B2 visa queries re: finances, employment status etc

[Dan_85 0]

Hi,

I'm a British national living in London. I was born here and have lived here my entire life.

In 2016, i'm considering hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mexican border to the Canadian border via CA, OR and WA. Starting in late April, this should take approx. 150 days to complete so can't be done on a regular 90 day VWP. Therefore I am thinking about applying for a B2 visa. However I have some questions, i'd appreciate it if anyone can clarify these for me

- Firstly, do I have enough time to begin and complete the process by the end of April?! I'd like to start the visa application process asap. If I do so now, what is the waiting time to secure an interview? Could I have a decision before Christmas?

- Should I book plane tickets before attending the interview? It seems like this would be good proof to highlight my intended return, however it also seems risky and could be a big loss of money if my visa application is denied.

- This one worries me the most. I am a web developer and I generally do contract work for anything from 2 months to 2 years. My current contract will end at the beginning of April, hence why I can take 5 months off to do this hike. If I attend an interview before then, I can prove that I am employed however the officer is, I assume, likely to ask how it is I can take 5 months from my job to travel to the US. At this point I will have to explain that as of early April, I will technically be unemployed without a job to come back to. I will however secure a new contract quickly on my return to the UK in September, i'm certain of that but that would just be my word. I have nothing to prove that.

- Given that the "cost of living" for 5 months hiking and camping on the trail will be much cheaper than spending that amount of time in hotels, car rental, fuel, groceries etc, what do you think would be a reasonable amount of money to present on a bank statement at interview? The average PCT hike costs about $5,000. If I attended an interview before Christmas for example, I would have savings of about $10,000 to show, plus a credit card with a $4,500 limit. Do you think this would be considered enough? Is the officer likely to consider this too low and suspect foul play? In reality I expect to have approx $20,000 available to me in total when departing for the US in April...

- Finally, if a B2 visa is not a realistic option for me then I intend to complete the first half of the hike this year on a 90 day VWP and the second half next year on another 90 day VWP. If I am refused a B2 visa, does this affect my ability to travel to the US on the VWP? I've read conflicting reports.

Many thanks for any help and advice!

Dan

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi,

I'm a British national living in London. I was born here and have lived here my entire life.

In 2016, i'm considering hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mexican border to the Canadian border via CA, OR and WA. Starting in late April, this should take approx. 150 days to complete so can't be done on a regular 90 day VWP. Therefore I am thinking about applying for a B2 visa. However I have some questions, i'd appreciate it if anyone can clarify these for me

- Firstly, do I have enough time to begin and complete the process by the end of April?! I'd like to start the visa application process asap. If I do so now, what is the waiting time to secure an interview? Could be several weeks to a month. Could I have a decision before Christmas? Most likely.

- Should I book plane tickets before attending the interview? No. The US Embassy specifically advises against booking tickets before having a visa. Booking tickets will not increase your chances of getting a visa. Go against the US Embassy's advice, then you eat the tickets if you are not granted the visa. It seems like this would be good proof to highlight my intended return No, it does not. It show you can buy plane tickets. It's not evidence that you will return home. Anyone can buy plane tickets. Even those who do not intend to return home. , however it also seems risky and could be a big loss of money if my visa application is denied.

- This one worries me the most. I am a web developer and I generally do contract work for anything from 2 months to 2 years. My current contract will end at the beginning of April, hence why I can take 5 months off to do this hike. If I attend an interview before then, I can prove that I am employed however the officer is, I assume, likely to ask how it is I can take 5 months from my job to travel to the US. At this point I will have to explain that as of early April, I will technically be unemployed without a job to come back to. I will however secure a new contract quickly on my return to the UK in September, i'm certain of that but that would just be my word. I have nothing to prove that.

- Given that the "cost of living" for 5 months hiking and camping on the trail will be much cheaper than spending that amount of time in hotels, car rental, fuel, groceries etc, what do you think would be a reasonable amount of money to present on a bank statement at interview? The average PCT hike costs about $5,000. If I attended an interview before Christmas for example, I would have savings of about $10,000 to show, plus a credit card with a $4,500 limit. Do you think this would be considered enough? Depends. If the CO believes you, then yes. No, if the CO believes you are spinning a tale because you don't have sufficient funds and are just desperate to get into the US for an extended period. Is the officer likely to consider this too low and suspect foul play? In reality I expect to have approx $20,000 available to me in total when departing for the US in April...

- Finally, if a B2 visa is not a realistic option for me then I intend to complete the first half of the hike this year on a 90 day VWP and the second half next year on another 90 day VWP. There is no guarantee of a second 90 days. If you try to return to soon after 90 days, it's suspect and you may not be admitted. You cannot reset the 90 days by going to Canada or Mexico. You would need to leave North America to reset the 90 days. What happens if you don't get the second 90 days? If I am refused a B2 visa, does this affect my ability to travel to the US on the VWP? I've read conflicting reports. If your visa is refused, you will not be able use the VWP.

Many thanks for any help and advice!

Dan

Hi Dan,

You can either take 90 days on the VWP or roll the dice for more time by applying for the B-2 visa. If you are refused a B-2 visa, you will not be allowed to enter the US on the VWP.

You will not be allowed back to back 90 days on the VWP. That's not going to happen. There are very specific rules so that's why hopping across a border does not count towards resetting the 90 days. Others have tried this and it's not allowed.

IMHO - You are better off using the 90 days on the VWP. Otherwise, you risk not being allowed into the US for few years with a refused B-2.

[Dan_85 0]

aaron2020, thanks for the reply. Your comments just about echo the thoughts I have in my head on how things might play out.

Just for clarification, I don't intend to try and game the system by trying for back to back 90 day VWPs. In the absence of a B2, I plan to spend 90 days from mid April to mid July in 2016 and then return again a year later for another 90 days in April 2017. Essentially, 10 months between visits - which I've done before without problems.

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll stick with my gut instinct and give the B2 option a miss.

Edited November 7, 2015 by Dan_85

[Boiler 46,103]

I have met many people doing the Tour Divide who obtain a B.

If you are refused a B you have to update ESTA which may or may not mean you can not use the VWP. Eventually it will clear from ESTA if refused initially.