Frequency visits to the US

[Lorinkell 3]

Hi all,  I need some advise please,  I am from South Africa and received my 10 year multiple entry visa to the US,  I visited the US in November 2016,  I was there from 17 November to 12 December 2016 (three weeks only)  and stayd with a friend and her family .  We made plans for me to return in March 2017 for a 4 month stay to tour a few of the national parks,  Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon.  My question is will my return visit to the US after just over 3 and a half months cause the officer at the POE  in Atlanta (same port of entry as first vist) to be suspicious? This will only be my second visit and probably last for a long time.  Any input will be much appreciated.  Thank you 

Edited February 15, 2017 by Lorinkell
Edit

[Hypnos 6,576]

Yes, maybe. 

 

You'll find out at the airport. 

[Teddy B 17,251]

2 hours ago, Lorinkell said:

Hi all,  I need some advise please,  I am from South Africa and received my 10 year multiple entry visa to the US,  I visited the US in November 2016,  I was there from 17 November to 12 December 2016 (three weeks only)  and stayd with a friend and her family .  We made plans for me to return in March 2017 for a 4 month stay to tour a few of the national parks,  Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon.  My question is will my return visit to the US after just over 3 and a half months cause the officer at the POE  in Atlanta (same port of entry as first vist) to be suspicious? This will only be my second visit and probably last for a long time.  Any input will be much appreciated.  Thank you 

Sounds like a boyfriend/girlfriend situation here, if so be honest about it when asked. Make sure to bring proof of funds for your 4 month stay and proof of ties to South Africa.

[Lorinkell 3]

26 minutes ago, Teddy B said:

Sounds like a boyfriend/girlfriend situation here, if so be honest about it when asked. Make sure to bring proof of funds for your 4 month stay and proof of ties to South Africa.

In what way does it sound like a boyfriend /girlfriend situation???? I stated I stayed with a friend and HER family nowhere did I mention boyfriend.  

 

[Teddy B 17,251]

16 minutes ago, Lorinkell said:

In what way does it sound like a boyfriend /girlfriend situation???? I stated I stayed with a friend and HER family nowhere did I mention boyfriend.  

 

Could just be me, but I've never known a man and a woman who were just friends to spend 4 months together. Border Patrol will more than likely think the same which is why I said to be honest if this is indeed a romantic relationship. If CBP thinks you're lying, they'll send you back home.

[Lorinkell 3]

13 minutes ago, Teddy B said:

Could just be me, but I've never known a man and a woman who were just friends to spend 4 months together. Border Patrol will more than likely think the same which is why I said to be honest if this is indeed a romantic relationship. If CBP thinks you're lying, they'll send you back home.

ASSUMING I AM MALE OF COURSE.  I HAPPEN TO BE FEMALE. 

[Teddy B 17,251]

1 minute ago, Lorinkell said:

ASSUMING I AM MALE OF COURSE.  I HAPPEN TO BE FEMALE. 

You would be the first lesbian couple then?

 

I'm not trying to give you a hard time, you don't have to be so defensive. I'm simply telling you what Border Patrol will think and the questions they will ask.

[QueenComley 295]

HI, Its just luck of the draw as to whether you will sail straight through or if they will be suspicious and scrutinize you. Before I finally settled in America I visited my husband on a Visa Waiver  3 times in 9 months, the first visit was for 2 weeks, but the second and third were for 90 days. I was never given a hard time. Others are not so lucky.

[KierenHby 897]

3 minutes ago, QueenComley said:

visited my husband on a Visa Waiver  3 times in 9 months, the first visit was for 2 weeks, but the second and third were for 90 days. I was never given a hard time. Others are not so lucky.

You lucked out; would expect closer scrutiny this day n age. 

[MsCompE 50]

2 hours ago, QueenComley said:

HI, Its just luck of the draw as to whether you will sail straight through or if they will be suspicious and scrutinize you. Before I finally settled in America I visited my husband on a Visa Waiver  3 times in 9 months, the first visit was for 2 weeks, but the second and third were for 90 days. I was never given a hard time. Others are not so lucky.

Perhaps I shared the same luck. My first US visa was B1. I stayed for 2weeks. I was then granted B1/B2 in 2015.

I was in U.S. for 5months+ (April 4 to Sept 29, 2015) with only 4days left before my I94 expires. I came back to US Dec 2015 and stayed another 100days. I brought with me all documents proving I will go back to PH

 

[geowrian 22,335]

Yes, your recent past visit and plans for a long (4 month) visit with a friend can raise the chance of scrutiny. There's nothing wrong with your plans, but the CBP officer may suspect you intend to immigrate to the US (or otherwise overstay) and deny you. You won't know until you try. Given the current environment, they tend to be much more suspicious recently. The best you can do is provide as much evidence as you can that you intend to return home.

 

Good luck!

[mallafri76 1,012]

I doubt you'll have much scrutiny for having a three week visit and then returning after three months. I used to visit my husband four times a year until I moved over and never had any issues.

 

If anything, it might be the length of the upcoming four month visit causing some additional scrutiny. Just make sure to bring plenty of ties to your home country such as mortgage deed/rental agreement, letter from your employer etc. 

[Lorinkell 3]

4 hours ago, QueenComley said:

HI, Its just luck of the draw as to whether you will sail straight through or if they will be suspicious and scrutinize you. Before I finally settled in America I visited my husband on a Visa Waiver  3 times in 9 months, the first visit was for 2 weeks, but the second and third were for 90 days. I was never given a hard time. Others are not so lucky.

Thank you

[Lorinkell 3]

1 hour ago, geowrian said:

Yes, your recent past visit and plans for a long (4 month) visit with a friend can raise the chance of scrutiny. There's nothing wrong with your plans, but the CBP officer may suspect you intend to immigrate to the US (or otherwise overstay) and deny you. You won't know until you try. Given the current environment, they tend to be much more suspicious recently. The best you can do is provide as much evidence as you can that you intend to return home.

 

Good luck!

Thank you 

[Lorinkell 3]

24 minutes ago, mallafri76 said:

I doubt you'll have much scrutiny for having a three week visit and then returning after three months. I used to visit my husband four times a year until I moved over and never had any issues.

 

If anything, it might be the length of the upcoming four month visit causing some additional scrutiny. Just make sure to bring plenty of ties to your home country such as mortgage deed/rental agreement, letter from your employer etc. 

Thank you,  I will do so