and never had a problem. Just make sure you have that return ticket