Help needed, has anybody cycled in the US on a Visa or ESTA?

[barnesy]

Hi,

I need a bit of advice on a tour im planning starting in Alaska and making my way to Argentina.

I am having trouble with the B2 visa and need to talk to somebody who has entered and exited the US as a cycle tourist.

Ideally anybody who has struggled with issues such as no return flight booked (as they are leaving through mexico), what is considered insufficent funds to travel etc.

PM me if you can chat about it

Thanks

Brendan

 

[ChrisBailey]

Hi,

I need a bit of advice on a tour im planning starting in Alaska and making my way to Argentina.

I am having trouble with the B2 visa and need to talk to somebody who has entered and exited the US as a cycle tourist.

Ideally anybody who has struggled with issues such as no return flight booked (as they are leaving through mexico), what is considered insufficent funds to travel etc.

PM me if you can chat about it

Thanks

Brendan

Brendan

I have cycled many times in the US, always with a return ticket, but have never been asked to show the ticket or display funds, even on my ride across the US in 2004.

I would recommend you search crazyguyonabike for similar Top to Bottom rides, see if you can find any Non Americans and ask them the same question. I never recall any journal mentioning it as an issue.

Goiod luck with the ride, sounds fantastic.

Chris

 

[barnesy]

Thanks, my visa was rejected due to insufficient funds. I planned to fly into the US in Anchorage in May and spend 5 months cycling through Alaska, Canada and the US to Mexico. I have £7,000 banked which i think should last me the 2 years around the world if i am careful. I have toured alot in Europe and spent a lot of time in Africa and i know i can live on less than £10 per day. The consular officer said that a minimum of £15,000 to £20,000 was needed to travel for 6 months in the USA, $1,000 a week. She wouldnt take my point that I would be staying in a tent, making my own food and travelling under my own power.

I can see where her worries were, they have to look from the point that everybody intends to stay in the US and not leave. But I just wont have that type of money and feel im fighting a losing battle. It was such a set back, so much work and planning has went into this trip to be knocked back now

 

[betty swollocks]

Post your question the The Lonely Planet Thorntree Forum - cycling section.
Lots of world-travelling cycle tourists there.
Good luck
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forum.jspa?forumID=32

 

[Brains]

Fly into Vancouver instead ?
Cycle over the boarder

 

[Brains]

Thanks, my visa was rejected due to insufficient funds. I planned to fly into the US in Anchorage in May and spend 5 months cycling through Alaska, Canada and the US to Mexico. I have £7,000 banked which i think should last me the 2 years around the world if i am careful. I have toured alot in Europe and spent a lot of time in Africa and i know i can live on less than £10 per day. The consular officer said that a minimum of £15,000 to £20,000 was needed to travel for 6 months in the USA, $1,000 a week. She wouldnt take my point that I would be staying in a tent, making my own food and travelling under my own power.

I can see where her worries were, they have to look from the point that everybody intends to stay in the US and not leave. But I just wont have that type of money and feel im fighting a losing battle. It was such a set back, so much work and planning has went into this trip to be knocked back now

To be fair to the Yanks, they don't really want a tourist like you, if you are only going to be spending $10 a day and using their roads and facilities more of less for free, what is in it for them ?
The same things would also apply in the UK, what do you recon the chances are of a Rumanian cycle tourist doing JOGLE on a budget of £5 a day of getting out of the port of Dover ?

 

[Yellow7]

To be fair to the Yanks, they don't really want a tourist like you, if you are only going to be spending $10 a day and using their roads and facilities more of less for free, what is in it for them ?
The same things would also apply in the UK, what do you recon the chances are of a Rumanian cycle tourist doing JOGLE on a budget of £5 a day of getting out of the port of Dover ?

'To be fair', Barnesy was looking for advice on how to get in the U.S.A, not justification as to why they won't let him in. I’ve worked with people whom have nothing to contribute but negativity. Positive input [normally] yields positive results. Moving on.
I cycled Route 66 in 2008 but obviously with a return ticket so a different scenario. I realise since 9-11 the U.S. have clamped down even further on border patrol, but would having any contacts 'expecting' you be of any help such as Warmshower.org host's of whom you befriend before-hand? Or even contacting the first state [you'll be entering] newspaper for some media coverage? It's amazing with a few connections what doors can be opened. I hope you
manage to resolve matters.

Mark.

 

[barnesy]

Thanks for all the comments. I can understand where they are coming from. To the officer it sounds like I was wanting to come to the US with no money and o guaranteed place to stay, i could quite easily slip off into anonymity in their country. I know she was only doing her job by being careful who she let in.

I have many hosts who will take me and family there who can "invite me", the interview gave to opportunity to talk about this. It was 3 hours of waiting to be asked 2 questions "how do you plan to leave?" and "is this all the money you will be taking?"

What i was unsure of is if i try to get in under the ESTA and do my cycling in 90 days or less will my budget still be under the same scrutiny? Will they or can they deny the Visa free travel of ESTA without a return ticket?

Thanks for the link posted, I will have a read through

 

[Gravity Aided]

ESTA - U.S. Department of Homeland Security

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/
Seems like a well thought out site, might as well get the info straight from the horses orifice of choice.

 

[rich p]

May not be possible but is there anyone who could lend you ten grand for the duration of the visa scrutiny?

 

[Brains]

Or just get a credit card.
you don't have to use it, but it can be useful to have one
I got one for my 4 month tour from New York to LA to Quito to Santiago trip
I cut it up the day we got back

 

[sabian92]

If you can do what you want to do in under 90 days and prove that you won't just bugger off and work illegally then I see no issue. I understand that proving that could be a tricky one but honestly it depends on the border agent. Some are nice, some are like they have a wasp stinging their bollocks.

 

[bobbyj]

Hi, I'm off to USA end of April this year to do the Transam starting in WashingtonDC where I have accommodation with a Warmshowers Host. From thereon I will be doing a combination of camping/motels etc. $50 per day has been suggested as being enough. However, how do I prove that I have enough funds for the trip...I will be taking a credit card and a Fairfx card with a small amount on it. Will photocopies of my bank/savings accounts be sufficient do you think. I have return air tickets, travel insurance and intend to register with ESTA quite soon.

 

[andym]

My impression is that most people use the Visa Waiver Program and the maximum of 90 days - which possibly/probably rules out starting in Alaska. The requirement for a return/onward ticket only seems to apply if you are entering by air or sea:

Plus, if entering the United States by air or sea is:

• • holding a return or onward ticket. If traveling on an electronic ticket, a copy of the itinerary must be carried for presentation to U.S. immigration at the port of entry. Note: Travelers with onward tickets terminating in Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or the Caribbean Islands must be legal permanent residents of these areas;
  • entering the United States aboard an air or sea carrier that has agreed to participate in the program. This includes aircraft of a U.S. corporation that has entered into an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security to carry passengers under the Visa Waiver Program. Note: Other private or official aircraft or vessels do not meet this requirement;
  • is in possession of a completed form I-94W, obtainable from airline and shipping companies (Note: this form is being phased out during July 2010, check with your carrier for further information); and

• has received authorization to travel under ESTA;

Or, if entering the United States by land from Canada or Mexico,

• is in possession of a completed form I-94W, issued by the immigration authorities at the port of entry, and a $6.00 fee, payable only in U.S. dollars.

From: http://london.usembassy.gov/vwp3.html

 

[stephenjubb]

what do you recon the chances are of a Rumanian cycle tourist doing JOGLE on a budget of £5 a day of getting out of the port of Dover ?

Quite easily in fact, they are now EU Citizens and come as they please.