visa b1/b2 approved, what to expect from the POE,CBP?

[jiama 0]

hello everyone,

long story short:

• purpose: b1/b2 visa to attend conference and visit family(father is US citizen) and friends
• filled the online application with all the details about me and even mentioning my father of US citizen in the form
• officer asked about the reason why im going to US and i just tell him im going to attend a conference ( which is my main reason of going there), and few other question like if i have invitation or what i do for a living (im currently doing my residency) and final question he asked me what i will do after i finish my residency ( i said i will be a full licensed doctor) and then he start typing something for like one minute he said congratulations that's was it.. 3 days later i got my passport back with single entry visa issued October 19th.
• he can see that my father is a US citizen from the form on his computer screen but he didn't ask me and i had the proof just in case asks.
• visa annotation has no remarks (empty), i was thinking they would probably write something like "length of conference".
• conference dates from Nov29th-DEC5th and im planning to go there in advance like after NOV-20th
• my plan is to comeback January 5th right after new years to get back to work ( total intended days of stay: 45 days)

my question:

1. how long should i expect from the POE officer to stamp on my I-94 ?
2. should i mention to them beside attending conference that i will also visiting my family (father US citizen) and friends?
3. should i set my return ticket date to January 5th or just one week after the conference?

FYI: i can book flexible return ticket but is 33% more expensive than the fixed date ticket and i don't want to spend that much money on ticket unless i have no other choice.

your reply is appreciated in advance, thanks!

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

1. Either for a few days after your return ticket, or 6 months

2. Yes

3. Set it for when you genuinely intend to return/

[millefleur 5,046]

Guys, I feel like in the past I had weirdly good luck with the B-2.

First, my ex's B-2 was approved despite the fact that he had a very low income and basically zero assets/strong ties.

Then, when we went through POE/CBP, I was with my ex (obviously my boyfriend at the time) and the officer didn't ask about any kind of return ticket, didn't care that we were a couple (I'm a USC), basically didn't seem to care at all and hardly asked any questions....despite that we explained that we were going to visit my family members! This happened on three different entries to the US in various cities, and again.....the same thing: barely any questions, didn't have to show any return tickets, practically zero scrutiny whatsoever.

I'm assuming that is not what usually happens? Usually they are a lot stricter and ask more questions? Sorry for invading the thread, I'm just really curious if my previous experience was dumb luck or not.

[Pitaya 2,577]

Welcome to the forum.

[TBoneTX 45,266]

Welcome to the forum.

[X Factor 1,112]

Welcome to VJ

[jiama 0]

1. Either for a few days after your return ticket, or 6 months

2. Yes

3. Set it for when you genuinely intend to return/

thanks for replying, i know if i just say im going to attend the conference they will let me in for sure but i'm afraid they will just give me short days so if i tell the officer i'm also visiting my family that would not cause me any problem right? like "immigration intent"?

its not right and hope the officer doesn't just assume or generalize everyone who have a family in the states is "an immigration intent"

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

Visiting family is very normal, and they know you have family there anyways. In fact, not wanting to visit them when you come all this way might seem a bit strange, especially over Christmas! You should be fine.