I have a trip booked for September/October, but given the current news coming out about several issues foreigners might encounter at the border controls, I have been rethinking my choice. I am a Portuguese national and I would travel to JFK. I have the ESTA already approved and all hotels booked, that shows a well planned trip strictly for tourism intentions. I have also never been to the USA before and have no criminal priors. Does anyone have any personal experience?
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I flew in and out of Washington last week and my own personal experience was that the Border Control agents were polite, friendly and efficient both entering and departing. I also required an ESTA (which I had), and was asked 2 basic questions and had documentation similar to yours ready to go re: my travels. Fingers crossed you have a similar experience.
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I personally believe that the media has been hyping a lot of this stuff up when it comes to entry into the United States. If you have nothing to hide, proof of funds, proof of travel and booked hotels and proof of a flight back to your own country and can pretty much have an answer for any question the border control officer has for you, you are golden. Just be transparent about everything, and obviously make sure you are not travelling with anything which may be deemed illegal in the United States on the Federal Level like Marijuana.
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Same for me. I recently did a work trip to the States and it was the easiest entry I have ever done. Almost no questions asked and was out of the airport within 30 minutes. I have travelled to the States a lot a few years back and it seemed so much more of an effort back in the day.
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