postbox134

Hi guys!

Been lurking on this forum for a little while and wonder if anyone has any thoughts about my situation. I'm a British Citizen only born in the UK without so much as a parking ticket.

I've been offered a change of role and a transfer from my current London job to NYC and am about to start the visa process under my large US based firm's blanket petition. I've previously held a B1/B2 visa as I spent over 90 days in the USA for a training program at the same company (hence couldn't use ESTA/VWP) which was only valid for one year (this was a couple of years ago and the officer at the embassy was of the opinion any subsequent trips/holidays could be VWP).

Since then, I've visited the US once on business under VWP (WB in my passport) and a couple of times to see my significant other (unmarried) who is a USC. My main concern was on my most recent entry I was pulled over to the small room (secondary) when I mentioned I was visiting for SO (honesty is the best policy right?). They seemed to be mostly confused about a trip I made including Canada that was partly on my B1/B2 and partly on VWP (way less than 90 days in total in North America. This was due to the B1/B2 expiring while I was in Canada, however, to be safe I had a valid ESTA as well. Upon entering from Canada, nothing was said at all. While in secondary, after a few more questions (How Long for? Who do you work for? How much do you earn? What's that in USD? Return flight details? etc.) the officer merely stamped my passport and said 'have a nice trip'. However, during this time he was making a lot of notes/typing on his PC so not sure what kind of record I have on their computer system now.

So as I'm about to start the L1-B application process with my company (I'm very lucky to get the chance at 3-5 years pretty easily before considering marriage/H1-B transfer etc etc.) I assume this is all okay - just concerned about the secondary experience detailed above. Several others at my company have made similar moves on L1-Bs after the same longer trip for training, plus, I've never been denied entry. I also trust my company's lawyers to cover the specialist knowledge part. My job is a technical role in an S&P 500 company and you need to a degree + experience to hold it so I should be okay from that perspective.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated, I'll be sure to feedback once the whole application has gone through.

Thanks

TexanScot

I don't see why it wouldn't be?

Lots of people go to secondary for various reasons, and that in and of itself doesn't mean anything.

So long as you weren't denied entry and were entirely truthful with them, I really wouldn't worry about it.

scrubbedexpat099

I have been to Secondary twice.

Noorah101

Once you overstay the VWP, you can never use it again. Unless Im reading your post wrong, it seems liked you used the VWP even after your previous overstay...? You weren't supposed to have done that.

Rene

Pulaski

Originally I read post #1 differently, that he applied for a B-1/B-2 in anticipation of spending over 90 days in the US, but on reading your post I reread post #1 and now I think that he did overstay then applied for a B-1/B-2. ..... And if so, then that would explain the secondary, and was probably only allowed back into the US because he had a flight out if the US. I am sure it makes for some interesting notes in his USCIS file, but I doubt it will have much impact on an L-1A/B application.

postbox134

Hi guys,

Thanks for the replies above. Just want to clarify the B1/B2 situation. I'd never visited the USA until my company sent me there for 4 months (> 90days). They then applied for a B2 and I was granted a B1/B2 visa for 1 year for the purposed of that trip. I entered and had a date 6 months later stamped in the passport (which I left way beforehand). Therefore, this was all kosher as the visa was applied for beforehand.

Next time I visited the USA, nearly a year after entering for the first time, I applied for an ESTA even though my Visa was still valid. Travelled to the US, stamped as B1/B2. Then travelled to Canada and came back stamped at WT (just as the B1/B2 was expiring). This seemed to confuse them on subsequent entries (I think it looked like I was trying to use my expired visa).

Hope that makes more sense.

Pulaski

I think that is clearer, though your use of simple past tense for everything leaves room for confusion. If I am now understand correctly , the above variation is correct, right?

In any case I don't think you have anything to worry about re the L-1.

postbox134

You are correct, apologies for the wording on my part. The B2 was applied for a few months before the first trip when they were planning to send me.

Thanks!

tht

postbox134

Hi tht,

Yeah that's correct, they applied for B2 but I was granted a B1/B2 at the embassy (at least if I remember correctly, it's a B1/B2 in my passport).

Subsequent trips have been WB/WT depending on what I said to the POE officer.

Thanks

tht

postbox134

Hi tht,

Really helpful thanks!

Looks like I don't qualify for HSBC premier (I don't earn more than £75k, unfortunately, haha, L1-B rather than L1-A I guess lol). My company is a bank in the US so I think they'll be able to help with accounts/credit rating/access to a credit card etc. I already have Monzo etc for my previous visits so will intend to use that day one.

I have Three feel at home currently, so my first priority isn't to sort out a US based contract yet (will be travelling between a bit at first) before switching to whatever expensive $ contract I can find.

ZipCar is great here in London so that's definitely on my list (good tip with the insurance part, I wasn't going to get a car straight away in the NYC metro area/NJ so really helpful).

Thanks though, sounds like you're in a similar boat a few years down the line.

Global entry is for sure an option, I have a friend who has it even on VWP and they're a big fan.

tht

postbox134

Haha too late with that one, although tbf the accent was invaluable beforehand

Thanks all for the advise and input!

petitefrancaise

I've never seen or heard of cellphone service payments being recorded for credit. Sure, if you are in default then it may end up on there. However, most new arrivals to the USA can't/don't get a post-paid contract - maybe with a hefty deposit.
You can get a fairly good deal on a pre-paid tmobile contract, or if you have a suitable phone,Google Fi is a decent option (you can now use iphones/other androids).