Unsure what visa...

[Cookie1]

Hi!

I'm currently a MA student, and I realized I wanted to do a leadership/coach program in the US after I graduate, which is soon. I came across some difficulties, which made me doubt whether to get a visa, and what visa to get.

The program is one weekend per month (third weekend of each month) for an entire year, and doesn't lead to a degree, but you do get an accredited ICF (international coach federation) certification. My initial idea is to travel back and forth from the netherlands, so visit the US once a month for about a week (jetlags!) for a year. I was unsure whether I could do that on my ESTA, especially because of the frequency of travels. The program is 16 hours per month, which wouldn't let me be eligible for a M/F visa, and it's a private institution which teaches the program. I have the intention to start my own business back home during the length of the program, and work some flexible work in the three weeks a month I have left each month ;-)

I'm not sure about this yet, but I think I'd like to stay in the US for a few months during the program as well, say a max of 5-6 months, maximum. More likely 3 months, and travel the other 8 or 9 months, back and forth.

What is my best option here? Go for a B2 visa? My main intention is to go and do that program, and hang out with local friends while I'm there anyway. Is an ESTA sufficient, or should I get a B2 because of the frequency of my travels? Does the frequency even matter?

Thanks in advance!

[peace999]

this study pattern is unusual , more suited to a US resident/citizen. And no visa category will suit your purpose.

And,When applying for a B1/B2 visa with this purpose they will likely deny it .
Also note that once you are denied a B1/B2 you won't be able to use your ESTA either.

I guess you just have to use your ESTA to spend 90 days and do the rest piecemeal on subsequent visits.
If you come every month on your ESTA for 12 straight months they can question you sometime. So talk to the study providers
if they can be more flexible.

[Cookie1]

this study pattern is unusual , more suited to a US resident/citizen. And no visa category will suit your purpose.

And,When applying for a B1/B2 visa with this purpose they will likely deny it .
Also note that once you are denied a B1/B2 you won't be able to use your ESTA either.

I guess you just have to use your ESTA to spend 90 days and do the rest piecemeal on subsequent visits.
If you come every month on your ESTA for 12 straight months they can question you sometime. So talk to the study providers
if they can be more flexible.

Unfortunately, it's consecutive months, and not flexible at all And optional, staying an entire year could work as well? I would have funds for that, so If I were to choose that, is there a visa which would allow me to travel to the US, stay there for a year, and return home? I know B2 is usually six months, would I be allowed to stay six months, go back home for a month, and stay for 5 more months?

[rayb]

Generally, visitor visa entrants are allowed one extension, if requested before expiration of existing stay and providing reasonable reason for request.

Upon initial entry, however, allowed stay might be 3 months, 6 months, and even one year (the latter fairly common with mainland Chinese a while back).

Extensions are usually given for same amount of time as initial stay.

--Ray B

Unfortunately, it's consecutive months, and not flexible at all And optional, staying an entire year could work as well? I would have funds for that, so If I were to choose that, is there a visa which would allow me to travel to the US, stay there for a year, and return home? I know B2 is usually six months, would I be allowed to stay six months, go back home for a month, and stay for 5 more months?

[Cookie1]

Generally, visitor visa entrants are allowed one extension, if requested before expiration of existing stay and providing reasonable reason for request.

Upon initial entry, however, allowed stay might be 3 months, 6 months, and even one year (the latter fairly common with mainland Chinese a while back).

Extensions are usually given for same amount of time as initial stay.

--Ray B

Thanks! The investment for the course is 15000$, which is a loooot of money for me, and the chance of not being accepted into the country and therefore throwing away all my tuition would be a terrible thing. Is it likely that a B2 is extended for the reason of 'continued recreational courses' ? And being dependent on the person you meet at immigrations scares me so much that I'd rather go in once and stay for that year, then travel 12 times with a good reason - a continued recreational course - but having a higher chance of being rejected somewhere throughout the program....

[rayb]

The decision of how much time to allow for the visit is made at the Port of Entry. Rather than accept a "default" 3 or 6-month expiration, the entrant must be prepared to ask for a longer visit time (up to one year), and to provide evidence of the need.

--Ray B

Thanks! The investment for the course is 15000$, which is a loooot of money for me, and the chance of not being accepted into the country and therefore throwing away all my tuition would be a terrible thing. Is it likely that a B2 is extended for the reason of 'continued recreational courses' ? And being dependent on the person you meet at immigrations scares me so much that I'd rather go in once and stay for that year, then travel 12 times with a good reason - a continued recreational course - but having a higher chance of being rejected somewhere throughout the program....