F1 visa and then tourist visa

[conchi1234 0]

Good afternoon,

 

I am a student from Spain working on the US during my opt. My opt expires soon and from my understanding theres a grace period of 60 days where you can stay in the US but without working so I am planinng on visiting some friends and traveling during that time. Later I am going to go visit my family in Spain for a week or so but later I would like to get back in the country, if possible with a tourist visa to travel in the US before I go to do a volunteer in South America. I woould like to know your opinions about this and if its possible to do this! Thank you so much for your help

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

Why would you not just use VWP if you are from Spain? I think you might have trouble getting a tourist visa to go back so soon after such a long stay (if the US consulates in Spain are even issuing tourist visas yet).

 

if you enter on VWP and have an onward ticket (as in your case) and have proof as to why you will be leaving the US after your short stay, you should be ok. No guarantees. That said: It is going to look a little odd that you’ve been here so long, stayed through your full grace period, and then apparently need to come back again very quickly, so you should be prepared for some questions by CBP, including  possible luggage search etc.