3 week vacation but staying with friends?, esta approved but anxious it’s not enough.

[Lil bear 3,862]

3 minutes ago, HorsePanic said:

The headphones I wear for sensory reasons have cat ears on them and they’re silver, I’m autistic and it’s already obvious, I have to carry a plushy for mental support- but I wouldn’t wear a heavy chain goth look on the plane for comfort reasons but my suitcase would certainly be packed with my clothes I want to wear out there- on the plane I’m probably basic black t, with jeans, my doc martens and my hoodie and the blue costume jacket I have to carry if I’m not sure it will fit in my case. (I’m a Cosplayer and the entire point of going is to vacation over Halloween)
 

in ref to your other post too, I’m taking my new iPad but there’s not much of anything on there other than a million pictures of my cat..my chat app is my main way of communicating with my friend I’m going to stay with but I wouldn’t really need it I suppose until I’d got past the border I could just reinstall it and I do have his phone number. Do need a new cheap phone though as my screen is broken on my old one and it’s getting harder and harder to see 😂 but the lolly or thing to suck on is a good suggestion, if I can be allowed anything like that, it might be calming too.

Your travel clothes sound perfect !!!!!! Youve got great ideas .. great understanding of “you”and what you need !! Im 67 and my travel clothing is basic black with a hoodie !  Go for it !! If you were traveling close to Halloween you would probably not be the only one in “costume”.  You've got this!! even when it doesn't feel like it .. Im shouting out .. youve got this !! Hope you can hear it !! Smile … 😁😁😁😁😁😁😁 !!!! 

[MaxP22 172]

I think you have every right to be worried.

 

You have minimal ties to the UK, 1 day a week job is no tie and you have finished studying. You also did not buy the flight yourself and admit you are going to do this trip on a low budget.. these are all red flags.

 

Add the fact it's your first time to the USA, and you are meeting someone for the first time I believe, that you met online..

 

Even though it's not a requirement, in your specific case I definitely would get some sort of letter or invitation from this person maybe even a copy of their passport, in case questioned by CBP.

 

Otherwise don't be surprised if you get refused entry.

[Crazy Cat 39,736]

10 hours ago, MaxP22 said:

Even though it's not a requirement, in your specific case I definitely would get some sort of letter or invitation from this person maybe even a copy of their passport, in case questioned by CBP.

Exactly what is the benefit of doing this?  These actions would not help establish ties to the UK.  

[STO Overland 137]

11 hours ago, MaxP22 said:

I think you have every right to be worried.

 

You have minimal ties to the UK, 1 day a week job is no tie and you have finished studying. You also did not buy the flight yourself and admit you are going to do this trip on a low budget.. these are all red flags.

 

Add the fact it's your first time to the USA, and you are meeting someone for the first time I believe, that you met online..

 

Even though it's not a requirement, in your specific case I definitely would get some sort of letter or invitation from this person maybe even a copy of their passport, in case questioned by CBP.

 

Otherwise don't be surprised if you get refused entry.

As a dad of a teenage girl with diagnosed OCD and anxiety,  I see your reply as un-informed and unhelpful. But the TOS of this site allows to say what you like. This is the danger of the internet.

 

Over 20 years of traveling to the United States on business and for pleasure before finally settling here, I can say I've have carried many red flags in my backpack that only increased as we got older, for example; turning up at the border with ESTA on a direct 17 hour flight from a third world country with my American wife and two young kids, with the plan to remain for 5 weeks within 20 minutes to the town where my wife grew up at our newly purchased lake front property. Never had any issues at any time after answering truthfully any question the office asked me.

 

OP, not matter how you are feeling, your situation is not unique. Many 100's if not 1000's arrive in the United States every week with your exact situation and have not suffered any ill consequences. As others have suggested; tell the truth to the officer at the border. Do not add anything more to what he or she is asking you. "Why are you visiting the United States?" - "I'm here on vacation" and you're now finished with that question. Who cares how you are dressed. Dress in what makes you comfortable.

 

It's natural to be nervous when being asked questions by a federal officer however the person before you in line and the person after you in line will have anxieties. It's natural and the officer knows that. Even as an American citizen I feel a little tense when approaching the officer.  Enjoy your vacation. Halloween is a cool time here in the US and I hope you enjoy the experience and make some memories.

Edited September 24, 2022 by STO Overland

[JeanneAdil 6,275]

for the silver in headphones ,  do as my son does

he has had 9 back surgeries  and has plates and nuts and bolts in his spine,

he hands a note to the inspection team asking them to use a wand instead of going thru xray  machine 

 

your phone is not checked unless CBP suspects u will pass of contraband to someone in USA

the following tells how many electronic devices they checked in 2021

 CBP conducted roughly 37,000 searches of travelers’ devices in the 12 months ending in October 2021, according to agency data, and more than 179 million people traveled that year through U.S. ports of entry.

 

goth does not mean you are a threat to anyone / its a style 

 

relax

and BTW  never is a letter of invitation needed