Returning to America after long stays previously on an ESTA.

[throwawayuser963 0]

Hi there,

 

Between 2021–2022 I visited the U.S. three times for around 80–85 days each. On my last visit, I was sent to secondary inspection and was told I should visit my home country more often. The officer that was doing the questioning was actually really nice, and just spoke to me standing up, we spoke about video games more, if I'm honest. I was admitted right after that. Since then, I have not been back for three years. I plan to visit Tampa for 19 days this September. Will my previous travel history cause me problems on entry?

For home ties, I do have my own company and rental agreement I can bring. I'll be visiting my girlfriend there, we met in the UK and I'm wanting to check out Tampa for the Halloween events, I'll be bringing $5,000 for the trip so showing funds should be no issue.

I'm just curious if others have had similar stays, and have had no issues in the past, maybe I'm overthinking, I do know that it entirely depends on the officer and how their day is going though.

Thank you.

Edited Monday at 11:50 AM by throwawayuser963

[Crazy Cat 45,119]

Is 2022 the last time you were in the US?

[throwawayuser963 0]

12 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Is 2022 the last time you were in the US?

Yes, it was. I was last in 2022 for 80 days, that was the day I was brought into secondary but I was let in after a few minutes of talking standing up.

EDIT: To add, this was in LAX, this time I'll be in Tampa, Florida.

Edited Monday at 12:50 PM by throwawayuser963

[Boiler 47,798]

Short trip?

[throwawayuser963 0]

1 minute ago, Boiler said:

Short trip?

This time, yes. For 19 days, Tampa.

[ineedadisplayname 530]

37 minutes ago, throwawayuser963 said:

This time, yes. For 19 days, Tampa.

Since 22 a lot has changed. Be prepared to have your return flight info available and if you say 19 days most likely you will get stamped for 20.

 

It could be a Chicago thing, but had two separate friends come over on ESTAs from two different EU countries this summer at separate times. The only common thing that they knew me and both landed at O'Hare but they were stamped short. Basically the officer ask them how long they say and the stamp for the stay is the length they said + 1 day and the single lady had to show her return flight info.  I am married, one of my friends who visited is married and came with her husband, the other one is single. 

 

When I used to visit the US back in like 2015, i always got stamped for 90 days even if i told the officer that i am here for like two weeks. Nobody ever asked the exact departure date or show my return flight info. (which i am sure they had)  Anyway 

 

 

Edited Monday at 02:28 PM by ineedadisplayname

[Boiler 47,798]

I 94 is online and has even for sometime.

[throwawayuser963 0]

21 minutes ago, ineedadisplayname said:

Since 22 a lot has changed. Be prepared to have your return flight info available and if you say 19 days most likely you will get stamped for 20.

 

It could be a Chicago thing, but had two separate friends come over on ESTAs from two different EU countries this summer at separate times. The only common thing that they knew me and both landed at O'Hare but they were stamped short. Basically the officer ask them how long they say and the stamp for the stay is the length they said + 1 day and the single lady had to show her return flight info.  I am married, one of my friends who visited is married and came with her husband, the other one is single. 

 

When I used to visit the US back in like 2015, i always got stamped for 90 days even if i told the officer that i am here for like two weeks. Nobody ever asked the exact departure date or show my return flight info. (which i am sure they had)  Anyway 

 

 

That's interesting, and yes, I've also always been stamped for the full ESTA allowed duration. I'm okay with it being stamped for that long, but that's pretty scary considering of flight delays if they do this.

[throwawayuser963 0]

14 minutes ago, Boiler said:

I 94 is online and has even for sometime.

All is fine with that. My main concern is just returning after having the three long trips back in 2021-2022 and being in secondary since then. 

I know it's been three years since I've been to America, but I'm mainly looking for other similar stories on here if they've been okay with returning.

[EM_Vandaveer 2,443]

Since it was 3 years ago and you stayed outside the US you should be fine. Of course, there's never a guarantee.

[Vegas i-751 86]

I think you should be fine. Your other trips were a little excessive IMO so not surprised about the prior secondary. Just be mindful moving forward. Also, you have access to Dublin easily so something to consider if really concerned! Dublin pre-clearance is fab!  I’m from N. Ireland 🤗

[JD2 170]

Home country?

[Vegas i-751 86]

6 hours ago, JD2 said:

Home country?

Sorry I seen the UK quickly and thought you may be from there. Regardless, US pre-clearance is always a great option too.

 

Good luck ☺️

[throwawayuser963 0]

16 hours ago, Vegas i-751 said:

I think you should be fine. Your other trips were a little excessive IMO so not surprised about the prior secondary. Just be mindful moving forward. Also, you have access to Dublin easily so something to consider if really concerned! Dublin pre-clearance is fab!  I’m from N. Ireland 🤗

Thanks for the message, sadly I've already booked my tickets and not really able to get a refund on those (lesson learnt), I had no idea about the pre-clearance within Dublin, if all goes well with this trip, then I'll definitely try that out in the future. I have also heard good things about Tampa International with their support on staff, etc. so maybe they'll also be less hostile, who knows though.

 

And yeah, definitely going to be more mindful. Truthfully, I had no idea about the rule of thumbs with ESTA until I was actually sent into secondary, so I won't be making those long trips again in a short span.

Edited Tuesday at 12:28 PM by throwawayuser963

[throwawayuser963 0]

9 hours ago, JD2 said:

Home country?

 

My home country is the United Kingdom