Q: B2 Visa Eligibility
I hold a B2 visitor visa and traveled to the US in August. after a lengthy secondary questioning ( about my employment status, reason for visiting, reason for needing six months and details of my girlfriend, subsequently contact was made to her to confirm my story) After which I was granted entry of six months, which I didn't complete since I departed the US two months later October. I would like to return to the US to suprise my girlfriend for our anniversary in February. Can I be eligible for entry into the USA if I want to suprise my girlfriend without her knowledge when I convey that to a CBP officer? Or would the CBP officer require my girlfriend to have knowledge of my visit?
A: There is no legal requirement that your girlfriend have knowledge of your visit. What you must demonstrate generally to a CBP officer is that you have nonimmigrant intent (the intent to not immigrate to the U.S.), that you have sufficient funds to maintain yourself while visiting and that you will not work while in the United States as a visitor. Even if your travel to the United States is truly only to visit, a skeptical CBP officer may give you a hard time. The fact that previously you departed on time may be helpful. If you have proof of employment abroad, you may wish to carry evidence of that with you. Perhaps schedule a consultation with a competent immigration attorney who can answer more fully any questions you may have. Some immigration attorneys in the United States offer online consultations (e.g., via Skype) for individuals located outside of the United States.
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