B2 Visa stay for 7 months

[wokkie]

Dear all,

My name is Wouter, 23 years old and I'm from Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
I'm not used to posting on forums, so my apologies in advance if I make any mistakes.

I just got a B2 visa with a Study Incidental To Visit (Form I-20 not required). I have some questions however, but I'll have to share the story to explain it (I'll keep it as short as possible!). Thank you in advance for reading my question.

I want to take a course in Concept Design (Illustration for Video Games and Film) at the Concept Design Academy in Pasadena. I've done this two times before and I loved it. It's a small school with specific courses that we just don't have in the Netherlands.
The first two times were on the Visa Waiver Program: the first was from June till August 2011, The Second time from February till April 2012.

Now the second time I had some problems at customs, where they were a little hesitant to let me in. I was granted access eventually, after explaining them everything (and showing I'd only be studying around 9 hours each week).

So I got the idea to go one final time, to get all the classes I couldn't do before. My plan is to go two terms (each term at the school has a 10 week duration). The school has one month time in between terms, so I'd have to go 7 months.
I got the idea to play it safe this time and go to the US Embassy and explained what I wanted, to see if it was possible. I told the officer at the Embassy everything: About my previous two stays, about my desire to stay for 7 months and why. My request was approved and I got a B2 Visa. The validation time (I'm sorry, I don't know how to put this correctly) is one year (between the issue and expiration date).

Today, I decided to take another look at everything and make sure that everything is correct, and I only now I read that I can only stay for a maximum of 6 months on my Visa (and, if I want to stay longer, will have to re-apply for an extension).
I'm very worried that I won't get in this time, or that I can't stay the full duration of the terms.
Another problem is that I booked a retour ticket already, for which the return flight is 7 months after arrival, not 6.
I know I should've seen this maximum period of 6 months earlier and I feel really stupid for not looking into it earlier.

I have no intention of living in the USA, this is just a great study for me to get a head skill-wise, in this industry in my country. I am however, fearful that they will not see it that way and won't give me access.

My question is: Do you have any advice for me how to go about this? Is there anything I can do to better my chances of being allowed in the country? I just want to make sure I do everything right and give them no reason to worry, because there isn't any. What do you think my chances are?

I hope you can help me and I really appreciate any help that I get.
My apologies for any English grammar/spelling mistakes.
Sincerely,

Wouter

[peace999]

As you likely know that the law permits you to do recreational study on a tourist status( b2) , if the hours are less than 18 hrs per wk.
The consular officer at emabassies and consulates ( state dept.) know this , so they gave you the visa but CBP officers ( customs)
who grant you entry at the airport may not be familiar with this .
Hence you had difficulty the last time.
And I strongly think you will not be allowed in if you
will say you have come to study for 7 months on a B1/B2 visa.

And yes, it is true that they can only give you a max of 6 months at entry. For another month
you will have to file an extension, early during your stay ( it takes 2-3 months for extension application response).

You have to change your strategy a bit.
Please answer;
1. Is there any note on your visa ( a statement restricting its use in any form)?
2. Do you know anybody in USA? Friends, relatives?

[wokkie]

As you likely know that the law permits you to do recreational study on a tourist status( b2) , if the hours are less than 18 hrs per wk.
The consular officer at emabassies and consulates ( state dept.) know this , so they gave you the visa but CBP officers ( customs)
who grant you entry at the airport may not be familiar with this .
Hence you had difficulty the last time.
And I strongly think you will not be allowed in if you
will say you have come to study for 7 months on a B1/B2 visa.

And yes, it is true that they can only give you a max of 6 months at entry. For another month
you will have to file an extension, early during your stay ( it takes 2-3 months for extension application response).

You have to change your strategy a bit.
Please answer;
1. Is there any note on your visa ( a statement restricting its use in any form)?
2. Do you know anybody in USA? Friends, relatives?

Dear Peace,

Thank you so much for replying my question. I really appreciate it.
I think you're absolutely right when I'll say I come to study for 7 months, that they won't allow me in. It isn't all I will be doing though. My mom and brother will come in May and we'll make a trip along the west-coast.

To answer your questions:
1. The only note on my Visa is: 'STUDY INCIDENTAL TO VISIT FORM I-20 NOT REQUIRED'. Furthermore, it has two asterisks under my photo (I read it was about risk), the Visa type is R and Entries is an M.
2. Yes I do. I don't have any relatives in the States. I do, however, have multiple friends that I'll be visiting (I met them over the last years I was there).

Do you think it's better to say I'll be visiting them?
Thank you so much.

Best,
Wouter

[peace999]

Dear Peace,

Thank you so much for replying my question. I really appreciate it.
I think you're absolutely right when I'll say I come to study for 7 months, that they won't allow me in. It isn't all I will be doing though. My mom and brother will come in May and we'll make a trip along the west-coast.

To answer your questions:
1. The only note on my Visa is: 'STUDY INCIDENTAL TO VISIT FORM I-20 NOT REQUIRED'. Furthermore, it has two asterisks under my photo (I read it was about risk), the Visa type is R and Entries is an M.
2. Yes I do. I don't have any relatives in the States. I do, however, have multiple friends that I'll be visiting (I met them over the last years I was there).

Do you think it's better to say I'll be visiting them?
Thank you so much.

Best,
Wouter

Ok. The annotation gives you away as an incidental student, so you have to say at entry"
Visiting friends and also will do short recreational study for about 5 months". Saying 6 months
on a visitor visa, usually puts them off because that is the max and they think he might not want to go back.

With the annotation, it gets safer too, as the entry officer knows that annotation allows you to do recreational study ,
so he will let you in. Only do not say 7 months.

Good luck.