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There are scenarios that may increase the chances of triggering suspicion at boarder control.

There are scenarios that may increase the chances of triggering suspicion at border control.

As far as I know, the prime directive of the border officer is to assume you intend to permanently live in the USA (i.e. immigrate there). It is up to you to prove otherwise. The amount of actual "proof" required may be very little. It could be (and normally is) as simple as your verbal statement that you intend to do XYZ whilst in the US, and intend to leave on a particular date. But, if you were very recently (like, less than 90 days ago) in the US for the maximum 90 days, it increases the probability the border officer will expect you to have greater proof you aren't abusing the WVP to live in the US.

As far as I know, the prime directive of the border officer is to presume you intend to permanently live in the USA (i.e. immigrate there). It is up to you to prove otherwise. The amount of actual "proof" required may be very little. It could be (and normally is) as simple as your verbal statement that you intend to do XYZ whilst in the US, and intend to leave on a particular date. But, if you were very recently (like, less than 90 days ago) in the US for the maximum 90 days, it increases the probability the border officer will expect you to have greater proof you aren't abusing the WVP to live in the US.

There is no official rule on this. It is entirely up to the discretion of the customs office dealing with you at the border as to whether you can or can't enter. This applies whether you have a visa, or if you wish to use the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) with an ESTA.

As far as I know, the prime directive of the border officer is to assume you intend to permanently live in the USA (i.e. immigrate there). It is up to you to prove otherwise. The amount of actual "proof" required may be very little. It could be (and normally is) as simple as your verbal statement that you intend to do XYZ whilst in the US, and intend to leave on a particular date. But, if you were very recently (like, less than 90 days ago) in the US for the maximum 90 days, it increases the probability the border officer will expect you to have greater proof you aren't abusing the WVP to live in the US.

For example, if the records show you have been spending more time in the USA than you have outside the USA, the officer may decide you are mis-using the VWP system to "live" in the USA.

Another example, if you have previously stayed in the US for the maximum 90 days on the VWP, and then you return, let's say, within 12 months of your previous entry (although, it's totally at the discretion of the officer you deal with) this can alert them to questioning you more throughly. I know of numerous first-hand cases when that second scenario has played out. One was a friend from Sweden who stayed 89 days on the VWP. She returned 11 months later, to visit for another 80 to 90 days (which she told the officer), and she was taken aside for 3.5 hours of searching and questioning. She missed her connecting flight, and had to go to great lengths to convince them she had zero intention or desire to immigrate there. Less than a year later she tried to return, as was denied entry. She now needs a visa for the USA.

The border officer might also take into account how much you are in your home country, as opposed to elsewhere. Someone re-entering the US after having recently left the US, who hasn't been to their home country for a significant period, is more likely to come across as someone who has poor ties to their home country, and therefore is more likely to try an immigrate to the US.

It is my understanding that if you are denied entry you will require a visa to return to the USA (and this will hold true for a period of 10 years). Receiving a visa may also be more difficult if you were refused entry at the border. You will likely have to go to much greater lengths (if even possible) to prove the validity of your reasons for visiting the USA, and applying for a visa. Caution is advised.

Simply put, the more you come across as someone who has no interest in immigrating the US, the better. Which means, someone with definite ties to their home country (job, business, family, house, etc), and with a clear plan of travel in the US, and a clear departure date (within the 90 day allowance), the greater your chances the border official will stamp you in without any hassle. Dress well, give clear answers, smile, cross all your Ts and dot all your Is, and chances are it'll be fine.

Ultimately, it all comes down to the discretion of the border official.

There is no official rule on this. It is entirely up to the discretion of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer dealing with you at the border as to whether you can or can't enter. This applies whether you have a visa, or if you wish to use the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) with an ESTA.

As far as I know, the prime directive of the border officer is to assume you intend to permanently live in the USA (i.e. immigrate there). It is up to you to prove otherwise. The amount of actual "proof" required may be very little. It could be (and normally is) as simple as your verbal statement that you intend to do XYZ whilst in the US, and intend to leave on a particular date. But, if you were very recently (like, less than 90 days ago) in the US for the maximum 90 days, it increases the probability the border officer will expect you to have greater proof you aren't abusing the WVP to live in the US.

For example, if the records show you have been spending more time in the USA than you have outside the USA, the CBP officer may decide you are mis-using the VWP system to "live" in the USA.

Another example, if you have previously stayed in the US for the maximum 90 days on the VWP, and then you return, let's say, within 12 months of your previous entry (although, it's totally at the discretion of the officer you deal with) this can alert them to questioning you more throughly. I know of numerous first-hand cases when that second scenario has played out. One was a friend from Sweden who stayed 89 days under the VWP. She returned 11 months later, to visit for another 80 to 90 days (which she told the officer), and she was taken aside for 3.5 hours of searching and questioning. She missed her connecting flight, and although she got in she had to go to great lengths to convince them she had zero intention or desire to immigrate there. Less than a year later she tried to return again, and was denied entry. She now needs a visa to reenter the USA.

The CBP officer might also take into account how much you are in your home country, as opposed to elsewhere. Someone re-entering the US after having recently left the US, who hasn't been to their home country for a significant period, is more likely to come across as someone who has poor ties to their home country, and therefore is more likely to try an immigrate to the US.

It is my understanding that if you are denied entry you will require a visa to return to the USA (and this will hold true for a period of 10 years). Receiving a visa will also be more difficult if you were refused entry at the border. You will likely have to go to much greater lengths (if even possible) to prove the validity of your reasons for visiting the USA, and applying for a visa. Caution is advised.

Simply put, the more you come across as someone who has no interest in immigrating the US, and with strong ties to your home country, the better. Which means, someone with definite ties to their home country (job, business, family, house, etc), and with a clear plan of travel in the US, and a clear departure date (within the 90 day allowance), the greater your chances the CBP officer will stamp you in without any hassle. Dress well, give clear answers, smile, cross all your Ts and dot all your Is, and chances are it'll be fine.

Ultimately, it all comes down to the discretion of the CBP officer.