Visiting US again after just 80 days - CBP concerns
 

Hi folks,

I'm a UK resident. I returned recently on the 12th August from an eight week visit to the US to visit a couple of friends. I was originally planning to go back around the end of the year to visit them again, but due to a change of plans, I'm now aiming to visit at the end of this month on the 31st. I'll be staying for four & a half weeks, leaving at the start of December. I'm mostly intending to simply to relax with said friends after a rather stressful September, along with experiencing Thanksgiving & Black Friday for the first time in my life, and a little bit of sightseeing too! (I didn't take nearly enough photos last time!)

So of course my natural concern is, is it likely that I'm going to have issues with CBP at the border? While I'm aware that only the CBP officer I meet on the day will truly know my fate, I'm still curious to know how you guys would feel about my chances of successfully passing through immigration. I'm pretty worried about the whole thing, it's a daunting thought to know that my vacation may be shot down at the last second by CBP, and I worry that the chances of this happening might be greater considering it's only been a little under three months since my previous lengthy visit.

To add further information, I've visited the US a total of 5 times to date over the past four years (this'll be my 6th visit), and have had no trouble so far with CBP. My immigration record is completely clean. I have a job, a rented apartment back here in the UK to return to, and plenty of money to support myself during the trip. This will also be my last visit for quite a while. Also with being a UK resident, I will be travelling on the VWP.

Am I worrying too much? Or should I be concerned about visiting again only 80 days after such a lengthy visit?

Many thanks to anyone who can ease my worried mind.

-K.

I'd bet money on you passing through with little hassle. Just make sure you have your return flight ticket information handy. Also have your American friends' names and addresses, address where you'll be staying, and your friends' phone numbers they'll be at while you're passing through CBP just in case the officer wants to verify any info.

Helpful info

If you really want to go above and beyond, bring a copy of a recent pay stub and a short letter from your boss saying you're employed with [x] company as an [x] and he/she expects you back to work on [x] date. Then you'll have something extra if they want the proof.

Oh, and while Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, you don't want to experience Black Friday. Trust me. Black Friday is for sleeping in.

Thanks for the response!

Wow, Black Friday is really that bad? Think I'll take your advice and just stay indoors for that one.

I don't currently have a letter from my employer, but I'll look into getting one. I do currently have proof of funding though, along with proof that I have a home to return to.

My latest worry now is that I'm travelling to the Monterey area, a town a few hours north of LAX. The town itself does have an airport (MRY), but my friends insisted on picking me up directly from LAX instead because they felt I'd likely miss the connecting flight to MRY. Whilst I do intend to fly back from MRY on the trip home (I have an itinerary to prove this), I worry that CBP might think it's odd that they'd drive 4-5 hours to pick me up, rather than me simply flying to MRY.

I really worry too much. heh

Are you holding a ticket for LAX-MRY? Because if you skip that segment, the rest of your ticket will be canceled.

Everyone goes through Immigration & Customs at their first point of entry, which in your case is LAX. I doubt the Immigration official will even care how you're getting from LAX to your final destination. They see countless people every day who aren't staying in Los Angeles.

I think the clock restarted when you left for the UK:


Transit under the Visa Waiver Program

Travelers who qualify for visa free travel under the Visa Waiver Program may transit the United States. Prior to boarding the carrier they must obtain travel authorization under ESTA.

If transiting the United States to a destination in Canada, Mexico or the adjacent islands, the traveler may re-enter the United States on the return journey using any mode of transport, as long as the total visit, including both periods of time spent in transit and in Canada, Mexico or the adjacent islands, does not exceed 90 days. If transiting to a destination outside of Canada, Mexico or the adjacent islands, the return journey must be on a participating carrier, but need not be within 90 days, as the traveler will be required to make a new application for admission.

http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/vwpnewcountries2.html


But they might worry that you're actually planning to try to come live here (though this is probably less of a concern for someone from the UK than other countries in the world). Being a young university student, if you are, would help you. But if you want to worry, you could bring a copy of your lease or proof or student enrollment/job info, if you'd like.
I'd be surprised if you got much trouble, though.

I wouldn't worry about your friends coming to pick you up; I'd doubt this would raise an eyebrow. LAX is cool enough people like to go there.

And I think black friday is totally worth it, especially since you won't be trying to get the great deal on the big screen TV and won't be worried about not getting it. It's an eye-opening experience. :)