ESL Classes

[sashsash 208]

A family member is visiting my family and I in the US on B1/B2 visa. She came here for 6 months and the officer at the airport was aware of her plans.
Our local school district provides free adult ESL classes that are twice a week (4 hours total) and she is interested in attending those only during her visit. The classes are also non-credit. I cannot really find much information about whether it's possible for her to attend those without risking being denied next time she comes to visit.

Thank you!

[Nashmusah 29]

1 hour ago, sashsash said:

A family member is visiting my family and I in the US on B1/B2 visa. She came here for 6 months and the officer at the airport was aware of her plans.
Our local school district provides free adult ESL classes that are twice a week (4 hours total) and she is interested in attending those only during her visit. The classes are also non-credit. I cannot really find much information about whether it's possible for her to attend those without risking being denied next time she comes to visit.

Thank you!

 Attending the classes will not disqualify her visit next time in the US,  the only problem is if she only over stayed in the country that she may have problem next time coming back on visit. 

Stay safe and bless 🙌. 

[Boiler 45,126]

Visiting for 6 months is a bigger issue.

[sashsash 208]

16 hours ago, Boiler said:

Visiting for 6 months is a bigger issue.

Not to argue, but how is that an issue? She has return tickets and showed them at the airport along with the letter explaining her plans for these 6 months. So she was very straightforward about that. She’s also not planning on coming back anytime soon after departing. 

[OldUser 6,333]

13 hours ago, sashsash said:

Not to argue, but how is that an issue? 

Similar to maxing out available credit on card. While technically possible, bank can decline transaction or it can negatively impact credit score for the future.

 

Treat 6 months as credit limit. It's wise travelling for few weeks to 1-2 months max at a time. Otherwise CBP may suspect visa is used for living in the States.

[SalishSea 17,639]

17 hours ago, sashsash said:

Not to argue, but how is that an issue? She has return tickets and showed them at the airport along with the letter explaining her plans for these 6 months. So she was very straightforward about that. She’s also not planning on coming back anytime soon after departing. 

CBP may wonder how she can afford to take such a long break from work.  Hopefully she realizes she cannot work while in the US, including working remotely for a foreign employer.

[sashsash 208]

1 minute ago, SalishSea said:

CBP may wonder how she can afford to take such a long break from work.  Hopefully she realizes she cannot work while in the US, including working remotely for a foreign employer.

She’s retired and we’re fully sponsoring her trip here. She had a letter stating all of those facts for both interview at the embassy and CBP.

I know every case is different, but I don’t see how it is an issue, especially if she may not come back for a few years after leaving the US. The purpose of the visit was clearly stated and no questions asked. I appreciate that other people concerned about it, but it doesn’t really answer the question regarding ESL classes. 

[SalishSea 17,639]

Just now, sashsash said:

She’s retired and we’re fully sponsoring her trip here. She had a letter stating all of those facts for both interview at the embassy and CBP.

I know every case is different, but I don’t see how it is an issue, especially if she may not come back for a few years after leaving the US. The purpose of the visit was clearly stated and no questions asked. I appreciate that other people concerned about it, but it doesn’t really answer the question regarding ESL classes. 

People are responding to your question above, about how it could be an issue.

[sashsash 208]

Just now, SalishSea said:

People are responding to your question above, about how it could be an issue.

Fair point  

[Yareth 45]

The tourism visa allows "short recreational course of study" , "for example, a two-day cooking class while on vacation". Since the classes don't amount to any form of certification and are free, I'd say she's fine. 

[Crazy Cat 41,440]

 

On 8/28/2024 at 11:27 PM, sashsash said:

She has return tickets and showed them at the airport along with the letter explaining her plans for these 6 months.

Was she pulled into secondary inspection?

[sashsash 208]

5 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

 

Was she pulled into secondary inspection?

No, she wasn’t.