B1/2 Visa Help

[Baket]

Hi

I was wondering if someone could please help me!

I have just applied and been approved for a 1 year B1/2 visa for the US.

We are going for a round the world trip starting in Oct where we will be in Hawaii for about week in Nov then will be in Europe until Jan when we land in the US for about 5 months until we have to be in Canada for our working holiday in June.

My question is do I apply for ESTA for when we are in Hawaii in Nov or use the B1/2? And if I use the B1/2 does that time I’m away in Europe for Dec count in the 6 months (IF we get stamped that) OR does it just go by days... so I will have used 7 days of my B1/2 visa then when i re-enter the US in Jan it starts up again? I am so confused!

Also I applied for the B1/2 as I was told by the Canberra embassy it was better with the Canadian working holiday so I can visit the US during my two years in Canada. But as i was so nervous during the interview when the guy said approved for 1 year and goodbye I just left. Can anyone shed any light on how i can convert the 1 year to 5 years? Or let me know how i would travel in to the US if i wanted to during my second year in Canada? I think my 1 year B 1/2 will actually expire before i enter Canada.

Any help would be amazing!

Thanks

[peace999]

1. You cannot convert a one year visa into a 5 yr visa. You will have to apply for a new one, once this one expires.
2. Everytime you enter US, there is a new stamp with a new duration. The duration of the previous stay has no relevance to the new stay.
3. It is advisable that you plan your trip in such a way that you enter US only once on your one yr.B1/B2 visa. THe next time you apply for a B1/B2 they will look at how you
used your past B1/B2. If you made too many entries or stayed very long without a real reason, they can deny you next time.
4. Not sure if you can use ESTA ,while you have a B1/B2.

[Baket]

1. You cannot convert a one year visa into a 5 yr visa. You will have to apply for a new one, once this one expires.
2. Everytime you enter US, there is a new stamp with a new duration. The duration of the previous stay has no relevance to the new stay.
3. It is advisable that you plan your trip in such a way that you enter US only once on your one yr.B1/B2 visa. THe next time you apply for a B1/B2 they will look at how you
used your past B1/B2. If you made too many entries or stayed very long without a real reason, they can deny you next time.
4. Not sure if you can use ESTA ,while you have a B1/B2.

Thanks for the reply! Does the above basically mean that the B1/2 visa allows multiple trips in one year that can be from a week to 6months maximum at a time? It's just that we have already booked Hawaii and have to go or waste the money

[peace999]

Yes, it technically allows you multiple trips with stays 1wk to 6mos but too quick re-visits can make the admitting officer
ask you questions.

I guess you go ahead with your Hawaii trip and when you enter US next time and are asked the reason
for quick return ; just explain to them the itinerary .