German resident traveling to USA for 3 months. How risky?

[asciiman 0]

I'm American and my fiancee is German, and we live together in Germany together.  We'd like to come to the USA for 3 months of traveling and then return to Germany.  We'll be doing some traveling together and visiting some friends.

 

Here are some important points:

- She just quit her employed job, that's why we have time to travel.  She is also still currently a business owner but makes minimal money from her business.  She could show documentation that she owns it.

- She has a few hundred € on her bank account

- She has a flat in Germany that she can show evidence for

- She has traveled to the USA 4-5 times already this year for 5-10 days at a time.  Most trips were in the Spring, but the last one was September.

- We would like to go there mid-November

 

Is she able to travel there on a visa waiver program?  Is it better to obtain a B-2 visa for this trip?  Is it necessary that she purchase a return ticket right now, or can we do later?  How risky is this and how likely will she be turned back for this circumstance?

[milimelo 4,541]

Don't even attempt to get B2 when she has valid ESTA - it will be denied. Part of all tourist visas is to have a return ticket. 

[NikLR 13,232]

Use the esta and stay less than 90 days.  Have a return planned and paid for.  Have evidence of hotels paid for etc or any concrete travel plans.  

Bring all evidence of both of your plans to return to Germany. 

[JFH 12,191]

Under the VWP she can enter for 90 days. That's not the same as three months so be careful when making flight reservations and purchasing tickets. 

 

Her biggest problem is having quit her job and having a USC fiancé. It's not impossible to be admitted under such circumstances but don't be surprised if it raises eyebrows. Whatever question she is asked at CBP, she must answer truthfully. If they ask where she works (and I was regularly asked this on my VWP visits) then she must tell them that she is currently unemployed. There is nothing you can do to guarantee her entry - as a non-USC she has no right to admission. 

[VetsWife328 7]

From experience I can tell you that it strongly depends on the point of entry Airport .

Avoid Atlanta!

You and her entering at the same time can raise a huge red flag.

And DO NOT get married here and attempt AOS the tightened the screws on that severely and AOS would probably be denied.

[caliliving 606]

you should be fine! use the VWP and please, do not book it for 3 months or even 90 days.. FLIGHTS GET DELAYED!! even one day over will screw her chances of visiting again!! count 87 days and book a return ticket for that! also, make sure you have a return ticket and bring proof of the apartment.  only ask the questions that are given to her but never lie!!!! have a detailed map out of your travel as well.  yes, they sometimes call and check to make sure that person is actually picking u up from the airport.  nothing is ever a guarantee tho.  

[QueenComley 295]

I travelled to the USA twice and stayed the maximum 90 days each time. I actually flew to the USA 3 times in total in the space of 9 months with no problem. But it is pot luck on the day. I was lucky.

[asciiman 0]

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

 

I didn't mention, (I didn't realize it was important until I just did some research) that we're going to be participating in a leadership program while we're there.  It's held at a resort and involves learning how to manage small groups, etc.  It's a program that we pay for and includes accommodation for the time that we're there.

 

On the travel.state.gov website it says "For short periods of recreational study, a Visitor (B) visa may be appropriate".

 

Would this be considered short periods of recreational study and require a B visa?