Can I get another tourist visa?

[Yoda2334 0]

I arrived at LAX in August, and at the airport, I was asked my purpose. I was 100% honest, and told the officer that I had come to work for a camp as a counselor for 4 days. They said that I couldn't do that, and sent me to secondary inspection. There, the port of entry officer told me that I couldn't get paid as a tourist, but allowed me to withdraw my application for admission, cancelled my visa, and wrote 22CFR 41.122e3 on it. He told me that I wasn't banned for any amount of time, and I could reapply for a new visa as soon as I wanted. I was sent back. Unfortunately, I am a 20 year old student taking a semester off. I don't work and I don't study, so I have no proof of "strong ties" to my home country. When I enroll at a university, though, what are my chances of getting a new tourist visa?
Additional info:
1. I used to study in the US (CU Boulder) on an F-1 visa, but didn't like it and came back to Mexico. I never misused it, and that visa is still valid. The officer, in fact, told me that I could still come in to the US with that visa as long as I get accepted to another US university.
2. I was going to get paid $400 in total, but my plane ticket was more expensive than that. Will taking the receipt to the consular office maybe help my situation? I know that even if my plane ticket was more expensive, I can't get paid, but this would at least prove that I was not doing it for economic profit. It was for the fun of it (I repeat, it was a camp).
3. The person who hired me never told me to get a different visa. In fact, she sent me an email telling me to check that my visa and passport were still valid, but not to get a different type of visa. I'm not trying to blame it on her. I should have been more careful. I should have done some research, but could printing the email out and showing it to the consular help my case as well?

Questions:

1. What are my chances of getting another tourist visa? If it is probable, how long should I wait before I apply?

2. Is a withdrawal of admission a criminal record?

3. Will this cause me trouble applying for visas of other countries (say, Canada, New Zealand, or Australia)?

4. If I withdrew my application for admission, does that mean I was deported, removed, or excluded?

I ask because I would like to become a resident in New Zealand at some point, and according to their immigration site, you can't get a visa if you've ever "been removed, excluded, or deported from any other country."

5. Could my age maybe help my situation? I'm 20 years old. This was an honest mistake and I didn't try to deceive anyone. I believe that this is a mistake that a 20 year old might make!

6. Would enrolling into another US university maybe help me get another tourist visa in the future (assuming I don't become a resident there). I was accepted to the University of San Francisco. Should I attend or not?

7. What would you do if you were in my situation?

Thanks in advance!

[Dutchster 1,106]

*sassy mode* Why would you honestly believe you could WORK on a TOURIST visa? Aka making money on a tourist visa is not done and certainly illegal to do.

Changes are extremely small for you to get another tourist visa since you had the wrong intentions on your last tourist visa.

Edited November 16, 2016 by stephadams

[Unlockable 7,306]

1. He is right IF the F-1 is still valid and you are accepted at another school. But you will need to use it for school, not work.

2. No

3. No

4. No

5. No. Your age is more of a hindrance. Most young are very ambitious like yourself and seek opportunities in the US. Immigration is aware of this.

6. No. Not a tourist visa. Another Uni would only mean you can continue with your F1 student visa if it is still valid. Which means you would have to be taking courses.

7. Travel to other countries to build up a good travel history. Look into finishing school and getting a decent job. Then eventually reapply.

[Yoda2334 0]

Would you recommend finishing school in the US or it doesn't matter?

Thank you!

[Unlockable 7,306]

I would finish school anywhere that would best help me with my education and career. It doesn't necessarily have to be in the US.

For you it seems you may already have a path for continuing your education here. You can use that to finish school as well as network for your career. But if you want to live in New Zealand you should keep the schools in that country as an option also.

[KierenHby 897]

1. I used to study in the US (CU Boulder) on an F-1 visa, but didn't like it and came back to Mexico. I never misused it, and that visa is still valid. The officer, in fact, told me that I could still come in to the US with that visa as long as I get accepted to another US university.

7. What would you do if you were in my situation?

That student visa may no longer be valid if you're no longer in student status. You may want to check with that school before travelling on that visa.

Alternatively, reapply for a B2 visa and be straightforward at the interview. Let the CO decide if you're (still) eligible for a visa.

[Yoda2334 0]

Yes! You are absolutely right and I am aware of that! I am no longer in student status, but I can get the student status back if I enroll to another US university, and have them send me the I-20 and all.

[KierenHby 897]

You didn't like being a student, or didn't like CU Boulder?

[Yoda2334 0]

CU Boulder was not for me. I'm okay with being a student.

[Inikamoze 86]

In answer to your titled question.

You can't "get" another tourist visa but you can certainly apply for one.

[NancyNguyen 1,657]

Yes! You are absolutely right and I am aware of that! I am no longer in student status, but I can get the student status back if I enroll to another US university, and have them send me the I-20 and all.

It doesn't work that way buddy. You can't just apply for another I-20 and use it with your unexpired F-1 visa.

You are naive or act naive blaming other person for your problems.

[KierenHby 897]

Sounds like he doesn't know what he wants to do; but whatever it is, being in the US seems part of it.