Helpful documentation for an extended visit?

Hi all,

Great forum, it has proven helpful in the past though this question I have been unable to solve. I am planning a trip to California for 4 months to visit my girlfriend and am curious what I should bring document wise to prove my intentions. I have heard of people having trouble proving that they will in fact return home!

Any ideas where to look, or helpful tips to make my 3am crossing easier?

Thanks in advance everyone!!

Mike

You have to prove ties to home country, which is difficult to do when one says they are going to visit their romantic partner who just happens to be a US citizen.

They consider the strongest tie to be full-time employment. Which if you're taking 4 months off, I'm guessing you're not currently employed, correct? If you are employed, a letter from your employer stating you are on approved extended leave for whatever purpose (furlough, medical, seasonal lay-off etc...) and you are most definitely expected back to work on XX date is helpful.

Next would be a mortgage or lease/rental agreement for your permanent home. Mortgage more binding than rental of course.

Phone bills and utility bills, and bank accounts are secondary proof of ties, but easily enough abandoned that on their own are not quite convincing proof that you'll return.

Return ticket also is secondary and given that most return tickets cost less than one ways a lot of times, also easily enough abadoned and insufficient proof that you'll return. But helpful regardless.

I guess you're driving though, so I'd say just don't carry all of your worldly possessions in your car with you. Just bare bones, clothes, a few CDs, toiletries and sundries. No boxes loaded with books, kitchen utensils and rock concert posters. If you follow.

Never lie to a US CBP officer, they'll catch you in it sooner rather than later, that's their job.

Be truthful, but don't elaborate. When they ask you a question, give them short succinct answers, not your life story. Only answer what they ask, and look them in the eye, and be polite.

Extended stays can be tricky for anyone under the age of 55 mostly. But not entirely impossible. Even without ties it can be done, I did it myself a few years ago, but I think the CBP guy was hopped up on Halloween sugar and just in an especially good mood. I had just been laid off from my job of 13 years, rec'd a substantial severance package, and sub-let my apartment to my Mum so I could spend the winter in NC with my husband, who at the time was awaiting Canadian Immigration decision. That last was the clincher, our intention was to live in Canada, so that was my binding tie.

Great reply, thank you very much for the information!

Well I have the document from my employer, however I am an auxiliary employee, part-time, so that may prove to be a problem. Should I rework it to include my years with the company? Would that make a difference?

As well, I am a student a year from being finished with my B.A. Would it be beneficial to have a document from the institutions stating this, or something from the school expressing my future aspirations there? I am unable to register for the Fall semester, otherwise that would be solid proof.

Unfortunately I own no property and currently hold no lease agreement- any other suggestions on what may help? I would rather show up with a stack of documentation then be turned away, so I am willing to get whatever is needed.

Is it risky to state that I plan to only go down for 3-4 weeks, and then simply stay the full term? Or would their analysis by no different whether it was one month or 4?

I want to make it it on the first try!

Bank statement with your Canadian address on it is a good one to have.

Bank statements are secondary really. Too easily accessed from the US and/or abandoned without much consequence.

Here is the page at the Department of State that may help:
http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/denia ... _1361.html

They used to have a document with a list of acceptable proof, in decending order of acceptance. I can't seem to find it now. I know they give it to people at the POE when they deny them entry for lack of proof of ties.

Even with all the documentation in the world there is no guarantee that they will let you in. It's really just a crap shoot. They may detain you and interogate you for a few hours, or they may just waive you thru and not even bother to ask you how long you intend to stay. But it's better to have the proof with you and not need it, than need it and not have it. So, whatever you can gather up, it can't hurt.