Customs/Border control advice??

[Shauny]

It is absolutely rediculous and unnecessary. It's a good thing I love Florida and she isn't keen on England. Travelling there is easier so I'm just gonna fly to her from now on.

[rachel0106]

Hey! Hope it's okay to bring up this month-old thread, since I didn't want to make a brand new one on a very similar topic, especially since a few of you guys mentioned travel between the UK and US/Florida. Just want to put my mind at rest!

My guy lives in Orlando, FL and I live in the UK. I also have family there (aunt and cousins) who I'm very close with. I've regularly visited the US for 2-4 weeks at a time 1-2x a year since I was around 13, always travelling on my own and staying with my aunt, and never had any issues at immigration. Only once I had an officer ask who I was staying with (my aunt) and what I studied (I answered) and had no problems. I should probably mention I'm 24 and a UK citizen, clean records, ESTA has always gone through automatically no problem.

I stayed over there for 2.5 weeks last September with my aunt, 2.5 weeks at the end of March with my aunt and met up with the guyfriend a couple of times, and last stayed for 5.5 weeks at the guyfriend's place from mid-June til late July. On my last visit I was mostly visiting family during the day, and went to a few concerts and day trips at the weekends with him. I've already booked my next visit for another 5.5 weeks from the end of October til beginning of December, & so by then I will have spent just over double the time at home in the UK than I did in the US on my last trip. Ideally I would have just booked for 4 weeks since I started missing my parents and nan last time, but I wanted to experience my first American Halloween and Thanksgiving, as well as concerts in late November and the first week of December we desperately want to go to together.

I also want to go to New York for 1 week over Christmas to meet his family and friends up there, so would be heading stateside again 2-3 weeks after my last visit. Is this pushing my luck too much?! I didn't want to stretch my visit even longer and stay 2 months - it would be a bit long for me, and thought that would definitely be pushing my luck too. My next longer Florida visit wouldn't be until March or April time, assuming all is well with us, and he's hoping to come over here for a week before then.

Reasons I'm concerned about problems at immigration: I'm currently umemployed, being out of education a year now. I've applied for a number of jobs and volunteering positions which I've been turned down from, but don't really need to work, since my parents are happy to give me enough money to live on (apologies if I sound a bit of a brat - trying not to make it sound like that! I'm terrible at social skills therefore have been rejected from jobs over someone with better ones) which I know I'm extremely lucky for. However I really wouldn't want them to assume my 'ties' aren't sufficient to the UK and it would be my worst nightmare to be denied passage to the US.

My 'ties' to the UK despite unemployment: I always have a return plane ticket and always leave on time - never missed my flight and never stayed in the US for more than a few weeks at a time. I also have a credit card, bank account with plenty of savings to spend on food and other essentials while I'm there, and a travel money card which can be topped up online or from home, for emergencies. I don't pay rent where I live, but the council tax is in my name and I currently use the money from the allowance my parents give me to pay for that. I also have my car taxed and insured in my name here at home. I help out my parents and elderly grandma a lot at home, and miss them too much if I'm away too long. I definitely don't want to work in the US, nor would I need to, and never take anything with me that would suggest that, not even my laptop since I don't need it there anyway.

Apologies for the mega-long post - am I being silly or is there anything I should be prepared with, or that I should know, to ensure I don't have any issues on my next visit or two? Thanks in advance!

[Shauny]

Hi Rachel! I'm unemployed too My contracted ended without renewal.
Anyway I wouldn't say going to to New York is pushing your luck; once you're in the States and you have the stamp, you're free to roam around all the states, although customs may ask. When I flew my first time to florida it was to Orlando Sanford which really isn't a very busy airport. I heard bad things about American customs but all was fine, and all I can remember being asked was where am I staying, (with a friend), boy or girl (not sure why this matters but girl), does she know you are coming (yes, and her family knows too), how are you getting to her house (picking me up from this aiport), how long am I staying for, and do I have my return Ticket (in which case I shown my Eticket.), Ok, pic of face, finger/thumb scans and whoosh! I was through in 5 minutes!

The only issue is is September when I go for a second time, I will be going to Tampa Airport via Miami and Heathrow. The issue is Miami is a very busy airport and the connecting flight is only 2 hours after arrival! I'm just hoping customs are just as good there and I get through without issue. I'm just nervous they'll be a little more asky because this time I'm getting a hire car and driving too hers, but perhaps I can make a little white lie?

[rachel0106]

I'm sure you'll be just fine - doesn't sound like they'd have any issue with you I was only super-worried about mine because even though I'm spending 2/3 of my time at home, it's still 3 visits in one year (and thinking of going from London to NY for the week over Christmas only 3 weeks after being home).

I don't think you'd have an issue with the hire car either - if anything it's good as it shows you're spending money on tourism and further proof that you're leaving on time, since you will have booked a date to take the car back too. On my shorter trip in March I picked up a hire car from the airport, but they didn't ask anything about it at all, nor on my last entry in June. And 2 hours sounds fine to get through - I think you'll be okay!