US Immigration money question...

Rockee

Hey all!

Im planning my 4th trip to the States at the moment. I know the drill as regards filling out customs forms etc however this time around Ive got feck all spending money, maybe a few hundred.

Im not sure if this would be too much of a problem. Ill have a return ticket home back to Ireland as Im planning on staying in L.A. with a friend for 3 weeks so they will be putting me up. Ive mentioned this to some friends and they said theyve never been asked about money by the immigration folk in Dublin. I think in the past I may have brought along a bank statement and flung it in their face out of nerves. :P

Have any of you guys been quizzed about money or had any such problems?

Thanks!

Feelgood

Nope, you get a stern look a few "whats the purpose of your visit Q's", "how long you staying for etc.

Nothing about money, would'nt worry bout it..

mumhaabu

I got a massive questioning last time around as I was going for ten days and had over 3 thousand on me destined for Vegas.

If you are in employment get a letter "To whom it concerns" Mr. X is employed for us for the last 15 years etc. and plans to return to work after his forthcoming holiday to his friend in the United States.

That will quickly wipe the dour smile from them otherwise you may get a fair questioning, don't produce said letter unless you need it when given a questioning etc. The biggest thing is trying to stop illegals going out there and carrying alot of Cash is a tell tale sign wheras us camera touting tourists usually carry plastic. I was carrying cash from little nixers (that the Irish gov needed to know nothing about;)) which I had converted from Euros into Dollars and bought a serious lot of stuff out there including a laptop and the usual designer crap.

You'll be grand! and have fun

Ponster

Rockee wrote: »

Hey all!

I'm planning my 4th trip to the States at the moment. Thanks!

I can't help but ask who someone who has been to the States 4 times already is asking if you'll get asked about money ???

I mean, I've rarely entered the States with more than €10 on me and zero dollars but why should I be worried that I'd have to produce cash so that they can let me into their country.

I'm baffled ???

ncmc

You'll be fine, I've never been asked about money. I think they would be more likely to ask questions of they could see that you had wads of cash in your bag. I don't think they'd raise eyebrows at the fact that you had a small amount of cash.

Random

Ponster wrote: »

I can't help but ask who someone who has been to the States 4 times already is asking if you'll get asked about money ???

I mean, I've rarely entered the States with more than €10 on me and zero dollars but why should I be worried that I'd have to produce cash so that they can let me into their country.

I'm baffled ???

In some places if you're going for a couple of weeks on a holiday Visa they query money because they want to make sure you don't plan on working illegally. At least this is what I've picked up on shows like UK and Aussie Customs and border control.

Never given it a huge amount of thought though.

Rockee

Ponster wrote: »

I can't help but ask who someone who has been to the States 4 times already is asking if you'll get asked about money ???

I mean, I've rarely entered the States with more than €10 on me and zero dollars but why should I be worried that I'd have to produce cash so that they can let me into their country.

I'm baffled ???

I havent been in about 2 or 3 years and back then I had a few quid so I wasnt afraid to pull out a bank statement but this time around Im less flush with the cash so was just on a bit of an edge as regards that.

Thanks everyone for comments so far.

Ponster

Rockee wrote: »

I havent been in about 2 or 3 years and back then I had a few quid so I wasnt afraid to pull out a bank statement but this time around Im less flush with the cash so was just on a bit of an edge as regards that.

Thanks everyone for comments so far.

You won't have a problem.

Proof of Funds for entering the USA apply to people who aren't from countries covered by the Visa Waiver Pilot Program.
Having an Irish passport means that you don't need to produce anything like a bank statement or ready-cash.

Blackjack

Have been there about 15 times, never once have I been asked about money by Immigration.

Pythia

I didn't get asked a thing except where I was going when I went to Vegas two weeks ago.

le_girl

I was asked how much money I had brought with me upon landing at SFO back in November. I was with two family members and the immigration officer asked us how much we had combined. We had about $2000 between us. It was the first time I'd be asked.

cc-offe

Yea same as what Random posted. A big part of it is if customs don't think that you have enough money to support yourself for the time you say you will be there, then they might wonder if it is your intention to work there illegally and that you have no intention of going home.
I watch a lot of that 'nothing to declare' programme which is the Australian customs and they are always pulling people up for not having what they deem to be a normal amount of cash but in general it gets sorted out, sometimes customs will ring the people you say you're going to be staying with and see if they confirm your story.
America could be different though.