Question on entering US before the start of new job
#1
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Question on entering US before the start of new job
I'm a non-UK citizen living in the UK currently. I'm going to transfer to the US on an L-1A visa. My new job starts on Apr 1, 2013. I know, I can't enter US 10 days before the start of the new job that is 22 March.
I do however have a B1/B2 visa. I was thinking of going to US earlier on B1/B2 to find an apartment and set it up before the 22nd, say 8th March. I was then planning on exiting to Mexico through the land border and re-enter on L-1A. Do you guys see this as a feasible plan ? or any pitfalls ?
I do however have a B1/B2 visa. I was thinking of going to US earlier on B1/B2 to find an apartment and set it up before the 22nd, say 8th March. I was then planning on exiting to Mexico through the land border and re-enter on L-1A. Do you guys see this as a feasible plan ? or any pitfalls ?
#2
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Re: Question on entering US before the start of new job
... or any pitfalls ?
Ian
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Re: Question on entering US before the start of new job
Do you have an consulate interview date yet for the L-1A?
I think if you show CBP both visas and explain what you intend to do, they're likely to be reasonable and not see you as a threat.
I think if you show CBP both visas and explain what you intend to do, they're likely to be reasonable and not see you as a threat.
#4
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Re: Question on entering US before the start of new job
I'm definitely not going to lie to the CBP.
#5
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Re: Question on entering US before the start of new job
We will have 4 suitcases between my wife and me. I'll look into the possibility of shipping 2 suitcases if it reduces possiblitiy of getting flagged, but am not going to hide the reason for the travel to the POE.
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Re: Question on entering US before the start of new job
Does your wife also have a B-1/B-2 visa? Is she going to leave and re-enter with you? Does she have an L-2 visa yet?
Ian
Ian
Last edited by ian-mstm; Jan 31st 2013 at 12:23 pm.
#7
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Re: Question on entering US before the start of new job
Yes, my wife has a B1/B2 as well. She is going to do the same thing as I am re: entering/reentering. We're gonna go for the L-1/L-2 interview together.
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Re: Question on entering US before the start of new job
Ian
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Re: Question on entering US before the start of new job
#10
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Re: Question on entering US before the start of new job
Here is one pitfall: sometimes you don't get a chance to return your B-2 I-94 when crossing by land. My sister did a very similar thing, she came in with a B-2, stayed with me for two weeks, then went to Canada by land, to then come back on F-1. Although the I-94 says "give to a Canadian official" they refused to receive it, because she was going to have a short stay in Canada. Finally, a supervisor understood what was going on and accepted the I-94. When re-entering, she simply showed her F-1 visa, and had no problems.
This is still cheaper than applying to COS.
This is still cheaper than applying to COS.
#11
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Re: Question on entering US before the start of new job
Here is one pitfall: sometimes you don't get a chance to return your B-2 I-94 when crossing by land. My sister did a very similar thing, she came in with a B-2, stayed with me for two weeks, then went to Canada by land, to then come back on F-1. Although the I-94 says "give to a Canadian official" they refused to receive it, because she was going to have a short stay in Canada. Finally, a supervisor understood what was going on and accepted the I-94. When re-entering, she simply showed her F-1 visa, and had no problems.
This is still cheaper than applying to COS.
This is still cheaper than applying to COS.
Ofcourse, this is all read off of another forum and am not sure if I'm allowed to post a link to another forum on here.