Documents at POE

[evelim81]

Hi. I have a 10 year multiple entry B1/B2 visa expiring in 2017. I have travelled for the 1st time to USA last year from March 08 - June 08 and was granted 3 months stay at the POE. I was travelling alone. Purpose was to visit my relatives and tour all around the East Coast.

I will be travelling to the USA again end of January 09. Purpose of visit is to see my relatives again and spend Chinese New Year (huge festival for us) and my birthday with them, but the main intention is actually to tour the West Coast this time since I only covered East Coast in my last visit. My objective is to see as many US states as I can while I am still young.

I have 2 questions :

Question One
I have my return ticket booked for April 09 just for the sake of selecting a return date with the airline but the airline allows date changes. However I would like to request for a 6 month stay at the POE because my travel itenarary is not fixed and I would like to cover as many US states as I can in this visit. Any advice on this i.e. do you think my 6 mth request will be granted?

Question Two
What documents do you advice that I show to the officer at POE because I am a single 27 yr old lady and I'm not employed right now (I have left my job to help my dad to set up his business)

I have good financial standing though, and will be able to fully financially support myself throughout my stay. I plan on showing the POE officer my bank account statement. Do you think this is enough? Do I also need a letter from my USA relatives to say that I will be staying with them at their house?

I have ties to my home country i.e. my family is here, I have several bank accounts, I have a car, credit cards, etc and intend to come home after my USA vacation.

Looking forward to some advice. Thanks alot.

[peace]

Did you stay the full 3 months the last time?

Anyway, It is not wise to request a 6 month stay as it is a long duration for a pleasure visit for a young person. It may lead to the officer thinking you have other plans( settling in US) and may turn you back and cancel your visa.
( Yes, it does happen).

I suggest you say you are here on a 2 month vacation visiting your relatives
and touring US. If they ask you, show them a letter from your relatives inviting you and a return ticket for approx 2 months. And quietly accept whatever stay he gives you. ( you may even get 6 mnths from a lenient officer and depending on how much you stayed last time).

There is no need to carry extensive documentation as POE is not like interview at the embassy.
Just carry a recent invitation letter from your relative, a return ticket( very important) and some evidence of your funds ( a traveller cheque receipt will do).

[evelim81]

thanks for the reply. I stayed for about 10+ weeks (not fully 3 months) in my last visit. Thanks for your advice - I will take note of what to do. If anyone has any other advice, kindly post here too. Thanks much.

[ramabalaji]

As peace has suggested if asked by IO tell him you would like to stay for 2 months for tourism. Since you had returned before the expiry of I 94 date last time, I do not fore see any problem. You may get a full 6 month stay. It had happened to me.
First visit, I was given 6 months stay but I returned after 1 month.
Second time, I got 6 months stay in my I 94. But I stayed for 51/2 months and returned.

[evelim81]

thanks for everyones reply