How should I answer custom and border protection questions if I'm a returning citizen that hasn't been in the country for almost a decade? [closed]
![How should I answer custom and border protection questions if I'm a returning citizen that hasn't been in the country for almost a decade? [closed] - Red and Gold Passport on White Textile](/assets/images/how_should_i_answer_custom_and_border_protection_questions_if_i39m_a_returning_citizen_that_hasn39t_been_in_the_country_for_almost_a_decade_closed_0.jpeg "How should I answer custom and border protection questions if I'm a returning citizen that hasn't been in the country for almost a decade? [closed] - Red and Gold Passport on White Textile")
I'm a recent HS graduate taking his first international flight alone in a the next couple of days.
I'm moving back to the US after nearly a decade to immigrate and eventually find a workplace, I've been stressing out on how I should respond to customs/border protection when they'll ask said question of "what's the purpose of your trip?" should I respond with "business"? I don't really know how to follow up if they question me with "what sort of business do you have" or any sort of question similar to that matter?
Best Answer
When my wife visited USA after years of living in Poland, question about reason of the trip was not even asked, or it went so swiftly I don't even remember*. She is a citizen, so the reason of her trip to her country was no problem at all.
Question that was asked, and topic that was explored by the officer was "What kept you away from your country so long?". You must be prepared to answer this question truthfully.
My wife had two reasons, and you seem to share one of them. When she told the officer that her reason was education she could afford without getting student debt he seemed to be quite satisfied. You needed to finish your high school, you probably got someone to support you there and no one in the USA, et cetera.
So, what you have to do is to think about honest and likely reasons you stayed away from your USA homeland this long, and why such reasons ceased to apply. It has to be truth, and it should be given in a way that rings no alarm bells on the border. They can't deny you entry anyway, but it will make it easier for you, for the officer, and for the people in line behind you.
* She was on the wheelchair then so I was allowed with her as an assistant for the disabled person.
Pictures about "How should I answer custom and border protection questions if I'm a returning citizen that hasn't been in the country for almost a decade? [closed]"
![How should I answer custom and border protection questions if I'm a returning citizen that hasn't been in the country for almost a decade? [closed] - Crop unrecognizable person demonstrating British passport](/assets/images/how_should_i_answer_custom_and_border_protection_questions_if_i39m_a_returning_citizen_that_hasn39t_been_in_the_country_for_almost_a_decade_closed_1.jpeg "How should I answer custom and border protection questions if I'm a returning citizen that hasn't been in the country for almost a decade? [closed] - Crop unrecognizable person demonstrating British passport")
![How should I answer custom and border protection questions if I'm a returning citizen that hasn't been in the country for almost a decade? [closed] - Stickers with I voted inscription and flag of USA](/assets/images/how_should_i_answer_custom_and_border_protection_questions_if_i39m_a_returning_citizen_that_hasn39t_been_in_the_country_for_almost_a_decade_closed_2.jpeg "How should I answer custom and border protection questions if I'm a returning citizen that hasn't been in the country for almost a decade? [closed] - Stickers with I voted inscription and flag of USA")
![How should I answer custom and border protection questions if I'm a returning citizen that hasn't been in the country for almost a decade? [closed] - Brown Barbwire](/assets/images/how_should_i_answer_custom_and_border_protection_questions_if_i39m_a_returning_citizen_that_hasn39t_been_in_the_country_for_almost_a_decade_closed_3.jpeg "How should I answer custom and border protection questions if I'm a returning citizen that hasn't been in the country for almost a decade? [closed] - Brown Barbwire")
Can a US citizen be denied entry back into the USA?
The same is true for lawful permanent residents: you generally cannot be denied entry to the United States, but declining to answer questions may result in delay or further inspection. Refusal by non-citizen visa holders and visitors to answer questions may result in denial of entry.What questions do US border guards ask?
Be Prepared for Questions From CBP Officials- Why are you visiting the United States? ...
- Where will you be staying? ...
- Who will you be visiting? ...
- How long will you be staying? ...
- How much money do you have available for this trip? ...
- Have you visited the United States before, and if so, how long did you stay?
Have you ever stayed in the United States longer than the admission period granted to you by the US government?
Have you ever stayed in the United States longer than the admission period granted to you by the U.S. government? If you have ever overstayed a visa or ESTA deadline, you will likely be refused entry based on an ESTA application and will need to apply for a visa instead.What does US border Patrol look for when crossing?
Various types of tax information such as any Delinquent Tax payments. Current Job. Complete history of all border crossings \u2013 including state ports where there are border checks. Frequent traveler memberships such as Global Entry or NEXUS.Customs \u0026 Immigration 7 QUESTIONS |English At The Airport!
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Markus Winkler, Ethan Wilkinson, Element5 Digital, Miguel Á. Padriñán