tiktak

Hi, I am not a British citizen, but I have seen no other forum that actually give polite, but honest answers to its users. So here I am. I reside in one of the Nordic countries and since December last year I have visited the US twice for 6 weeks on each visit. First time I went with my sister and the second visit was to see my boyfriend who is a us citizen. (and of course to see more of of the country) I plan to visit again after 3 months out for about 7 weeks. Will this be a problem? I know no exact answer can be given as it all depends on the POE. I have strong ties to my home country, including a job, a house I rent, more than enough savings to support myself during my visit, and pets, who will be staying with my mom meanwhile. I know it is a bad idea to say I am visiting my boyfriend, but isn't the truth always the best policy (or not?) (seeing him is not the only reason I want to come as I want to see more of Texas, there is just never enough time ) We have no exact plans about the future, I am certainly not moving to the US, and right now we are quite happy with me just traveling back and forth. But if this will pose a problem something has to change.

Thanks for any answers!

ian-mstm

Probably not.

Ian

GeoffM

Usual advice is to spend more time out of the US than in, though that's only a general rule and not a measure. It's hard to tell what and when from your post but you've said about 3 months in the US in the last 9, roughly? If you were to do your next trip now, that would be 4.5 months in 10-11 which might raise an eyebrow! The POE officer might ask how you're able to be away from your job for so long.

Can your BF visit you? I'm sure he'd like to visit your country just as much as you want to explore Texas and the US!

ian-mstm

Which is precisely what she's doing. She's waiting 3 months before making another attempt... and her last visit was only for 6 weeks.


It may be "only a general rule" but it seems to work consistently for 95+% of the people who use the VWP.

Ian

GeoffM

Two sets of 6 weeks in the last 9ish months, now adding another 6-7 weeks but we don't know if that's 3 months from now, or now - with the former better than the latter.

As a "general rule" you're right most of the time. The point was to be aware it wasn't a hard and fast rule - one could "abide" by it and still be declined entry stemming from that issue.

S Folinsky

A general comment: the decision to admit or not admit can be quite subjective. The front line inspectors for the Dark Forces will often pick-up on visual clues. Of course, there is the nervousness in approaching the inspector -- but that is often normal. However, another thing is that it is not all that easy to hide is the anticipation of the first time alone with a boyfriend in several months.

Apfelkuchen

I have been visiting my boyfriend roughly every three months for the last two years. I always state that as my purpose and nobody has ever so much as raised an eyebrow. You are making longer trips than I do (mine are usually around 3 weeks long), which might attract more attention, but as a general point I don't think it is a bad idea.

Next time I go I will have to say I am visiting my fiancé. Will have to see if that turns the heat up at all .

tiktak

So it looks like I will be alright? I would love for my boyfriend to visit me - but he is in plain English: broke! And Scandinavia isn't known to be cheap place to visit.

About the job situation: I work at a place that is quite understanding of me coming and going. Right now because I am in a decent financial situation so I only need to work summers, some weekends and holidays. This is fine with my employee, (hospital) This I understand will look very alien to an American border officer.

Apfelkuchen

Could you pay for his flight (since you would presumably be paying for your own to go the other way anyway)? It's true Scandinavia is not cheap for visitors (I once got some noodles and an OJ in a 7/11 in Norway for the equivalent of about $11!), but if you pay for or contribute to the flight costs and he can stay with you for free it wouldn't be so bad. You might be perfectly fine with your plan to go to the US, as Ian said, but since you are making reasonably lengthy trips it couldn't hurt to space them out a bit more by having him visit you.

tiktak

11 dollars! yikes, can't say I am surprised though. One pint of beer is about 12 dollar. I usually tell people, because of the costs, to visit somewhere else in Europe unless they are crazy about nature. Anyway; maybe it is a good idea that he visits me this time, I'll discuss it with him. Thanks for your reply.

scrubbedexpat099

A connection me thinks?

tiktak

What do you mean?

Apfelkuchen

Perhaps he suspects that your job involves extorting money out of tourists for overpriced beer and noodles, and that is why you can afford not to work much .

tiktak

Haha, that is what I thought. Just wanted to be sure..

ljaw2002uk

For what it's worth, I agree with Ian.

I made many visits to the US on the VWP, sometimes four or more in a 12 month period. I only experienced problems once, and that was after doing so for a couple of years.

IMHO I think you will be ok.