entering US with b1b2 visa by flight?

[willoloo]

Hi all; i'm getting a B1B2 visa, with my actual boat, because the owner said that he wanted to go US.
Now he changed mind, and we don't go there.
I want to go Fort Lauderdale and Miami for Holyday.
What i have to say to the officiers to the border?
Or i keep the b1b2 and apply for normal tourist visa?
Thanks

[s/v Moondancer]

Depends on your nationality and if are you from a visa waiver country with a return airline ticket. But the following web site has the information.


Visa Waiver Program (VWP)

[svlamorocha]

Originally Posted by willoloo

Hi all; i'm getting a B1B2 visa, with my actual boat, because the owner said that he wanted to go US.
Now he changed mind, and we don't go there.
I want to go Fort Lauderdale and Miami for Holyday.
What i have to say to the officiers to the border?
Or i keep the b1b2 and apply for normal tourist visa?
Thanks

The B1-B2 visa has two components, B-1 for "business" visits and. B-2 for "pleasure, tourism or medical treatment". The latter is what you use for a holiday, so you do not need another visa.

By the way, I am told that even if your passport is eligible for visa waiver now that you have a valid visa you should fill in the I-94 and use the visa (not the Visa Waiver Program) to enter. Those guys can get nasty when you go on vacation or business and try to enter under the VWP when you have a B1-B2 visa in the same or another passport. Do not ask me how I learned that, it just made for a bad day in Miami!

Charlie

[willoloo]

so i can easely enter by the b1b2 and say i am on holyday and show them my return ticket?

[svlamorocha]

I am not sure I understand your worry.. If the purpose of your trip is a holiday/vacation and you show a B1-B2 visa then if you have a problem it will not be because of the visa, because that visa is good for that purpose.

C

[willoloo]

ok, but the visa is issue for going there by boat, and now i will arrive by flight, i want to be sure there isn't any problem

[Jeannius]

Originally Posted by willoloo

ok, but the visa is issue for going there by boat, and now i will arrive by flight, i want to be sure there isn't any problem

It does not matter that you were originally going by boat. The visa that is specifically for paid crew is the C1 or D visa.

The C1 or D visa is what your owner SHOULD have got you for arriving as paid crew on a boat. You are lucky that he applied for the B1/B2 because now you can go on holiday without the boat!

[Zanshin]

Since you have a visa, you would enter the USA with it. Those traveling on the visa waiver program (VWP) need to sign up with ESTA prior to flying, but you not only don't need to do that, you can't (sign up for ESTA).
Every time I fly into the USA now with my visa I get asked why I have one. All you need to tell them is the truth, that you did it to sail into the USA and they will most likely quickly wave you through immigration.