Travelling to the US before visa application completed

[heybert]

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My local US embassy doesn't accept phone calls so I'm finding it hard to get clear information on this.

I am starting residency on June 15th, coming from Europe. MY J1 visa application will be in process until a few days before that - it's going to be a tight schedule and I'll have to hit the ground running when I finally get it. I have a B visa and was thinking of coming over for a week in mid-May to try to view accommodation and organise myself a bit. I'd return to Europe then and wait until my J1 is ready.

My only worry is that maybe I am not allowed to travel while my visa application is in progress? I don't want to jeopardize my J1 visa. I can't find any solid info on this.

Does anyone have any experience in this area?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

The best answer is "ask a visa lawyer who really knows the answer"

The free internet answer is (sort of) on the state department's website, here: http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/study-exchange/exchange.html

Can I enter the United States more than 30 days in advance?
Exchange visitors are not permitted to enter the United States earlier than 30 days before their program start dates.

If you want to enter earlier than 30 days, you must qualify for, and obtain, a visitor visa. You would then enter the United States on the visitor visa and apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for a change of status to exchange visitor (J) status. However, this is strongly discouraged because of potentially lengthy processing times with USCIS. You will not be permitted to begin your exchange program until the change of status is approved.

Unfortunately, this doesn't exactly answer your question -- can you come to the US on a visitor visa, leave, then return when you J is ready.

Realistically, you should tell your program that you will likely start late. It is MUCH easier to plan for this now, rather than in June. You can't come until your visa is ready, then you'll need to get a SS number, and only then will you be able to go through orientation -- and orientation isn't offered every day of the week.