My boyfriend (24m) is trying to receive a B2 tourist visa to visit me (22f) US citizen. He has received two J-1 work visas in the past two years to work at a summer camp in New York. He is in university, has a steady internship, and rents an apartment. He is also close with his family.
My question is about what should he put on his application/tell the officer. Should he say he is going to visit a (real person) friend from camp (in NY) or tell them he is going to visit me (in a southern state)? Or should he tell them I am a friend from camp, not his girl friend, and that he is going to visit me?
Any additional information on receiving a tourist visa in Mexico to the USA would be great.

Hey everyone, I’m an immigrant Canadian citizen, reside in Canada, i got denied entry into the United States back in 2022, no idea why honestly but the officers back then didn’t give me a clear reason nor a clear solution. Haven’t tried my luck of entering back but i have recently been wanting to try and fix this issue, i first applied to get a redress number which I got eventually, but in the letters that came with the number mentioned something along the lines of “my matter needs a visa application.”

I talked to a lawyer about the issue and they mentioned I should apply for a B2 visa and I guess I want to ask if anyone has been in a similar situation and how did they go about it? Does it take a long time to get processed? Also the lawyer mentioned I could make the application be expedited for faster processing, is there something like that? Thanks

Hi everyone,

I’m a 29-year-old male applicant from India and would really appreciate advice from people who have experience with F1 visa refusals/reapplications, particularly Indian MBA applicants.

I was admitted to a T20 US business school for an MBA with approximately 50% scholarship, but my F1 visa was refused.

There is one additional factor that I’m particularly concerned about: my B1/B2 visa was also refused approximately 3 months before my F1 interview. So I had two US visa refusals within a relatively short period.

I’m now trying to understand whether I should reapply and, if so, what genuine improvements to my profile/circumstances could make my next application stronger.

My profile

• 29-year-old male from India
• Admitted to a T20 US B-school for an MBA
• Approximately 50% scholarship
• Several years of professional experience across marketing, advertising, product and analytics
• Currently employed and continuing to build my career in India
• Before my F1 interview, I had travelled to around 5 countries in Southeast Asia
• After the F1 refusal, I travelled to 4 European countries
• I can build substantially more personal savings over the next year through continued employment
• I would still require an education loan to fund part of the MBA

What I'm trying to figure out

Since I already have two US visa refusals, I don't want to simply reapply with essentially the same profile and hope for a different outcome.

I'm considering spending the next 6–12 months strengthening things such as:

1. Financial position — increasing my personal savings and reducing the proportion of the MBA funded through a loan.
2. Career progression — getting a promotion, taking on more responsibility and continuing to build a stronger professional track record.
3. Professional achievements — demonstrating measurable impact in my current role.
4. Academic preparation — potentially completing relevant certifications/coursework.
5. Career clarity — developing a much stronger explanation of why an MBA is necessary at this point in my career and how it fits into my long-term career path in India.
6. Travel history — I have already travelled to 4 European countries since the refusal, although I'm not sure how much additional travel actually matters for an F1 application.

Questions for people who have successfully reapplied

Given the B1/B2 refusal followed by an F1 refusal only 3 months later, what would you consider a meaningful change before attempting another F1 application?

Would you recommend:

• Waiting 6–12 months and showing clear career progression?
• Building a significantly larger savings corpus?
• Reducing the education-loan requirement?
• Getting promoted/changing roles?
• Completing additional certifications or academic programs?
• Applying to the same school/program if the admission and scholarship remain valid?
• Or are there other factors that would carry more weight than these?

Also, how much importance should I give to the additional travel history? I don't want to keep travelling simply for the sake of building a travel history if it doesn't materially help an F1 application.

Most importantly, for anyone who had multiple US visa refusals and later successfully obtained an F1, what actually changed between the unsuccessful and successful applications?

I would especially appreciate perspectives from Indian MBA applicants who went through something similar.

Thanks!

Hello,Can a personal bank loan be used as proof of funds to meet the settlement funds requirement for the Federal Skilled Worker Program?

Hello everyone. Something I think is easy to overlook with PERM-based green cards is that the process isn't really centered around the employee alone. The employer and the position are a huge part of the case and, in my opinion, sometimes even more important in the bigger picture.

The employer has to sponsor the position, meet the requirements of the PERM process, test the U.S. labor market, and ultimately show that the job is a genuine, permanent, full-time position. The employee then has to qualify for the position as it was actually defined.

That means the position itself matters a lot — including the minimum education, experience, and other requirements established for it. I think this is also why consistency is so important. If a company describes a position one way internally, then another way during recruitment, and then differently again in the immigration paperwork, it can create unnecessary questions.

So, in my opinion, PERM strategy should start with the actual position and the employer's legitimate business needs, rather than trying to build a job description around one particular employee. The employee is obviously an important part of the process, but PERM is fundamentally an employer-sponsored labor certification process, not simply paperwork for the employee's green card.

Just general information, not legal advice.

I’m Amanda Emerson, an immigration attorney at Manifest Law. I work across employment-based and family-based U.S. immigration, including H-1B, EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, O-1, E-2, L-1, TN, marriage-based immigration, adjustment of status, and consular processing.

I’ve seen how difficult it can be to figure out which immigration path actually makes sense when there are multiple moving pieces.

H-1B holders dealing with layoffs. Couples trying to navigate a marriage-based green card. Professionals deciding between EB-1, EB-2 or another employment-based option. Families trying to understand consular processing versus adjustment of status.

If you have an immigration question and want to understand how an attorney thinks through the problem, ask me.

I’ll be here today from 4 PM to 8 PM ET.

Please note: Any information shared here is for general educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney client relationship. Your situation may require fact specific guidance. For personalized legal advice, please consult an immigration attorney directly.

Had a fender bender in the carpark whilst learning to drive & backed into another car. Police overcharged him with dangerous driving. Arrested to hold at the scene, all verbal no cuffs or taken to station. Took statement and we could leave.

It’s been 3 months heard nothing, usual process ad case is way down the priority list. Contacted Officer who is adamant he’ll be let off with a warning, first offence first interaction with law. Underage in New Zealand so will NOT get any criminal conviction or court. Just waiting for a youth aid officer to be in contact.

Can we answer no honestly to “Have you ever been arrested or convicted for a crime that resulted in serious damage to property, or serious harm to another person or government authority?”?

Should we wait for this to be resolved before applying ESTA?

I worked for county for 2 years, they dont sponsor me, while i was trying to switch my employer so badly , i'm getting opportunities from cities and counties but not private companies. I got an offer from a company , which has direct client as county. i.e, i work for county but my billings and salaries are checked by the private company. County has a deadline to get my FE within Feb 2027, if not i hope maybe i need to resign my job as this is what i did in my previous county. I'm not knowing what to do now.

Anyone in such situation? can anyone help me / guide me?

My wife is a J-1 researcher who's program ends soon. We're planning a trip between NYC and SF during the 30-day grace period after her program ends. We also have a pending marriage-based AOS case filed.

We're very anxious about the possibility that she may be detained while traveling through the airport. My understanding is that she still has legal status during the grace period and is allowed to travel domestically, but I'm not sure if the pending AOS changes things.

Is it safe for us to be making this trip?

I’m a Canadian citizen dating someone who is currently in the US on a J-1 visa. We’re planning to get married next year, by which time he expects to be on H-1B.
I won’t be moving to the US immediately after marriage. I’ll continue living and working in Canada while he works in the US. Eventually, he may pursue an employment-based green card (likely EB-1B or EB-2), but the timeline and category are still TBD.
My questions are:
1. As a Canadian citizen, is it okay to fly to the US specifically to get married and then return to Canada afterward?
2. Do I need to proactively tell CBP that I’m going to the US to get married when they ask about the purpose of my trip?
3. If they ask about my plans after the wedding, is it generally enough to explain that I’m returning to Canada because I live and work there and we’ll be living separately for the time being? Would I need to have a detailed future immigration plan (I-140 filing, EB-1B vs. EB-2, when I might move, etc.) already figured out, or is proof of my current ties to Canada and intent to return after this trip generally sufficient?
Since I’ll most likely be flying, is there anything specific I should be aware of regarding CBP/pre-clearance?

Has anyone been in a similar situation, Canadian citizen marrying someone working in the US on H-1B while continuing to live/work in Canada for some time afterward?
Thanks

Hey everyone,

I'm an Indian citizen looking for opinions from anyone with knowledge of US immigration law or similar experience.

Back in April 2026 I was denied entry at San Francisco International Airport. During inspection CBP found a marijuana grinder with residue in my luggage. I was not carrying any actual drugs — just the grinder. I was not arrested, no criminal charges were filed, and I have absolutely no criminal record anywhere in the world.

I was told I have a 5 year bar on entering the US. I signed some documents at the airport but was not given any copies. I have since filed a FOIA request with CBP to obtain my records.

My profile for context:

• Indian citizen with strong travel history
• Clean criminal record globally
• Lived in the UK for 3 years as an undergraduate student
• Successfully traveled to Europe after the incident
• Brother in the US on H1B with green card pending
• No prior immigration violations anywhere

What I'd like opinions on:

1. What are my realistic chances of returning to the US after the 5 year bar?
2. Is the I-601 waiver worth pursuing or is waiting more practical given my brother's H1B status?
3. How significantly could this affect future UK and Schengen visa applications?
4. Would applying from a third country consulate make any meaningful difference?

Looking for informed opinions rather than speculation. Any knowledge or insight genuinely appreciated.

Thanks.

Stuck between the UK and Norway right now? I’m an Irish electrical engineer trying to weigh up my options for a future move, and I'd love to get some honest perspectives from people who know these markets.

Just to give some context: I'm in no rush to leave right away, so I'm just trying to map things out long-term. Thanks to my Irish passport, I have the freedom of movement for both, but they are completely different playing fields.

For the UK, the big pros are the zero language barrier and familiarity. The engineering market is active, but I keep hearing mixed things about the economic vibe and cost of living.

For Norway, the energy, renewables, and industrial sectors are massive, which sounds amazing for an electrical engineer. However, I have zero knowledge of Norwegian right now, and while I know many Norwegians speak flawless English, I assume not knowing the local language would be a major roadblock for engineering roles.

If you were an electrical engineer looking at these two with plenty of time on your hands, how do they compare? Is it even realistic to look at Norway with 0 Norwegian, or is the UK a much safer bet long-term?

I’m a UK citizen and currently hold a valid B1/B2 visa for the US. I recently visited the US for a short business/work-related trip and had no issues.

I’m now considering visiting Iraq for around a week to visit family in February, and then travelling to the US again for another 1 week trip on March (not confirmed dates)

I understand that travelling to Iraq affects ESTA eligibility, but I already have a valid B1/B2 visa. What I’m specifically trying to understand is whether anyone has actually travelled to Iraq and then entered the US shortly afterwards on an existing B1/B2 visa.

Has anyone been in a similar situation?

• Did you have any issues boarding your flight or entering the US?
• Were you sent to secondary inspection?
• Were you questioned extensively about your trip to Iraq?
• Was your B1/B2 visa ever cancelled or revoked?
• How long did you leave between visiting Iraq and travelling to the US?
• Did the reason for your Iraq trip (e.g. visiting family) make any difference?

I’m not looking to avoid declaring anything — I would obviously be completely honest about the trip. I’m just trying to understand what the real-world experience is like from people who have actually done this.

Thanks in advance.

Haven't received an interview letter yet just got the NVC notice to start preparing documents. For those from countries that had a visa ban/pause before, once it was lifted, how long did it take for the actual interview letter/scheduling to come through? Trying to get a realistic idea of the wait. Any experiences appreciated!

Hi everyone,

I’m a U.S. citizen living in Massachusetts, and my fiancée is a Jordanian citizen living in Jordan. We plan to get legally married in Jordan in late December 2026.

We do not want to get married in the U.S., so a fiancé K-1 visa is not an option for us.

Our main goal is to be together in the U.S. as soon as legally possible. Ideally, I would like her to be able to enter the U.S. by late July 2027, although I understand that may not be realistic.

I'm trying to understand all of our legitimate options after we marry.

Option I'm currently considering:

CR-1/IR-1

• Get married in Jordan in December 2026
• File I-130 immediately afterward
• Go through NVC and Embassy Amman
• Hopefully have her immigrant visa by summer 2027

Other possibilities I'm wondering about:

B-2 tourist visa:
Could she apply for a tourist visa after we're married and while the I-130 is pending, and potentially visit me temporarily in the U.S. while waiting for the immigrant visa? I understand she would need to demonstrate that the visit is genuinely temporary and that she intends to return to Jordan.

K-3:
Is this still a realistic option for a spouse of a U.S. citizen, or is it essentially obsolete in practice?

Any other legitimate options:
Are there any other visa categories or strategies we should consider that could allow her to enter the U.S. sooner while the immigrant process continues?

For anyone who has recently gone through Jordan → U.S. spouse immigration / Embassy Amman, I'd especially appreciate your experience.

If you were in our situation, what would you do to maximize the chances of being together in the U.S. as soon as possible?

I am not looking for shortcuts or anything questionable—only legal options.

Thanks!

I’m genuinely curious about something I’ve seen in some Dominican families. (IM
CURRENTLY LIVING IT RIGHT NOW UGH)
Why is there sometimes such a strong expectation that once parents reach retirement age, their children in the U.S. should bring them here and financially help support them, instead of the parents remaining in the Dominican Republic?
For example, imagine a couple who are both over 62, never owned a home or built up much financially in the DR, no schooling no skill one is a house wife and the other is just there .but their adult child already sends them $800 or even more every month and pay their rent and other expenses. That money can go much further in the DR than it does in the US
Then the parents want to move permanently one with a cancelled green card interview and the other with tourist visa that wants to stay and adjust status to green card when husband gets his greencard to the U.S. because they believe they’ll have a better retirement here but housing, food, transportation, healthcare, insurance, medications, etc. are extremely expensive. A lot of that responsibility can end up falling on the adult children who already have their own household, children, bills, and financial responsibilities.
Is bringing your parents to the U.S. and taking care of them here considered a cultural/family obligation in Dominican families? Is there a stigma attached to telling your parents, “You’re financially better off retiring in the DR and we’ll continue helping you from here”?
I’d especially like to hear from Dominicans who have dealt with this with their own parents. How do families normally handle it?

Does getting into Y Combinator (YC) automatically qualify you for O1 visa? Many founders are quite young in their twenties, so how would they prove their "extraordinary abilities" for O1? Or is it simply I got into YC, therefore this is proof of "extraordinary ability" for O1? Are there other visas that you can apply to remain in the US as an entrepreneur?

For context, I was banned from using ESTA (USA) a few years ago. Fast forward to this year, I applied for a B2 visa however that also got denied due to inadmissibility grounds (during a past interrogation at JFK, I admitted to past drug use & sex work)

I want to enter Canada in the near future, most likely as a tourist but maybe down the line I might consider the Working Holiday Visa (IEC)

I’m just wondering what my chances are of successfully being allowed into the country?

I do know that in both visa applications, they do ask if I’ve ever been denied a visa for another country. So I’m quite worried my past US refusals will impact any future travel into Canada…

Does anyone have any similar experience? Would love to hear any advice or recommendations 🩷

Situation: applied 27 May 2026 for a first residence permit as spouse of someone with a regular work-based permit (TTOL, not specialist — so no fast-track). Her permit needed a labour market test first, approved 6 July. Applications linked via family number. Still waiting as of late August (90+ days).

what was your actual timeline? Trying to calibrate expectations beyond the official 9-month legal maximum, which is the only figure Migri publishes on their processing-time page these days.

From 75 countries, F-1/OPT → filed I-130/I-485 and I765 (spouse of USC) concurrently in June 2026, while 1 year OPT was still pending after graduation. Now I have approved EAD through adjustment of status in hand. However I am debating if I can start working or if it would be risky to work with everything going on?

Is there any real risk in just working normally on the EAD while the I-485 is pending in 2026? Trying to understand if anything about working under EAD status could complicate the AOS case, especially post the May 2026 PM-602-0199 memo.

So i have decided to self deport myself through cbp home app, After i sent my application a mail was sent to me saying they will respond back in 7 business days. That was on august 18. It is september 1st now i have not yet received any call or mail yet. My girlfriend who has a valid visa wants to catch the same flight as me if it is possible. But i really need to leave asap but they still has not responded. Flight ticket prices are going up and up after days. What should i do wait for them to reply back to me or just buy my own ticket and leave

Her hearing is next week, and she's afraid to go. shes is being sued for 4K in cc debt. She denied the debt first; now they are asking for pre-trial mediation. low key im have to go help her ... her English is limited

My father is detained by ICE in Florida and was taken to a hospital after collapsing.

We called the detention center, but they would not provide information and told us to contact his Deportation Officer. We called the officer and several supervisors, but no one answered. We also emailed them and notified his lawyer.

I went to the hospital in person, but they would not confirm his condition or allow me to visit him.

We only want to know whether he is stable and have someone ask him if he authorizes communication with his family.

Has anyone experienced this? Who should we contact for a basic welfare update?

My father lives in the us and has managed to become a permanent resident of said country. I havent had any relation with him for over 15 years, just text messages or phone calls, as he left my country for a variety of reasons not related to the post. Im not sure if he reported that he has children living abroad, and i read somewhere that that might disallow him of getting the citizenship if i ever come forward to USCIS (?)

Moving on, I plan on travelling to the us as a tourist in some years, will his status affect me? im sure it will but does the fact that I have no relation with him, and that im also involved in a judicial battle against him regarding child support and other issues?

I really want to visit the US at least once and the fact that him can ruin it even though im not linked to him in any way is hard to swallow