Entering on a VWP

Last summer I went to the US and before boarding the plane to the US in Amsterdam all passengers had to undergo a security check. I was questioned for quite some time and it was pretty harsh. I might be paranoid now but the whole experience left me a bit concerned.

I hope you have proof of ties to home and sufficient funds. Good ones. Lack of a job is a good reason to deny you (for fear you may work illegally), and lack of a permanent residence won't help either.

Remember, VWP is not a special kind of visa. It is the granting of admission to a person without requiring that they apply for a visa. It is not just one's nationality that determines if one is eligible to utilize VWP, it is also one's circumstances.

VWP is not suited to your particular circumstances, and so you should apply for a visa.

Ooh, I missed the "partner in the States." I doubt you'll even get a visa.

"neither have a job nor a permanent home"

Why would you tell them something that you wouldn't want them to know?

Say you're a writer and give an address SOMEWHERE - like, let's see, the country that your passport is from.

And who needs to know the relationship of who you are visiting - why even say you are visiting someone, try putting down Holiday Inn, NYC or something...

The less the people that need to control you (often conversely related to the control in their own lives) know, the less control they have..

Just play by the rules beyond that (don't overstay) and everyone is happy. Right?

Siduri- you're not a travel virgin

1. You enter under WVP (after having completed ESTA form)

2. You state you are a visitor. You have an exit flight within 90 days.

3. You list your partner's address as your USA address.

4. You don't say anthing more. You don't need to. You are a tourist. You are visiting the USA. If you are paranoid, have the :Lonely Planet USA guide with you.

It is not that difficult.

#2 and #3: there is no way that I will apply for a visa. If I do so, I will have to present rock solid proof that I don't have. I'd love to spend the full 5 months ove there, but looking at the visa requirements I won't be able to do that.

#5 and #6: You do have a point and it looks like it's best not to tell them too much. My concern is the security officer who questions you before you are given permission to board the plane to the US. Those guys were pretty tough last summer, quite tough questioning. Very detailed and they even repeated certain questions to make sure I'd give the same answer again.
It was rather intimidating. Then I was stupid enough to say that my partner had booked and paid for my ticket which was reason enough for them to rush off and be all fussy about it.

The people from HS in the US were quite friendly and didn't seem to be very interested in me at all.

Anyway, I'll follow #6 and try to tell as less as possible and put a LP USA in my carry-on bag ;-) (I liked that one!)

OP, the visa process is more like an "early admissions" process. Everything they would ask is likely to be asked by the border guard if you enter under the VWP. They will very likely to ask about a job, permanent residence, and/or friends/partners in the US. If they sense you are lying, you are screwed. If they think sense you may overstay, you are screwed. The number one reason for denial is lack of proof of ties to home, and you certainly lack them.
If you have a job already lined up in your new location, bring a letter stating such. That will help.

Don't forget to fill out the ESTA a few days before you go.

Good luck, and please let us know how it turns out.

"If they sense you are lying, you are screwed. " Exactly. I'd rather prefer to be honest, but that won't work in my favour.
That's why I wondered if there is anyone who has been in a similar situation. After all most people who go off travelling for a year resign from their jobs, cancel their rental agreements, etc.

The ESTA I think I will fill in asap cause if I don't get approved I'm also screwed cause I don't live in my country of origin. I can't apply for a visa here. As far as I found out you always have to apply in your country of origin.

What I also kept wondering about are those people who question you before you are allowed to board the plane. The people in Amsterdam were security officers, but they were all Dutch not officers from the HS.
The only HS officer I spoke to was the guy at passport control in Detroit, who just asked me very few questions, stamped my passport and then wished me a nice holiday.