ashsmithy999

hello,

i plan on visiting the USA next year to travel and see the sights on
either the Visa Waiver Program or applying for a B2 visa so i can
stay over 90 days. i plan on doing this starting at the end of
january 2010 . in 2006/2007 i studied on a J-1 visa as an exchange
student for 10 months

my question is based on returning to USA again after my period of
travel next year. My friend is getting Married on a cruise ship
leaving from florida in october 2010. will i be eligible under the
Visa Waiver Program to re-enter for the wedding or will i need to
apply for another Visa? or would i be eligible at all if i stay for
6 months on a B2 visa January - july?

Thanking you in advance

Ashley Smith

Noorah101

Hi Ashley,

Just so you know, if you are eligible to use the VWP, it will be very difficult to get a B-2. If you apply for the B-2 and it's denied, you will always have to declare the denied visa when traveling on the VWP.

My advice would be to go in January using the VWP and stay less than 90 days. Then go back again in October using the VWP again for your friend's wedding.

By some miracle, if you DO get a B-2, it will probably be valid for 10 years. Each entry to the USA can be up to 6 months long (POE officer decided this). Back to back trips are not recommended, but it's always up to the POE officer whether to let you back in or not. There's never a guarantee.

Ditto for the VWP. Rule of thumb is to spend more time outside the USA than you just did inside. So if you stay 6 months on a B-2, you should probably stay out for more than 6 months before trying another visit.

Rene

scrubbedexpat099

Ditto the above.

Back to the draw....

BritishGuy36

'I'm sightseeing' and '90 days isn't long enough' aren't valid reasons for the issuance of a B2. If you're eligible for the VWP, you'd be denied, so I wouldn't bother.

scrubbedexpat099

An easy draw!

US in the first game.

ashsmithy999

Thanks for the responce. It's cleared things up for me