return to the U.S. as a tourist after having J-1 Visa?

[susann1988 0]

Hi,

my question is if it is possible to return to the U.S. as a tourist after spending some months in the U.S. with a J-1 Visa. So for example, could you spend five months as a work&traveler in the U.S. on your J-1 visa, then fly back home and return after a week for another 3 months as a tourist?

Or do you have to wait a certain time before you can return? Or is there a restriction on how many days you are allowed to stay in the U.S. within a year?

[happiestmanalive 23]

Hi,

my question is if it is possible to return to the U.S. as a tourist after spending some months in the U.S. with a J-1 Visa. So for example, could you spend five months as a work&traveler in the U.S. on your J-1 visa, then fly back home and return after a week for another 3 months as a tourist?

Or do you have to wait a certain time before you can return? Or is there a restriction on how many days you are allowed to stay in the U.S. within a year?

You can travel back and forth from country to country as long as the customs agent lets you in. If it looks suspicious like you might try and run/hide, they could put you right back on a plane back home. When I was applying for a K1 visa, which took almost a year to get, my fiance traveled back and forth from Japan to America 4 times. Staying for 2 or 3 months at a time. She always had a return ticket and was prepared with any questios the border people might ask. However, there is always a risk in doing things like this. As long as you have GOOD INTENTIONS while you are here, intentions that follow the guidelines of your visa, then you should be fine.

[Sandra G. 5,074]

A friend of mine stayed 4 months left the USA and tried to return after 10 days they didn't allow her to enter.I think trying to return after two months is very risky,imagine after one week.

[Harsh_77 718]

Immigration would want to know why you are spending so much time in US?

For the anyone entering US one would need to show strong ties to your home country and this type of the travel and stay would be contrary.

[velrich 50]

there is a restriction on re-entering the USA when you have had a J-1 Visa (except if it is on the J-1 Student cultural exchange visa). I am not absolutely certain but I think it is 2 years. you have to do some more research on it.

[aaron-christine 8]

I had a J1 visa in 2009. I stayed from August 2009 until December 2010 on my J1. Went back to my country and visited as a tourist again in March 2010, June 2010, October 2010, January 2011, April 2011 and July 2011. Never had any problems.