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

BasketCats

I i have enough trust to know they’re not scamming me, we talk often on calls and video calls and I’ve seen his mum in person when she visited the uk.

And they will be picking me up from the airport after my connection when I land in Epply omaha.

He’s agreed on a letter but getting it to the U.K. with the current post strikes might not work out, the cbp have said ‘probably accept an email but it’s up for the officer on duty to decide”

onashoestring said:

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. 

400ixl

We stay with family most years and have had none of the interrogation some here are inferring.

We get asked the question of where are we staying (I can real off the address from memory) and who with and for how long we will be in the US. Sometime get asked about what cash we have brought with us, usually minimal and just tell them that the rest will be on cards or ATM in the US.

That is about as far as the questions go. As long as the answers tie up with the return flights and the advanced passenger information (this is where they will get the address information from, not the ESTA then they just grant you access.

Now it may be slightly different with an individual travelling, but have also done this a few times and not had any issues either.4

It is usually pretty straight forward for a UK citizen, travelling on a return ticket. So don't worry too much about immigration.

jimi_man

I arrived at LAX a couple of days ago and got asked one question (who I was travelling with) and that’s it. They didn’t even stamp my passport this time, maybe they aren’t bothering any more. About time, we don’t stamp theirs when they come into the U.K. 

daveyjp

No need to stamp as its all tied into the electronic system.

Friendly officers may stamp the passport if you ask.

jimi_man

Yes I’m aware of that, my point was that it’s a bit inconstant at present. I was stamped in Washington in July and Vegas in June. 

Whereas for USA people coming to the U.K. it’s a consistent policy and their passports are never stamped for normal visitor entry ( only stamped on request, kids mainly). US citizens over the required age can use the E gates anyway. 

lr1277

daveyjp said:

No need to stamp as its all tied into the electronic system.

Friendly officers may stamp the passport if you ask.

If this true my advice may not apply.
I last went to the US 10 years ago, but every time I have been I never had a pen, and the authorities expect you to complete forms but do not provide pens in the immigration  hall. So take a ballpoint pen, just incase.

Also one time, in 2008 I think, the fingerprint scanner would not scan my fingerprint. Took 3 or 4 attempts. Somewhat stressful. Can’t remember what the immigration officer said would happen if they couldn’t get my fingerprint.

Enjoy your trip.

bagand96

jimi_man said:

Yes I’m aware of that, my point was that it’s a bit inconstant at present. I was stamped in Washington in July and Vegas in June. 

Whereas for USA people coming to the U.K. it’s a consistent policy and their passports are never stamped for normal visitor entry ( only stamped on request, kids mainly). US citizens over the required age can use the E gates anyway. 

The UK e-gates in the US do work for UK/EU passports although it seems they don't routinely allow it. A few years ago I used them a couple of times.

More recently they seem to be for US/Canada citizens only although at times when the domestic queue is empty they will direct some internationals to the egates. Not sure if its a deliberate policy change or not.

There's some great advice in this thread. As it's your first US visit you can expect some questions and fingerprints etc to be taken. Nothing to be afraid of and not there to catch you out. I've found when you have a few trips and some history it becomes much easier, my most recent experience it was unbelievably straightforward and easier than re-entering the UK! 

TELLIT01

US Immigration points are not The Comedy Club, so don't expect the staff to be all smiles.  They are there to do a job, and are repeating the same questions over and over, every day so nothing is personal - initially.  Be polite, answer the questions truthfully, and there shouldn't be any problems.  Get written confirmation from your friend that you are staying with them, and have a decent knowledge of places you are likely to visit.  As you are unemployed you are likely to be asked when you last worked, and how you are funding your trip.  If you have resigned from a job to go on this trip it may raise a red flag.

Indout96

We have been to the US around 40 times in the last 25 years and have only once encountered Border control with an attitude (Niagara walking over from Canada to US side) and that was mainly because we needed to pay the fee by card as we had no US Dollars on us.
In normal entry we have always found them to be pleasant.
The only problem I can see for you is that you say you get panicky in crowds and unfortunately US customs hall are normally packed with people.