Wanting to change from J1 visa to B2

[Jakay 0]

Hi Guys,

Please excuse me if there is already a recent thread on this. I tried looking but couldn't pull anything up.

My situation is that I am an Australian currently on a J1 visa. My visa expires June 1st (July 1st including 30 day grace period). I am wanting to change my visa from June 1st to the B2 visa so I can spend the Summer in the states. My brother and I were planning on spending a few months travelling around the US before I head back home.

Does anyone know how difficult it is to do this? I have enough money to travel without having to work. Is it as simple as filling in a USCIS I - 539 application and by any chance does anyone know whether it is frequently denied/accepted?

Another option is that I also hold a British passport, would it be easier for me to leave the US on my Aus one and re-enter on my British one and use the 3 month tourist visa to travel (ideally the 6 month visa would be better as our planned trip falls just short of 4 months)?

If anyone could help me out that would be great.

Thanks!

[AKSinghSingh79 143]

Is your J-1 subject to the 2 year home residency requirement? If so, you would have to either fulfill the requirement or file for the waiver before anything else.

[Jakay 0]

Is your J-1 subject to the 2 year home residency requirement? If so, you would have to either fulfill the requirement or file for the waiver before anything else.

Nope! Not subject to the 2 year home residency.

[AKSinghSingh79 143]

Nope! Not subject to the 2 year home residency.

Great! According to the instructions attached to the I-539, you would be free to file at least 45 days in advance of the expiration of your program (which you're already aware of).

Good luck!