Advice for self-employed British citizen married to American citizen, visiting the US
#32
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: York, UK
Posts: 11
Re: Advice for self-employed British citizen married to American citizen, visiting th
Thanks everyone for your help. As I said, I know not to answer questions unless specifically asked, and if asked, for my husband to say that he will not be doing any work at all (however you define that).
Seems a bit odd, though, that Richard Branson is allowed to do what he does to earn a living, but Jane the shop assistant isn't allowed to do what she does to earn a living.
Well, as I'm not married to Richard Branson, I guess we'd better be as careful as possible.
Seems a bit odd, though, that Richard Branson is allowed to do what he does to earn a living, but Jane the shop assistant isn't allowed to do what she does to earn a living.
Well, as I'm not married to Richard Branson, I guess we'd better be as careful as possible.
#33
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: York, UK
Posts: 11
Re: Advice for self-employed British citizen married to American citizen, visiting th
I also have another question.
I have heard of UK immigration officials bouncing people because they either had too little or too much cash on them. Too little, and the officer thought they were going to get a job; too much, and the office thought they were going to stay longer than allowed. Are US immigration officers the same, or do they understand that people have access to credit cards and cash machines? Personally, I would rather we not have much more cash on us than the amount we would need for cab fare to the hotel. I have heard of people being bounced from the UK because they had too little cash on them, even though they had credit cards with them.
I have heard of UK immigration officials bouncing people because they either had too little or too much cash on them. Too little, and the officer thought they were going to get a job; too much, and the office thought they were going to stay longer than allowed. Are US immigration officers the same, or do they understand that people have access to credit cards and cash machines? Personally, I would rather we not have much more cash on us than the amount we would need for cab fare to the hotel. I have heard of people being bounced from the UK because they had too little cash on them, even though they had credit cards with them.
In addition to not wanting to carry lots of cash around, I already have a bank account in the US, and would prefer to use dollars directly from that (via cash machine) after I arrive in the US, rather than have to take out pounds from my UK account, exchange it to dollars in the UK, and pay for the exchange.
#34
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2007
Location: London
Posts: 1,248
Re: Advice for self-employed British citizen married to American citizen, visiting th
Any advice on the above?
In addition to not wanting to carry lots of cash around, I already have a bank account in the US, and would prefer to use dollars directly from that (via cash machine) after I arrive in the US, rather than have to take out pounds from my UK account, exchange it to dollars in the UK, and pay for the exchange.
In addition to not wanting to carry lots of cash around, I already have a bank account in the US, and would prefer to use dollars directly from that (via cash machine) after I arrive in the US, rather than have to take out pounds from my UK account, exchange it to dollars in the UK, and pay for the exchange.
#35
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: NW Chicago suburbs
Posts: 11,253
Re: Advice for self-employed British citizen married to American citizen, visiting th
#36
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: York, UK
Posts: 11
Re: Advice for self-employed British citizen married to American citizen, visiting th
Thanks. Any idea what immigration would considered to be a reasonable amount of cash to bring for a 10-day visit to New York City? Not a reasonable amount of money to spend, but a reasonable amount of cash to have in our wallets.
Personally, I can't see the point of carrying around any more than maybe $50 at any one time, and that's only if we're planning on taking a long taxi ride. But I'm not an immigration officer. Would they suspicious of someone coming in on VWP for that long and carrying only that small amount of cash? Someone in the US advised us to bring about $500 each in cash (based on something he read in a money laundering manual, I think), but I don't know if that's such a good idea. Speaking as a native New Yorker, I would never walk around New York City carrying that amount of cash unless I was going directly to a bank to deposit it.
Personally, I can't see the point of carrying around any more than maybe $50 at any one time, and that's only if we're planning on taking a long taxi ride. But I'm not an immigration officer. Would they suspicious of someone coming in on VWP for that long and carrying only that small amount of cash? Someone in the US advised us to bring about $500 each in cash (based on something he read in a money laundering manual, I think), but I don't know if that's such a good idea. Speaking as a native New Yorker, I would never walk around New York City carrying that amount of cash unless I was going directly to a bank to deposit it.
#39
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: York, UK
Posts: 11
Re: Advice for self-employed British citizen married to American citizen, visiting th
It's my husband using the VWP. I'm a US Citizen with a US passport. Sorry if it wasn't clear.
We are actually travelling from Red Hook, Brooklyn to Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn and are fine with public transport.
You're right about JFK to Manhattan by cab though; I forgot about the tip.
We are actually travelling from Red Hook, Brooklyn to Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn and are fine with public transport.
You're right about JFK to Manhattan by cab though; I forgot about the tip.
Last edited by Malory; Aug 10th 2008 at 5:06 am.
#44
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: York, UK
Posts: 11
Re: Advice for self-employed British citizen married to American citizen, visiting th
I'm sure the American tipping mentality will get back to me as soon as I set foot on US soil.
Seriously, are you guys implying that money for travelling to the hotel (whatever that is equal to) is enough?
#45
Re: Advice for self-employed British citizen married to American citizen, visiting th
I've just never heard of a USC's admission going down the way you describe.