Here is my story of what happened. I will try to make it as short as I can but I want to get all the details written down so I can get the best advice.
So Thursday 2nd of April I fly back to the US, my destination is Ohio, but I have to fly to Chicago to catch the connecting flight.
I got to the immigration desk then asked the questions how long I'm going to be in the US for and what I'll be doing.
I told them that I will be in the US for 6 months and I will be visiting my girlfriend and her family.
I got asked to stand to one side then another immigration officer took me into a holding room. I then got called in to be told I was “non-admittent”.
He asked when I came to the US last, which was September 11th 2008 and I stayed until January 9th 2009.
He went on to tell me that I have overstayed and that is why I was “non-admittent” and that I would not be allowed to carry on my journey.
After that, another immigration officer took me into a room and asked questions. Again, why was I coming to the US and told me that I had overstayed etc etc.
I apologized and told him it was an honest oversight on my behalf, which it was. I seriously though the maximum amount of time you could stay in the US was 6 months.
He told me that I would need a B2 and he actually told me if I gave him some time, he would do some administrative questions to speed up the process for me.
He took my finger prints and picture again then asked me questions, such as my full name, age, where I was born etc. (I'm a UK Citizen)
He then said that all the details will be forwarded to the US Embassy and Consulate in the UK.
I asked him will I be allowed back in the US and he said yes, I just need a B2 and that was it.
They put me on a flight back and while I was walking down to the Terminal with two immigration officers, one of them said to me that I had not been charged with anything, just rejected entry because I had the wrong type of visa.
My questions are....
1)Because I got refused entry (and have a nice refused stamp in my passport), will this go against me when applying for a B2?
2)How long does it take to get a B2? (I'd like to go back asap for my girlfriend). I read on the US Embassy website that you attend the interview and they hold the passport for 5 working business days and they send it back to you using SMS (secured mail service).
3)Is there anything that I can do to make the interview go in my favour?
It really was a sincere oversight by myself and one I deeply regret, and even my parents thought the maximum stay was 6 months. That was another reason why I came back within the 6 month time frame.
To top it off, my girlfriend was waiting in Columbus for 9 hours
It was very degrading to be walked like a criminal to the Terminal, first to board the aircraft and not given my passport back until I landed at London, Heathrow, but I understand they have a job to do. Even the immigration offerers said that I had done nothing wrong, just simply came over on the wrong Visa.
I guess I'm just looking for some clarification because I am petrified that I won't be issued a B2 because of a silly oversight on my behalf.
I have posted this across a few other immigration forums so I can get as much advice as possible.
Thank you for your help in advance.
Lee
So Thursday 2nd of April I fly back to the US, my destination is Ohio, but I have to fly to Chicago to catch the connecting flight.
I got to the immigration desk then asked the questions how long I'm going to be in the US for and what I'll be doing.
I told them that I will be in the US for 6 months and I will be visiting my girlfriend and her family.
I got asked to stand to one side then another immigration officer took me into a holding room. I then got called in to be told I was “non-admittent”.
He asked when I came to the US last, which was September 11th 2008 and I stayed until January 9th 2009.
He went on to tell me that I have overstayed and that is why I was “non-admittent” and that I would not be allowed to carry on my journey.
After that, another immigration officer took me into a room and asked questions. Again, why was I coming to the US and told me that I had overstayed etc etc.
I apologized and told him it was an honest oversight on my behalf, which it was. I seriously though the maximum amount of time you could stay in the US was 6 months.
He told me that I would need a B2 and he actually told me if I gave him some time, he would do some administrative questions to speed up the process for me.
He took my finger prints and picture again then asked me questions, such as my full name, age, where I was born etc. (I'm a UK Citizen)
He then said that all the details will be forwarded to the US Embassy and Consulate in the UK.
I asked him will I be allowed back in the US and he said yes, I just need a B2 and that was it.
They put me on a flight back and while I was walking down to the Terminal with two immigration officers, one of them said to me that I had not been charged with anything, just rejected entry because I had the wrong type of visa.
My questions are....
1)Because I got refused entry (and have a nice refused stamp in my passport), will this go against me when applying for a B2?
2)How long does it take to get a B2? (I'd like to go back asap for my girlfriend). I read on the US Embassy website that you attend the interview and they hold the passport for 5 working business days and they send it back to you using SMS (secured mail service).
3)Is there anything that I can do to make the interview go in my favour?
It really was a sincere oversight by myself and one I deeply regret, and even my parents thought the maximum stay was 6 months. That was another reason why I came back within the 6 month time frame.
To top it off, my girlfriend was waiting in Columbus for 9 hours
It was very degrading to be walked like a criminal to the Terminal, first to board the aircraft and not given my passport back until I landed at London, Heathrow, but I understand they have a job to do. Even the immigration offerers said that I had done nothing wrong, just simply came over on the wrong Visa.
I guess I'm just looking for some clarification because I am petrified that I won't be issued a B2 because of a silly oversight on my behalf.
I have posted this across a few other immigration forums so I can get as much advice as possible.
Thank you for your help in advance.
Lee
