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ingramingram

VWP for Meditation-Retreat

By ingramingram in Tourist Visas

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ingramingram Newbie

ingramingram   0

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Hey guys,
I would like to do an about 3 month-long meditation retreat in the US this summer.
To clarify, I would go to a meditation teacher in Tucson and practice meditation under his guidance.

I have got a couple of questions concerning visa stuff:

1. Is the VWP the right thing to apply for (I am from Germany)?

2. Could there be problems with the immigration officer?
I am concerned that a long meditation retreat might sound suspicious to someone who does not know much about meditation.

Additionally, do you guys think that going to Tucson, which is right next to the border to Mexico, might further increase suspicions?

 

How should I best present the purpose of my visit when talking to the immigration officer?

 

Thank you very much and kind regards,

 

ingramingram
 

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A'n'L Proficient

A'n'L   735

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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Norway
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Sounds like a tourist activity? So yeah, the VWP would be the right thing to look into. The VWP lets you stay for no more than 90 days, is that enough for your retreat? 

 

Why on earth would that be suspicious? You should be prepared to answer questions about why you want to do this program, and why in the US. If you stay close to the maximum allotted time for VWP, bring proof that you will be returning home (work contracts, proof of permanent housing situation).

If it isn't difficult, it isn't worth it.

 

K1 process

9/24/15: I129f sent

9/30/15: NOA1

11/2/15: NOA2

Delayed processing due to work

3/15/16: Medical

4/28/16: Interview (approved)

Delayed entry due to work

8/12/16: POE Detroit

 

9/4/16: Wedding!

 

AOS process:

9/9/16: I485/I131/I765 sent

9/14/16: Received 3xNOAs by text/e-mail (day 2)

9/14-18/16: Received 3xpaper NOAs 

9/23/16: Received biometrics appointment letter (day 11)

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ROC process:

11/3/2018: ROC window opens

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MacUK Proficient

MacUK   983

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Filed: Other Country: United Kingdom
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As previously said, the VWP is good for 90 days. This may sound like 3 months but you have to be exact, an overstay of even a day might stop you ever visiting the US again. 

It's a good idea to plan to leave a day or two before the 90 day limit too, just in case there's delays to your flight home.

 

You might also be asked how you'll support your stay for such a long time, presumably your meditation teacher will require payment and how will you pay for food and accommodation? If money is not a problem then you should have no issues.

August 2000: We start e-mailing. I'm in Bosnia, she's in Florida

October 29th 2000: She sends me e-mail asking if I would marry her

October 29th 2000(5 seconds later): I say yes

November 2000: She sends me tickets to Orlando for when I get back

December 6th 2000: Return from Bos

December 11th 2000: Fly to Orlando, she meets me at airport

December 22nd 2000: I fly back to UK

January 3rd 2001: She flies to UK (Good times)

Mid February 2001: Pregnancy test Positive

Mid February 2001: She flies back to US

March 2001: Miscarriage, I fly to US on first flight I can get

May 2001: I leave US before my 90 days are up

June 2001: I fly back to US, stopped at airport for questioning as I had only just left

September 2001: Pregnancy test Positive again

September 2001: She falls sick, I make decision to stay to look after her as I am afraid I may have problems getting back in.

April 16th 2002: Our son is born, we start getting stuff together for his passport

March 6th 2003: We leave US for UK as family

Early April 2003: Family troubles make her return to US, I ask Embassy in London about possibilities of returning to US

April 16th 2003: London Embassy informs me that I will be banned from the Visa Waiver Program for 10 years, my little boys first birthday

June 13th 2006: I-129f sent

August 11th 2006: NOA1 Recieved

After our relationship breaks down she admits to me that she had never bothered to start the application process

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KierenHby Experienced

KierenHby   897

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Timeline
Posted

VWP trip should be 90 days or less; not a day more, or your vwp privileges are gone. 

 

"..How should I best present the purpose of my visit when talking to the immigration officer?.."  Truthfully. Honesty is best. 

USCIS

January 16, 2015 I-130 Mailed, Chi lockbox January 20, 2015 Priority Date, January 21, 2015 NOA1 notice date, Assigned VSC, January 23, 2015 Check Cashed, electronically March 5, 2015 NOA2

NVC

March 27, 2015 NVC received April 6, 2015 Case#, IIN# assigned April 8, 2015 Paid AOS + IV fee Invoices May 5, 2015 AOS + IV package submitted May 11, 2015 Scan Date

June 11, 2015 DS-260 submitted June 25, 2015 False checklist (for ds260).. hello? June 30, 2015 Answered checklist Aug 5, 2015 Escalated to Supervisor review Aug 13, 2015 Case Complete

Consular

Sept 10, 2015 Interview Scheduled Sept 11, 2015 P4 Letter received Sept 21, 2015 file In transit from NVC Sept 23, 2015 file at Embassy

Sept 28, 2015 Medical Oct 14, 2015 Biometrics Oct 15, 2015 Interview (Approved) Oct 19, 2015 IV visa Issued Oct 23, 2015 Passport Pickup

POE

Nov 2, 2015 Entered the US Nov 16, 2015 Applied for SSN, walk-in Nov 20, 2015 Social Security Card recd Jan 15, 2016 GC received

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