maths

I have 2 questions about this visa.

1.) My start date for the visa is 28th august. In the letter from the
university I am going to, they state that when I get my visa, I will be
allowed enter the US up to a month beforehand, so july 28th. The
problem is that I want to visit the US on the 25th of July. I can enter
on a visa waiver, but can that be then transfered to my J1 visa status?
Would I have to come home to the UK before heading back?

2.) For the J1 interview, are there any things other than a chat with
an immigration officer? (like health checks or drug tests etc.)

Thanks

Eric S.

First of all, it is 30 days -- not 1 month -- beforehand. So that would be
July 29.

Second, see here for information about entering earlier than 30 days before:
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1267.html . See section
titled " My Visa Has Been Issued- When Can I Travel to the U.S.?".

- Eric S.



<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected] oups.com...
    >I have 2 questions about this visa.
    > 1.) My start date for the visa is 28th august. In the letter from the
    > university I am going to, they state that when I get my visa, I will be
    > allowed enter the US up to a month beforehand, so july 28th. The
    > problem is that I want to visit the US on the 25th of July. I can enter
    > on a visa waiver, but can that be then transfered to my J1 visa status?
    > Would I have to come home to the UK before heading back?
    > 2.) For the J1 interview, are there any things other than a chat with
    > an immigration officer? (like health checks or drug tests etc.)
    > Thanks
    >

maths

It says if I want to enter before the start date I have to get a
visitor visa.

But can someone please tell me; if I go on a holiday to the US on July
25th until august 10th, and use a visa waiver; And then come home for
two weeks, then fly over again on august 28th on my J1; Will that be
ok? The first trip will have nothing to do with the second one.

Basically can I enter before a start date on a J1, if I'm on a visa
waiver and have a return ticket?





Eric S. wrote:
    > First of all, it is 30 days -- not 1 month -- beforehand. So that would be
    > July 29.
    > Second, see here for information about entering earlier than 30 days before:
    > http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1267.html . See section
    > titled " My Visa Has Been Issued- When Can I Travel to the U.S.?".
    >
    > - Eric S.
    >

Capt. Tuttle

[email protected] wrote:
    > It says if I want to enter before the start date I have to get a
    > visitor visa.
    >
    > But can someone please tell me; if I go on a holiday to the US on July
    > 25th until august 10th, and use a visa waiver; And then come home for
    > two weeks, then fly over again on august 28th on my J1; Will that be
    > ok? The first trip will have nothing to do with the second one.
    >
    > Basically can I enter before a start date on a J1, if I'm on a visa
    > waiver and have a return ticket?
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > Eric S. wrote:
    >
    >>First of all, it is 30 days -- not 1 month -- beforehand. So that would be
    >>July 29.
    >>Second, see here for information about entering earlier than 30 days before:
    >>http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1267.html . See section
    >>titled " My Visa Has Been Issued- When Can I Travel to the U.S.?".
    >>- Eric S.
    >
    >

From the link provided in the other post -

"If you want an earlier entry in the U.S. (more than 30 days prior to
the course start date), you must qualify for, and obtain a visitor visa,
as explained below; however, this is strongly discouraged."

I could not find anything about your specific question. My suggestion is
to call the embassy and/or the university and ask them. I called a
university with a question about a J-1 visa and got an answer quickly.
Since they deal with J-1 visas often they should be able to give you a
better answer.

The bottom line is that it is up to the officer at the POE. If you want
to come on the waiver program and return and then come on the J-1 you
MIGHT be okay. If you can explain to the officer your intent and if he
accepts your explanation you are okay. If he doesn't you will have a
problem.

Ivonne

I assume you mean the start date of your DS 2019? (If your visa had a start date of 28th august, you could NOT enter before that date)

Actually, it's not 1 month per se. it's 30 days. So calculate correctly when you can enter.

No, change of status is not allowed from visa waiver

Yes

Depends on the specific circumstances of your case. If it's a clear cut case, than it shouldn't be more than a few minutes. No health or draug tests required.

Voltes34

"Ivonne" <member4070@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected] m...
    |

    |
    | I assume you mean the start date of your DS 2019? (If your visa had a
    | start date of 28th august, you could NOT enter before that date)
    |

Generally, you can't enter earlier than 30 days before the program start
date! The DS2019 form would show that program start date.

The visa has no relevance with program start date other than it was issued
after someone was already approved for a J1 program.