Originally Posted by MikeCole

So I am intending to go the US for the same reasons in 2011. Officially as an amateur athlete playing in the USL Premier Development League. To clarify, in 2011 I was rejected for a B2 however I made another appointment for a few days later and was approved. I have a good immigration history i.e entering and leaving on time on the VWP and B2 Visa. My B2 was only one entry and for six months.

The ideal time for me to go to the US in around April 20th. The regular season finishes around July 20th. Give or take a few days, that's virtually 90 days.

Now, the problem I face is that is the regular season, if the team I am playing for makes the national tournament or play-offs which is likely, I need an extra week or so.

I have applied for the ESTA and after having my application pending obviously to the initial rejected visa, they have just approved it. Do I go on the VWP with no risks and see what happens but obviously not overstay? Or do I apply for the B2 knowing that whilst I got it two years ago and have even stronger ties to the UK now, that I may be rejected and then have my ESTA rejected which means I won't be able to go full stop?


I'm leaning towards the VWP but it makes me demotivated to know that I can play a whole season and possibly miss the most important part at the end unless I leave just before 90 days, take a week in the UK and then try my luck and go back for one week possibly on the basis of a holiday i.e I was here for 90 days as an amateur athlete (which is allowed on the VWP) and found a good deal for a weeks vacation?
Only other option is going slightly later around April 28th? Probably a better idea?

Originally Posted by Cubero17

It's the same principle as when I personally transited through the USA to go to Guatemala for business. I entered the US, flying into Atlanta from the UK and was granted 90 days by the IO. I changed terminals and flew to Guatemala for 10 days, and flew back into Atlanta and was granted a new 90 days by the IO. I was questioned on what I was doing in Guatemala and where I was going next. Pretty simple, business and heading home and was let through.

Originally Posted by ian-mstm

It sounds as though you're suggesting that a traveler lie to a US immigration officer!

Ian

Originally Posted by Cubero17

Yep I am suggesting that.

Originally Posted by Sportychico

I played for Kettering Town (Vauxhall Conference) and have had a E2 Visa....

Originally Posted by Cubero17

As the OP mentioned in his previous posts, he was denied the B2 Visa in 2011 and approved two days later which makes the whole process pointless. If that's how the visa system works, on the visa official's personality or mood and not if the application meets a set guideline, then unfortunately visiting a friend for a day in Guatemala, returning to the US and then staying until the new 90 days expires isn't a problem.

And to the post above, that was Canada, not a country which rests the 90 days. The US is and always will be a corrupt country who continue to use underlying tactics to harm their own people and other nationalities. The more people that get one over on branches of the US Government the better.

Oh sorry, it is not reasonable to lie to an immigration officer so a kid can travel an extra 20 days on Earth, but it's totally reasonable for sections of the US government to fly two planes and kill it's own people to justify a war to benefit the rich or to instigate host shootings to force through certain laws.