visa extention / visa waiver program
Mar 28th 2002, 11:35 pm
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
visa extention / visa waiver program
Hope I find some answers here!
I am German and want to enter the US through the visa waiver program which allows me
a 90 day stay in the US.
Is it possible to go to Mexico or Canada for a day trip and get an extention or a new
stamp in the passport for another 90 days?
Technically I would leave the US for a day and then re-enter. Would I qualify for
another 90 days using the visa waiver program?
I could apply for a B1 or B2 visa but I am affraid that something might go wrong and
I have to live with a visa denial in my records.
Any info on this is highly appreciated since I am also about to get married to a PR
that will turn into a USC next year. Wedding will be next year once she is a USC!
that is why I am trying to avoid any chances of a visa denial.
Thanks a lot!!!!
Lars
I am German and want to enter the US through the visa waiver program which allows me
a 90 day stay in the US.
Is it possible to go to Mexico or Canada for a day trip and get an extention or a new
stamp in the passport for another 90 days?
Technically I would leave the US for a day and then re-enter. Would I qualify for
another 90 days using the visa waiver program?
I could apply for a B1 or B2 visa but I am affraid that something might go wrong and
I have to live with a visa denial in my records.
Any info on this is highly appreciated since I am also about to get married to a PR
that will turn into a USC next year. Wedding will be next year once she is a USC!
that is why I am trying to avoid any chances of a visa denial.
Thanks a lot!!!!
Lars
Mar 29th 2002, 7:35 am
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: visa extention / visa waiver program
"Lars" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> Hope I find some answers here!
>
> I am German and want to enter the US through the visa waiver program which allows
> me a 90 day stay in the US.
>
> Is it possible to go to Mexico or Canada for a day trip and get an
extention
> or a new stamp in the passport for another 90 days?
Don't. Go back to Germany for a few weeks, and then come back in. If you attempt to
go to Mexico or Canada there is a high chance of being refused at the border.... and
then you will have even bigger problems.
Especially since you want to marry her in th future. What I would do is contact the
U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt and see if you can apply for an extended tourist visa.
(which is 180 days).
You cannot work on either visa's though, so bring enough cash to survive that long.
Maarten
> Hope I find some answers here!
>
> I am German and want to enter the US through the visa waiver program which allows
> me a 90 day stay in the US.
>
> Is it possible to go to Mexico or Canada for a day trip and get an
extention
> or a new stamp in the passport for another 90 days?
Don't. Go back to Germany for a few weeks, and then come back in. If you attempt to
go to Mexico or Canada there is a high chance of being refused at the border.... and
then you will have even bigger problems.
Especially since you want to marry her in th future. What I would do is contact the
U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt and see if you can apply for an extended tourist visa.
(which is 180 days).
You cannot work on either visa's though, so bring enough cash to survive that long.
Maarten
Mar 29th 2002, 10:35 am
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: visa extention / visa waiver program
Maarten,
Thanks for your quick reply!
I talked to some more people and the savest to do is to just go on the vwp visa
waiver program for 90 days go back wait for a month and get back in. The beauty is
that I can say these are business trips. I might even stand a chance getting a
business visa that way! I can get two companies write me letters that I will work for
them in the US trying to sell the products over there. problem here: I am not
employed by them! Can this work if I freelance for them in the US? Basically this is
the plan here. I not only have a girlfriend over there I also have some business
opportunities. Plus I am a partner in a business that is unfortunately not working at
all. No personell and I didnt invest 500k usd. So I cant even come in as an investor!
I figured that I better not talk about that business. I am trying now to get all the
letters from the two companies here in germany, try to show that I have enough money
in my accounts, and convince them that I have a lot of reasons coming back! In fact I
have to get back to hamburg business!
See it all doesnt seem to be big problem, but I got very insecure knowing that
"nice flashy" visa denial stamp might ruin a lot for me 1. business wise and 2.
personal wise! So there is much at stake here and I am trying to find the best way
around the hurdles.
Any idea if the business visa might work! I heard a tourist visa is a hard to get! I
cant show any planned tourist trips.
Btw: I have been to Yemen twice in the past 10 years! Last visit 2000! Another
problem???
Again thanks for your help!!!!!!
Lars
"Maarten W.G. Andriessen" <@dutchusa..com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Lars" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Hope I find some answers here!
> >
> > I am German and want to enter the US through the visa waiver program
which
> > allows me a 90 day stay in the US.
> >
> > Is it possible to go to Mexico or Canada for a day trip and get an
> extention
> > or a new stamp in the passport for another 90 days?
>
> Don't. Go back to Germany for a few weeks, and then come back in. If you attempt to
> go to Mexico or Canada there is a high chance of being refused
at
> the border.... and then you will have even bigger problems.
>
> Especially since you want to marry her in th future. What I would do is contact the
> U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt and see if you can apply for an extended tourist visa.
> (which is 180 days).
>
> You cannot work on either visa's though, so bring enough cash to survive that long.
>
> Maarten
Thanks for your quick reply!
I talked to some more people and the savest to do is to just go on the vwp visa
waiver program for 90 days go back wait for a month and get back in. The beauty is
that I can say these are business trips. I might even stand a chance getting a
business visa that way! I can get two companies write me letters that I will work for
them in the US trying to sell the products over there. problem here: I am not
employed by them! Can this work if I freelance for them in the US? Basically this is
the plan here. I not only have a girlfriend over there I also have some business
opportunities. Plus I am a partner in a business that is unfortunately not working at
all. No personell and I didnt invest 500k usd. So I cant even come in as an investor!
I figured that I better not talk about that business. I am trying now to get all the
letters from the two companies here in germany, try to show that I have enough money
in my accounts, and convince them that I have a lot of reasons coming back! In fact I
have to get back to hamburg business!
See it all doesnt seem to be big problem, but I got very insecure knowing that
"nice flashy" visa denial stamp might ruin a lot for me 1. business wise and 2.
personal wise! So there is much at stake here and I am trying to find the best way
around the hurdles.
Any idea if the business visa might work! I heard a tourist visa is a hard to get! I
cant show any planned tourist trips.
Btw: I have been to Yemen twice in the past 10 years! Last visit 2000! Another
problem???
Again thanks for your help!!!!!!
Lars
"Maarten W.G. Andriessen" <@dutchusa..com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Lars" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Hope I find some answers here!
> >
> > I am German and want to enter the US through the visa waiver program
which
> > allows me a 90 day stay in the US.
> >
> > Is it possible to go to Mexico or Canada for a day trip and get an
> extention
> > or a new stamp in the passport for another 90 days?
>
> Don't. Go back to Germany for a few weeks, and then come back in. If you attempt to
> go to Mexico or Canada there is a high chance of being refused
at
> the border.... and then you will have even bigger problems.
>
> Especially since you want to marry her in th future. What I would do is contact the
> U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt and see if you can apply for an extended tourist visa.
> (which is 180 days).
>
> You cannot work on either visa's though, so bring enough cash to survive that long.
>
> Maarten
Mar 29th 2002, 5:05 pm
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: visa extention / visa waiver program
On Fri, 29 Mar 2002 23:03:06 +0100, "Lars" <[email protected]> wrote:
>Maarten,
>
>Thanks for your quick reply!
>
>I talked to some more people and the savest to do is to just go on the vwp visa
>waiver program for 90 days go back wait for a month and get back in.
I heard of people who had problems repeating this several times. The rule of thumb is
that you are only supposed to use the 90 days once in every 12 month period! This is
not written into the law, but is considered a safe time.
>The beauty is that I can say these are business trips. I might even stand a chance
>getting a business visa that way! I can get two companies write me letters that I
>will work for them in the US trying to sell the products over there. problem here: I
>am not employed by them! Can this work if I freelance for them in the US?
As long as you are not receiving any pay from the US, and these are bona fide
negotiations, you can do that. Do keep in mind that as a business visitor, you will
be admitted for just as long as needed to complete the business - that is, if you are
going for sales meetings, you will be asked for an itinerary of which meetings you
are going to attend when, and will be admitted for just a few extra days beyond that.
Also, as a business visitor, you are also eligible to use the visa waiver program, so
you'd have the same problem justifying applying for a visa.
Incidentally, if you do apply for a business visitor visa, it will be a combination
business/tourist visa.
>Basically this is the plan here. I not only have a girlfriend over there I also have
>some business opportunities. Plus I am a partner in a business that is unfortunately
>not working at all. No personell and I didnt invest 500k usd. So I cant even come in
>as an investor! I figured that I better not talk about that business. I am trying
>now to get all the letters from the two companies here in germany, try to show that
>I have enough money in my accounts, and convince them that I have a lot of reasons
>coming back! In fact I have to get back to hamburg business!
>
>See it all doesnt seem to be big problem, but I got very insecure knowing that
>"nice flashy" visa denial stamp might ruin a lot for me 1. business wise and 2.
>personal wise! So there is much at stake here and I am trying to find the best way
>around the hurdles.
Also, if INS commissioner James Ziglar has his way, a visa wouldn't help you much any
more. He recently suggested that people with a tourist visa be admitted only for 30
days instead of the six months they used to get.
>Any idea if the business visa might work! I heard a tourist visa is a hard to get! I
>cant show any planned tourist trips.
A tourist visa is indeed hard to get for people who qualify for the visa waiver, but
that also applies for a business visitor visa. The problem is the same in both cases:
by applying for a visa when you would normally be eligible for the visa waiver, you
are drawing attention to yourself and will have to justify just why you need the
visa. If you answer "because I want to stay for more than three months" they'd ask
about your finances and how you can afford to take such a long vacation. If you
mention your girlfriend, the visa will almost certainly get denied because the
suspicion would be that you'd really plan to marry her and immigrate to the US.
Similarly, you will have to have a very good justification for such a long
business trip!
>Btw: I have been to Yemen twice in the past 10 years! Last visit 2000! Another
>problem???
Maybe, but not very likely.
>Again thanks for your help!!!!!!
>
>Lars
>
>"Maarten W.G. Andriessen" <@dutchusa..com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
>news:[email protected]...
>>
>> "Lars" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>> > Hope I find some answers here!
>> >
>> > I am German and want to enter the US through the visa waiver program
>which
>> > allows me a 90 day stay in the US.
>> >
>> > Is it possible to go to Mexico or Canada for a day trip and get an
>> extention
>> > or a new stamp in the passport for another 90 days?
>>
>> Don't. Go back to Germany for a few weeks, and then come back in. If you attempt
>> to go to Mexico or Canada there is a high chance of being refused
>at
>> the border.... and then you will have even bigger problems.
>>
>> Especially since you want to marry her in th future. What I would do is contact
>> the U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt and see if you can apply for an extended tourist
>> visa. (which is 180 days).
>>
>> You cannot work on either visa's though, so bring enough cash to survive
>> that long.
>>
>> Maarten
>>
>>
>>
>
>
I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. For reliable advice, please consult
with a professional immigration attorney.
For further information, check the following frequently-requested links.
For many questions, you may find answers at
http://travel.state.gov/visa_services.html (Department of State)
or http://ins.usdoj.gov (INS).
For consular policies and visa reciprocity fees, find your consulate in
http://travel.state.gov/links.html
For DOL Faxback status information: http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/
For information on affidavit of support for marriage to US citizens (I-864), go to
http://travel.state.gov/i864gen.html and http://travel.state.gov/checklist.html
For information on entering the US as a K-1: http://www.k1poelist.com/
For poverty levels, see http://aspe.os.dhhs.gov/poverty/00poverty.htm
For information on H/L/O/P visa extensions at Dept. of State in St. Louis, MO, see
http://travel.state.gov/revals.html
For non-official information, check:
(When using these sites, and any Web sites, please watch out for privacy, as I do not
know all site operators.)
http://www.visalaw.com http://www.shusterman.com http://www.immigration.com
http://members.aol.com/MDUdall http://www.murthy.com/ http://www.richw.org/dualcit/
(dual citizenship FAQ) http://www.ilw.com/pederson/visa.htm (dual citizenship info)
http://www.srs-usvisa.com http://www.getusavisa.com
http://greencard-lottery.virtualave.net/ http://www.jcvisa.com (H-1B)
http://www.h1bresources.com (marriage and fiancee) http://www.kamya.com/misc/
(marriage and fiancee) http://www2.apex.net/users/thehydes http://www.formshome.com
http://www.workpermit.com
This is not an endorsement of any of these Web sites. I am not affiliated with any of
the Web site owners and do not receive nor accept payment in return for listing them,
and typically don't even know them.
(if believe you have a good immigration-related Web site and want your Web site
listed here, please e-mail me).
>Maarten,
>
>Thanks for your quick reply!
>
>I talked to some more people and the savest to do is to just go on the vwp visa
>waiver program for 90 days go back wait for a month and get back in.
I heard of people who had problems repeating this several times. The rule of thumb is
that you are only supposed to use the 90 days once in every 12 month period! This is
not written into the law, but is considered a safe time.
>The beauty is that I can say these are business trips. I might even stand a chance
>getting a business visa that way! I can get two companies write me letters that I
>will work for them in the US trying to sell the products over there. problem here: I
>am not employed by them! Can this work if I freelance for them in the US?
As long as you are not receiving any pay from the US, and these are bona fide
negotiations, you can do that. Do keep in mind that as a business visitor, you will
be admitted for just as long as needed to complete the business - that is, if you are
going for sales meetings, you will be asked for an itinerary of which meetings you
are going to attend when, and will be admitted for just a few extra days beyond that.
Also, as a business visitor, you are also eligible to use the visa waiver program, so
you'd have the same problem justifying applying for a visa.
Incidentally, if you do apply for a business visitor visa, it will be a combination
business/tourist visa.
>Basically this is the plan here. I not only have a girlfriend over there I also have
>some business opportunities. Plus I am a partner in a business that is unfortunately
>not working at all. No personell and I didnt invest 500k usd. So I cant even come in
>as an investor! I figured that I better not talk about that business. I am trying
>now to get all the letters from the two companies here in germany, try to show that
>I have enough money in my accounts, and convince them that I have a lot of reasons
>coming back! In fact I have to get back to hamburg business!
>
>See it all doesnt seem to be big problem, but I got very insecure knowing that
>"nice flashy" visa denial stamp might ruin a lot for me 1. business wise and 2.
>personal wise! So there is much at stake here and I am trying to find the best way
>around the hurdles.
Also, if INS commissioner James Ziglar has his way, a visa wouldn't help you much any
more. He recently suggested that people with a tourist visa be admitted only for 30
days instead of the six months they used to get.
>Any idea if the business visa might work! I heard a tourist visa is a hard to get! I
>cant show any planned tourist trips.
A tourist visa is indeed hard to get for people who qualify for the visa waiver, but
that also applies for a business visitor visa. The problem is the same in both cases:
by applying for a visa when you would normally be eligible for the visa waiver, you
are drawing attention to yourself and will have to justify just why you need the
visa. If you answer "because I want to stay for more than three months" they'd ask
about your finances and how you can afford to take such a long vacation. If you
mention your girlfriend, the visa will almost certainly get denied because the
suspicion would be that you'd really plan to marry her and immigrate to the US.
Similarly, you will have to have a very good justification for such a long
business trip!
>Btw: I have been to Yemen twice in the past 10 years! Last visit 2000! Another
>problem???
Maybe, but not very likely.
>Again thanks for your help!!!!!!
>
>Lars
>
>"Maarten W.G. Andriessen" <@dutchusa..com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
>news:[email protected]...
>>
>> "Lars" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>> > Hope I find some answers here!
>> >
>> > I am German and want to enter the US through the visa waiver program
>which
>> > allows me a 90 day stay in the US.
>> >
>> > Is it possible to go to Mexico or Canada for a day trip and get an
>> extention
>> > or a new stamp in the passport for another 90 days?
>>
>> Don't. Go back to Germany for a few weeks, and then come back in. If you attempt
>> to go to Mexico or Canada there is a high chance of being refused
>at
>> the border.... and then you will have even bigger problems.
>>
>> Especially since you want to marry her in th future. What I would do is contact
>> the U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt and see if you can apply for an extended tourist
>> visa. (which is 180 days).
>>
>> You cannot work on either visa's though, so bring enough cash to survive
>> that long.
>>
>> Maarten
>>
>>
>>
>
>
I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. For reliable advice, please consult
with a professional immigration attorney.
For further information, check the following frequently-requested links.
For many questions, you may find answers at
http://travel.state.gov/visa_services.html (Department of State)
or http://ins.usdoj.gov (INS).
For consular policies and visa reciprocity fees, find your consulate in
http://travel.state.gov/links.html
For DOL Faxback status information: http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/
For information on affidavit of support for marriage to US citizens (I-864), go to
http://travel.state.gov/i864gen.html and http://travel.state.gov/checklist.html
For information on entering the US as a K-1: http://www.k1poelist.com/
For poverty levels, see http://aspe.os.dhhs.gov/poverty/00poverty.htm
For information on H/L/O/P visa extensions at Dept. of State in St. Louis, MO, see
http://travel.state.gov/revals.html
For non-official information, check:
(When using these sites, and any Web sites, please watch out for privacy, as I do not
know all site operators.)
http://www.visalaw.com http://www.shusterman.com http://www.immigration.com
http://members.aol.com/MDUdall http://www.murthy.com/ http://www.richw.org/dualcit/
(dual citizenship FAQ) http://www.ilw.com/pederson/visa.htm (dual citizenship info)
http://www.srs-usvisa.com http://www.getusavisa.com
http://greencard-lottery.virtualave.net/ http://www.jcvisa.com (H-1B)
http://www.h1bresources.com (marriage and fiancee) http://www.kamya.com/misc/
(marriage and fiancee) http://www2.apex.net/users/thehydes http://www.formshome.com
http://www.workpermit.com
This is not an endorsement of any of these Web sites. I am not affiliated with any of
the Web site owners and do not receive nor accept payment in return for listing them,
and typically don't even know them.
(if believe you have a good immigration-related Web site and want your Web site
listed here, please e-mail me).
Apr 1st 2002, 1:35 pm
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: visa extention / visa waiver program
Hi Lars, My immigration consultant is from Canada and may be able to answer some
questions for you. Check out: www.as-oneimmigration.com Best of luck AJC
Lars wrote:
> Hope I find some answers here!
>
> I am German and want to enter the US through the visa waiver program which allows
> me a 90 day stay in the US.
>
> Is it possible to go to Mexico or Canada for a day trip and get an extention or a
> new stamp in the passport for another 90 days?
>
> Technically I would leave the US for a day and then re-enter. Would I qualify for
> another 90 days using the visa waiver program?
>
> I could apply for a B1 or B2 visa but I am affraid that something might go wrong
> and I have to live with a visa denial in my records.
>
> Any info on this is highly appreciated since I am also about to get married to a PR
> that will turn into a USC next year. Wedding will be next year once she is a USC!
> that is why I am trying to avoid any chances of a visa denial.
>
> Thanks a lot!!!!
>
> Lars
questions for you. Check out: www.as-oneimmigration.com Best of luck AJC
Lars wrote:
> Hope I find some answers here!
>
> I am German and want to enter the US through the visa waiver program which allows
> me a 90 day stay in the US.
>
> Is it possible to go to Mexico or Canada for a day trip and get an extention or a
> new stamp in the passport for another 90 days?
>
> Technically I would leave the US for a day and then re-enter. Would I qualify for
> another 90 days using the visa waiver program?
>
> I could apply for a B1 or B2 visa but I am affraid that something might go wrong
> and I have to live with a visa denial in my records.
>
> Any info on this is highly appreciated since I am also about to get married to a PR
> that will turn into a USC next year. Wedding will be next year once she is a USC!
> that is why I am trying to avoid any chances of a visa denial.
>
> Thanks a lot!!!!
>
> Lars
