Can I vacation with my girlfriend who is already in the USA?
I know there are lots of previous questions about visiting boyfriend/girlfriend in the USA and I did look over them. They are very helpful. My case is a little bit different, so that I think it might be useful to start a new question.
First of all, my girlfriend is not a US citizen. She is the same as I am, a Chinese citizen. She is currently doing research on a J1 visa in the USA. I was a J-1 visa holder from last November to this June. We met in the city where we were conducting research, and fell in love. After June, I went to the country where I am doing my PhD (not the USA or China). We are planning a three-week trip this December in the States.
I do have a valid ten-year B1/B2 visa. I applied for it several years ago as I was attending a conference. Since I have this visa, I can enter the States.
However, when I answer the CBP at my port or entry, their first question would be what's my purpose. What should I say? I am not trying to hide anything. Do you think having vacation with my girlfriend would be appropriate? My question differs from the previous questions in the forum in two senses:
First, my girfriend is not a US citizen or green card holder. Second, we are not meeting in the city where she is doing research, but in Honolulu.
I have several worries:
I have heard so many stories that visiting a girlfriend in the US is a red flag to CBP.
I have already spent 7 months in US with a J1 visa. Would they think that's already too long? This trip is 3 weeks with B1/B2 visa.
My onward ticket is to China since I will have another five weeks holiday with my parents in China.
Best Answer
It is not always a red flag to say you are visiting a girlfriend or boyfriend. But it is a red flag to try to hide anything. The officers are well trained to look for signs of stress that most people exhibit when they are trying to hide something.
You should expect scrutiny at the border, but if you can prove you are returning to a PhD program in a third country, I think you should be allowed to enter. You may wish to bring documents from your university that prove you are enrolled in this program.
Some other documents you may wish to have are your hotel booking, and your girlfriend's mobile phone number. On rare occasions, the US immigration officer may call the person you are meeting to ensure they are aware that you are arriving and will meet you.
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