3 weeks in america from uk- first trip, what to expect?

BasketCats

Mostly in concerns to airports.
 My ESTA was granted, but a few other forums have said because my trip is to stay with my best friend for the first time, I just finished uni, and I’m currently unemployed- so my budget isn’t for a luxury trip(because I didn’t want a luxury trip, I’m fine on Walmart and home meals) for 3 weeks to do American Halloween— I keep getting told  boarders at O’hare where I connect are apparently mean and scary and may send me home, without a written invite from my friends? 

Because they’ll suspect me of being there to work- when I have no desire to do that or be in the USA past 3 weeks of my trip as I’m a home bird and being autistic but independent my family back here are my support net, because tbh, everything work related is overwhelming. My therapist actually messaged cbp’s help team who said a letter helps them know my friend is a real person (tho I talk every day on video calls I know they’re real) but is it needed with an esta? Is everyone getting it confused with visas?

 

Because The UK. gov site says nothing about needing that sort of invite thing either or even financial proof, just covid vaccines and my valid esta. I’ll obvs have my friends number and addresses as that’s what my us point of contact in the esta application was. Im late 20s, british white. This trip was my reward for finishing uni my family are helping me fund it and dad said if I need more money out there they can bank transfer it…I have a return ticket so I’d not be stranded anyway. I absolutely don’t want to cancel as as far as I’m aware, I’ve done everything right. I’m looking at inexpensive but good travel insurance and carry on only suit cases today.

DullGreyGuy

An ESTA isnt a guarantee of entry, it is ultimately down to the immigration officer who you present to. I personally think they get a bit of a bad rep but I dont doubt that which passport you hold and other profiling factors can influence how they treat you.

Their job ultimately is to try and ensure you are going for the purposes that you state and wont either be overstaying, beaching the terms of your entry (eg by working) and wont need to resort to the state for support (ie you have enough money, insurance etc).

There is no strict requirement for you to have anything to give them beyond passport etc however it can be sensible to have a copy of your return ticket, your travel insurance, and proof of funds... if your funds are limited (irrespective on how much you are intending to spend) then having an email/letter confirming the offer of staying for free at your friends will help prove they are sufficient but they may still ask what will happen if you fall out and they kick you out the house. 

3 weeks isnt too long, especially when seeing a friend, but an itinerary or at least a list of things you want to do will also help show its tourism not work you're interested in. A longer stay or not staying with a friend would increase this need. 

Make sure you have your friends telephone number and that they will be available around the time you land. A family member coming to visit us in the UK got held at the boarder for 6 hours because they didn't believe he was coming here for 4 months and not working plus said he didn't have funds to support himself. I got a phone call, confirmed he was staying with us and we would be paying for everything and knowing what he's like he'd probably be taking most the $500 he had on him back with him. They asked if I could prove I could afford to support him if needed, I said yes but they didn't ask for any proof. 

TimSynths

Don't crack any jokes either!

I once went through in North Carolina and they asked what I did for a living, I said I worked for a bank's fraud dept and he asked if I had access to fake passports, I instantly worked out were that was going so said no despite having a drawer full of them for nearly every nation on Earth. Mind you they aren't as bad as leaving Israel- proper spy novel stuff.

Like Dull Grey Guy said above- have proof of where you are staying and telephone numbers for them. Enjoy your trip, I like the US once you are "in" and past the scary people in the booths with the questions and the guns.

daveyjp

Your ESTA should already state where you are staying.  Just expect some questions if its not a hotel.

I'd advise if you can to book a flight via Dublin. 

The US customs queue is much shorter than Chicago and because everyone is connecting they rattle through the passengers.  The officers are generally older and not as unfriendly as US based ones.

The US clearance happens before the flight, rather than at the end of a long flight where you may not be in a state of mind to be questioned at length. It's also not as far to come home in the highly unlikely event you are refused entry!

thegreenone

I must confess I haven't been to the US for years, but I would certainly ask your friend for a, preferably, handwritten letter to clarify that you are staying there (with all contact details) and minimal funds will be required by you.  If you are going for Halloween there should be time to receive it in the post.

Perhaps you may need to ask Dad if he can transfer some funds prior to travel, to be able to show your current account balance with the funds and then pay Dad back when you get home.  We had to do this when our eldest went to Russia to study at a language school (obvs. many years ago!).

Do all and above what is asked, and you will be confident you have done all and above.  I have friends who fly via Dublin and they would agree it's a good route.

Have a wonderful time.

sheramber

Americans have been asked for similar proof when coming to UK.

Have a return ticket, details of the address and contact number for your friend, and access to enough money to support you for the duration of your trip.

they may ask what you are going to do on your trip so have details of any  places you want to visit. 

Don't get anxious about it. Just answer truthfully. 

Brie

Any chance you might have a job waiting for you when you return to the UK?  That would obviously help.  Even if it's a seasonal one and not your dream career.  Being open and honest about what you are doing always helps with customs/immigration.  Also being organised.  I was delayed for 3 hours returning to the UK as the paperwork they needed was in my suitcase instead of my back pocket.  It made them suspect I was scamming.

Voyager2002

Lots of good advice here...

Rather than asking your parents to transfer money to your account to show if questioned, ask them to write a letter saying they will help if necessary and to enclose a copy of their bank statement.

onashoestring

BasketCats said:

. My therapist actually messaged cbp’s help team who said a letter helps them know my friend is a real person (tho I talk every day on video calls I know they’re real) but is it needed with an esta?

 

If USA Customs and Border protection have recommended this then you should do it . 

Have you asked your friend for this ?  It will be easy for them to send you this and then if you are asked , you will have it ready .

The questions are also for your own safety as you haven’t actually met your friend in person and there are a lot of scams and Borders Officers have to establish this is a real person and not a scam or that you are being tricked to come into the country for criminal purposes .

Will your friend be meeting you at the airport?

Make sure that they are ready to answer their phone ( even if the call is from an unknown number ) so that Border Officer can verify that you will be staying with them .

Be prepared to answer honestly if you are in a relationship with this person - it’s a normal question that they may ask to determine if you are likely to want to overstay or continue living in US . Just answer honestly and you will be ok.

The questions aren’t to trick you just to establish why you are coming to US and if you answer honestly there should be no problem. 

Vegastare

So I have never had a problem at O'Hare, but must admit with all points entry to US can be daunting.  As above post just answer honestly.  

My advice, answer all there questions honestly clearly and politely (being smart or joking no!).  Many years ago they took both iris and finger print recognition from me and I don't usually have too many questions.  The only thing they ask every time is when and where did you last entry US,  because there system has the answer - so they will know it is your first time.

They will ask about your friend - so you need his/her address all contact numbers, and occupation, how long you have been friends etc.  I would have proof of return flight and proof travel insurance.  

As for transiting through O'Hare it is a huge airport - but easy to get round and normally each airlines domestic flights are all together in one area.

Just enjoy your experience

BasketCats

Thank you everyone for the advice, my parents bought the plane tickets they were already booked, from Heathrow, to fly back to Heathrow, my friend has said he can take a call and will write me an email note as we’re having Royal Mail strikes and it’s effecting all the post here, my mum wants me to get a travel money card with my money on it to take with me as well as some cash, my friend is disabled so does not work but his family who I am staying with are rooming me, I am paying for all my own food and I budgeted accordingly. Although the gbp crashed yesterday 😵‍💫 so I’ll see how that works out now I’m actually a little panicked. I’m not dating my friend as he already has a fiancé and they also want me to visit it’s between the two of them. It’s largely a relaxed trip planned we’re not really people into massive crowded places due to sensory needs and I have crowd anxiety.