can one travel on ESTA if have valid b1 visa?

[Anjuman 0]

can one travel on ESTA if have valid b1 visa?
I want to use ESTA for a shorter vacation in April/May and will go on b1 probably in Nov/Dec for longer trip after coming back to the UK in May. my b1 visa is not a multiple entry visa.

[Mike E 11,739]

If ESTA is denied  I would expect the B visa to be canceled or you to be denied entry at rhe port of entry, or denied boarding.

 

If you are ESTA eligible, why did yoy apply for a B visa?

[Anjuman 0]

Hi Mike
thank you for quick response.
I have ESTA and B1 visa both approved.
I applied for B1 visa after getting ESTA as planning to have longer trip (5-6 months) towards end of this year.

[Mike E 11,739]

2 minutes ago, Anjuman said:

have ESTA and B1 visa both approved

ESTA has a way of being mysteriously canceled.

2 minutes ago, Anjuman said:

I applied for B1 visa after getting ESTA as planning to have longer trip (5-6 months) towards end of this year.

That was a mistake, and you are fortunate your B visa was approved. That only a single entry visa was approved is a sign you should be careful with respect to your frequency of travel to the U.S. It looks like a test to me. 

 

If you try to travel on ESTA first, you also run the risk that the CBP officer at the port of entry uses your single B visa instead of your ESTA.

 

Your plan is to spend 7 months between now and April 30 2024 in the U.S.: that is 7 months out of less than 13 months. More than 50 percent of your presence is planned to be in the U.S. You are living in the U.S. ESTA and B visas are not for living in the U.S.  Prepare to be denied the attempt to live in the U.S. on your B visa.

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

I'd skip that quick trip and stick to just the one your B1 was approved for. 

[Anjuman 0]

Thank you Mike and Allaboutwaiting for quick responses.

Really appreciate your help with the matter.

[Redro 4,611]

@Anjuman is it a B1 visa or B2 or B1/B2? 
B1 is for business purposes… (conference, in person meetings with associates..) 

B2 is for tourism… 

What reason did you give for traveling to the US for a longer time? 
And will you stick with the plans you told the consulate or have those plans now changed? 
https://www.usa.gov/visas

• B-1 visa classification is for business travelers to consult with business associates, attend a conference, settle an estate, or negotiate a contract.
• B-2 visa classification is for tourists on vacation and people coming for medical treatment, a social event, or participation in amateur contests for no pay.

[Anjuman 0]

Hi Rok2usa

Apologies, you are correct it is b2 as it is for medical treatment; furthermore just realised that the ESTA is expired as it was only valid for couple of years.

It seems that for medical treatment not require to renew ESTA because of b2. Please correct me if this is wrong.

Thank you,