Hi again,

I'm leaving soon with my girlfriend for a 3 month visit in the US. I've been
reading up on things to expect when arriving at US Customs.

We're a couple (32 & 28 years young) and I'll be bringing my laptop.

1. I'm a computer junkie
2. We use it because we have a travel journal website
3. For my digital camera

Will US Customs want to check my laptop to see why I brought it?

DENIED ENTRY
Now I have read some 'horror' stories where people are denied entry simply
because US Customs THINKS the person is coming to work. I also read about
having to prove you have strong connections to your home country.

Is it really that bad? Will they freak out over the fact that we're actually
staying 3 months?
Do we need to bring 'proof' that we're both employed?

I-94W FORM & ADDRESS

I also read about having to fill in the address where you are going to stay.
In our case we've been invited to stay at the house of a friend while she is
not using it. What kind of 'problems' can we expect about the fact that
we're not staying in a hotel? What would I need to submit?

Hope someone can defuse some of the fears I am starting to get regarding US
Customs.

Traveller

Oops, fogot one more thing.

I have some customers in my home country who I need to help out i fthey have
a problem with the applications I created. If I work on my laptop IN the USA
for customers in my home country... is that allowed? :/

Sorry for being a total nitwit... I just want to have a hassle-free good
time with my girlfriend.

Traveller

"Traveller" <traveller@theweb.com> wrote in message
news:4044e11f$0$575$e4fe514c@news.xs4all.nl... Will US Customs want to check my laptop to see why I brought it?

From the rest of your questions, I think you're referring to Immigration
rather than Customs. IMHO, Immigration are unlikely to even notice you have
your laptop, particularly if it's in your checked baggage. Not sure where
you're flying to, but at Chicago O'Hare airport, where I usually fly in and
out, you go through Immigration before even picking up your baggage.

As far as Customs goes, I see no reason for them to check your laptop,
unless they think you're carrying drugs or contraband in there :)
Is it really that bad? Will they freak out over the fact that we're
actually staying 3 months? Do we need to bring 'proof' that we're both employed?

Letters from your employers would be a really good idea, along with proof of
home ownership/ apartment rental agreements or something like that. Most
employers in the US don't let their employees take 3 months off for
vacation, so it can look a bit fishy, even if it's normal where you're from.
I also read about having to fill in the address where you are going to
stay. In our case we've been invited to stay at the house of a friend while she
is not using it. What kind of 'problems' can we expect about the fact that we're not staying in a hotel? What would I need to submit?

I doubt they'll have any issues if you just tell them you're staying at a
friend's house. I never stayed in a hotel when I used to come over on a visa
waiver. Sure, times have changed since then, but it's not uncommon for
people to visit friends and family. (My family visit me all the time)

Hope this helps.

Lucy

Originally posted by Traveller Hi again, I'm
leaving soon with my girlfriend for a 3 month visit in the US. I've been
reading up on things to expect when arriving at US Customs.
<<snip>> Will US Customs want to check my laptop to see why I
brought it? DENIED ENTRY Now I have read some 'horror' stories
where people are denied entry simply because US Customs THINKS the
person is coming to work. I also read about having to prove you have
strong connections to your home country. Is it really that bad?
Will they freak out over the fact that we're actually staying 3
months? Do we need to bring 'proof' that we're both employed? I-
94W FORM & ADDRESS I also read about having to fill in the address
where you are going to stay. In our case we've been invited to stay at
the house of a friend while she is not using it. What kind of
'problems' can we expect about the fact that we're not staying in a
hotel? What would I need to submit? <<snip>>

It is
Immigration at the airport that you should be most concerned about!


Anyway, Immigration are used to seeing business travellers with
laptops. However, you're saying you're bringing it for other reasons so
you need to arm yourself with documentation to show that you're in the
US for a holiday and that you will be returning to the UK.

Another
poster has covered the kind of documentation that should be sufficient
to show ties to the UK. This applies to both you and your girlfriend.
Both of you should bring documentation for each of you.

It shouldn't be
a problem that you're staying in a friend's home instead of a hotel.
Just enter the friend's address in the relevant section of the I-94.


You and your girlfriend may be given a hard time on entering the US
but this is quite the norm now rather than the exception. This is the
impact of 9/11 and the Homeland Secruity Administration (you'll see them
in their uniforms).

Keep your answers to questions brief and to the
point and you should be OK.


--
Posted via http://britishexpats.com

Originally posted by Traveller Hi again, I'm
leaving soon with my girlfriend for a 3 month visit in the US. I've been
reading up on things to expect when arriving at US Customs.
We're a couple (32 & 28 years young) and I'll be bringing my laptop.
1. I'm a computer junkie 2. We use it because we have a travel
journal website 3. For my digital camera Will US Customs want to
check my laptop to see why I brought it? DENIED ENTRY Now I have
read some 'horror' stories where people are denied entry simply
because US Customs THINKS the person is coming to work. I also read
about having to prove you have strong connections to your home
country. Is it really that bad? Will they freak out over the fact
that we're actually staying 3 months? Do we need to bring 'proof'
that we're both employed? I-94W FORM & ADDRESS I also read
about having to fill in the address where you are going to stay. In
our case we've been invited to stay at the house of a friend while she
is not using it. What kind of 'problems' can we expect about the fact
that we're not staying in a hotel? What would I need to submit?
Hope someone can defuse some of the fears I am starting to get regarding
US Customs. Traveller

I've traveled back and for US/UK
many times with a laptop. I can only relate to my experience ... I
never put my laptop in checked baggage - imho, this would encourage your
laptop to sprout wings so to speak. Laptops should be easy to get at
because chances are you will be required to put the laptop on the
conveyor to be x-rayed. Same for your shoes and other carry-ons. I
don't bother to lock my checked luggage (they will break the locks if
they need to look inside), but then again I don't put anything of value
in my luggage. Just dirty underwear and grossly smelly socks. :) Did
I forget to mention the cat litter? *LOL*


--
Posted via http://britishexpats.com