re entry

[TheOne2024 1]

Hi everyone,

 

Simply put, it goes like this: Entered the US in 2009 on a B1/B2 visa overstayed and willingly left in 2015 ( no deportation ). Between now and then ( where now is 2024 and then is 2015 ) I have acquired citizenship from a country that is part of the visa waiver, got married, bought a house, went back to school and basically started a whole new life. 

 

Needless to say, I would like to go back and visit more of the US that I haven't seen before, visit some of now my very old friends and this time would be way way much nicer to be able to do this with my wife.

 

Anyway, what would be my options: ESTA? Apply again for B1/B2 visa? Etc..... 

 

Any guidance would be very much appreciated 

 

Thank you!

 

 

 

 

[milimelo 4,475]

Even if your new citizenship allows for ESTA/VWP, as you have overstayed (regardless of citizenship), you'll still have to get a B1/B2 visa. Actions have consequences.

[Crazy Cat 41,806]

1 hour ago, TheOne2024 said:

Anyway, what would be my options: ESTA?

You don't qualify.....You violated US law by overstaying (for more than 5 years).  You can apply for a B2, but I wouldn't be surprised at an immediate denial. 

Edited October 5 by Crazy Cat

[appleblossom 2,437]

Yep, as above, you’re not eligible to use ESTA. An overstay of even one day means a visa is always required. 
 

Sounds like you’ve got a 10 year ban as well? So wait until that’s run out and then you can try for a B visa. 

[Melancholic Mage 104]

I hope you don't mind me asking, but why did you overstay to begin with? 

 

I'm not judging, and I may sound a bit 'kiss the flag' here, but I genuinely feel priviledged to be able to immigrate to such a beautiful country. I wouldn't dare risk losing the chance to live here let alone visit. Perhaps I'm being naive but it's legitimately how I feel and I honestly want to know what reasons people have for shirking authorities. 

 

Just curious. 

[TheOne2024 1]

@Melancholic Mage

 

Thank you for your kind words. 

 

Why? When you're young, stupid and don't know that the true American dream is not to start by breaking the immigration law. 

 

Reasons? A better life, more opportunities, etc. 

 

All in all....I regret every day for not being able to at least sit down and have a coffee with some very wonderful people I've met whilst living there. 

 

As someone said in a different post...i gotta deal with the consequences  

 

Thank you @Melancholic Mage

 

 

 

[Melancholic Mage 104]

1 hour ago, TheOne2024 said:

@Melancholic Mage

 

Thank you for your kind words. 

 

Why? When you're young, stupid and don't know that the true American dream is not to start by breaking the immigration law. 

 

Reasons? A better life, more opportunities, etc. 

 

All in all....I regret every day for not being able to at least sit down and have a coffee with some very wonderful people I've met whilst living there. 

 

As someone said in a different post...i gotta deal with the consequences  

 

We've all done silly things when we were younger. For me personally I never fell to peer pressure or did anything truly wild; this to me constitutes as wild. I may not have ever dreamt of doing things like this nor really understand it (I'm boring), but I've seen it enough times to realise it's a thing. Thanks for answering. 

 

I wish you well no matter what you do going forward, and no matter what it sounds like you've made a very nice life for yourself where you're at. Wish you luck!