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I’m 29M (Indian Citizen located in India), unmarried. I run a tech startup. I am visiting my girlfriend (Indian) in New York, on a B1/B2 visa. I’m considering multiple (2) long visits (3-4 months) within the next 15 months, and I wanted to know if I should expect any trouble at the point of entry for this. This will be my first time visiting US. I am scheduled to fly in 2nd week of March for the first visit.

I am concerned what should the stated reason to the CBP during my visit considering it doesn't create issues for subsequent visits as well. Here are my options?

  1. Visiting my uncle (my father's full brother is a US citizen)
  2. Visiting to meet potential clients and conferences (in the specific industry of my startup)
  3. Anything else I am not thinking?

What would be the best strategy that doesn't invite any additional scrutiny?

Home Ties

I have strong home ties to India in the form of -

  1. Parents staying in India.
  2. A team of 12 people of my startup who I am responsible for.
  3. I own a farm land and other property in India.

PS: Though the primary reason to visit US is my girlfriend, spending time there I would invariably end up setting up meetings with potential clients.

Rishmunk
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1 Answers1

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I am visiting my girlfriend (Indian) in New York, on a B1/B2 visa. I’m considering multiple (2) long visits (3-4 months) within the next 15 months, and I wanted to know if I should expect any trouble at the point of entry for this.

If you don't already have a visa then you should start with that. You might not get one, so the rest of the concern is moot.

If you do already have a B1/B2 visa, then it depends on the impression you leave on the CBP officer at the entrance. From the fact pattern you presented, it would not be unreasonable for them to deny entry. You're young, with no family in India, with some ties to the US, and ability to work in the US remotely (illegally). Spending such long periods in the country will probably lead to some questions about your funding of the trip and its purpose, which will inevitably uncover that you are in fact probably going to violate the conditions of stay (even if you say you don't have such an intention - if I were a CBP officer I wouldn't believe you).

Visiting family doesn't usually take 4 months. Business meetings most definitely don't require such a long stay. Staying with your girlfriend may justify it, but then the question is how you're funding it, and what would make you go back. If you can stay with her for 4 months - why not 40?

So yes, there's risk, but what the actual outcome would be is solely up to the CBP officers at the port of entry.

oh whatever
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