Visa help please!

[JimB 0]

Hi there,

It seems almost impossible to speak to someone for advice at the embassy so was hoping someone might be able to help me out a little.

Im a UK citizen and have a B1/B2 multiple entry visa valid until 2024. I got the visa to work on an American super yacht and was planning on coming in and out of the country on a boat for at least a year, unfortunatley i had to leave the job and come back home for family reasons.

I would now like to visit some friends in Lake Tahoe and spend at least 4 months there and ive saved up enough money to prove i can support myself. My question is can i use my current visa to stay in the country for over 90 days or would i have to get another 6 month tourist visa? I was also thinking if a boat job comes up in the States after my time in Tahoe i would like to take it. I really dont want to mess this up and was thinking about getting a one way flight but you hear all sorts of nightmare stories about people getting turned away as immigration assume you wont leave the country.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

James

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

B1/B2 Is generally for up to six months for business or tourism. I don't think there is "another 6 month tourist visa" as you said. B2 is the tourist part. If the CBP doesn't like your reasons or answers to the questions he asks, then he can limit your stay by stamping you in for less than six months. He could decide 90 days is enough. He could say finding an American boat to work on isn't allowed and send you home. A one way ticket would be a big red flag.

If the previous yacht was American registry and you were to be paid by US funds, I don't understand how you got a B2 in the first place. I always thought it was for conducting business but not being compensated by an American company for work done.

[Fr8dog 312]

I used to have almost the same thing. I was given a B1/B2 in addition to a C1/D (crew member). Reason being if you enter on a commercial flight and leave as crewmember you're not suppose to use the C1/D.

Anyway. After during that time and after leaving that job I used my B1/B2 several times to visit friends. No officer ever asked about it until last summer when a friendly officer asked me why I used the visa instead of the vwp. As with anything regarding visas, I've noticed that honesty seems to be the way to go. I explained why I had it and that is was easier to use than having to go through ESTA.

In all cases I had a return ticket, but no one ever asked for it. Only questions I got was what do you do for a living and who are you staying with. Every single time I was admitted for 6 months. I'm pretty sure they already have your flight details on hand (return booking/ amount of luggage etc). And like customs they know who to look for.

But to answer your question I see no reason why they should deny you. Your visa is valid for 10 years, it's multiple entry (m) and they decide how long they let you stay (max 6 months).

btw if you would have entered on that boat as a crew member, you would have had a good change of being denied.

[Boiler 45,666]

You have a B so using it makes more sense than VWP.

You would be in a better position if you had a job lined up before you go.

[JimB 0]

Thank you very much for your responses, the help is much appreciated!

I was actually on the boat in Miami for a month before i had to leave, when i had my interview at the embassy in the UK i had to show a letter from my employer and had to show the same letter upon entry to the US, thats the visa they told me i needed and i had no problems. I would have been doing a trans atlantic crossing back over to europe so wouldnt have flown back out.

My main reason to come into the country is to spend some time with my friends in Tahoe but i just thought if i got offered a job on a boat i would like to be prepared, i'll almost certainly go home after 4 months. I was just concerned that bringing all my qualifications and having no flight booked back would bring up a serious red flag to immigration and i dont want to do anything to risk being denied entry.

So just to clarify, if i went to the US embassy to get a 6 month tourist visa i would literally just get given what i already have minues to B1?

Thanks again

[Boiler 45,666]

B1 is no good, you need a B2.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

But he already has the B1/B2 combo visa. He wants to trade that in for just a B2. Why??? I don't get it.

[Fr8dog 312]

B1/B2 multiple is all you need.

B1/B2 is not a work visa. It's for tourists and business trips.

If you bring your qualifications and no return ticket you'll set your self up for a refusal.

You are not allowed to work for a US company unless it is for a foreign based office and are hired by that office and paid in that country (boats and airlines are somewhat different, but the basic principal is the same).

Unless I'm mistaken, the visa you got is not based on sponsorship. You had to proof to the embassy that you have ties back home. The letter the company gave you, was proof to that effect.

If you intention is to look for work in the US, I'm pretty sure you would be committing visa fraud.

[JimB 0]

Thanks for the help Fr8dog. That was my main concern that if i were to bring qualifications and no return flight i would potentially be refused. I wont be bringing them with me now and will go back to Europe to look for work.

Do i still need to get a return flight booked? Im probably planning on staying in Tahoe to snowboard for around 3 months and then i might go and visit some family friends in San Diego so i really dont know where i would like to fly back home from. Iv'e saved a good chunk of money so i can prove i can support myself and i can provide evidence of the 2 addresses i will be staying at, should that be sufficient to get a 6 month stamp and no need for return flight?

[Fr8dog 312]

It's up to the officer at the border. But you still have 2 of the classic refusal reasons. No job and no return ticket.

Than you want to stay for 3 months or more without a job back home. And you may or may not visit some friends and family. Those are not answers that will give an CBP officer a warm fuzzy feeling. I would be prepared for some time in secondary if I where you.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

, should that be sufficient to get a 6 month stamp and no need for return flight?

Have you priced fares? A return is usually cheaper than a one way ticket, even if you throw away the return.

Curious why your profile says you live in California?