ab3834

Hi guys :

planning on taking a work sabatical :

Im planning on travelling to the states to do a ski season, now I understand the VWP is for 90 days no more no less.

My options as I understand it:

apply for a B-2 visa (have relatives in the states so can use their address ) is this OK ?

can I leave the states during my 90 days - ie return to UK and then go back to the states and resume my ski season with a fresh 90 days ?

dont really fancy the idea of having any restrictions / penalties imposed on me for being naughty and overstaying my welcome. Could be a bad move for me professionally to have restrictions travelling to the US in the future.

any info appreciated.

thanks

Alan

sillyestaquestions

I entirely believe that. DHS has all of that information within an hour or two of take off or is it before take off. All that information is what the airline gathers about you and has to transmit electronically. That being said I dont think DHS would know if for example u booked a different hotel online without using a travel agent or an airline, ate in the same new york resturant twice in a week or bought a greyhound ticket using that credit card. IF they do know every move you make by your credit card and email activity flights booked cars rented hotel rented direct debit to a U.S landlord ec etc then by extension of that they know the movements of god knows how many legal and illegial immigrant. So why dont they use this information to locate illegials at all these places, most information comes from tip offs from members of the public. Far fetched at best I think.

ab3834

Hi guys :

planning on taking a work sabatical :

Im planning on travelling to the states to do a ski season, now I understand the VWP is for 90 days no more.

My options as I understand it:

apply for a B-2 visa (have relatives in the states so can use their address ) is this OK ? ie is this the best way of going about things ? how easy / hard is it ? I have no convictions etc so cant imagine any issues ?

can I leave the states during my 90 days - ie return to UK and then go back to the states and resume my ski season with a fresh 90 days ?

dont really fancy the idea of having any restrictions / penalties imposed on me for being naughty and overstaying my welcome. Could be a bad move for me professionally to have restrictions travelling to the US in the future.

any info appreciated.

thanks

Alan

Duncan Roberts

If that's the case then take the 90 days (but probably plan for 85) and then spend the rest of the time in Canada. If you apply for a B-2 you run the risk of being denied and then you are in an awkward situation that can easily be avoided by taking the 90 days.

ian-mstm

Yes.


Yes, it's okay... but realize that you likely won't get a B-2 visa if you're eligible to use the VWP.


Yes, but you may be refused entry at any time. Rule of thumb - spend at least as much time out of the US as you just spent inside the US. In other words, going back to the UK for a day/week and then turning around and coming back to the US may give the immigration officer the idea that you're trying to live in the US. Even if that's not your intent, if he believes it, he'll refuse you entry... and there is no appeal process whatsoever. Once you've been refused entry on the VWP, you can not thereafter use the VWP again and must apply for a B-2 visa to visit.

Ian

ian-mstm

Answered here: http://britishexpats.com/forum/showp...6&postcount=73.

Ian

ab3834

Thanks Ian - I guessed that it was tricky and probably a bit dodgy to try to sneak back for a short break.

appreciate your input.

ab3834

Had a bit of an idea ???

Fly to the states 1st Dec, spend 2 weeks there sorting my digs out etc

fly home to UK for 2 weeks xmas / new year

then fly back to states after new year with (hopefully) the new vwp of 90 days.

that seems reasonable in my head, I appreciate its all down the Border guy if he thinks your iffy or not....

meauxna

What exactly do you mean by 'do' a season in the US?
Ski only? Visit? Travel? Work the slopes? A bar? give lessons?

Eric S

I think you'll probably be okay with that plan.

The usual advice is to bring plenty of evidence of ties to the UK and your intent to return at the end of your stay. Letter from job, lease agreement or mortgage info on your apartment/home, etc. Just in case.

- Eric S.

Noorah101

It can be for less, but not more.

Rene

ian-mstm

I was going to write that as well in my first response, but I remember someone's post from the FAM (? might have been something else) that stated that entry on the VWP is for 90 days or 0 days, with nothing in between. So... no less, no more.

Ian

Noorah101

Oh, interesting. So the actual VWP entry is for either 0 or 90. It's up to the individual how long to stay...up to the 90 day mark. Thanks!

Folinskyinla

Hi:

Please define "sabbatical." It will help answer your question.

scrubbedexpat099

Unpaid leave in American