Discussion
Just a quick question..
I'm flying to Los Angeles in 11 days to be with my long distance fiancée I am staying for three months.
Anyone have any experience staying in USA, or more specifically, California? I want to know if I'm likely to get interviewed in a separate area.
I have a return flight booked, no previous dodgy airline happenings, nothing to suggest I won't come back and i have money to support myself..
Do you think I will get away with the 2 minute chat at the customs desk like everyone else or will I get questioned?
I'm flying to Los Angeles in 11 days to be with my long distance fiancée I am staying for three months.
Anyone have any experience staying in USA, or more specifically, California? I want to know if I'm likely to get interviewed in a separate area.
I have a return flight booked, no previous dodgy airline happenings, nothing to suggest I won't come back and i have money to support myself..
Do you think I will get away with the 2 minute chat at the customs desk like everyone else or will I get questioned?
as you have the return booked I wouldnt worry about it, I have spent 10wks in Nevada before and have friends that fly in and out of LA for the 12wk period every summer and its always just the standard Left 4 Fingers/Left Thumb/Right 4 Fingers/Right Thumb/Hold still while I take your picture, Im here for an extended vacation and off you go.
X5TUU said:
as you have the return booked I wouldnt worry about it, I have spent 10wks in Nevada before and have friends that fly in and out of LA for the 12wk period every summer and its always just the standard Left 4 Fingers/Left Thumb/Right 4 Fingers/Right Thumb/Hold still while I take your picture, Im here for an extended vacation and off you go.
That's very relieving to hear! Hopefully all goes well!Shall I mention I'm here to see fiancée or shall I just say I'm staying with a friend and their family?
MM93 said:
X5TUU said:
as you have the return booked I wouldnt worry about it, I have spent 10wks in Nevada before and have friends that fly in and out of LA for the 12wk period every summer and its always just the standard Left 4 Fingers/Left Thumb/Right 4 Fingers/Right Thumb/Hold still while I take your picture, Im here for an extended vacation and off you go.
That's very relieving to hear! Hopefully all goes well!Shall I mention I'm here to see fiancée or shall I just say I'm staying with a friend and their family?
It's a pretty random thing, I've been though US immigration lord knows how many times and once in a while they decide to be arsey with you. I had one recently where I got questioned for about half an hour on entry, and that was a three day trip visiting a local company. Hotel pre booked, $200 in the wallet and Amex and other cards and about half of the time was about whether I could afford to stay. Crazy.
steveo3002 said:
holiday with friends - point at some randoms in the line
tell em your there for hollywood and disneyland etc , much bigger chance of being pulled up if you mention you have a g/f there
Utter tosh, one of my contractees visits NYC every 3rd or 4th weekend for a long weekend to stay with her BF and then a few occasions borough out the year for a month at a time, and it's never been a reason for her to be pulled about It. Not to mention the TSA agents in JFK et al are a whole lot more inquisitive than those on the west coast.tell em your there for hollywood and disneyland etc , much bigger chance of being pulled up if you mention you have a g/f there
And pointing at randoms in the line has drug mule and guilty cover story written all over it especially as the eye in the sky has been watching you since you got off, and if anyone chooses to validate your back story, you would have doubtfully said a single word to these "strangers". By all means though if you like the feel of nitrile gloved fingers in your intimate cavities do as steveo suggests.
Edited by X5TUU on Saturday 9th August 14:58
X5TUU said:
Utter tosh, one of my contractees visits NYC every 3rd or 4th weekend for a long weekend to stay with her BF and then a few occasions borough out the year for a month at a time, and it's never been a reason for her to be pulled about It. Not to mention the TSA agents in JFK et al are a whole lot more inquisitive than those on the west coast.
And pointing at randoms in the line has drug mule and guilty cover story written all over it especially as the eye in the sky has been watching you since you got off, and if anyone chooses to validate your back story, you would have doubtfully said a single word to these "strangers". By all means though if you like the feel of nitrile gloved fingers in your intimate cavities do as steveo suggests.
Haha I have no intention to point at randoms. If they asked, I'm screwed. Honesty is usually the best policy so I'll go with that. And pointing at randoms in the line has drug mule and guilty cover story written all over it especially as the eye in the sky has been watching you since you got off, and if anyone chooses to validate your back story, you would have doubtfully said a single word to these "strangers". By all means though if you like the feel of nitrile gloved fingers in your intimate cavities do as steveo suggests.
Edited by X5TUU on Saturday 9th August 14:58
Might say friends though, unsure yet!
MM93 said:
Just a quick question..
I'm flying to Los Angeles in 11 days to be with my long distance fiancée I am staying for three months.
Anyone have any experience staying in USA, or more specifically, California? I want to know if I'm likely to get interviewed in a separate area.
I have a return flight booked, no previous dodgy airline happenings, nothing to suggest I won't come back and i have money to support myself..
Do you think I will get away with the 2 minute chat at the customs desk like everyone else or will I get questioned?
Pivotal to this is only answer questions that are asked of you. Don't add anything to your answers that is not specifically asked for. Presumably you are using the US visa waiver program and intend to max out the 90 day coverage that this system can authorize - I say 'can', because it is totally at the discretion of the CBP agent as to if and for how long you are admitted. Intending to stay 90 days is very likely to raise some questions. Where and with whom you will be visiting - how you will finance your living expenses for 3 months etc., how you managed to swing 3 months off work and the implications thereof - that kind of thing.I'm flying to Los Angeles in 11 days to be with my long distance fiancée I am staying for three months.
Anyone have any experience staying in USA, or more specifically, California? I want to know if I'm likely to get interviewed in a separate area.
I have a return flight booked, no previous dodgy airline happenings, nothing to suggest I won't come back and i have money to support myself..
Do you think I will get away with the 2 minute chat at the customs desk like everyone else or will I get questioned?
I would not mention the fiancee bit unless you are specifically asked about that relationship - the reason - being in the US for 3 months does not demonstrate 'strong ties' to your country of residence, in CBP's view. Added to which, entering the US using VWP and then attempting to change status by way of marriage is both illegal and something they are very attuned to. In essence, they may treat you with a high degree of suspicion - lack of ties to home - (seemingly) no job - and a sweetheart in the US who you might understand to be a route in for longer than 90 days. Rightly or wrongly, they treat everybody as a potential illegal immigrant
Absolute golden rule - don't give ANY information that is not asked for - extreme example for illustration: "Do you know what time it is?" The correct answer would be "Yes".
Matt Harper said:
Pivotal to this is only answer questions that are asked of you. Don't add anything to your answers that is not specifically asked for. Presumably you are using the US visa waiver program and intend to max out the 90 day coverage that this system can authorize - I say 'can', because it is totally at the discretion of the CBP agent as to if and for how long you are admitted. Intending to stay 90 days is very likely to raise some questions. Where and with whom you will be visiting - how you will finance your living expenses for 3 months etc., how you managed to swing 3 months off work and the implications thereof - that kind of thing.
I would not mention the fiancee bit unless you are specifically asked about that relationship - the reason - being in the US for 3 months does not demonstrate 'strong ties' to your country of residence, in CBP's view. Added to which, entering the US using VWP and then attempting to change status by way of marriage is both illegal and something they are very attuned to. In essence, they may treat you with a high degree of suspicion - lack of ties to home - (seemingly) no job - and a sweetheart in the US who you might understand to be a route in for longer than 90 days. Rightly or wrongly, they treat everybody as a potential illegal immigrant
Absolute golden rule - don't give ANY information that is not asked for - extreme example for illustration: "Do you know what time it is?" The correct answer would be "Yes".
Interesting. In my case, could I just say I am spending my birthday and Halloween with my friends in the USA? What are the chances of getting 90 days then? Surely it should be okay?I would not mention the fiancee bit unless you are specifically asked about that relationship - the reason - being in the US for 3 months does not demonstrate 'strong ties' to your country of residence, in CBP's view. Added to which, entering the US using VWP and then attempting to change status by way of marriage is both illegal and something they are very attuned to. In essence, they may treat you with a high degree of suspicion - lack of ties to home - (seemingly) no job - and a sweetheart in the US who you might understand to be a route in for longer than 90 days. Rightly or wrongly, they treat everybody as a potential illegal immigrant
Absolute golden rule - don't give ANY information that is not asked for - extreme example for illustration: "Do you know what time it is?" The correct answer would be "Yes".
Also, I have left my job to visit California. Would it be best to say i have no job or to say I am still employed by the company but using their vacation scheme? Would they check if I have a job?
Matt Harper said:
Pivotal to this is only answer questions that are asked of you. Don't add anything to your answers that is not specifically asked for. Presumably you are using the US visa waiver program and intend to max out the 90 day coverage that this system can authorize - I say 'can', because it is totally at the discretion of the CBP agent as to if and for how long you are admitted. Intending to stay 90 days is very likely to raise some questions. Where and with whom you will be visiting - how you will finance your living expenses for 3 months etc., how you managed to swing 3 months off work and the implications thereof - that kind of thing.
I would not mention the fiancee bit unless you are specifically asked about that relationship - the reason - being in the US for 3 months does not demonstrate 'strong ties' to your country of residence, in CBP's view. Added to which, entering the US using VWP and then attempting to change status by way of marriage is both illegal and something they are very attuned to. In essence, they may treat you with a high degree of suspicion - lack of ties to home - (seemingly) no job - and a sweetheart in the US who you might understand to be a route in for longer than 90 days. Rightly or wrongly, they treat everybody as a potential illegal immigrant
Absolute golden rule - don't give ANY information that is not asked for - extreme example for illustration: "Do you know what time it is?" The correct answer would be "Yes".
This is really dangerous 'advice' ... Answering your time question with 'yes' will be looked upon dimly, very dimly. Similarly any other smartt-ass answers will land you in deep schtuck very quickly, which is what the above poster is portrayingI would not mention the fiancee bit unless you are specifically asked about that relationship - the reason - being in the US for 3 months does not demonstrate 'strong ties' to your country of residence, in CBP's view. Added to which, entering the US using VWP and then attempting to change status by way of marriage is both illegal and something they are very attuned to. In essence, they may treat you with a high degree of suspicion - lack of ties to home - (seemingly) no job - and a sweetheart in the US who you might understand to be a route in for longer than 90 days. Rightly or wrongly, they treat everybody as a potential illegal immigrant
Absolute golden rule - don't give ANY information that is not asked for - extreme example for illustration: "Do you know what time it is?" The correct answer would be "Yes".
You are permitted 90days or less , that less is up to you, all border agents have their date stamps set for the arriving day and expected plane loads and in my experience I have never once noticed an agent alter the 90day date on their stamper based on the answers you give. What happens is they then call for a superior officer who then discusses your admission with you in a separate location.
As long as you meet these criteria for the VWP, you are entitled to 90days admission. Simple as that.
http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/visi...
You have to remember that you have no real right to be there, it is only on sufferance of the US government that you can.
But just listen to Matt, answer the questions, don't lie, don't say more than you need to. But giving up your job to go and stay with your fiancé in the US isn't a great starting point. If there is a good reason to leave - like a new job starting or going into education then be ready with it, you sound like you fit the profile of a person they could be very suspicious of.
But just listen to Matt, answer the questions, don't lie, don't say more than you need to. But giving up your job to go and stay with your fiancé in the US isn't a great starting point. If there is a good reason to leave - like a new job starting or going into education then be ready with it, you sound like you fit the profile of a person they could be very suspicious of.
MM93 said:
Interesting. In my case, could I just say I am spending my birthday and Halloween with my friends in the USA? What are the chances of getting 90 days then? Surely it should be okay?
Of course you could say that and they may do nothing as a result. However, you should be prepared for some additional enquiries regarding who you will be visiting (always 'visiting', not staying with, or living with) where you will be visiting, why you are visiting and how you are financing your visit. For a three month period you should really have access to around $6000 to demonstrate your capability to look after yourself - as a tourist. What are the chances? Unknown - also going right down to the wire on 90 days could bite you, if there was any kind of issue with your return (illness being the most common factor). An over-stay could really f
k-up your future romantic plans and cause issues with a future K1 visa application, so don't risk that.Out of interest, have you ever physically met your betrothed or has your romance all been online so far? No judgement intended, but you might get asked that, if the interaction gets to fiancees and the like.
MM93 said:
Also, I have left my job to visit California. Would it be best to say i have no job or to say I am still employed by the company but using their vacation scheme? Would they check if I have a job?
Uh-oh - now this is a BIG red flag as far as CBP is concerned - whether you choose to lie to the CBP agent is up to you - but no job = no reason to return home, as far as they are concerned (I take it you are not of retirement age). X5TUU said:
This is really dangerous 'advice' ... Answering your time question with 'yes' will be looked upon dimly, very dimly. Similarly any other smartt-ass answers will land you in deep schtuck very quickly, which is what the above poster is portraying
You are permitted 90days or less , that less is up to you, all border agents have their date stamps set for the arriving day and expected plane loads and in my experience I have never once noticed an agent alter the 90day date on their stamper based on the answers you give. What happens is they then call for a superior officer who then discusses your admission with you in a separate location.
As long as you meet these criteria for the VWP, you are entitled to 90days admission. Simple as that.
http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/visi...
Visitors on VWP are not 'entitled' to anything. I used the time question to illustrate the point. One of my close friends in local law enforcement is a CBP agent, based at Orlando International Airport. This is information I pick up from her. Simple as that.You are permitted 90days or less , that less is up to you, all border agents have their date stamps set for the arriving day and expected plane loads and in my experience I have never once noticed an agent alter the 90day date on their stamper based on the answers you give. What happens is they then call for a superior officer who then discusses your admission with you in a separate location.
As long as you meet these criteria for the VWP, you are entitled to 90days admission. Simple as that.
http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/visi...
X5TUU said:
And 3rd party information from someone on how she does her job vs what the actual rules are and how she should carry out her duties are better how??!
Not entirely sure what that is trying to say, but they are quite entitled to bar entry and send you away if they want to. And if they think you are travelling to live with your fiancé having cut you ties to your home country they may very well think you are intending to stay and may well send you back.There is absolutely no entitlement to enter and stay for 90 days, if they don't want to grant entry they won't.
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff