VWP - Is this visiting pattern ok or will it raise problems?
Aug 26th 2010, 10:45 am
#31
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Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 4,759
Re: VWP - Is this visiting pattern ok or will it raise problems?
1. Everybody here says "you'll be fine, no problems getting in" and you get denied entry. Result: you rant because the advice was bad
2. Everybody here gives you advice about what could happen, in order to help you get in without problems. Result: you rant because you don't like the advice
Aug 26th 2010, 11:11 am
#32
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Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 23
Re: VWP - Is this visiting pattern ok or will it raise problems?
So what answer do you want? Seems the good people here can't win because either:
1. Everybody here says "you'll be fine, no problems getting in" and you get denied entry. Result: you rant because the advice was bad
2. Everybody here gives you advice about what could happen, in order to help you get in without problems. Result: you rant because you don't like the advice
1. Everybody here says "you'll be fine, no problems getting in" and you get denied entry. Result: you rant because the advice was bad
2. Everybody here gives you advice about what could happen, in order to help you get in without problems. Result: you rant because you don't like the advice
I don't want to judge my own situation, because otherwise there would be no point in me posting here, but something like:
1) What previous experince say
2) What additional documentarion would be helpful
By the end of September I would have spent 34 days in the US and 242 days in the UK, with no break < 50 days (one of 131 days).
I don't think it calls for alarmism, but I would just like to be prepared with all the documentation in order.
Aug 26th 2010, 2:01 pm
#37
Deep in the woods of CT
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,006
Re: VWP - Is this visiting pattern ok or will it raise problems?
Were you really quoting Meauxna's response to you as being unreasonable and unhelpful? Your initial post was a query as to whether you could have problems on your next entry, and you received answers to that question. Meauxna gave you a very thoughtful and accurate response showing you what could be going through a border agent's mind when you ask for admittance to the US, and you apparently classified it as "scaremongering"? No one can say what will happen, but people have told you just what can happen.
Aug 26th 2010, 3:16 pm
#38
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 23
Re: VWP - Is this visiting pattern ok or will it raise problems?
Were you really quoting Meauxna's response to you as being unreasonable and unhelpful? Your initial post was a query as to whether you could have problems on your next entry, and you received answers to that question. Meauxna gave you a very thoughtful and accurate response showing you what could be going through a border agent's mind when you ask for admittance to the US, and you apparently classified it as "scaremongering"? No one can say what will happen, but people have told you just what can happen.
What I was trying to say is this: we all know that the finale decision is made at the POE. And there is not much to be done about that.
Now, the point is that one can have all the intentions of going back to its own country, but if the custom officer is not sure, then you will be denied entry.
What I am saying here, is that maybe the focus should be on:
1) What can you do to make sure the officer at the POE is not suspicious (and I am NOT talking about lying, just making sure you do all you can to legally increase your chances)
2) Based on experience, given one's travel pattern etc, what is the likelyhood of the officer denying you entry, even if you have all the documentation you may need.
All the post I have read, of people being denied entry are related to people with 1) overstayed visa 2) back to back ~ 90 days visits 3) or people with not enough/wrong documentation (e.g. missing return tickets, no cash, no address, no letter of employment).
So... I hope you see my point, if I say, that what people are probably looking for in this forum is practical advice from people who have more experience and have lived similar situations.
Aug 26th 2010, 3:35 pm
#39
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Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Silicone Valley
Posts: 1,730
Re: VWP - Is this visiting pattern ok or will it raise problems?
First of all: I would like to streess, that I appreciate everybody's help here.
What I was trying to say is this: we all know that the finale decision is made at the POE. And there is not much to be done about that.
Now, the point is that one can have all the intentions of going back to its own country, but if the custom officer is not sure, then you will be denied entry.
What I am saying here, is that maybe the focus should be on:
1) What can you do to make sure the officer at the POE is not suspicious (and I am NOT talking about lying, just making sure you do all you can to legally increase your chances)
2) Based on experience, given one's travel pattern etc, what is the likelyhood of the officer denying you entry, even if you have all the documentation you may need.
All the post I have read, of people being denied entry are related to people with 1) overstayed visa 2) back to back ~ 90 days visits 3) or people with not enough/wrong documentation (e.g. missing return tickets, no cash, no address, no letter of employment).
So... I hope you see my point, if I say, that what people are probably looking for in this forum is practical advice from people who have more experience and have lived similar situations.
What I was trying to say is this: we all know that the finale decision is made at the POE. And there is not much to be done about that.
Now, the point is that one can have all the intentions of going back to its own country, but if the custom officer is not sure, then you will be denied entry.
What I am saying here, is that maybe the focus should be on:
1) What can you do to make sure the officer at the POE is not suspicious (and I am NOT talking about lying, just making sure you do all you can to legally increase your chances)
2) Based on experience, given one's travel pattern etc, what is the likelyhood of the officer denying you entry, even if you have all the documentation you may need.
All the post I have read, of people being denied entry are related to people with 1) overstayed visa 2) back to back ~ 90 days visits 3) or people with not enough/wrong documentation (e.g. missing return tickets, no cash, no address, no letter of employment).
So... I hope you see my point, if I say, that what people are probably looking for in this forum is practical advice from people who have more experience and have lived similar situations.
No one has a crystal ball and no one knows what mood the Border Guard is in on the day you arrive, and they have the power.
If you are so concerned about it why not fly through Dublin or Shannon where you clear customs there, then if you are denied it's not as far to get home.
Aug 26th 2010, 6:59 pm
#40
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,045
Re: VWP - Is this visiting pattern ok or will it raise problems?
First of all: I would like to streess, that I appreciate everybody's help here.
What I was trying to say is this: we all know that the finale decision is made at the POE. And there is not much to be done about that.
Now, the point is that one can have all the intentions of going back to its own country, but if the custom officer is not sure, then you will be denied entry.
What I am saying here, is that maybe the focus should be on:
1) What can you do to make sure the officer at the POE is not suspicious (and I am NOT talking about lying, just making sure you do all you can to legally increase your chances)
2) Based on experience, given one's travel pattern etc, what is the likelyhood of the officer denying you entry, even if you have all the documentation you may need.
All the post I have read, of people being denied entry are related to people with 1) overstayed visa 2) back to back ~ 90 days visits 3) or people with not enough/wrong documentation (e.g. missing return tickets, no cash, no address, no letter of employment).
So... I hope you see my point, if I say, that what people are probably looking for in this forum is practical advice from people who have more experience and have lived similar situations.
What I was trying to say is this: we all know that the finale decision is made at the POE. And there is not much to be done about that.
Now, the point is that one can have all the intentions of going back to its own country, but if the custom officer is not sure, then you will be denied entry.
What I am saying here, is that maybe the focus should be on:
1) What can you do to make sure the officer at the POE is not suspicious (and I am NOT talking about lying, just making sure you do all you can to legally increase your chances)
2) Based on experience, given one's travel pattern etc, what is the likelyhood of the officer denying you entry, even if you have all the documentation you may need.
All the post I have read, of people being denied entry are related to people with 1) overstayed visa 2) back to back ~ 90 days visits 3) or people with not enough/wrong documentation (e.g. missing return tickets, no cash, no address, no letter of employment).
So... I hope you see my point, if I say, that what people are probably looking for in this forum is practical advice from people who have more experience and have lived similar situations.
Aug 26th 2010, 8:40 pm
#41
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
Re: VWP - Is this visiting pattern ok or will it raise problems?
You've said you will leave your job.
You're willing to work in the US (or were) despite your knowledge of the VWP and that you are not allowed to work in the US on the VWP.
Without working will you still have enough money to support yourself for a year? A year is an interesting time period to post about.
You're going to go visit a man for 77 days who may or may not be your boyfriend, depending.
Your sister is magically at the point where she can apply for citizenship and petition you and your mother, and it's convenient that you'll be visiting during that time.
You've successfully visited many times over the past 5 years and are clearly aware of the potential risks but now you want us to be bookies and lay odds on your chances based on ..what, not our experience because you don't want to take our word for it.
Clearly you think there is something fishy about this trip (which is now 2 trips) but you're offended when we suggest that there might be something fishy. All we're doing is relaying how it can appear to the border agent, and you call it scaremongering, impractical, unfocused and alarmist.
All I can offer you is a mirror to see what you have shown us.
You're willing to work in the US (or were) despite your knowledge of the VWP and that you are not allowed to work in the US on the VWP.
Without working will you still have enough money to support yourself for a year? A year is an interesting time period to post about.
You're going to go visit a man for 77 days who may or may not be your boyfriend, depending.
Your sister is magically at the point where she can apply for citizenship and petition you and your mother, and it's convenient that you'll be visiting during that time.
You've successfully visited many times over the past 5 years and are clearly aware of the potential risks but now you want us to be bookies and lay odds on your chances based on ..what, not our experience because you don't want to take our word for it.
Clearly you think there is something fishy about this trip (which is now 2 trips) but you're offended when we suggest that there might be something fishy. All we're doing is relaying how it can appear to the border agent, and you call it scaremongering, impractical, unfocused and alarmist.
All I can offer you is a mirror to see what you have shown us.
In December I intend to visit my boyfriend for 77 days. He lives in the US,
My sister lives in the US too as she has been married to a US citizen for 3 years.
I asked to be working part time and remotely for a few months to spend time with my family.
I have visited the US quite frequently in the last year. Roughly every two momnths, for about a week each time, not to see my boyfriend but also to see my sister.
Also this time, I also want to go to spend Christmas and NYE with her and my mum who will be visiting as well (for only a couple of weeks)
My sister lives in the US too as she has been married to a US citizen for 3 years.
I asked to be working part time and remotely for a few months to spend time with my family.
I have visited the US quite frequently in the last year. Roughly every two momnths, for about a week each time, not to see my boyfriend but also to see my sister.
Also this time, I also want to go to spend Christmas and NYE with her and my mum who will be visiting as well (for only a couple of weeks)
Since last XMas I made the following trips to the USA:
1) 24th Dec 09 to 4th Jan 10
2) 15th May 10 to 23rd May 10
3) 21st Jul to 28th Jul
Now I am planning to go from
18th Sep to 26th Sep
Dec 4th to Jan 5th.
I have sufficient funds to support myself for about a year withouth working.
1) 24th Dec 09 to 4th Jan 10
2) 15th May 10 to 23rd May 10
3) 21st Jul to 28th Jul
Now I am planning to go from
18th Sep to 26th Sep
Dec 4th to Jan 5th.
I have sufficient funds to support myself for about a year withouth working.
Aug 26th 2010, 9:01 pm
#42
BE Commentator
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 8,444
Re: VWP - Is this visiting pattern ok or will it raise problems?
I am puzzled by this comment. Where do you get the idea that you will get the protections given to criminal suspects? I see no hint of this in the answers in this thread.
Aug 27th 2010, 1:59 am
#43
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Re: VWP - Is this visiting pattern ok or will it raise problems?
Aug 27th 2010, 5:45 am
#44
Account Closed
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 23
Re: VWP - Is this visiting pattern ok or will it raise problems?
You've said you will leave your job.
You're willing to work in the US (or were) despite your knowledge of the VWP and that you are not allowed to work in the US on the VWP.
Without working will you still have enough money to support yourself for a year? A year is an interesting time period to post about.
You're going to go visit a man for 77 days who may or may not be your boyfriend, depending.
Your sister is magically at the point where she can apply for citizenship and petition you and your mother, and it's convenient that you'll be visiting during that time.
You've successfully visited many times over the past 5 years and are clearly aware of the potential risks but now you want us to be bookies and lay odds on your chances based on ..what, not our experience because you don't want to take our word for it.
Clearly you think there is something fishy about this trip (which is now 2 trips) but you're offended when we suggest that there might be something fishy. All we're doing is relaying how it can appear to the border agent, and you call it scaremongering, impractical, unfocused and alarmist.
All I can offer you is a mirror to see what you have shown us.
You're willing to work in the US (or were) despite your knowledge of the VWP and that you are not allowed to work in the US on the VWP.
Without working will you still have enough money to support yourself for a year? A year is an interesting time period to post about.
You're going to go visit a man for 77 days who may or may not be your boyfriend, depending.
Your sister is magically at the point where she can apply for citizenship and petition you and your mother, and it's convenient that you'll be visiting during that time.
You've successfully visited many times over the past 5 years and are clearly aware of the potential risks but now you want us to be bookies and lay odds on your chances based on ..what, not our experience because you don't want to take our word for it.
Clearly you think there is something fishy about this trip (which is now 2 trips) but you're offended when we suggest that there might be something fishy. All we're doing is relaying how it can appear to the border agent, and you call it scaremongering, impractical, unfocused and alarmist.
All I can offer you is a mirror to see what you have shown us.
1) I am not going to LEAVE my job. I can just go on a LOA (Leave of abscence), which means I am still FULLY EMPLOYED BY A UK COMPANY
2) I didn't know I could not work FOR A UK COMPANY until someone said it here
And I am grateful I have posted, because clearly I wasn't aware I could not work for a UK company (since the VWP says business and pleasure, I had thought that could be considered business) and I could have done something illegal without knowing.
And this is helpful as I really don't want to do anything illegal.
As for the rest, you give me insight in the mind of a border agent, so I thank you for that too.
Aug 27th 2010, 4:35 pm
#45
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
Re: VWP - Is this visiting pattern ok or will it raise problems?
You're not 'fully employed' for the purpose of this conversation though. You're off work for several months. Under current conditions, that looks a lot like not having a job. We're not discussing technicalities of translation, we're talking about using a job as evidence that one needs to return to their home country.