Anyone travel regularly to the USA? (Immigration / Border control question)

Scuzi

Scuzi

Scuzi

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Since last September I have been travelling to the USA every 3-4 weeks and spending about a week at a time there. My girlfriend lives there so I go to visit.

Each time, the officers at passport control have become increasingly inquisitive and appear suspicious. When I went last week, the guy at passport control appeared to be undecided about whether or not to grant me access. He questioned me for a while about my occupation and how I can get so much free time to travel, how i get the money for it etc... As a result I missed my connecting flight.
I get the feeling that if I continue to go on a regular basis that I'm going to get a lot of hassle from them in the future.

Does anyone here travel to the US on a regular basis and if so have you experienced any problems? Is there anything that can be done to avoid any hassle or misunderstandings? Any tips?

Thanks :)
 
Well how do you afford to fly longhaul making connections every 3-4 weeks and spend a week in the US staying with your GF? Surely just stating the exact situation clearly and concisely would be best.
 
Has a nice paid job...?

Edit: tbh they I'm not surprised they are getting a bit edgy with the recent attempt, not sure how you'll get around their checks each time though.
 
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Hikari Kisugi said:
Well how do you afford to fly longhaul making connections every 3-4 weeks and spend a week in the US staying with your GF? Surely just stating the exact situation clearly and concisely would be best.
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That's what I'm doing but I'm wondering if there is a procedure in place or if there's something or someone catering to help out people in this scenario. Maybe there's a department I can contact to explain the situation so they are pre-briefed?

I don't know and that's why I'm asking. I might call the US embassy but I'd like to have done some research before doing so.

:)
 
Just take oodles of evidence that you will be returning to the UK - bank statements, work contract, tenancy agreement, mortgage/rent payments highlighted, council tax, etc, etc. As long as they can see you have things to attend to back here they won't give you too much trouble.
 
And this is why Americas national security sucks. Do you fit the profile of a terrorist? No. They are wasting yours and there time.

Where abouts in the US does your girlfriend live? You could fly to Canada and cross the border if feasible.
 
I did several successive 3 week trips last year, once with only 6 days in between. Similar to you, I experienced progressively increasing difficultly in getting through the borders. However, as far as I understand it, under the terms of the VWP you are free to travel there within the restrictions it sets out.

In order to minimise hassle, take proof of the very things they have been questioned over - pay slip, bank statements, approval for time off work, return flight information etc. If the guard is confident that you are not endeavouring to work in the United States, he should be more than happy to let you pass and contribute to their tax revenue!!
 
Poor OP, he obviously has the money to travel and see his gf regularly but he could eventually be denied this tax paying right just because of a few stupid individuals
 
Thanks for the advice guys. So a few recent payslips and bank statements in my hand luggage should help out? I see what you're getting at. I'm thinking maybe a copy of previous year's leave records will help to show that I get more time off than the average bear.

I can't think of anything else that would help out.


daelo said:
Poor OP, he obviously has the money to travel and see his gf regularly but he could eventually be denied this tax paying right just because of a few stupid individuals
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:confused:
 
Its because they know you are from Lurgan!

I have only one experience of going through customs in the States and do be honest I think they must get turned on by having the power and authority to deny people entry. They all were very smug with me and I just didn't warm to their attitudes. One dude said he was saddened by the fact that the only reason I chose to visit USA was for business. Americans - all the same.
 
Damn..my GF lives in South America...wish I could afford to go every 3-4 weeks, and get a week off work every time as well...lucky mofo :p
 
meghatronic said:
"Business or pleasure?"

Answer "Business".
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How is that meant to help? I always said "business" and still started getting the third degree. I had to have letters from the president of the company in the end!
Scuzi said:
Thanks for the advice guys. So a few recent payslips and bank statements in my hand luggage should help out? I see what you're getting at. I'm thinking maybe a copy of previous year's leave records will help to show that I get more time off than the average bear.
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It certainly won't hurt. I'd also suggest next time mentioning that you are regularly visiting your girlfriend, and ask what information they would like to see for the time after. Speaking to the US Embassy isn't a bad idea either, though the hotline is an 09 number and the automated machine speaks about 1 word per hour :p
 
JonRohan said:
And this is why Americas national security sucks. Do you fit the profile of a terrorist? No. They are wasting yours and there time.

Where abouts in the US does your girlfriend live? You could fly to Canada and cross the border if feasible.
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Doesnt make it any easier though...my brother having moved back to Canada 6 yrs ago does a hell of a lot of travelling around the States with his company...they do backup solutions for a lot of big companies in and around America so he gets to travel a lot..for a week at a time. But everytime he goes he always gets questioned and thats from Canada...luckily his company have now got him a green card so the last few times hes been there for work, he hasnt had any trouble.

G|mp said:
It's your accent and the fact you look a bit shifty.

Try wearing the Stetson.

:p
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And make sure you say yee haw in a very loud Texas accent:p
 
I did a couple of years back and never had a problem at all to be honest. I was regularly in and out for a few months, maybe a dozen times in 3-4 months.

I can only suggest contacting the embassy and asking them though finding the right person to speak to (and getting lucky with someone who actually gives a damn and wants to help) will be a pain.

Stuff like whether you always fly to the same airport or similar will likely matter these days, multiple trips for personal reasons if you clear customs in a different city each time won't look good (no matter how much you explain it's just because you're flying on and this was the cheapest way). Being or looking fairly young won't help your cause much either unfortunately.
 
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