Half Filipino half British teenager traveling to USA

[Roms 17]

Hello,

 

Can you please guide me on what I should know accompanying my niece traveling to USA?

 

I am US Citizen.

My niece was born in the Philippines. She has Filipino passport and British Passport on hand. She will apply for ESTA Visa for her to stay in USA for 3 month. This will be her first time to travel abroad. She will visit America as tourist, staying with us (Aunt and uncle). She is 17 years old. Is there anything else that immigration officer might ask from her?

 

Thank you for your advice.

 

 

[MaxP22 151]

Firstly WVP/ESTA is maximum 90 days stay, not 3 months.

 

If she has not yet applied for ESTA she should do that asap, no point even thinking about anything else until she has that approved.

 

Is she not studying? 3 month away from PH is a long time for a student aged person. I would assume that would be her strongest tie to PH?

 

If she is traveling by herself, for the first time, then she will need to convince them in PH at the airport to let her travel as there is the possibility of being offloaded. She should have to hand documents to show who she is visiting, such as copy of your passport, AoS that her expenses will be covered etc. PH is very strict when it comes to allowing young females to travel abroad alone for first time.

Edited March 2 by MaxP22

[Roms 17]

20 minutes ago, MaxP22 said:

Firstly WVP/ESTA is maximum 90 days stay, not 3 months.

 

If she has not yet applied for ESTA she should do that asap, no point even thinking about anything else until she has that approved.

 

Is she not studying? 3 month away from PH is a long time for a student aged person. I would assume that would be her strongest tie to PH?

 

If she is traveling by herself, for the first time, then she will need to convince them in PH at the airport to let her travel as there is the possibility of being offloaded. She should have to hand documents to show who she is visiting, such as copy of your passport, AoS that her expenses will be covered etc. PH is very strict when it comes to allowing young females to travel abroad alone for first time.

 

I understand fully about 90 days ESTA visa and knowledgeable about it. It's an easy, quick online process. We are not worried about this.

 

She's studying and she will be back in the PH. She is just visiting as our reward for her for being a great student.

 

She is not traveling alone - she's traveling with me (her aunt).

My husband and I will cover all her expenses while visiting US.

 

[JeanneAdil 6,202]

Children under 18 may need a Letter of Consent to travel internationally without both parents.

 

the main concern at embassy interview and at CBP here in the states is human trafficking and the need to protect those most vulnerable/ this is a concern for embassy to approve even if she turns 18 

 

[Roms 17]

2 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

Children under 18 may need a Letter of Consent to travel internationally without both parents.

 

the main concern at embassy interview and at CBP here in the states is human trafficking and the need to protect those most vulnerable/ this is a concern for embassy to approve even if she turns 18 

 

 

NO problem in getting parental consents.

[Boiler 43,441]

ESTA is not a visa it is permission to seek entry on the VWP

 

VWP is also not a visa

 

Looking to stay 90 days is not a good idea, if she overstays for whatever reason her chance of getting a B is remote.

 

Also 3 months is pushing it, makes much more sense to make it more logical.

 

[MaxP22 151]

1 hour ago, Roms said:

 

I understand fully about 90 days ESTA visa and knowledgeable about it. It's an easy, quick online process. We are not worried about this.

 

She's studying and she will be back in the PH. She is just visiting as our reward for her for being a great student.

 

She is not traveling alone - she's traveling with me (her aunt).

My husband and I will cover all her expenses while visiting US.

 

With respect, you don't understand fully as ESTA is not a visa and your OP stated 3 months, not 90 days, which can be the difference between overstaying or not overstaying. Also you say you are not worried, then why has she not applied for an ESTA yet if it's a quick online process?

 

You say she is studying - where is this 3 month gap? 3 months also seems a very long time for a 'reward'.

 

It's good she won't be travelling alone and you will be there with her. I would expect you will need some sort of proof that you are related, and an AoS from you and your husband stating you are covering all expenses, in addition to the parents consent.

Edited March 2 by MaxP22

[Roms 17]

Thank you all for the reply. I don’t mean to confused anybody. I know ESTA visa will allow her to stay for 90 days and we don’t intend to maximize the stay. She will come in USA when summer vacation starts and will come back before she will start college in the PH. She is with her parents and sibling in the PH. 
 

We know about ESTA because his father did it. I am just looking for additional informations other than the ESTA visa because I will be her companion coming to America and the one who will provide the treat. Thank you. 

[Boiler 43,441]

ESTA is not a visa

[SteveInBostonI130 3,319]

3 hours ago, Roms said:

Thank you all for the reply. I don’t mean to confused anybody. I know ESTA visa will allow her to stay for 90 days and we don’t intend to maximize the stay. She will come in USA when summer vacation starts and will come back before she will start college in the PH. She is with her parents and sibling in the PH. 
 

We know about ESTA because his father did it. I am just looking for additional informations other than the ESTA visa because I will be her companion coming to America and the one who will provide the treat. Thank you. 

 

ESTA is not a visa.  The whole point of the ESTA is to travel to a foreign country without a visa under VWP.  Visa Waiver Program.

 

There shouldn't be an issue, as long as your niece enters with her British passport.  A return ticket may be asked for, or at least the return flight details.

[PVR Bound 128]

16 hours ago, Roms said:

We know about ESTA because his father did it

Is it wrong for me to assume that the dad had only UK citizenship at the time of ESTA application? I believe the questions in the ESTA application request details of all nationalities held therefore the system will capture her dual nationality. This in itself may delay the approval hence the suggestion by everyone who has replied to your post that you shouldn’t wait to apply for ESTA now. 
 

I hope your niece enjoys her first trip overseas. Exciting times…

[Roms 17]

Thank you everyone for all your guidance. Much appreciated. She’ll apply for ESTA ASAP and I’ll have her parents consent with me during our travels. And She’ll have her return ticket with her. This is exciting trip indeed! Do you think it’s beneficial for me to bring my bank statement/tax return during travel to show to Immigration officer that I can support her travel if asked just to be prepare? Do I need to bring my birth certificate or hers to show that I am her real Aunt? (Sounds a little extreme haha) 

Edited March 3 by Roms

[Crazy Cat 39,262]

8 minutes ago, Roms said:

And She’ll have her return ticket with her.

That is not enough to show she will return.  A return ticket is required for VWP travel. 

[JeanneAdil 6,202]

44 minutes ago, Roms said:

Thank you everyone for all your guidance. Much appreciated. She’ll apply for ESTA ASAP and I’ll have her parents consent with me during our travels. And She’ll have her return ticket with her. This is exciting trip indeed! Do you think it’s beneficial for me to bring my bank statement/tax return during travel to show to Immigration officer that I can support her travel if asked just to be prepare? Do I need to bring my birth certificate or hers to show that I am her real Aunt? (Sounds a little extreme haha) 

CO at embassy needs to see evidence and u can not attend the interview 

 

Your name on her birth certificate???  BTW  there are lots of USC"S with same last name as mine and i am not related to them

 

hope her trip is fun and rewarding 

[Boiler 43,441]

2 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

CO at embassy needs to see evidence and u can not attend the interview 

 

Your name on her birth certificate???  BTW  there are lots of USC"S with same last name as mine and i am not related to them

 

hope her trip is fun and rewarding 

Embassy is not involved.