Visa curiosity

[PeeWee]

My friend Lena's son has just departed their home in Central Russia for a 4 month stay in NY. This is his second trip in two years. He and 3 other young men travel to NY to work. I do not know what visa they get but whatever it is this allows them to remain in the US for 4 months. I believe it is a program where the company that they ultimate ly end up working for sponsors them. They are given a one way airfare from Moscow to NY. At the end of their time they are give a ticket to return home. Any one heard of this before?  My question is this. If he had traveled twice to the US and had returned both times to his home would there ever be a chance, basing it on  his good history of returning home, that he could apply for and get a tourist visa?

Peewee

[Jet]

Quite possible!

[PeeWee]

Quite possible!

Thanks, Jet. I have no idea why the kid would ever want a tourist visa as he seems to have found a way to get here anyway. Now I wonder about his mother. Let's say her son can get a tourist visa. Do you suppose that would be exclusive to him? Or if she were to travel with him that she might try for one too.

So hypothetical but I just now wonder about it. His visa was processed in less than 3 weeks via the American Embassy in Moscow. He had to travel via train for 18 hours one way from his city to reach Moscow. He stayed one day, visited the Embassy. They kept his passport and then he returned to his city. The passport and the visa arrived in the mail, as I said, three weeks later. Not a bad deal for a 19 year old lad.

At the end of this adventure he will have visited the US twice for a total of 6 months and yet his mother never. It seems that the visa is most difficult for a female but not a male. Ah...such is life, I guess.

Peewee

[Jet]

Thanks, Jet. I have no idea why the kid would ever want a tourist visa as he seems to have found a way to get here anyway.

B1/B2 work visa is fairly restrictive in that you must stay employed with no long breaks the entire time you are here. The employer is required to notify the gov't immediately once work has concluded. The B1/B2 tourist visa lets him do what he wants, when he wants, for as long as the visa is valid.

Now I wonder about his mother. Let's say her son can get a tourist visa. Do you suppose that would be exclusive to him?

Absolutely, every visa applicant is approved on their OWN merits.

Or if she were to travel with him that she might try for one too.

She might, but her chances are not nearly as good, and go down exponentially if they travel at the same time.

So hypothetical but I just now wonder about it. His visa was processed in less than 3 weeks via the American Embassy in Moscow. He had to travel via train for 18 hours one way from his city to reach Moscow. He stayed one day, visited the Embassy. They kept his passport and then he returned to his city. The passport and the visa arrived in the mail, as I said, three weeks later. Not a bad deal for a 19 year old lad.

Same deal as tourist, K-1, K-3 etc... Submit application, go to interview, give everything required (including Int'l passport) and they mail it back to you - sounds so simple, doesn't it? 




 

[PeeWee]

B1/B2 work visa is fairly restrictive in that you must stay employed with no long breaks the entire time you are here. The employer is required to notify the gov't immediately once work has concluded. The B1/B2 tourist visa lets him do what he wants, when he wants, for as long as the visa is valid.

Absolutely, every visa applicant is approved on their OWN merits.

She might, but her chances are not nearly as good, and go down exponentially if they travel at the same time.
Same deal as tourist, K-1, K-3 etc... Submit application, go to interview, give everything required (including Int'l passport) and they mail it back to you - sounds so simple, doesn't it? 




 

yep. sounds too simple. I'm glad it works. Thanks for your informed responses.

Peewee

[jb]

The student visa Dan refers to is the "J" visa, and involves a two year ban on re-entry to the US after the student returns to the FSU.  I wouldn't advise getting a "J" visa for any person or family member who might want to immigrate later on a "K" visa.

[curmudgeon]

The student visa Dan refers to is the "J" visa, and involves a two year ban on re-entry to the US after the student returns to the FSU.  I wouldn't advise getting a "J" visa for any person or family member who might want to immigrate later on a "K" visa.

The two year ban depends on the sponsor.

It does NOT apply to the Summer Work and Travel program.

http://usembassy.ru/consular/consular.php?record_id=nivswt

[PeeWee]

The two year ban depends on the sponsor.

It does NOT apply to the Summer Work and Travel program.

http://usembassy.ru/consular/consular.php?record_id=nivswt

Must be true as the lad was here last year working as well.

Peewee

[jb]

I have to suspect the lad was not here on a "J" visa.  The "J" visa involves some US Government expense for the operation of the student exchange programs.  Those programs which are run by the US government set the rules, and the rules say; "no coming back to the USA for at least two years".  The graduate of an American school system who was here on a "J" visa must spend those two years in his home country, even the time he might travel to another country for a vacation will be held against him.  For example, the lad is a Russian and he goes with his family to the black sea for a month, his time is extended to 25 months before he can travel back to the US.  There may be waviers granted in some very special cases perhaps, but not as a rule.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1267.html#12