Traveling abroad with Business visa

[Meg&Andrew 297]

Hi everyone! My husband and I are soon flying to Bahrain for a trip to see his parents. This is our first time seeing his family since he left to come to the US. Also, their first time meeting their only grandchild as well. We can't go to Saudi , so this was the only place we can go. Unfortunately my husband isn't a US citizen yet, and has a Philippines passport. For this reason he can't get a visors visa to Bahrain like my son and I can. His sister owns a business in Bahrain and was able to get him a business visa to come there. It was quite expensive and she had to put down around 3000 BD (about 7900 USD) that is refundable as long as he leaves when he is supposed to.  He is an accountant, so she plans on having him do some work while we are there. Just looking at the books and helping any way he can. He won't be compensated for any of it. My question is will we receive any scrutiny for him having a business visa traveling there? We intend to be 100% honest with POE officers in letting them know this was the only way he could see his family, and that he does plan on helping with the business while we are there. Any advice would be appreciated. 

[usmsbow 795]

Even if he is compensated, it won't matter since he wasn't working for a us company and getting paid in the US. Immigration won't care when he returns to the US what visa he had when entering Bahrain. 

 

 

[Meg&Andrew 297]

OK just want to make sure we won't have any issues returning. Thank you. 

[Eric-Pris 1,602]

21 minutes ago, Meg&Andrew said:

We intend to be 100% honest with POE officers in letting them know this was the only way he could see his family, and that he does plan on helping with the business while we are there. Any advice would be appreciated. 

Are you sure that confessing to visa fraud (albeit outside of the US) is the smartest thing to do?  To me, it says something about his character.

 

 

Edited December 3, 2018 by Eric-Pris

[usmsbow 795]

53 minutes ago, Eric-Pris said:

Are you sure that confessing to visa fraud (albeit outside of the US) is the smartest thing to do?  To me, it says something about his character.

 

 

 

What's the fraud?? 

[Meg&Andrew 297]

57 minutes ago, Eric-Pris said:

Are you sure that confessing to visa fraud (albeit outside of the US) is the smartest thing to do?  To me, it says something about his character.

 

 

What exactly is the Fraud?  He is coming in on a business visa to help with his sisters business, along with visiting his family. I don't see that he is committing fraud. If we are comitting fraud in any way, please let me know. We aren't trying to hide, or misrepresent any facts. Especially to the POE officer.  My main worry was if it would be an issue for him to travel to another country on a business visa, while residing in the US and still having to go through ROC. 

[usmsbow 795]

Just now, Meg&Andrew said:

What exactly is the Fraud?  He is coming in on a business visa to help with his sisters business, along with visiting his family. I don't see that he is committing fraud. If we are comitting fraud in any way, please let me know. We aren't trying to hide, or misrepresent any facts. Especially to the POE officer.  My main worry was if it would be an issue for him to travel to another country on a business visa, while residing in the US and still having to go through ROC. 

 

Yeah, my advice would be: 1. Don't provide any info you're not asked. 2. If asked the purpose of your visit to Bahrain, be honest- "visiting family." 3. If asked, "ok, why do you have a business visa then?" explain (helping sister's biz and that was the one visa he was eligible for). 

 

I can't recall a single time an immigration officer ever looking at or asking about the visas in my passport when re-entering the USA. Same with my green-card holding wife... 

[Eric-Pris 1,602]

I'm not saying that your intention is to commit visa fraud, and technically I don't think he would be (depending on what that country's rules for business visa).  But look at the first part of the statement below that you made about being honest at POE.  That could be misconstrued as him circumventing tourist visa laws.  I would suggest saying that his sister invited him to help her with her business, and not to mention that this was the only way to get to see his family.  

 

"We intend to be 100% honest with POE officers in letting them know this was the only way he could see his family"