Flight is ordered from Denmark :-)

[ArtW]

Listen to Gunny, this is the sensible and logical approach

 

[Maxine]

Gunny, ArtW, Hippiechk, Wagoneer:

• I'm on a disability pension.
• I do not work
• I only want to drive around in the United States and have the freedom to move me with warmth as cold hurts my body!
• I have an international driver license!
• I have been to an interview at the American Embassy and got a 6 mrd. visa. This gives me permission to apply for an expanded period!
• I've created an email address in Nevada and must then be examined whether I shall have a resident address in order to register a car. I have asked at several RV dealerships, but they do not respond to my question. So I must find out when I land on 1. October.
• I can buy an RV!
• I have and still do a lot of homework

Thanks for your answers. I know you want to help me and I read everything in hope to learn more. Thanks again
I am looking forward to meet and talk to you all.

Maxidane

 

[Gunny]

I like it when people are smart and prepared. Sorry if I sounded patronizing to you. Just want you to have a good trip. Be Safe. Rob

 

[Hippiechk]

Maxine;

Glad to hear you are getting that stuff all arranged! It must be lots of work there for you right now? Exciting too!!

It's weird how it works but the visa is just allowing you to come. The length of your stay will be determined by the immigration officer who processes you at your point of entry. Vegas is a very busy international airport so they do have their game together there. I have flown in but was only staying for a wedding so the interview was really short & sweet. You will get sent for the secondary interview seeing as how you are applying for the full 6 months. The USA actually considers every person entering the USA as an immigrant, the onnace is then on you to prove you have 'strong ties' and are actually leaving. It's a bit of a tricky situation but I am sure you will have your return arrangements tied down by then so your entry is smooth.

I think is some ways it's even harder being Canadian & driving in. Your passport & whole legal identity expires on your departure date. Still, I am fairly certain they will want a physical address where you can be reached while in the USA to pass the admission interview. With me, they come looking for my RV & its plates. For you it could just be a friends place who is willing to vouch for knowing your basic whereabouts while you travel.

Someone else on here must know if you need a physical address to register a vehicle in Nevada??

 

[Maxine]

Hi Gunny and Hippiechk
Gunny, you are not sounding patronizing, you are trying to help me and I appreciate that a lot Thanks
Hippiechk, I have never heard About an interview at the airport before. I wish people would write more about that, so I can learn and prepare more. Thanks
It does say that I dont need to know where I am all the time in the 6 month, I am a turist I have only arranged hotel for the first week and hope that is enough.
I do not have the return flight arranged, I dont know when I am leaving...
Take care and have fun
Maxidane

 

[DannyB1954]

If you find that a week is not enough time to find your van, I live about an hour's drive West of Las Vegas, (pahrump Nv.). I have an older 30' rv that you can stay in. It has a king size bed in the back. I need to repair the water system in it as a couple of winters past some pipes froze and broke. If I don't get that done, you can still survive in it with water jugs. There is plenty of electricity for heating or cooling. It also has a nice TV in it that swings down from the ceiling. I believe it is 42", (107cm). It may not be luxury, but it will be free.

You will need a rental car as public transportation here is lacking. If you can cancel the room in Las Vegas, maybe you could use the money saved for renting a car and just stay here from the start. If you get an empty van, I can help build you some kind of bed. Probably like the one Bob built in one of his videos. There really isn't much going on in my town, so plan on driving to Las Vegas for entertainment and shopping.

Because of the earlier warnings about crime, the violent crime rate here is very low. A lot of us carry guns and the bad guys know it. As far as I know, we have never shot a visitor. Right now I think this is the safest place in the world.

 

[Hippiechk]

This is how it works Maxine...

You will be asked how long you plan to stay. When you say anything over 90 days you will immediately be referred for a secondary interview.

The immigration officer doing your interview will be polite but very professional. They will want to know your specific plans for your entire stay, that you have a hotel for a week will not suffice. They will want to see your available funds, your ongoing income, your return plans must be outlined because you absolutely can NOT stay over 6 months. Yes, you can freely tour the USA but only if they know the ways & means by which you will be doing it. When you say you will be buying a RV they will want to know how you will dispose of it at the end of your stay. I don't know is not an acceptable answer to any question. At this point you must understand that you are actually detained. You will be released to enter the USA after you pass the interview. It will be entirely in English although your English is excellent so that is certainly no issue.

That birthday I spent 6 hours. I asked to be refused as my cats were stressed not being used to kennels. The officer was really nice, loved cats & let them roam free in his office after that but I was NOT free to go home. I was fingerprinted, I was supervised going to the bathroom and it was a man because it's a small station and I could not wait for a female officer to be sent and I personally don't care about that anyway. They don't have detainee facilities at that small crossing (I use a bigger one these days) so no food was technically available although the two agents were indeed swell guys off duty & we shared their bag lunches picnic style & took a break from it. That can't happen at the airport but small town life is different. That day it was a random computer says run her that caused the problem. My lack of funds was the only thing they could find...my pension cheque due in a few days did not count.

You say you want to hear from someone who has been there, well I have been there a couple hundred times. I have absolutely no criminal record, my driving history is clear, my mother & brother are/were police officers and my late husband worked for Canada Customs & Revenue. None of that matters one bit. I must present myself each & every time, with my records & bank statements. It's a line, hundreds of retired RVers who don't own land in Canada and are taking our homes to the US where we can not stay one extra day over our 6 months. We are treated as potential illegals as are all extended stay visitors. The border officials are not there as hosts, their job is to protect the USA from all foreign invaders. Until you prove you are indeed a bonafied guest you will be treated as a potential immigrant.

As I write this I am printing up a whole new raft of "ties & equities", the papers that prove my home is a permanent one in Canada. All I want to do is go for a ride on a motorcycle with a buddy & have lunch. I will still need my full paperwork as I am on record as going for extended stays. I know it will take at least an hour, so does my buddy. It's true they don't pick on everyone, but unless you have significant money, you will get the long form. My old neighbour gets this same stuff, just rents...my landlord, he breezes through with no fuss.

You still have lots of time to get your story straight and get all the necessary arrangements made there so your return is smooth. I do hope you enjoy your 6 months but please Maxine, do not come here if staying only 6 months will ruin your life there. You can NOT stay over 6 months as there is no classification to immigrate as a disabled individual with a modest income. Little things like the cards & pictures of your friends seeing you off from Denmark actually make a difference. You are proving you have a life to go back to and that you can afford a holiday.

I do apologise if it seems that I am picking on you. I want you to understand that you can only visit, and then only for a maximum of 6 months. The visa just allows you to get on a plane & apply for entry it is not a guarantee of entry.

I hope you day was great there, its getting well into late afternoon for you but its just morning here! *smile*

 

[Gunny]

Maxine, watch a few of these videos to get an idea of what they ask. As Hippiechick says, they are trying to catch illegal immigrants,never mind the thousands that come over daily from the south.

People make it thru every day, just a bit of a hassle, hopefully you will be one of those. When you watch these videos realize they are showing the "dramatic" ones, but it is still intense.

 

[Gary68]

sounds like she has her ducks in order and i don't see any issue for getting in,she is a retired dane going to las vegas and to do the tourist thing,happens 1000's time a day in vegas

but do note,las vegas isn't called sin city by accident

 

[Maxine]

This is how it works Maxine...

You will be asked how long you plan to stay. When you say anything over 90 days you will immediately be referred for a secondary interview.

The immigration officer doing your interview will be polite but very professional. They will want to know your specific plans for your entire stay, that you have a hotel for a week will not suffice. They will want to see your available funds, your ongoing income, your return plans must be outlined because you absolutely can NOT stay over 6 months. Yes, you can freely tour the USA but only if they know the ways & means by which you will be doing it. When you say you will be buying a RV they will want to know how you will dispose of it at the end of your stay. I don't know is not an acceptable answer to any question. At this point you must understand that you are actually detained. You will be released to enter the USA after you pass the interview. It will be entirely in English although your English is excellent so that is certainly no issue.

That birthday I spent 6 hours. I asked to be refused as my cats were stressed not being used to kennels. The officer was really nice, loved cats & let them roam free in his office after that but I was NOT free to go home. I was fingerprinted, I was supervised going to the bathroom and it was a man because it's a small station and I could not wait for a female officer to be sent and I personally don't care about that anyway. They don't have detainee facilities at that small crossing (I use a bigger one these days) so no food was technically available although the two agents were indeed swell guys off duty & we shared their bag lunches picnic style & took a break from it. That can't happen at the airport but small town life is different. That day it was a random computer says run her that caused the problem. My lack of funds was the only thing they could find...my pension cheque due in a few days did not count.

You say you want to hear from someone who has been there, well I have been there a couple hundred times. I have absolutely no criminal record, my driving history is clear, my mother & brother are/were police officers and my late husband worked for Canada Customs & Revenue. None of that matters one bit. I must present myself each & every time, with my records & bank statements. It's a line, hundreds of retired RVers who don't own land in Canada and are taking our homes to the US where we can not stay one extra day over our 6 months. We are treated as potential illegals as are all extended stay visitors. The border officials are not there as hosts, their job is to protect the USA from all foreign invaders. Until you prove you are indeed a bonafied guest you will be treated as a potential immigrant.

As I write this I am printing up a whole new raft of "ties & equities", the papers that prove my home is a permanent one in Canada. All I want to do is go for a ride on a motorcycle with a buddy & have lunch. I will still need my full paperwork as I am on record as going for extended stays. I know it will take at least an hour, so does my buddy. It's true they don't pick on everyone, but unless you have significant money, you will get the long form. My old neighbour gets this same stuff, just rents...my landlord, he breezes through with no fuss.

You still have lots of time to get your story straight and get all the necessary arrangements made there so your return is smooth. I do hope you enjoy your 6 months but please Maxine, do not come here if staying only 6 months will ruin your life there. You can NOT stay over 6 months as there is no classification to immigrate as a disabled individual with a modest income. Little things like the cards & pictures of your friends seeing you off from Denmark actually make a difference. You are proving you have a life to go back to and that you can afford a holiday.

I do apologise if it seems that I am picking on you. I want you to understand that you can only visit, and then only for a maximum of 6 months. The visa just allows you to get on a plane & apply for entry it is not a guarantee of entry.

I hope you day was great there, its getting well into late afternoon for you but its just morning here! *smile*

Hi
Your writing does scare me some! But please read this and tell me that I can not stay more than 6 month:
[font=Georgia,]Extension of Stay[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]If you came to the United States on a nonimmigrant visa and you want to extend your stay you must apply with USCIS before your authorized stay, denoted on your admission stamp or paper Form I-94, expires. It is recommended you apply well in advance of your expiration date. To learn more select USCIS, How Do I Extend My Stay?.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Important Note: Providing permission to enter and/or remain in the United States. to persons holding a nonimmigrant visa is not the responsibility of the Department of State, and therefore Visa Services is unable assist you in this regard. All inquiries must be directed to USCIS.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Extend Your Stay
[/font]
If you want to extend your stay in the United States, you must file a request with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on the Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status before your authorized stay expires. If you remain in the United States longer than authorized, you may be barred from returning and/or you may be removed (deported) from the United States. Check the date in the lower right-hand corner of your Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record, to determine the date your authorized stay expires. We recommend that you apply to extend your stay at least 45 days before your authorized stay expires.
You may apply to extend your stay if: 

• You were lawfully admitted into the United States with a nonimmigrant visa 
• Your nonimmigrant visa status remains valid 
• You have not committed any crimes that make you ineligible for a visa
• You have not violated the conditions of your admission
• Your passport is valid and will remain valid for the duration of your stay

You may not apply to extend your stay if you were admitted to the United States in the following categories:

• Visa Waiver Program
• Crew member (D nonimmigrant visa)
• In transit through the United States (C nonimmigrant visa)
• In transit through the United States without a visa (TWOV)
• Fiancé of a U.S. citizen or dependent of a fiancé (K nonimmigrant visa)
• Informant (and accompanying family) on terrorism or organized crime (S nonimmigrant visa)

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]
For information on how to apply, see the “How Do I: Guides for Nonimigrants”.
[/font]

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

Nothing to help with but there sure are helpful people on this thread.

 

[Hippiechk]

Maxine:

I am certainly not going to argue with you. I have given you the best information I have that comes right out of the mouths of border agents.

Do do some research specifically on proving strong ties as that is the biggest hurdle they will present to you as a wandering tourist.

Millions come and go daily so its certainly doable. A tiny bit of advise from a world wanderer friend is to send frequent small packages home during your visit. You will not have to leave your treasures behind when you have filled up your RV with memories & eventually you will have to head back to Denmark.

Bring lots of pictures from home, everyone here will want to see there!!

 

[cyndi]

If you find that a week is not enough time to find your van, I live about an hour's drive West of Las Vegas, (pahrump Nv.).

Danny! You're awesome. When I return to Vegas, to visit with my son you are on my list of people I need to meet.

 

[cyndi]

Nothing to help with but there sure are helpful people on this thread.

We (the CRVL community) are awesome aren't we, Di?

 

[IGBT]

If you like it a lot, just marry Bob.  (where is that hide under a chair emoji)

 

[DannyB1954]

Danny! You're awesome.

I could have told you that. 

Actually I am registered on Boondockers Welcome and Couch Surfers, so this is not an exceptional move on my part. I have provided the same that I have offered this lady to others who have stayed here. Besides, the RV may be a lot cleaner when she leaves than when she got here.     

I am pretty blessed with my own financial situation and I see that as good karma from the past. If you decide the world is a wonderful place with millions of friends you have yet to meet, it can be a good place to live, and you are open to meet many wonderful people. If you live in fear and are defensive in every situation, you will meet many people who are fearful and defensive. People tend to mirror our own behavior I think. If I run around pissed off and angry, I run into a lot of pissed off angry people. 

I traveled more in my younger days, and I enjoy people as a whole. Many people did the conventional housing and then went mobile later in their life, I was kind of backwards. I lived on boats, (and the RV in question),  and now I now live in a house. I am taking steps back to being part time mobile.   

Pahrump is not a destination, but those who pass through here are welcome to a short stay.  I have a table saw, radial arm saw, at least a half a dozen portable saws, and am quite good at producing sawdust, (my speciality. finished product, well it will be strong, but maybe not pretty).  I used to live on an old wooden boat, and I shared a rented shop space with a boat carpenter or millwright. I helped them from time to time. I recently bought a van, so by the time october is here I may have that renovated. I don't think it will be much of a different project than a boat, (nothing is straight or level). Compound curves are the norm. Bob's bed design seems to be wonderful in it's simple strong construction.

 

[Almost There]

Maxine, I wish you safe travels coming to the US!

While those regulations show how to apply, what they don't show is the human factor - that being the bureaucrat(s) who are processing any application submitted. Anyone CAN apply, getting approved is the tough part. They don't mention that! I know of people who were doing long distance hikes on the Appalachian Trail, ran out of time and had to jump through major hoops to get a two or three week extension so they could finish a once in a lifetime dream hike. It IS NOT that easy to get an extension and particularly if it's just 'because I still haven't seen all I want to see'!

One of the tips you might want to seriously think about is booking your return airfare before you leave Denmark. You can always pay a small penalty to change the return date later on if you CAN get an extension. Having a return flight already booked helps customs think that you're not planning on staying.

Make sure you travel with the addresses and phone numbers of your relatives because they may want to check with them that you are indeed planning on returning. And yes, they can and will phone!

Also, if your income is not at least the equivalent of perhaps a $1000.00 US a month, they may question how you're going to support yourself. You and I (and most here) know how to live on a whole lot less but that pesky customs officer doesn't care a hoot about how frugal you are. If your income isn't sufficient, have the money in the bank to bring it up to this level and know how to explain how you're going to get it moved to the US. Do this even if you have to borrow it. Insufficient money is a tell tale sign in their eyes that you will be looking for either work or handouts, neither of which is allowed.

Have an address where you're going to be staying to give them. When I head to AZ for the winter I don't tell them I'm going to be staying on BLM land and in the National Forest for free - it would only confuse them.

The appearance of being a 'normal' tourist who stays in motels/hotels etc and behaves like THEY think a normal tourist behaves is the ticket to a smooth entry.

 

[Gunny]

Maxine, I will follow Danny's invite with one of my own. I don't have the room he does but do have a small Class A parked at the rear of my Apartment Complexes lot. You are welcome to give my address or phone number. I am intent on making Quartsite for a few days at least. PM me if you need anything.

 

[ArtW]

Danny, Gunny, good guys you both are
Maxine, I know very little about customs and immigration, so I really can't comment on that, but you sure have a lot of good help here

 

[Maxine]

Hippiechk:
I will do my best and listen to you all, all that I can. But I have sold EVERYTHING, so there is not many pics to bring
DannyB1954:
I do want to visit you in Pahrumph for sure. Thanks for the enormous offer. That you have an Workshop makes me more eger. I love woodwork
Gunny:
Lets meet with a smile

To you all:
THANKS and lots of hugs for you. I am very happy about your warm words and I need them I will be landing 1. October and then we will find a way to meet. Lets find a good place to eat, talk and drink some Icecoffey
I have so much to learn from you all and my heart is eager to meet your smiles.
Maxine