Travel to the USA on business purpose accompanied by my cousin
I will travel to New York for business and I would like to take my cousin with me on this trip. We plan to stay over the weekend and I would like to use that time between my business meetings to do some tourist visits/sightseeing together with my cousin.
Is there a risk that he could be denied access to the USA because we have different purposes of visit?
This is a five-day trip and we will stay at the hotel, he is 19 years old and I'm 40.
Should we access the Immigration officer together (because we are travelling together and I'm "taking care" of him) and explain the situation or should he approach separately?
We are Croatian citizens and will apply for B-1/B-2 visas.
Best Answer
From what you have described this is no problem. You may need to explain the situation if you approach US CBP together, but you are doing nothing wrong. It is perfectly allowed to do tourist activities on a business trip, and two people travelling together do not need to be travelling for the same purpose.
Since you are supporting your cousin financially on this trip (I presume) it is probably wise to enter together in case the officer has questions about his ability to fund himself.
I advise that you each fill out a separate customs declaration (i.e., do not use the "only one person from a family needs to fill out a customs form" provision) because you are entering for different purposes.
Pictures about "Travel to the USA on business purpose accompanied by my cousin"
Can I travel to USA for business purposes?
Most citizens of participating countries (see NOTE below) may travel to the United States for short visits for temporary business without a visa through the Visa Waiver Program. Travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program requires ESTA approval.Can I sponsor my cousin to USA?
Citizens and legal residents may not petition to enter into the country so-called "distant" relatives, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Under Trump's proposed plan, immigrants would only be able to sponsor their spouses and minor children.Is it permissible to take a business trip on a tourist visa?
The B-1 visa allows foreign citizens to travel to the U.S. to conduct certain business activities for periods between one month and one year. If you need to visit the U.S. temporarily for business, a B-1 visa is available for that purpose.How long can someone from another country visit the US?
Tourist or business travelers who are citizens of participating countries may be eligible to visit the United States without a visa. Visits must be 90 days or less, and travelers must meet all requirements.CAN YOU TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL IF UNEMPLOYED? OR SPONSORED BY A FRIEND?
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Pixabay, Pixabay, Pixabay, Maxime LEVREL