meathead99
Newbie
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2015
- Posts
- 5
Hey folks, wondering if I could get a few candid opinions on the likelihood of success with a B-2 tourist visa application to the US. I understand that being denied an application will lose you access to the Visa Waiver program which I obviously wanted to avoid, so I thought I might ask before I apply and see what people thought my chances were.
Plan is to visit the US for a 5 months rock climbing trip with a Canadian friend. I would fly to Vancouver in may (the flight is already booked and unfortunately goes via San Fran, which is why I can't lose access), tour the western US for 5 months then go back to Whistler for work in November. I satisfy all the empirical criteria, the only problem is the 'strong ties abroad' requirement.
The problem is as a 25 year old traveller, I've spent the better part of the last 2 years overseas - mostly europe and canada but, including 2x3 month stints in the US on the visa waiver program in 2014. I was living and working in Canada around this time and travelling and climbing in the US. I'm afraid spending time there might make it hard to show strong ties abroad? Here's what I have in my favour.
- 2 degrees including a law degree from Australia, graduated in 2013.
- Proof of current employment in Australia with a photography studio
- a comprehensive travel itinerary for the US, including dates, destinations and contact people.
- A written and signed contract for a Canadian job commencing on Nov 4 2015.
- $18,000 in an Australian bank account and $9,000 in a Canadian bank account
- A canadian work permit and social security number
- an Australian Tax return for 2012-3 and a canadian tax return for 2013. I have not completed my Canadian tax return for 2014 as it runs calendar year, not Australian financial year, and can't be filed yet.
- I have a cousin that lives 1 hour from Seattle, just on the US side of the Canadian border. (should I mention this at all?)
Does this sound like enough? For this to be denied the officer in the interview would basically have to ignore my job offer and itinerary, which seems unlikely to me, but I really can't afford to be knocked off the list for VWP. Worst case I could just cut the trip down to 3 months but I don't want to do that.
I actually had a B-2 visa issued in 2010, it's actually valid for a few more months but in a passport that hasn't been valid since 2011, and I remember the interview being extremely quick and easy, I had plenty of documentation showing my study exchange place in Canada, but is it different this time given I've spent 6 months there over the last year? I'm doing nothing illegal but if the officer decides he doesn't like me the interview doesn't give me a lot of time to convince him.
Thought I might see what people thought before I commit to anything.
Would very much appreciate any advice on my prospects, or anything that might bolster my application.
Thanks! Ben
Plan is to visit the US for a 5 months rock climbing trip with a Canadian friend. I would fly to Vancouver in may (the flight is already booked and unfortunately goes via San Fran, which is why I can't lose access), tour the western US for 5 months then go back to Whistler for work in November. I satisfy all the empirical criteria, the only problem is the 'strong ties abroad' requirement.
The problem is as a 25 year old traveller, I've spent the better part of the last 2 years overseas - mostly europe and canada but, including 2x3 month stints in the US on the visa waiver program in 2014. I was living and working in Canada around this time and travelling and climbing in the US. I'm afraid spending time there might make it hard to show strong ties abroad? Here's what I have in my favour.
- 2 degrees including a law degree from Australia, graduated in 2013.
- Proof of current employment in Australia with a photography studio
- a comprehensive travel itinerary for the US, including dates, destinations and contact people.
- A written and signed contract for a Canadian job commencing on Nov 4 2015.
- $18,000 in an Australian bank account and $9,000 in a Canadian bank account
- A canadian work permit and social security number
- an Australian Tax return for 2012-3 and a canadian tax return for 2013. I have not completed my Canadian tax return for 2014 as it runs calendar year, not Australian financial year, and can't be filed yet.
- I have a cousin that lives 1 hour from Seattle, just on the US side of the Canadian border. (should I mention this at all?)
Does this sound like enough? For this to be denied the officer in the interview would basically have to ignore my job offer and itinerary, which seems unlikely to me, but I really can't afford to be knocked off the list for VWP. Worst case I could just cut the trip down to 3 months but I don't want to do that.
I actually had a B-2 visa issued in 2010, it's actually valid for a few more months but in a passport that hasn't been valid since 2011, and I remember the interview being extremely quick and easy, I had plenty of documentation showing my study exchange place in Canada, but is it different this time given I've spent 6 months there over the last year? I'm doing nothing illegal but if the officer decides he doesn't like me the interview doesn't give me a lot of time to convince him.
Thought I might see what people thought before I commit to anything.
Would very much appreciate any advice on my prospects, or anything that might bolster my application.
Thanks! Ben