Frequent travel to the same US destination
Discussion
Having won the long distance relationship competition I am now frequently travelling to the US and virtually always landing in Seattle and often only for short periods of time.
Immigration have looked at me with raised eyebrows but it hasn't caused any major concerns for them yet - but I can imagine more difficult questions will be asked at some point, especially as it isnt an especially popular tourist destination.
Any way to get around this or I just need to grin and bear it, with evidence of a return ticket to hand?
Immigration have looked at me with raised eyebrows but it hasn't caused any major concerns for them yet - but I can imagine more difficult questions will be asked at some point, especially as it isnt an especially popular tourist destination.
Any way to get around this or I just need to grin and bear it, with evidence of a return ticket to hand?
When you watch those border patrol programmes they only ever seem to want to nab the people with an open ticket or a one way ticket.
If you've always got a return I don't see what they can say, even if they wanted to check and your story is legit then they could suggest contact your partner for confirmation.
If you've always got a return I don't see what they can say, even if they wanted to check and your story is legit then they could suggest contact your partner for confirmation.
Most US Immigration officials seem to be on a power trip and just love making people feel awkward. Always make sure you have supporting documentation for your return flight etc and you should be fine...give them an inch and they love throwing the book at people. There are loads of people that travel frequently for business to the US so they are certainly used to it....Seattle has Boeing and Microsoft based there so they are plenty used to business travellers.
Beardy10 said:
Most US Immigration officials seem to be on a power trip and just love making people feel awkward.
Indeed, although you occasionally get a good one.On one entry via seatac, I'm trying not to stand out and just get through, and the guy looking at my passport said something odd.
It took me about 3 seconds to respond "hang on, that was a joke. And a good one at that. I thought your sense of humour was surgically removed?".
He then spent some time "checking my passport" whilst actually telling me the name and location of a couple of good bars, an excellent local eatery and trying to persuade me to start supporting the sonics.
Assuming you are using the Visa Waiver Program, the rule of thumb is that you should spend as much time outside the US as in - but the reality is that there are few hard and fast rules, which intentionally give the CBP officials some latitude in interpretation.
If CBP suspects VWP abuse - visitors using the 'concession' to effectively live in the US - or to change status (usually via mrriage to a USC while on VWP) - they are going to scrutinize more closely.
The more you use VWP, the closer they are going to examine your intentions. It was intended for occasional visits - not regular, repetitive ones.
If CBP suspects VWP abuse - visitors using the 'concession' to effectively live in the US - or to change status (usually via mrriage to a USC while on VWP) - they are going to scrutinize more closely.
The more you use VWP, the closer they are going to examine your intentions. It was intended for occasional visits - not regular, repetitive ones.
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