Visiting my girlfriend on a B2 visa

[jkb11 26]

Hi everyone!

I have a girlfriend in the United States. At the beginning of October I became a happy B2 visa (10 years, multiple entries) holder. I visited her once in December 2010 (2 weeks), once in January 2011 (3 days) and we're already planning my visit in February 2011 (for 8 days). In order to maintain a healthy long distance relationship, the plan is to see and meet each other often but for shorter periods of time. Now the question is - is it more than likely for me to be turned back home at some point? I know that I will be able to make time for short trips (for 3-4 days or so) even every single month. But then, I'm not sure if the frequency of my visits wouldn't be too high for the CBP officers. For various reasons, my girlfriend is not able to pay me a visit till July this year. So, to summarize, my "trip schedule" would look more or less like that:

Dec 2010: 14 days

Jan 2011: 3 days

Feb 2011: 8 days

Mar 2011: 3 days

Apr 2011: 11 days (holiday)

Jun 2011: 3-7 days

Jul 2011: 14 days

I'd like to know your opinions, is this way too much?

Best regards!

Edited January 12, 2011 by jkb11

[coppermouse 0]

I don't have answer for you but I am curious, you are from Poland. I just returned from Poland at Christmas with my girlfriend. We hadWigilia and went to Karpacz for holiday. She is going to apply for B2 visa to come see me. Did you have any difficulties or anything she should know? How long did it take? Thanks. Someone here will answer you soon.

Hi everyone!

I have a girlfriend in the United States. At the beginning of October I became a happy B2 visa (10 years, multiple entries) holder. I visited her once in December 2010 (2 weeks), once in January 2011 (3 days) and we're already planning my visit in February 2011 (for 8 days). In order to maintain a healthy long distance relationship, the plan is to see and meet each other often but for shorter periods of time. Now the question is - is it more than likely for me to be turned back home at some point? I know that I will be able to make time for short trips (for 3-4 days or so) even every single month. But then, I'm not sure if the frequency of my visits wouldn't be too high for the CBP officers. For various reasons, my girlfriend is not able to pay me a visit till July this year. So, to summarize, my "trip schedule" would look more or less like that:

Dec 2010: 14 days

Jan 2011: 3 days

Feb 2011: 8 days

Mar 2011: 3 days

Apr 2011: 11 days (holiday)

Jun 2011: 3-7 days

Jul 2011: 14 days

I'd like to know your opinions, is this way too much?

Best regards!

[Barbara J 115]

Hi everyone!

I have a girlfriend in the United States. At the beginning of October I became a happy B2 visa (10 years, multiple entries) holder. I visited her once in December 2010 (2 weeks), once in January 2011 (3 days) and we're already planning my visit in February 2011 (for 8 days). In order to maintain a healthy long distance relationship, the plan is to see and meet each other often but for shorter periods of time. Now the question is - is it more than likely for me to be turned back home at some point? I know that I will be able to make time for short trips (for 3-4 days or so) even every single month. But then, I'm not sure if the frequency of my visits wouldn't be too high for the CBP officers. For various reasons, my girlfriend is not able to pay me a visit till July this year. So, to summarize, my "trip schedule" would look more or less like that:

Dec 2010: 14 days

Jan 2011: 3 days

Feb 2011: 8 days

Mar 2011: 3 days

Apr 2011: 11 days (holiday)

Jun 2011: 3-7 days

Jul 2011: 14 days

I'd like to know your opinions, is this way too much?

Best regards!

AS much as this looks good to you and it's great you can come to see her that often CBP may get a bit suspicious of the frequency of your visits and the little time that you spend. It could be seen as business dealings or something underhanded. If I were you and I am sure more will comment too I would space my visits out a bit. You have already been here Jan I personally would not come till April or end of March at least. Just my personal opinion.

Your continuous visits could send up red flags and I gather you are planning a fiancee visa at some stage if this relationship works out? I would take it slow .

[brian-and-aurore 1]

Hi,

a B1/B2 is a tourism/business visa (meaning you are allowed to sign contracts but not to work). I used to hold one 5 years ago - then my passport got stolen.

I don't see why it is suspicious to visit many times a country that you like or when you have a loved one, especially if you always tell the truth when you answer questions at the border.

A lot of people from Europe have a secondary residence in the US (or a boat) and they're always advised to get B1/B2 visas because they visit very often (and not only because they want to stay 180 days in a row). I have never heard of any being turned back. The only people that are getting turned back are the ones who actually worked illegally in the US (and acknowledged it under pressure) or who lied about the situation there are in with the person they are visiting (ie. saying "it's just a friend" when it's actually your love partner, and then admitting that you just lied).

You should read travel forums, where people are unlikely to bring you down - and not VJ when it's about JUST visiting the US. Don't misunderstand me, this website is great for tips about immigration, marriage, family situation, etc. but keep in mind that people actually DON'T KNOW anything.

The law reads that there is no such thing as a limited number of times that you are allowed to visit, as long as you are not doing anything illegal in the US and don't intend to stay at the moment you cross the border.

Also, holding a visa means that you have a right of appeal in case they lost their mind and denied you.

I really don't think you should worry. Try and read some travel forums, they often times have whole sections about B1/B2 visas.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Each entry is judged independently. Just because you crossed easily, without hassle one time, doesn't mean the next time won't be an issue.

To make your entrances easier (an no entrance is guarenteed) carry strong ties to Poland and make sure you always tell the truth. Obviously with this many visits you are visiting someone special. No one travels across the Atlantic every month to visit 'friends'.

Good luck

[jkb11 26]

I don't have answer for you but I am curious, you are from Poland. I just returned from Poland at Christmas with my girlfriend. We hadWigilia and went to Karpacz for holiday. She is going to apply for B2 visa to come see me. Did you have any difficulties or anything she should know? How long did it take? Thanks. Someone here will answer you soon.

Current B2 visa denial rate for Poland is less than 10%, so her chances are pretty good.

My interview was scheduled for 3 days after I have filed my DS-160 form. The interview lasted for around 3-5 minutes. Standard questions about where do I wanna go, what do I do for a living, for how long have I been employed, nothing fancy. At the time of application me and my girlfriend haven't been a couple, so can't really give you any good advice about this issue.

Best regards!

Edited January 12, 2011 by jkb11

[jkb11 26]

Also, to all who replied, thank you for your feedback. I guess I should just start carrying more documents with me that would prove my ties to the country or whatnot.

Best regards!

[Harsh_77 718]

I would suggest same thing – space out the visit, if you have visit every other month or so for short duration – will raise a flag.

No matter even if you tell them you are visiting a special friend, I still think if you have short trips often that would make you a potential risk.

[jkb11 26]

I would suggest same thing – space out the visit, if you have visit every other month or so for short duration – will raise a flag.

No matter even if you tell them you are visiting a special friend, I still think if you have short trips often that would make you a potential risk.

If I may ask, what kind of a potential risk would I be imposing by having short trips often? Thanks in advance!

Best regards!

[Harsh_77 718]

If I may ask, what kind of a potential risk would I be imposing by having short trips often? Thanks in advance!

Best regards!

Risk would just your will be questioned extensively after your couple visits, that why u are making so many trip in such a short span of time.

Worst case scenario is if the CBP office is not convinced by your reason of visit he/she can put you back on next plane to your home country.

When that happens and its on record everytime you visit US they can see that you were refused entry.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

If I may ask, what kind of a potential risk would I be imposing by having short trips often? Thanks in advance!

Best regards!

As I stated, so many trips means visiting someone special. If there is a significate other in the US, there is a immigration risk and you may be determined to have immigrant intent. This is why the strong ties to Poland are so important

Good lukc

[jkb11 26]

As I stated, so many trips means visiting someone special. If there is a significate other in the US, there is a immigration risk and you may be determined to have immigrant intent. This is why the strong ties to Poland are so important

Good lukc

Alright, some documents confirming my ties are gonna be traveling with me from now on I guess. Any hints on what would they like to see the most?

With regards!

Edited January 13, 2011 by jkb11

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Yes, I was denied entry to the US twice. They are looking for employment letters with an expected return date, a mortgage/lease, substantial bank accounts, utility bills, enrollment in school, children/family obligations in home country, etc.

The more you have the better. The more you visit, the more likely you'll need such ties.

I really don't mean to alarm you but coming from a country with VERY liberal travel opportunities to the US - I was still denied entry

Good luck

[jkb11 26]

Alright! I'm thinking about what has been said (and I'm grateful for all the feedback) in this thread and therefore I'm trying to collect some documentation proving my ties to my place of residence. I know that I have and can show:

- Apartment rental contract

- Car lease contract

- Employment / salary based contract

- Founding papers of my own business / company

- Probably an employment letter from my current employer, issued prior to each trip to the U.S. with current dates and so on.

Now the thing is, all those documents (except for the last one, it can be written in English) are in Polish. Should I also get a translation? Should I also have something more with me just in case?

Also, what should the before-mentioned letter look like and what should be stated inside it? Any example letters you guys have previously presented at the POE?

Best regards!

[canadian_wife 1,822]

You have excellent ties and shouldn't have any isues

They should be in English, I only suggest this in order to make your crossing easier on you. Perhaps bring the Polish version with the translation.

The employment letter needs to be really specific but long. It should be on company letterhead and state you are employed with them since ____ date, the position you hold and when you are expected to return.

Good luck