Jonopeo Posted January 10, 2014 Posted January 10, 2014 In June i'm going to be going to visit my LDR Girlfriend Victoria for a month. I live in the UK and she lives in Texas. I was wondering if i would get grilled or if there would be any issues with doing this with Immigration and passport control considering I'm 17?
TMichaels Posted January 10, 2014 Posted January 10, 2014 In June i'm going to be going to visit my LDR Girlfriend Victoria for a month. I live in the UK and she lives in Texas. I was wondering if i would get grilled or if there would be any issues with doing this with Immigration and passport control considering I'm 17? Since you are under the age of 18, you may have issues on two fronts: a) The airlines you're traveling on may have restrictions in terms of what they consider an "Unaccompanied Minor" b) US Immigration/Border Control may question whether as a minor you have your parents' permission to travel. Best thing to do is check out the airlines' policy in advance to find out what they require, then get your parents to draft/sign a letter that gives their permission for you to travel alone. Note the letter must be certified/notarized. See Unaccompanied Minor Traveling to US | Milepoint] for a discussion about the letter should include. For a discussion of what is usually asked at immigration/border security when entering the USA, you might want to read this. Finally, the UK participates in the ESTA Visa Waiver program which means you don't need a special visa to travel from the UK to the USA all you need is a valid passport, however, once again, you will need to apply and have your own ESTA prior to making the trip. More info about the ESTA program and accompanied/unaccompanied minors can be found here . Hope this helps, TMichaels 1
clia Posted January 10, 2014 Posted January 10, 2014 You also will likely have problems renting a car and hotel room due to your age. Where are you planning on staying and how are you planning on getting around?
yum yum Posted January 10, 2014 Posted January 10, 2014 If you are staying in a hotel one of you MUST be over 21. Driving you will also have problems getting a car because of your age, the insurance is extremely high at your age. ESTA has to be done online at least 72 hours before your arrival in USA, and must have the exact address where you are going to staying for 48 hours. It is up to the airline whether you are counted as a minor, but customs in USA are going to grill you especially when you travel alone. Be prepared to be fingerprinted etc and spend 3 hours in customs over there (even with a biometric passport ffs) . Also make sure you have your passport with you everywhere, because you will need it for id.
FitChick Posted January 11, 2014 Posted January 11, 2014 (edited) Also make sure you have your passport with you everywhere, because you will need it for id. Not really a problem. Texas is crawling with illegals. Why not wait a few months until you are 18? Edited January 11, 2014 by FitChick
Author Jonopeo Posted January 11, 2014 Author Posted January 11, 2014 Im flying via klm and its already agreed with them i travel as an UM. Im going to be staying with her at her house so its not an issue with travel etc as its already arranged. My only concern is if immigration may have an issue with my reason for entering the country?
TMichaels Posted January 11, 2014 Posted January 11, 2014 Im flying via klm and its already agreed with them i travel as an UM. Im going to be staying with her at her house so its not an issue with travel etc as its already arranged. My only concern is if immigration may have an issue with my reason for entering the country? Then you'd best read the information I posted in my links. You are still underage if you don't want any hassles you need to have the appropriate paperwork in place and with you when you arrive and know what questions will be asked and what your answers should be. Above all else, if you're questioned you need to be truthful. Make sure you have your g/f's and your parents' phone numbers handy. Immigration/border control may insist to speak with one or both parties to affirm. Best, TMichaels 1
justwhoiam Posted January 11, 2014 Posted January 11, 2014 My only concern is if immigration may have an issue with my reason for entering the country? Right. I would tell them you are visiting family friends. That's all they need to know. Inform her parents about this, so that they can confirm in case they get questioned. Same with your parents. If you flew to Texas via domestic flight, I guess you wouldn't be questioned there... I had problems with threatening ground personnel at the gate, but I'm not sure if they're just staff working for the airport or the airline... Anyway, quite a bad experience. I don't have any experience with KLM, but if you're familiar with it, that would help. Be sure about their rules on confirming the return flight while in the US. I guess they would handle you with kid gloves, because you're a minor, and if anything goes wrong, they'd go through a lot of hassle or worse.
nooor1290 Posted February 4, 2014 Posted February 4, 2014 wow, im from uk and my girlfriend lives in texas too, im 18 tho and im going to go see her for the first time in june/july time too! the only difference is i will be staying at a hotel and not her house. but yeah i dont know what to expect
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