Staying with friends around the US for 178 days and developing a software project with a B1/B2 visa

[holapons 0]

Hello everyone!

I'm Felipe from Chile. Wandering around I found this forum cause' I have some questions about a long(er) time entry to the United States.

I've gotten two B1/B2 visas since 1999 and been to the US three times. First time in 1999 for a month with my parents to Miami/Orlando, and then last year I got a visa for flying to NAB conference in Vegas, plus vacation time in California.

This year I went to New York, Iowa, and California for 3 weeks in August to visit friends around the north. After this trip, the idea of going for a longer time and stay around legally sounded pretty good.

I'm self-employed right now, I work on software engineering and I got a stable source of income, so keeping my work done doesn't require me to be here in Chile.

After looking around and from my previous POE experiences, I realized that my allowed time of stay has been always 6 months, but I already entered this year in August. Would that affect a possible, almost 180 days stay?

I also plan on working on a project with some other engineers, not as a paid job, but as a development. Should this be disclosed as a reason to the POE officer?

I'm planning on getting my round trip ticket to LAX for 178 days, and flying the first days of December, and I really don't have any intention on breaking my tourist/business status. I plan on roaming around the west side for a couple months and then coming back to California before leaving back to Chile.

Any advice on what could be asked by the officer, or if it's by common sense "suspicious" to have a return ticket for 178 days already?

Thank you for reading this, I appreciate any help and comments about similar situations

[Boiler 45,549]

I am not clear if what you intend to do falls within the remit of a B Visa.

[holapons 0]

I am not clear if what you intend to do falls within the remit of a B Visa.

Why wouldn't it?

[Boiler 45,549]

B2 if for tourist type visiting, B1 is for undertaking Business, in your line for example meeting with clients, taking instructions for work then to be carried out in your home country.

You said that you are self employed and can work from anywhere so presumably that will include the US, you also said that you will be working on projects, being paid is not the issue, work is. The only work you can do is as a volunteer doing something that would never be paid, soup kitchens are the usual example.

[holapons 0]

B2 if for tourist type visiting, B1 is for undertaking Business, in your line for example meeting with clients, taking instructions for work then to be carried out in your home country.

You said that you are self employed and can work from anywhere so presumably that will include the US, you also said that you will be working on projects, being paid is not the issue, work is. The only work you can do is as a volunteer doing something that would never be paid, soup kitchens are the usual example.

It's more of a research and development meetup, so we can get the project started and everyone can do what they need to. I wouldn't be "working" for anyone, but arranging following steps, so I think this could be considered business.

[JohnR! 5,495]

Hello everyone!

I'm Felipe from Chile. Wandering around I found this forum cause' I have some questions about a long(er) time entry to the United States.

I've gotten two B1/B2 visas since 1999 and been to the US three times. First time in 1999 for a month with my parents to Miami/Orlando, and then last year I got a visa for flying to NAB conference in Vegas, plus vacation time in California.

This year I went to New York, Iowa, and California for 3 weeks in August to visit friends around the north. After this trip, the idea of going for a longer time and stay around legally sounded pretty good.

I'm self-employed right now, I work on software engineering and I got a stable source of income, so keeping my work done doesn't require me to be here in Chile.

After looking around and from my previous POE experiences, I realized that my allowed time of stay has been always 6 months, but I already entered this year in August. Would that affect a possible, almost 180 days stay?

I also plan on working on a project with some other engineers, not as a paid job, but as a development. Should this be disclosed as a reason to the POE officer?

I'm planning on getting my round trip ticket to LAX for 178 days, and flying the first days of December, and I really don't have any intention on breaking my tourist/business status. I plan on roaming around the west side for a couple months and then coming back to California before leaving back to Chile.

Any advice on what could be asked by the officer, or if it's by common sense "suspicious" to have a return ticket for 178 days already?

Thank you for reading this, I appreciate any help and comments about similar situations

What you describe is legal, for the purpose of your visit is dual: tourism and business. The only thing you need to be careful is how you describe the 'business' part at the POE. If you are coming to pursue contacts and connections to help you boost your business that is fine, however if you simply say 'I am here to work' you will be in trouble. Whatever the reason, you can engage in business activities in the US and 'work' here provided you will not derive any income in the US as a result of this work. A typical scenario would be where you have an American client you came to visit and for whom you are working on a project in Chile. You are here on business, you are here to work but in connection with your business in your home country.

If your case, the reason of your visit to the US is business and fun. Chances are you will get 180 days - that is the normal amount of time allowed for most tourists.

Good luck and have a great trip!

[Boiler 45,549]

Well you can see the issues, especially with such a long trip planned.