Traveling on B1/B2 while DQ

[Sam2889 4]

Hi all,

 

I have been DQ'd for over a month now and awaiting an interview date. Given how COVID is still keeping the consulate shut, I don't think I will be able to have an interview anytime soon (I'm assuming it will be at least September, if I'm lucky). In the meantime, I'd like to visit my husband who lives in the US. I do have a B1/B2 (tourist) visa that I can use to visit the USA and come back to my interview location for my interview when it is scheduled. My question is, is it risky to do that and what are my chances of being sent back at the border because I'm already DQ and it is pretty clear that I mean to immigrate the USA? Thank you so much. 

[canadian_wife 1,826]

Entrance into the United States is only guaranteed to US citizens so traveling as a tourist always carries a risk.  Your entrance will be dependent upon your ties to your home country.

 

goos luck 

[Dashinka 24,717]

No one can say what CBP will do if you arrive with a B2, but several people do it all the time.  There are ways to mitigate the risk like having evidence of your ties to your home country, not showing up at the border with all your worldly possessions, or no return ticket.  CBP would also look at your past travel history, if you have made relatively short visits in the past and always returned, it may lessen the risk.

 

In the end, the decision to visit on a valid B2 is on you, and the decision to let you in is on the CBP officer you encounter.

 

Good Luck!

[Suze1 366]

Agree with earlier posters.

 

Definitely have a return ticket

Don't bring too many bags

If you have ever been to US before for a short stay  - plan to do that again

Bring work letter asking for, or approving, a short leave from work

Bring lease/title of foreign residence

In other words, bring the same things you used to show ties and to get the Visa in the first place...Be JUST as prepared at the port-of-entry (POE)

If refused at the POE be prepared to choose to voluntarily return home immediately if given the need and chance at the POE

 

People do it all the time. But your ties, travel history, and immediate plans are very important.

Edited June 28, 2021 by Suze1

[Suze1 366]

And DO NOT bring what some might consider a lot of cash with you.

 

(On one trip to the States with a B1/B2, an Immigration Officer was interviewing people who were waiting in line to re-check their baggage for the next leg of their flight, and when she asked me how much currency I had, the lady seemed to think it was a lot, and they instructed me to go to another IO sitting at a desk.

 

We think because I had fairly recently been accepted to two universities (City College of NY, and University of Hawaii.. I had not decided  to attend either, and did not), but they had it in their system, so...they must have wondered.

 

So, the amount of cash must have sounded like a lot (was not much for us, just normal), but THAT must have raised questions to the person checking people in the line. The IO in the second internal booth spoke with me, it was cleared up, and I returned to the baggage scanner line, and continued on my/our way.)

 

So, ya have to see it from their viewpoint, at all times, it seems.

Cheers.

 

Edited June 28, 2021 by Suze1

[PGA 253]

My wife, child and I both live in her home country...we travel back and forth quite a bit and never an overstay. The last one of these trips was for my dad's funeral at the national cemetery and also while she was DQ'd. We never take it for granted; we made sure to bring all documents showing that we weren't planning on cheating the system....my daughter's school enrollment, my wife's property docs, return tickets, health insurance documents, and of course confirmation of my dad's funeral service. 

 

And yes, As Suze1 pointed out don't bring a lot of cash and I'll add don't bring a lot of documents showing ulterior motives, such as birth certificates, curriculum vitae, resumes, etc....

 

BTW...we've been DQ'd going on 5 months now....be patient.

[Sam2889 4]

14 hours ago, PGA said:

My wife, child and I both live in her home country...we travel back and forth quite a bit and never an overstay. The last one of these trips was for my dad's funeral at the national cemetery and also while she was DQ'd. We never take it for granted; we made sure to bring all documents showing that we weren't planning on cheating the system....my daughter's school enrollment, my wife's property docs, return tickets, health insurance documents, and of course confirmation of my dad's funeral service. 

 

And yes, As Suze1 pointed out don't bring a lot of cash and I'll add don't bring a lot of documents showing ulterior motives, such as birth certificates, curriculum vitae, resumes, etc....

 

BTW...we've been DQ'd going on 5 months now....be patient.

Thank you. That is helpful!

17 hours ago, Suze1 said:

And DO NOT bring what some might consider a lot of cash with you.

 

(On one trip to the States with a B1/B2, an Immigration Officer was interviewing people who were waiting in line to re-check their baggage for the next leg of their flight, and when she asked me how much currency I had, the lady seemed to think it was a lot, and they instructed me to go to another IO sitting at a desk.

 

We think because I had fairly recently been accepted to two universities (City College of NY, and University of Hawaii.. I had not decided  to attend either, and did not), but they had it in their system, so...they must have wondered.

 

So, the amount of cash must have sounded like a lot (was not much for us, just normal), but THAT must have raised questions to the person checking people in the line. The IO in the second internal booth spoke with me, it was cleared up, and I returned to the baggage scanner line, and continued on my/our way.)

 

So, ya have to see it from their viewpoint, at all times, it seems.

Cheers.

 

Thank you. I have travelled to the US on a B2 several times never overstaying, hopefully that helps.

[Suze1 366]

10 hours ago, Sam2889 said:

Thank you. I have travelled to the US on a B2 several times never overstaying, hopefully that helps.

You are most welcome.
Yes, that is great. You should be more than fine.

Good luck!

Cheers.

[Ontarkie 14,376]

~Moved to Tourist Visas, from DCF as the Topic is visiting while DQ'd~~