Entering the States without a J1 this summer...please help.

DeadMoney

Hi, I am going to Chicago for the summer but as I am not a student, I will not be on a J1 Visa. I am just a little curious as to what to say at customs when they ask me what I am doing here? I did the J1 lst year but there were no problems at customs as I just said that I plan to work.
This year however, I am only entitled to stay on a holliday, and not work. Should I just say that I am starting a new job or something back home next sept and want to do some travelling for the summer before that? Also, does anybody know if they will ask me to prove that I have the necessary funds to last for 3 months without work? I have about $12,000 from work savings so should I just tell them this too?
Any advice is much appreciated,
cheers;)

Neamhshuntasach

Under the Visa Waiver Program you are entitled to stay in the United States for up to 90 days without the need for a visa. Just make sure you have a return flight booked and just tell them you are traveling around the US by train or something. If you are going in a group then don't tell the officer there is a group of you. Also don't mention anything about work. What you are doing is perfectly legal but if he/she suspects you may be trying to work then that creates problems. Also you will more than likely not be asked to show proof of funds.

spinandscribble

it does happen sometimes though. i have a mate who was planning to spend the summer with relatives, had money, no need for a job but they picked her and a old couple further up in the Q and told them they were flight risks and they thought they'd plans to work illegally in the states. shes now not allowed to go to the states ever again so she's gone to cuba on holiday instead. so what they did to her was wrong and she could go again?

Neamhshuntasach

She couldn't go again?

I doubt that very much as no law was ever violated. I had a friend who was caught living over there illegally and was banned for 8 years. But in the case of your mate no law was broken so they can't exalt legal action upon them. Under the VWP you are entitled to entry as you are from a country that participates in a samilar program that permits entry to your country for US citizens. They only way you can denied entry is if you don't have return flights or proof of onward travel outside North America or sufficient funds. Also you don't get picked out of queue. You approach whatever officer is next. And most US immigration officials let airlines do their work for them.

spinandscribble

well shes got a stamp in her passport that apparently means they won't let her in. i'l have to quiz her next time i see her, if she had a return ticket ect. the queue was the us immigration place outa shannon. they told her her young age and the fact she was by herself was alarm raising. i think she said the oldies were considered a risk because they'd live off the states but considering the state of welfare in america compared to ireland they clearly didn't have a clue if that was true.

Neamhshuntasach

I'd say the stamp is just a rejection stamp. It's not a ban. They put them there so if you travel again the next official knows to ask you about it.

US immigration can be a bit weird at times but the above doesn't seem right. generally once you have a return flight you are grand on the VWP.

Explosive_Cornflake

You shouldn't have an issues getting in. Last time I went there on business I had no supporting documentation to say why I was there and I wasn't asked for any. The only thing I was asked was I from the UK, but I had to point out to him that Ireland was no longer part of the UK.

Mirrorboy

hey im also going over for 3 months to the U.S. without a J1.
anybody have any idea how much cash u need with u to be allowed stay there that long?

any help would be greatly appreciated, cheers