URGENT VWP help please

[somuchtrouble]

Hi,

I have been looking on this website for a while now for information since i am planning a trip with my girlfriend for 90 days this year to LA. And lots of horror stories so got bit worried. We are Europeans and only once visited US in 2008 for less then 2 weeks. Now we want to go for 90 days to travel around, maybe costa rica also for a week.

We will have enough money with us around 10k dollars, will stay in apartment complex, rent car for that time etc etc. We will be most likely without a job so we can travel for 3 months but we will return again to UK after those 90 days. Will temporary be without a job and house in home country be a huge problem?

Since there are so many rejections stories here we were considering maybe even to book a 2 week ticket and then once there rebook and stay no longer then the 90 days VWP. Would this be possible, and what would be best for us to do?

So much trouble to go on a allowed 90 days VWP to just travel, not like you break any rules lol.

Thank you all so much for the help!!

[immihelp]

If you qualify for VWP, just apply for ESTA and visit the U.S.

[somuchtrouble]

I've been advised to go with like a 10 days ticket and then change it, as the 90 days with no strong ties to the UK might look suspicious and I dont want to risk that.
My question is, if I follow that advice and then change the ticket once there and stay for 89 days, the next time I enter the US after that (as they will notice this) what will happen?

[cafeconleche]

If you change your ticket, I doubt it would be a problem. You changed your mind. You'll also be going to Central America. Either way, your lack of a job COULD be an issue anyway. I have no experience with this with US immigration (as I have never really had to prove anything like this to them).

[somuchtrouble]

Have a friend that went for 90 days to new york and was sent back cause they thought she was going to try live there, thats why we are scared.
So what do you think? What would you do in our situation?

[cafeconleche]

In your situation? The thought of facing US immigration as a visitor scares me, hehe. Even as a permanent resident, I had nerves.

Can you get a letter from your employer that will say you are on sabbatical or something, and that your job is waiting for you? If not, can you get one from a relative who owns a company or something, which could say that you will join them after your trip? Just try to get SOMETHING that would guarantee your return.

[somuchtrouble]

So to play it safe, if we say we go for say 2 weeks and then change our ticket and stay like 89 days. When one day we return to US
would that put us in any kind of trouble?

[cafeconleche]

Nah, not really. Of course, it's not allowed since it's premeditated, but genuinely changing one's plans is allowed (within the 90-day limit). Also, remember that you hear only the horror stories, and not all the smooth entries for VWP visitors. I was in the US for a while and my girlfriend entered a few times on the VWP saying she was visiting me, a US resident, and she was completely fine. She was only a student then.

[somuchtrouble]

Thanks for the reply. But she visited you for periods of more or less 3 months on VWP? We really have no intention to stay in US, only reason asking is because of all the stories people being refused for not having strong enough ties to home country. Want to avoid any risk of not having this amazing 3 months holiday, traveling around. What you think is best to do?

[cafeconleche]

Best thing? Somehow get a letter from work saying you will return after the holiday. Barring that, someone else that can write you an employment offer letter (yes, this is lying).

If neither of those are to your taste, I would say that the chances of you two being sent back are low. Your chances would also be better if you have proof of having pre-booked these rental cars, hotels, etc. (ie, a set itinerary). I doubt you have all of those things, though, right?

Honestly, I've never entered the US as a tourist (save for my first entry when I was a kid). I've always told my friends (and girlfriend) to be careful at immigration, but they have always got in the country without any problems.



I think you just have to "look and sound" like you're not a risk. I don't know what that is. Maybe have confidence, and don't look nervous or fidgety. Just statistically, you should not expect to be turned back. At least in this case, positive thinking might help (I usually don't believe in all of the supposed benefits of this claptrap, like avoiding cancer, etc.)

Hehe, I wish you luck.

PS you could also contact the US embassy/consulate nearby and ask them this question.