Entering USA after previous long stay

[aaydrian 479]

Last February my boyfriend (from Costa Rica) "moved" in with me in the states on his tourist visa. We lived together for his 6 month tourist visa duration. He left one week before his visa expired and didn't do anything illegal while here (no working, never left country and came back in, just traveled, etc). In May, we're both going back for one week for my mom's wedding. I'm a little nervous that he'll be denied entry at the border because of his long stay before. I've read that tourists need to stay out of the country for as long as they stayed in, so he'll have been outside of the USA for 9 or 10 months by the time he goes back. He's going to bring a letter from his work, bank statements, our apartment lease, etc for ties to his country, but I'm still worried. Should I be? Is it likely he'll be denied entry?

Thanks, as always!

With your boyfriend's past, immigration is going to scrutinize him more because of the length of his last stay and him attempting to re-enter the US so soon after leaving. With this, however, I don't think he will be denied entry to the US but instead given a max of 2 weeks stay. What your beau needs to do is start establishing a good travel history with America (leaving in a timely fashion) so you don't have to worry like this for future vacations/trips. Expect the best but prepare for the worse. Gather whatever evidence you think may be helpful.

[lucybelle 453]

With your boyfriend's past, immigration is going to scrutinize him more because of the length of his last stay and him attempting to re-enter the US so soon after leaving. With this, however, I don't think he will be denied entry to the US but instead given a max of 2 weeks stay. What your beau needs to do is start establishing a good travel history with America (leaving in a timely fashion) so you don't have to worry like this for future vacations/trips. Expect the best but prepare for the worse. Gather whatever evidence you think may be helpful.

Thanks! The time he came to the USA for 6 months was his first entry. Hopefully a few more short trips will build his reputation with the border. A 2 week stamp would be perfect, he doesn't need anymore.

Thanks again

[grrrrreat 109]

Thanks! The time he came to the USA for 6 months was his first entry. Hopefully a few more short trips will build his reputation with the border. A 2 week stamp would be perfect, he doesn't need anymore.

Thanks again

More important for him at this point is ties to his own country. A letter stating when he has to be back at his job, apartment lease, family commitments, whatever proof you can muster bring with you. He shouldn't pack too heavily (i.e., as if he was "moving in" with you forever).

[ticavms 0]

Man I just don't get what it is you're trying to say.

He WAS given a 6 month leave from his work. Believe it or not.

He WAS given a letter of sponsorship from his job. Otherwise I doubt he would have been given a visa.

He DID say he was leaving for 6 months. No it wasn't paid leave, why would you assume it was?

You're really being nothing but nasty about the whole situation and aren't offering any constructive advice.

I can tell you for sure that he will be asked about why he stayed for so long.

I was in the same situation. I came to the States with a visa B2, and was given a 6 month permit to stay. I left after 5 1/2 months. When I got into the US again, I had to explain in detail everything I did during that time. I was interviewed by 3 different officers, and they went through all my stuff. Then, they let me go.

[justicejs 0]

Everyone seems to think it's outrageous for a person to be able to take 6 month vacations from work....I did, with no problems...in fact, it was my boss who told me to stay as long as I needed and my job would be right there waiting when I returned to Canada.

Of course, it isn't paid vacation. But since I live with my uncle rent-free, I'm able to save up a lot of money for long trips to the USA.

So it is possible, and doesn't mean he's doing anything wrong...

Edited April 28, 2012 by justicejs

[*Snowdrop* 604]

Everyone seems to think it's outrageous for a person to be able to take 6 month vacations from work....I did, with no problems...in fact, it was my boss who told me to stay as long as I needed and my job would be right there waiting when I returned to Canada.

Of course, it isn't paid vacation. But since I live with my uncle rent-free, I'm able to save up a lot of money for long trips to the USA.

So it is possible, and doesn't mean he's doing anything wrong...

It can be difficult for people from certain industries to understand being able to take long breaks while keeping your job. And it's much more unusual in America. Employers over here are far more rigid over vacation time and vacation time in general is often very limited.

It leads some people to assume that anyone taking a long break from work is actually just leaving their job (and planning on staying in the US.) For those of us with experience of jobs where long extended career breaks and vacations are common we don't automatically jump to the conclusion that something is wrong with that picture.

I think if you want to plan for a worse-case scenario at the POE then travellers in this situation should assume the border officers are going to also want to see proof that it's a genuine vacation - so bring as much proof of return as possible.

I used to visit my husband five or six times a year before I moved to the US. Some trips were only a week or two, some were a few months. I never had any problems with entering. I always had a letter from my boss for the long trips saying when I was expected back at work. The only problem this caused me was my boss started wondering if they were paying me too much as I could afford all the travel. The truth was I just lived very frugally between my visits.