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Travelling to America for the first time
The Next CEO of Stack OverflowDo our Indian flights go to Bangkok?Travelling teenagers in the USAEntering the US with US citizenship pendingHow should I prepare for potential flooding in Utah and Arizona?Collecting luggage and checking them in again?3 Days to drive from Las Vegas to Los Angeles12 weeks in America - What questions should I prepare for?Long-distance relationship, planning to visit US partner from UK for ChristmasUber/Lyft for foreign tourists?What do I need to know about going through immigration traveling out of the country for the first time?
I'm travelling to Los Angeles for the first time by myself to visit friends. I would just like to know at immigration will they get suspicious if I say that I'm staying with friends rather than a hotel to save money.
usa customs-and-immigration international-travel
edited Mar 23 at 16:52
mkennedy
6,4472742
asked Mar 23 at 2:53
AmyAmy
211
add a comment |
I'm travelling to Los Angeles for the first time by myself to visit friends. I would just like to know at immigration will they get suspicious if I say that I'm staying with friends rather than a hotel to save money.
usa customs-and-immigration international-travel
edited Mar 23 at 16:52
mkennedy
6,4472742
asked Mar 23 at 2:53
AmyAmy
211
add a comment |
I'm travelling to Los Angeles for the first time by myself to visit friends. I would just like to know at immigration will they get suspicious if I say that I'm staying with friends rather than a hotel to save money.
usa customs-and-immigration international-travel
edited Mar 23 at 16:52
mkennedy
6,4472742
asked Mar 23 at 2:53
AmyAmy
211
I'm travelling to Los Angeles for the first time by myself to visit friends. I would just like to know at immigration will they get suspicious if I say that I'm staying with friends rather than a hotel to save money.
usa customs-and-immigration international-travel
usa customs-and-immigration international-travel
edited Mar 23 at 16:52
mkennedy
6,4472742
asked Mar 23 at 2:53
AmyAmy
211
edited Mar 23 at 16:52
mkennedy
6,4472742
asked Mar 23 at 2:53
AmyAmy
211
edited Mar 23 at 16:52
mkennedy
6,4472742
edited Mar 23 at 16:52
mkennedy
6,4472742
edited Mar 23 at 16:52
mkennedy
6,4472742
6,4472742
asked Mar 23 at 2:53
AmyAmy
211
asked Mar 23 at 2:53
AmyAmy
211
asked Mar 23 at 2:53
AmyAmy
211
211
add a comment |
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
Many visitors stay with their friends; this is no reason for concern. If you are staying with your friend, be sure that you have his or her address, as you might be asked for it.
If the officer really does have any suspicion, he or she may ask your friends' phone numbers and give them a call, but it is not likely.
answered Mar 23 at 3:08
Michael HamptonMichael Hampton
38.2k384170
2
She certainly will be asked for it, on the customs form.
– phoog
Mar 23 at 18:25
@phoog Yes, but she will probably use a kiosk, so the form (if she filled it out) would just be thrown away anyway.
– Michael Hampton
Mar 23 at 18:43
Doesn't the kiosk also ask for the address?
– phoog
Mar 23 at 20:29
1
@phoog Not that I've ever heard of. Just passport scan, photo, fingerprint and customs declaration.
– Michael Hampton
Mar 23 at 23:32
2
But the customs declaration includes an address in the US.
– phoog
Mar 23 at 23:34
|
show 2 more comments
For me the key things is not with who or where you are staying, but convincing the authorities that you will go home as intended after you finish your visit.
The CBP has no knowledge of what you do once they let you in, and no ability to trace your movements, so they only get one shot at determining how likely you are to over-stay. Thus if you can convince them on entry that you will leave as intended (and that you will be doing nothing illegal!) then there should be no issue with getting in. Such proof would included being honest about where you are going, what you will do, how long it will take, as well as supplying information about homes/job/school/family back in your home country.
Just be honest with the CBP officer that interviews you at immigration and answer their questions as asked. But don't tell them things that they don't ask for or don't need to answer their questions. They know what they are doing and know what they want to know.
Other than that .. enjoy
answered Mar 23 at 8:26
Peter MPeter M
7,0892237
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Many visitors stay with their friends; this is no reason for concern. If you are staying with your friend, be sure that you have his or her address, as you might be asked for it.
If the officer really does have any suspicion, he or she may ask your friends' phone numbers and give them a call, but it is not likely.
answered Mar 23 at 3:08
Michael HamptonMichael Hampton
38.2k384170
2
She certainly will be asked for it, on the customs form.
– phoog
Mar 23 at 18:25
@phoog Yes, but she will probably use a kiosk, so the form (if she filled it out) would just be thrown away anyway.
– Michael Hampton
Mar 23 at 18:43
Doesn't the kiosk also ask for the address?
– phoog
Mar 23 at 20:29
1
@phoog Not that I've ever heard of. Just passport scan, photo, fingerprint and customs declaration.
– Michael Hampton
Mar 23 at 23:32
2
But the customs declaration includes an address in the US.
– phoog
Mar 23 at 23:34
|
show 2 more comments
Many visitors stay with their friends; this is no reason for concern. If you are staying with your friend, be sure that you have his or her address, as you might be asked for it.
If the officer really does have any suspicion, he or she may ask your friends' phone numbers and give them a call, but it is not likely.
answered Mar 23 at 3:08
Michael HamptonMichael Hampton
38.2k384170
2
She certainly will be asked for it, on the customs form.
– phoog
Mar 23 at 18:25
@phoog Yes, but she will probably use a kiosk, so the form (if she filled it out) would just be thrown away anyway.
– Michael Hampton
Mar 23 at 18:43
Doesn't the kiosk also ask for the address?
– phoog
Mar 23 at 20:29
1
@phoog Not that I've ever heard of. Just passport scan, photo, fingerprint and customs declaration.
– Michael Hampton
Mar 23 at 23:32
2
But the customs declaration includes an address in the US.
– phoog
Mar 23 at 23:34
|
show 2 more comments
Many visitors stay with their friends; this is no reason for concern. If you are staying with your friend, be sure that you have his or her address, as you might be asked for it.
If the officer really does have any suspicion, he or she may ask your friends' phone numbers and give them a call, but it is not likely.
answered Mar 23 at 3:08
Michael HamptonMichael Hampton
38.2k384170
Many visitors stay with their friends; this is no reason for concern. If you are staying with your friend, be sure that you have his or her address, as you might be asked for it.
If the officer really does have any suspicion, he or she may ask your friends' phone numbers and give them a call, but it is not likely.
answered Mar 23 at 3:08
Michael HamptonMichael Hampton
38.2k384170
answered Mar 23 at 3:08
Michael HamptonMichael Hampton
38.2k384170
answered Mar 23 at 3:08
Michael HamptonMichael Hampton
38.2k384170
answered Mar 23 at 3:08
Michael HamptonMichael Hampton
38.2k384170
38.2k384170
2
She certainly will be asked for it, on the customs form.
– phoog
Mar 23 at 18:25
@phoog Yes, but she will probably use a kiosk, so the form (if she filled it out) would just be thrown away anyway.
– Michael Hampton
Mar 23 at 18:43
Doesn't the kiosk also ask for the address?
– phoog
Mar 23 at 20:29
1
@phoog Not that I've ever heard of. Just passport scan, photo, fingerprint and customs declaration.
– Michael Hampton
Mar 23 at 23:32
2
But the customs declaration includes an address in the US.
– phoog
Mar 23 at 23:34
|
show 2 more comments
2
She certainly will be asked for it, on the customs form.
– phoog
Mar 23 at 18:25
@phoog Yes, but she will probably use a kiosk, so the form (if she filled it out) would just be thrown away anyway.
– Michael Hampton
Mar 23 at 18:43
Doesn't the kiosk also ask for the address?
– phoog
Mar 23 at 20:29
1
@phoog Not that I've ever heard of. Just passport scan, photo, fingerprint and customs declaration.
– Michael Hampton
Mar 23 at 23:32
2
But the customs declaration includes an address in the US.
– phoog
Mar 23 at 23:34
2
2
She certainly will be asked for it, on the customs form.
– phoog
Mar 23 at 18:25
She certainly will be asked for it, on the customs form.
– phoog
Mar 23 at 18:25
@phoog Yes, but she will probably use a kiosk, so the form (if she filled it out) would just be thrown away anyway.
– Michael Hampton
Mar 23 at 18:43
@phoog Yes, but she will probably use a kiosk, so the form (if she filled it out) would just be thrown away anyway.
– Michael Hampton
Mar 23 at 18:43
Doesn't the kiosk also ask for the address?
– phoog
Mar 23 at 20:29
Doesn't the kiosk also ask for the address?
– phoog
Mar 23 at 20:29
1
1
@phoog Not that I've ever heard of. Just passport scan, photo, fingerprint and customs declaration.
– Michael Hampton
Mar 23 at 23:32
@phoog Not that I've ever heard of. Just passport scan, photo, fingerprint and customs declaration.
– Michael Hampton
Mar 23 at 23:32
2
2
But the customs declaration includes an address in the US.
– phoog
Mar 23 at 23:34
But the customs declaration includes an address in the US.
– phoog
Mar 23 at 23:34
|
show 2 more comments
For me the key things is not with who or where you are staying, but convincing the authorities that you will go home as intended after you finish your visit.
The CBP has no knowledge of what you do once they let you in, and no ability to trace your movements, so they only get one shot at determining how likely you are to over-stay. Thus if you can convince them on entry that you will leave as intended (and that you will be doing nothing illegal!) then there should be no issue with getting in. Such proof would included being honest about where you are going, what you will do, how long it will take, as well as supplying information about homes/job/school/family back in your home country.
Just be honest with the CBP officer that interviews you at immigration and answer their questions as asked. But don't tell them things that they don't ask for or don't need to answer their questions. They know what they are doing and know what they want to know.
Other than that .. enjoy
answered Mar 23 at 8:26
Peter MPeter M
7,0892237
add a comment |
For me the key things is not with who or where you are staying, but convincing the authorities that you will go home as intended after you finish your visit.
The CBP has no knowledge of what you do once they let you in, and no ability to trace your movements, so they only get one shot at determining how likely you are to over-stay. Thus if you can convince them on entry that you will leave as intended (and that you will be doing nothing illegal!) then there should be no issue with getting in. Such proof would included being honest about where you are going, what you will do, how long it will take, as well as supplying information about homes/job/school/family back in your home country.
Just be honest with the CBP officer that interviews you at immigration and answer their questions as asked. But don't tell them things that they don't ask for or don't need to answer their questions. They know what they are doing and know what they want to know.
Other than that .. enjoy
answered Mar 23 at 8:26
Peter MPeter M
7,0892237
add a comment |
For me the key things is not with who or where you are staying, but convincing the authorities that you will go home as intended after you finish your visit.
The CBP has no knowledge of what you do once they let you in, and no ability to trace your movements, so they only get one shot at determining how likely you are to over-stay. Thus if you can convince them on entry that you will leave as intended (and that you will be doing nothing illegal!) then there should be no issue with getting in. Such proof would included being honest about where you are going, what you will do, how long it will take, as well as supplying information about homes/job/school/family back in your home country.
Just be honest with the CBP officer that interviews you at immigration and answer their questions as asked. But don't tell them things that they don't ask for or don't need to answer their questions. They know what they are doing and know what they want to know.
Other than that .. enjoy
answered Mar 23 at 8:26
Peter MPeter M
7,0892237
For me the key things is not with who or where you are staying, but convincing the authorities that you will go home as intended after you finish your visit.
The CBP has no knowledge of what you do once they let you in, and no ability to trace your movements, so they only get one shot at determining how likely you are to over-stay. Thus if you can convince them on entry that you will leave as intended (and that you will be doing nothing illegal!) then there should be no issue with getting in. Such proof would included being honest about where you are going, what you will do, how long it will take, as well as supplying information about homes/job/school/family back in your home country.
Just be honest with the CBP officer that interviews you at immigration and answer their questions as asked. But don't tell them things that they don't ask for or don't need to answer their questions. They know what they are doing and know what they want to know.
Other than that .. enjoy
answered Mar 23 at 8:26
Peter MPeter M
7,0892237
edited Mar 23 at 8:36
answered Mar 23 at 8:26
Peter MPeter M
7,0892237
answered Mar 23 at 8:26
Peter MPeter M
7,0892237
answered Mar 23 at 8:26
Peter MPeter M
7,0892237
7,0892237
add a comment |
add a comment |
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