Mixing
Getting a B2 visa after an overstay almost 25 years ago
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13
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I know this question was asked many times, and I read most of the answers, only my quest centers on the time that has passed since my overstay.
Briefly, my story is I visited the US as a tourist from Argentina in 1993, and being there I wanted to try the experience to live there for a while, rented an appartment, could get a basic job as a driver doing deliveries, and ended up living for about one and a half years. After that, and realizing living as an illegal was a deadend with no promisory future, I just picked my things, bought a plane ticket and departed in 1994 never to return.
Long story short, after almost 25 years, now I´m a professional, have a good situation and would just like to make a short vacation there.
Here´s my main doubt; I´m not sure if it´s convenient or relevant to mention my overstay when applying for a visa, considering after such a long time they may not have record of that; or do Customs keep records for that long, and could backfire me here at the Consulate, or upon arrival at the airport?
I add additional information
To make things more interesting, I also have an italian passport. Since I am of italian descent I own the double citizenship. This passport grants me VWP, but that doesn´t guarantee automatic entrance, that´s why I chose to go with the argentinian one which needs a visa. I assume that having a visa makes entrance more likely since you underwent a previous official scrutiny; or does it not? Besides using a different passport could seem an obvious way to dodge that scrutiny and make it even harder.
customs-and-immigration b1-b2-visas overstaying
asked Aug 22 at 19:02
Diego R
7417
add a comment |Â
up vote
13
down vote
favorite
I know this question was asked many times, and I read most of the answers, only my quest centers on the time that has passed since my overstay.
Briefly, my story is I visited the US as a tourist from Argentina in 1993, and being there I wanted to try the experience to live there for a while, rented an appartment, could get a basic job as a driver doing deliveries, and ended up living for about one and a half years. After that, and realizing living as an illegal was a deadend with no promisory future, I just picked my things, bought a plane ticket and departed in 1994 never to return.
Long story short, after almost 25 years, now I´m a professional, have a good situation and would just like to make a short vacation there.
Here´s my main doubt; I´m not sure if it´s convenient or relevant to mention my overstay when applying for a visa, considering after such a long time they may not have record of that; or do Customs keep records for that long, and could backfire me here at the Consulate, or upon arrival at the airport?
I add additional information
To make things more interesting, I also have an italian passport. Since I am of italian descent I own the double citizenship. This passport grants me VWP, but that doesn´t guarantee automatic entrance, that´s why I chose to go with the argentinian one which needs a visa. I assume that having a visa makes entrance more likely since you underwent a previous official scrutiny; or does it not? Besides using a different passport could seem an obvious way to dodge that scrutiny and make it even harder.
customs-and-immigration b1-b2-visas overstaying
asked Aug 22 at 19:02
Diego R
7417
7
I´m not sure if it´s convenient or relevant to mention my overstay when applying for a visa, considering after such a long time they may not have record of thatNobody here is going to tell you to lie to US immigration because the question is explicit on the application form.
– Musonius Rufus
Aug 22 at 19:37
1
Absolutely; you all told me what I need to know. Now it´s up to me to decide on a more firm ground if I give a try.
– Diego R
Aug 22 at 20:39
"I just bought a plane ticket and departed in 1994". But did INS question you at the airport? Did they tell you you'd overstayed? When you arrived in 1993, what was the original departure date on your return ticket?
– smci
Aug 23 at 21:54
smci, I´ve been trying to remember these things myself since it´s been so long. Is it possible I could enter the country without a return ticket back then? My arrival was at LAX and I remember being quite easy with customs. What I do remember is that in my return nobody asked me or said anything. Too bad that passport is long gone and I can´t check with it.
– Diego R
Aug 24 at 17:22
add a comment |Â
up vote
13
down vote
favorite
up vote
13
down vote
favorite
I know this question was asked many times, and I read most of the answers, only my quest centers on the time that has passed since my overstay.
Briefly, my story is I visited the US as a tourist from Argentina in 1993, and being there I wanted to try the experience to live there for a while, rented an appartment, could get a basic job as a driver doing deliveries, and ended up living for about one and a half years. After that, and realizing living as an illegal was a deadend with no promisory future, I just picked my things, bought a plane ticket and departed in 1994 never to return.
Long story short, after almost 25 years, now I´m a professional, have a good situation and would just like to make a short vacation there.
Here´s my main doubt; I´m not sure if it´s convenient or relevant to mention my overstay when applying for a visa, considering after such a long time they may not have record of that; or do Customs keep records for that long, and could backfire me here at the Consulate, or upon arrival at the airport?
I add additional information
To make things more interesting, I also have an italian passport. Since I am of italian descent I own the double citizenship. This passport grants me VWP, but that doesn´t guarantee automatic entrance, that´s why I chose to go with the argentinian one which needs a visa. I assume that having a visa makes entrance more likely since you underwent a previous official scrutiny; or does it not? Besides using a different passport could seem an obvious way to dodge that scrutiny and make it even harder.
customs-and-immigration b1-b2-visas overstaying
asked Aug 22 at 19:02
Diego R
7417
I know this question was asked many times, and I read most of the answers, only my quest centers on the time that has passed since my overstay.
Briefly, my story is I visited the US as a tourist from Argentina in 1993, and being there I wanted to try the experience to live there for a while, rented an appartment, could get a basic job as a driver doing deliveries, and ended up living for about one and a half years. After that, and realizing living as an illegal was a deadend with no promisory future, I just picked my things, bought a plane ticket and departed in 1994 never to return.
Long story short, after almost 25 years, now I´m a professional, have a good situation and would just like to make a short vacation there.
Here´s my main doubt; I´m not sure if it´s convenient or relevant to mention my overstay when applying for a visa, considering after such a long time they may not have record of that; or do Customs keep records for that long, and could backfire me here at the Consulate, or upon arrival at the airport?
I add additional information
To make things more interesting, I also have an italian passport. Since I am of italian descent I own the double citizenship. This passport grants me VWP, but that doesn´t guarantee automatic entrance, that´s why I chose to go with the argentinian one which needs a visa. I assume that having a visa makes entrance more likely since you underwent a previous official scrutiny; or does it not? Besides using a different passport could seem an obvious way to dodge that scrutiny and make it even harder.
customs-and-immigration b1-b2-visas overstaying
asked Aug 22 at 19:02
Diego R
7417
edited Aug 24 at 21:28
asked Aug 22 at 19:02
Diego R
7417
asked Aug 22 at 19:02
Diego R
7417
asked Aug 22 at 19:02
Diego R
7417
7417
7
I´m not sure if it´s convenient or relevant to mention my overstay when applying for a visa, considering after such a long time they may not have record of thatNobody here is going to tell you to lie to US immigration because the question is explicit on the application form.
– Musonius Rufus
Aug 22 at 19:37
1
Absolutely; you all told me what I need to know. Now it´s up to me to decide on a more firm ground if I give a try.
– Diego R
Aug 22 at 20:39
"I just bought a plane ticket and departed in 1994". But did INS question you at the airport? Did they tell you you'd overstayed? When you arrived in 1993, what was the original departure date on your return ticket?
– smci
Aug 23 at 21:54
smci, I´ve been trying to remember these things myself since it´s been so long. Is it possible I could enter the country without a return ticket back then? My arrival was at LAX and I remember being quite easy with customs. What I do remember is that in my return nobody asked me or said anything. Too bad that passport is long gone and I can´t check with it.
– Diego R
Aug 24 at 17:22
add a comment |Â
7
I´m not sure if it´s convenient or relevant to mention my overstay when applying for a visa, considering after such a long time they may not have record of thatNobody here is going to tell you to lie to US immigration because the question is explicit on the application form.
– Musonius Rufus
Aug 22 at 19:37
1
Absolutely; you all told me what I need to know. Now it´s up to me to decide on a more firm ground if I give a try.
– Diego R
Aug 22 at 20:39
"I just bought a plane ticket and departed in 1994". But did INS question you at the airport? Did they tell you you'd overstayed? When you arrived in 1993, what was the original departure date on your return ticket?
– smci
Aug 23 at 21:54
smci, I´ve been trying to remember these things myself since it´s been so long. Is it possible I could enter the country without a return ticket back then? My arrival was at LAX and I remember being quite easy with customs. What I do remember is that in my return nobody asked me or said anything. Too bad that passport is long gone and I can´t check with it.
– Diego R
Aug 24 at 17:22
7
7
I´m not sure if it´s convenient or relevant to mention my overstay when applying for a visa, considering after such a long time they may not have record of that Nobody here is going to tell you to lie to US immigration because the question is explicit on the application form.– Musonius Rufus
Aug 22 at 19:37
I´m not sure if it´s convenient or relevant to mention my overstay when applying for a visa, considering after such a long time they may not have record of that Nobody here is going to tell you to lie to US immigration because the question is explicit on the application form.– Musonius Rufus
Aug 22 at 19:37
1
1
Absolutely; you all told me what I need to know. Now it´s up to me to decide on a more firm ground if I give a try.
– Diego R
Aug 22 at 20:39
Absolutely; you all told me what I need to know. Now it´s up to me to decide on a more firm ground if I give a try.
– Diego R
Aug 22 at 20:39
"I just bought a plane ticket and departed in 1994". But did INS question you at the airport? Did they tell you you'd overstayed? When you arrived in 1993, what was the original departure date on your return ticket?
– smci
Aug 23 at 21:54
"I just bought a plane ticket and departed in 1994". But did INS question you at the airport? Did they tell you you'd overstayed? When you arrived in 1993, what was the original departure date on your return ticket?
– smci
Aug 23 at 21:54
smci, I´ve been trying to remember these things myself since it´s been so long. Is it possible I could enter the country without a return ticket back then? My arrival was at LAX and I remember being quite easy with customs. What I do remember is that in my return nobody asked me or said anything. Too bad that passport is long gone and I can´t check with it.
– Diego R
Aug 24 at 17:22
smci, I´ve been trying to remember these things myself since it´s been so long. Is it possible I could enter the country without a return ticket back then? My arrival was at LAX and I remember being quite easy with customs. What I do remember is that in my return nobody asked me or said anything. Too bad that passport is long gone and I can´t check with it.
– Diego R
Aug 24 at 17:22
add a comment |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
up vote
21
down vote
accepted
When applying for the US visa, there is a question asking whether you have been to the USA, and how long. Thus you have no means "not to mention" it, the only option available is to lie about it.
And this is certainly not recommended. The Customs might or might not keep the records that long, and they might or might not check them when you arrive, or when you depart - but you probably don't want to spend your whole vacation worrying about whether at any point you'd get arrested/detained/turned back. Not to mention that lying in the US visa application, if caught, could get you banned for life.
On the other hand, your overstay happened long time ago, and it looks like you can easily make a case that you have changed and would not overstay again.
Another issue, which might pop up since you worked illegally, is whether you have paid taxes from your US income. If you paid, and have proof of that, bring it with you.
answered Aug 22 at 19:23
George Y.
17.8k12673
4
and it looks like you can easily make a case that you have changed and would not overstay again.You must be joking right? You are not aware how immigration has changed in the past year and half?
– Musonius Rufus
Aug 22 at 19:36
1
Thanks for your insight George; left me thinking about the tax thing you say might pop up. Wouldn´t want to mess with Customs and IRS at the same time. Better go to Canada (joke)
– Diego R
Aug 22 at 21:23
8
@GeorgeY. The folks at immigration do not only deal with people trying to immigrate. They deal with all people visiting the USA in whatever status. I am sure you know that.
– Musonius Rufus
Aug 23 at 4:42
2
@MusoniusRufus It's unclear whether your original use of the word "immigration" referred to people coming to live long-term in the US or to US Customs and Border Patrol.
– David Richerby
Aug 23 at 14:03
1
@GeorgeY. There is no statute of limitations on unfiled taxes.
– Joe
Aug 23 at 14:32
 |Â
show 4 more comments
up vote
11
down vote
It may not be "convenient", but if the form asks about your previous stay, you must answer it honestly, or else you would be lying, and lying to US immigration is a very bad thing and will trigger a permanent ban.
answered Aug 22 at 19:16
user102008
10.5k12048
Thanks for your answer, and I agree with what you say; worst scenario would be a denial of the visa, or my honesty would pay back and they grant me it. In the latter case, the consulate giving me the visa would guarantee no problems at airport customs? In any case I am curious though about this records being held for life or discarded after long.
– Diego R
Aug 22 at 21:34
2
@DiegoR: No, having a visa does not guarantee that you will be let in.
– user102008
Aug 22 at 21:36
I see. And based on what the customs official might deny entry? Does it help to provide the same doccuments than to the consulate(property title, bank account, etc)
– Diego R
Aug 22 at 21:40
Lying about previous refusals or overstay about which they have information will not trigger a permanent ban. However, it will result in a visa denial because it will damage the OP's credibility.
– greatone
Aug 24 at 15:04
I understand that it´s best to say the truth of the overstay; it´s just that if there is not record of it I´d be triggering a complication unnecessarily. It is truth or dare.
– Diego R
Aug 24 at 17:42
 |Â
show 4 more comments
up vote
2
down vote
My experience with the border force and Homeland security in the last year is that they are not reasonable.
If you didn't get caught when staying there illegally and they have no record of your leaving time, then you can say you were there but don't mentioned you overstayed. If you get asked to step aside for questioning on arival, get a lawyer (have one ready to dial when you go).
If you got caught, don't bother with the application. It'll end badly. And you will have to state you got turned down for a US visa when applying else where. That really sucks.
Background:
(I'm white, have a job in Europe, didn't overstay my visa, had a ticket to leave the US within the time my ESTA allowed me to stay, but because arriving by private boat after a short sail in the Bahamas (from Florida), I was fined 1000s of US and threatened with deportation) Others have had similar experiences. (turns out private boats are excluded from the ESTA. (Even the embassy didn't know, nor did the first agent.))
answered Aug 24 at 11:45
ic_fl2
24914
2
I'm sorry to hear about your bad experience but even Wikipedia knows that you must enter the US by land or by an approved commercial air or sea carrier in order to use the Visa Waiver Program: "VWP does not apply at all (i.e. a visa is required) if a passenger is arriving via air or sea on an unapproved carrier."
– David Richerby
Aug 24 at 13:03
ic_fl2, what you ask me here is the Gordian knot of my question. As I recall I left the country as I entered, without any hassle, but that doesn´t mean that my exit could not be recorded. I don´t know how computerized was the system back then, or if they keep thorough files for that long.
– Diego R
Aug 24 at 18:05
And by the way, the situation you refer here shows how different things are. And that makes me uneasy to go trough this uncertainty for a 10 day vacation.
– Diego R
Aug 24 at 18:10
@DavidRicherby Thank you for looking that up. Without going into too much detail, I did arrive on an approved carrier and had a valid visa waiver. In fact had I not been honest and followed what the first set of border people advised me to do nothing would have happened. Another part of the authority helped us file a complaint. The main point still stands, they are not reasonable and your current intentions are irrelevant.
– ic_fl2
Aug 25 at 14:10
@DiegoR As far as I know there is no recording of leaving the US. So no recording and new passport means no record of the length of your stay.
– ic_fl2
Aug 25 at 14:10
 |Â
show 2 more comments
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
21
down vote
accepted
When applying for the US visa, there is a question asking whether you have been to the USA, and how long. Thus you have no means "not to mention" it, the only option available is to lie about it.
And this is certainly not recommended. The Customs might or might not keep the records that long, and they might or might not check them when you arrive, or when you depart - but you probably don't want to spend your whole vacation worrying about whether at any point you'd get arrested/detained/turned back. Not to mention that lying in the US visa application, if caught, could get you banned for life.
On the other hand, your overstay happened long time ago, and it looks like you can easily make a case that you have changed and would not overstay again.
Another issue, which might pop up since you worked illegally, is whether you have paid taxes from your US income. If you paid, and have proof of that, bring it with you.
answered Aug 22 at 19:23
George Y.
17.8k12673
4
and it looks like you can easily make a case that you have changed and would not overstay again.You must be joking right? You are not aware how immigration has changed in the past year and half?
– Musonius Rufus
Aug 22 at 19:36
1
Thanks for your insight George; left me thinking about the tax thing you say might pop up. Wouldn´t want to mess with Customs and IRS at the same time. Better go to Canada (joke)
– Diego R
Aug 22 at 21:23
8
@GeorgeY. The folks at immigration do not only deal with people trying to immigrate. They deal with all people visiting the USA in whatever status. I am sure you know that.
– Musonius Rufus
Aug 23 at 4:42
2
@MusoniusRufus It's unclear whether your original use of the word "immigration" referred to people coming to live long-term in the US or to US Customs and Border Patrol.
– David Richerby
Aug 23 at 14:03
1
@GeorgeY. There is no statute of limitations on unfiled taxes.
– Joe
Aug 23 at 14:32
 |Â
show 4 more comments
up vote
21
down vote
accepted
When applying for the US visa, there is a question asking whether you have been to the USA, and how long. Thus you have no means "not to mention" it, the only option available is to lie about it.
And this is certainly not recommended. The Customs might or might not keep the records that long, and they might or might not check them when you arrive, or when you depart - but you probably don't want to spend your whole vacation worrying about whether at any point you'd get arrested/detained/turned back. Not to mention that lying in the US visa application, if caught, could get you banned for life.
On the other hand, your overstay happened long time ago, and it looks like you can easily make a case that you have changed and would not overstay again.
Another issue, which might pop up since you worked illegally, is whether you have paid taxes from your US income. If you paid, and have proof of that, bring it with you.
answered Aug 22 at 19:23
George Y.
17.8k12673
4
and it looks like you can easily make a case that you have changed and would not overstay again.You must be joking right? You are not aware how immigration has changed in the past year and half?
– Musonius Rufus
Aug 22 at 19:36
1
Thanks for your insight George; left me thinking about the tax thing you say might pop up. Wouldn´t want to mess with Customs and IRS at the same time. Better go to Canada (joke)
– Diego R
Aug 22 at 21:23
8
@GeorgeY. The folks at immigration do not only deal with people trying to immigrate. They deal with all people visiting the USA in whatever status. I am sure you know that.
– Musonius Rufus
Aug 23 at 4:42
2
@MusoniusRufus It's unclear whether your original use of the word "immigration" referred to people coming to live long-term in the US or to US Customs and Border Patrol.
– David Richerby
Aug 23 at 14:03
1
@GeorgeY. There is no statute of limitations on unfiled taxes.
– Joe
Aug 23 at 14:32
 |Â
show 4 more comments
up vote
21
down vote
accepted
up vote
21
down vote
accepted
When applying for the US visa, there is a question asking whether you have been to the USA, and how long. Thus you have no means "not to mention" it, the only option available is to lie about it.
And this is certainly not recommended. The Customs might or might not keep the records that long, and they might or might not check them when you arrive, or when you depart - but you probably don't want to spend your whole vacation worrying about whether at any point you'd get arrested/detained/turned back. Not to mention that lying in the US visa application, if caught, could get you banned for life.
On the other hand, your overstay happened long time ago, and it looks like you can easily make a case that you have changed and would not overstay again.
Another issue, which might pop up since you worked illegally, is whether you have paid taxes from your US income. If you paid, and have proof of that, bring it with you.
answered Aug 22 at 19:23
George Y.
17.8k12673
When applying for the US visa, there is a question asking whether you have been to the USA, and how long. Thus you have no means "not to mention" it, the only option available is to lie about it.
And this is certainly not recommended. The Customs might or might not keep the records that long, and they might or might not check them when you arrive, or when you depart - but you probably don't want to spend your whole vacation worrying about whether at any point you'd get arrested/detained/turned back. Not to mention that lying in the US visa application, if caught, could get you banned for life.
On the other hand, your overstay happened long time ago, and it looks like you can easily make a case that you have changed and would not overstay again.
Another issue, which might pop up since you worked illegally, is whether you have paid taxes from your US income. If you paid, and have proof of that, bring it with you.
answered Aug 22 at 19:23
George Y.
17.8k12673
answered Aug 22 at 19:23
George Y.
17.8k12673
answered Aug 22 at 19:23
George Y.
17.8k12673
answered Aug 22 at 19:23
George Y.
17.8k12673
17.8k12673
4
and it looks like you can easily make a case that you have changed and would not overstay again.You must be joking right? You are not aware how immigration has changed in the past year and half?
– Musonius Rufus
Aug 22 at 19:36
1
Thanks for your insight George; left me thinking about the tax thing you say might pop up. Wouldn´t want to mess with Customs and IRS at the same time. Better go to Canada (joke)
– Diego R
Aug 22 at 21:23
8
@GeorgeY. The folks at immigration do not only deal with people trying to immigrate. They deal with all people visiting the USA in whatever status. I am sure you know that.
– Musonius Rufus
Aug 23 at 4:42
2
@MusoniusRufus It's unclear whether your original use of the word "immigration" referred to people coming to live long-term in the US or to US Customs and Border Patrol.
– David Richerby
Aug 23 at 14:03
1
@GeorgeY. There is no statute of limitations on unfiled taxes.
– Joe
Aug 23 at 14:32
 |Â
show 4 more comments
4
and it looks like you can easily make a case that you have changed and would not overstay again.You must be joking right? You are not aware how immigration has changed in the past year and half?
– Musonius Rufus
Aug 22 at 19:36
1
Thanks for your insight George; left me thinking about the tax thing you say might pop up. Wouldn´t want to mess with Customs and IRS at the same time. Better go to Canada (joke)
– Diego R
Aug 22 at 21:23
8
@GeorgeY. The folks at immigration do not only deal with people trying to immigrate. They deal with all people visiting the USA in whatever status. I am sure you know that.
– Musonius Rufus
Aug 23 at 4:42
2
@MusoniusRufus It's unclear whether your original use of the word "immigration" referred to people coming to live long-term in the US or to US Customs and Border Patrol.
– David Richerby
Aug 23 at 14:03
1
@GeorgeY. There is no statute of limitations on unfiled taxes.
– Joe
Aug 23 at 14:32
4
4
and it looks like you can easily make a case that you have changed and would not overstay again. You must be joking right? You are not aware how immigration has changed in the past year and half?– Musonius Rufus
Aug 22 at 19:36
and it looks like you can easily make a case that you have changed and would not overstay again. You must be joking right? You are not aware how immigration has changed in the past year and half?– Musonius Rufus
Aug 22 at 19:36
1
1
Thanks for your insight George; left me thinking about the tax thing you say might pop up. Wouldn´t want to mess with Customs and IRS at the same time. Better go to Canada (joke)
– Diego R
Aug 22 at 21:23
Thanks for your insight George; left me thinking about the tax thing you say might pop up. Wouldn´t want to mess with Customs and IRS at the same time. Better go to Canada (joke)
– Diego R
Aug 22 at 21:23
8
8
@GeorgeY. The folks at immigration do not only deal with people trying to immigrate. They deal with all people visiting the USA in whatever status. I am sure you know that.
– Musonius Rufus
Aug 23 at 4:42
@GeorgeY. The folks at immigration do not only deal with people trying to immigrate. They deal with all people visiting the USA in whatever status. I am sure you know that.
– Musonius Rufus
Aug 23 at 4:42
2
2
@MusoniusRufus It's unclear whether your original use of the word "immigration" referred to people coming to live long-term in the US or to US Customs and Border Patrol.
– David Richerby
Aug 23 at 14:03
@MusoniusRufus It's unclear whether your original use of the word "immigration" referred to people coming to live long-term in the US or to US Customs and Border Patrol.
– David Richerby
Aug 23 at 14:03
1
1
@GeorgeY. There is no statute of limitations on unfiled taxes.
– Joe
Aug 23 at 14:32
@GeorgeY. There is no statute of limitations on unfiled taxes.
– Joe
Aug 23 at 14:32
 |Â
show 4 more comments
up vote
11
down vote
It may not be "convenient", but if the form asks about your previous stay, you must answer it honestly, or else you would be lying, and lying to US immigration is a very bad thing and will trigger a permanent ban.
answered Aug 22 at 19:16
user102008
10.5k12048
Thanks for your answer, and I agree with what you say; worst scenario would be a denial of the visa, or my honesty would pay back and they grant me it. In the latter case, the consulate giving me the visa would guarantee no problems at airport customs? In any case I am curious though about this records being held for life or discarded after long.
– Diego R
Aug 22 at 21:34
2
@DiegoR: No, having a visa does not guarantee that you will be let in.
– user102008
Aug 22 at 21:36
I see. And based on what the customs official might deny entry? Does it help to provide the same doccuments than to the consulate(property title, bank account, etc)
– Diego R
Aug 22 at 21:40
Lying about previous refusals or overstay about which they have information will not trigger a permanent ban. However, it will result in a visa denial because it will damage the OP's credibility.
– greatone
Aug 24 at 15:04
I understand that it´s best to say the truth of the overstay; it´s just that if there is not record of it I´d be triggering a complication unnecessarily. It is truth or dare.
– Diego R
Aug 24 at 17:42
 |Â
show 4 more comments
up vote
11
down vote
It may not be "convenient", but if the form asks about your previous stay, you must answer it honestly, or else you would be lying, and lying to US immigration is a very bad thing and will trigger a permanent ban.
answered Aug 22 at 19:16
user102008
10.5k12048
Thanks for your answer, and I agree with what you say; worst scenario would be a denial of the visa, or my honesty would pay back and they grant me it. In the latter case, the consulate giving me the visa would guarantee no problems at airport customs? In any case I am curious though about this records being held for life or discarded after long.
– Diego R
Aug 22 at 21:34
2
@DiegoR: No, having a visa does not guarantee that you will be let in.
– user102008
Aug 22 at 21:36
I see. And based on what the customs official might deny entry? Does it help to provide the same doccuments than to the consulate(property title, bank account, etc)
– Diego R
Aug 22 at 21:40
Lying about previous refusals or overstay about which they have information will not trigger a permanent ban. However, it will result in a visa denial because it will damage the OP's credibility.
– greatone
Aug 24 at 15:04
I understand that it´s best to say the truth of the overstay; it´s just that if there is not record of it I´d be triggering a complication unnecessarily. It is truth or dare.
– Diego R
Aug 24 at 17:42
 |Â
show 4 more comments
up vote
11
down vote
up vote
11
down vote
It may not be "convenient", but if the form asks about your previous stay, you must answer it honestly, or else you would be lying, and lying to US immigration is a very bad thing and will trigger a permanent ban.
answered Aug 22 at 19:16
user102008
10.5k12048
It may not be "convenient", but if the form asks about your previous stay, you must answer it honestly, or else you would be lying, and lying to US immigration is a very bad thing and will trigger a permanent ban.
answered Aug 22 at 19:16
user102008
10.5k12048
answered Aug 22 at 19:16
user102008
10.5k12048
answered Aug 22 at 19:16
user102008
10.5k12048
answered Aug 22 at 19:16
user102008
10.5k12048
10.5k12048
Thanks for your answer, and I agree with what you say; worst scenario would be a denial of the visa, or my honesty would pay back and they grant me it. In the latter case, the consulate giving me the visa would guarantee no problems at airport customs? In any case I am curious though about this records being held for life or discarded after long.
– Diego R
Aug 22 at 21:34
2
@DiegoR: No, having a visa does not guarantee that you will be let in.
– user102008
Aug 22 at 21:36
I see. And based on what the customs official might deny entry? Does it help to provide the same doccuments than to the consulate(property title, bank account, etc)
– Diego R
Aug 22 at 21:40
Lying about previous refusals or overstay about which they have information will not trigger a permanent ban. However, it will result in a visa denial because it will damage the OP's credibility.
– greatone
Aug 24 at 15:04
I understand that it´s best to say the truth of the overstay; it´s just that if there is not record of it I´d be triggering a complication unnecessarily. It is truth or dare.
– Diego R
Aug 24 at 17:42
 |Â
show 4 more comments
Thanks for your answer, and I agree with what you say; worst scenario would be a denial of the visa, or my honesty would pay back and they grant me it. In the latter case, the consulate giving me the visa would guarantee no problems at airport customs? In any case I am curious though about this records being held for life or discarded after long.
– Diego R
Aug 22 at 21:34
2
@DiegoR: No, having a visa does not guarantee that you will be let in.
– user102008
Aug 22 at 21:36
I see. And based on what the customs official might deny entry? Does it help to provide the same doccuments than to the consulate(property title, bank account, etc)
– Diego R
Aug 22 at 21:40
Lying about previous refusals or overstay about which they have information will not trigger a permanent ban. However, it will result in a visa denial because it will damage the OP's credibility.
– greatone
Aug 24 at 15:04
I understand that it´s best to say the truth of the overstay; it´s just that if there is not record of it I´d be triggering a complication unnecessarily. It is truth or dare.
– Diego R
Aug 24 at 17:42
Thanks for your answer, and I agree with what you say; worst scenario would be a denial of the visa, or my honesty would pay back and they grant me it. In the latter case, the consulate giving me the visa would guarantee no problems at airport customs? In any case I am curious though about this records being held for life or discarded after long.
– Diego R
Aug 22 at 21:34
Thanks for your answer, and I agree with what you say; worst scenario would be a denial of the visa, or my honesty would pay back and they grant me it. In the latter case, the consulate giving me the visa would guarantee no problems at airport customs? In any case I am curious though about this records being held for life or discarded after long.
– Diego R
Aug 22 at 21:34
2
2
@DiegoR: No, having a visa does not guarantee that you will be let in.
– user102008
Aug 22 at 21:36
@DiegoR: No, having a visa does not guarantee that you will be let in.
– user102008
Aug 22 at 21:36
I see. And based on what the customs official might deny entry? Does it help to provide the same doccuments than to the consulate(property title, bank account, etc)
– Diego R
Aug 22 at 21:40
I see. And based on what the customs official might deny entry? Does it help to provide the same doccuments than to the consulate(property title, bank account, etc)
– Diego R
Aug 22 at 21:40
Lying about previous refusals or overstay about which they have information will not trigger a permanent ban. However, it will result in a visa denial because it will damage the OP's credibility.
– greatone
Aug 24 at 15:04
Lying about previous refusals or overstay about which they have information will not trigger a permanent ban. However, it will result in a visa denial because it will damage the OP's credibility.
– greatone
Aug 24 at 15:04
I understand that it´s best to say the truth of the overstay; it´s just that if there is not record of it I´d be triggering a complication unnecessarily. It is truth or dare.
– Diego R
Aug 24 at 17:42
I understand that it´s best to say the truth of the overstay; it´s just that if there is not record of it I´d be triggering a complication unnecessarily. It is truth or dare.
– Diego R
Aug 24 at 17:42
 |Â
show 4 more comments
up vote
2
down vote
My experience with the border force and Homeland security in the last year is that they are not reasonable.
If you didn't get caught when staying there illegally and they have no record of your leaving time, then you can say you were there but don't mentioned you overstayed. If you get asked to step aside for questioning on arival, get a lawyer (have one ready to dial when you go).
If you got caught, don't bother with the application. It'll end badly. And you will have to state you got turned down for a US visa when applying else where. That really sucks.
Background:
(I'm white, have a job in Europe, didn't overstay my visa, had a ticket to leave the US within the time my ESTA allowed me to stay, but because arriving by private boat after a short sail in the Bahamas (from Florida), I was fined 1000s of US and threatened with deportation) Others have had similar experiences. (turns out private boats are excluded from the ESTA. (Even the embassy didn't know, nor did the first agent.))
answered Aug 24 at 11:45
ic_fl2
24914
2
I'm sorry to hear about your bad experience but even Wikipedia knows that you must enter the US by land or by an approved commercial air or sea carrier in order to use the Visa Waiver Program: "VWP does not apply at all (i.e. a visa is required) if a passenger is arriving via air or sea on an unapproved carrier."
– David Richerby
Aug 24 at 13:03
ic_fl2, what you ask me here is the Gordian knot of my question. As I recall I left the country as I entered, without any hassle, but that doesn´t mean that my exit could not be recorded. I don´t know how computerized was the system back then, or if they keep thorough files for that long.
– Diego R
Aug 24 at 18:05
And by the way, the situation you refer here shows how different things are. And that makes me uneasy to go trough this uncertainty for a 10 day vacation.
– Diego R
Aug 24 at 18:10
@DavidRicherby Thank you for looking that up. Without going into too much detail, I did arrive on an approved carrier and had a valid visa waiver. In fact had I not been honest and followed what the first set of border people advised me to do nothing would have happened. Another part of the authority helped us file a complaint. The main point still stands, they are not reasonable and your current intentions are irrelevant.
– ic_fl2
Aug 25 at 14:10
@DiegoR As far as I know there is no recording of leaving the US. So no recording and new passport means no record of the length of your stay.
– ic_fl2
Aug 25 at 14:10
 |Â
show 2 more comments
up vote
2
down vote
My experience with the border force and Homeland security in the last year is that they are not reasonable.
If you didn't get caught when staying there illegally and they have no record of your leaving time, then you can say you were there but don't mentioned you overstayed. If you get asked to step aside for questioning on arival, get a lawyer (have one ready to dial when you go).
If you got caught, don't bother with the application. It'll end badly. And you will have to state you got turned down for a US visa when applying else where. That really sucks.
Background:
(I'm white, have a job in Europe, didn't overstay my visa, had a ticket to leave the US within the time my ESTA allowed me to stay, but because arriving by private boat after a short sail in the Bahamas (from Florida), I was fined 1000s of US and threatened with deportation) Others have had similar experiences. (turns out private boats are excluded from the ESTA. (Even the embassy didn't know, nor did the first agent.))
answered Aug 24 at 11:45
ic_fl2
24914
2
I'm sorry to hear about your bad experience but even Wikipedia knows that you must enter the US by land or by an approved commercial air or sea carrier in order to use the Visa Waiver Program: "VWP does not apply at all (i.e. a visa is required) if a passenger is arriving via air or sea on an unapproved carrier."
– David Richerby
Aug 24 at 13:03
ic_fl2, what you ask me here is the Gordian knot of my question. As I recall I left the country as I entered, without any hassle, but that doesn´t mean that my exit could not be recorded. I don´t know how computerized was the system back then, or if they keep thorough files for that long.
– Diego R
Aug 24 at 18:05
And by the way, the situation you refer here shows how different things are. And that makes me uneasy to go trough this uncertainty for a 10 day vacation.
– Diego R
Aug 24 at 18:10
@DavidRicherby Thank you for looking that up. Without going into too much detail, I did arrive on an approved carrier and had a valid visa waiver. In fact had I not been honest and followed what the first set of border people advised me to do nothing would have happened. Another part of the authority helped us file a complaint. The main point still stands, they are not reasonable and your current intentions are irrelevant.
– ic_fl2
Aug 25 at 14:10
@DiegoR As far as I know there is no recording of leaving the US. So no recording and new passport means no record of the length of your stay.
– ic_fl2
Aug 25 at 14:10
 |Â
show 2 more comments
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
My experience with the border force and Homeland security in the last year is that they are not reasonable.
If you didn't get caught when staying there illegally and they have no record of your leaving time, then you can say you were there but don't mentioned you overstayed. If you get asked to step aside for questioning on arival, get a lawyer (have one ready to dial when you go).
If you got caught, don't bother with the application. It'll end badly. And you will have to state you got turned down for a US visa when applying else where. That really sucks.
Background:
(I'm white, have a job in Europe, didn't overstay my visa, had a ticket to leave the US within the time my ESTA allowed me to stay, but because arriving by private boat after a short sail in the Bahamas (from Florida), I was fined 1000s of US and threatened with deportation) Others have had similar experiences. (turns out private boats are excluded from the ESTA. (Even the embassy didn't know, nor did the first agent.))
answered Aug 24 at 11:45
ic_fl2
24914
My experience with the border force and Homeland security in the last year is that they are not reasonable.
If you didn't get caught when staying there illegally and they have no record of your leaving time, then you can say you were there but don't mentioned you overstayed. If you get asked to step aside for questioning on arival, get a lawyer (have one ready to dial when you go).
If you got caught, don't bother with the application. It'll end badly. And you will have to state you got turned down for a US visa when applying else where. That really sucks.
Background:
(I'm white, have a job in Europe, didn't overstay my visa, had a ticket to leave the US within the time my ESTA allowed me to stay, but because arriving by private boat after a short sail in the Bahamas (from Florida), I was fined 1000s of US and threatened with deportation) Others have had similar experiences. (turns out private boats are excluded from the ESTA. (Even the embassy didn't know, nor did the first agent.))
answered Aug 24 at 11:45
ic_fl2
24914
answered Aug 24 at 11:45
ic_fl2
24914
answered Aug 24 at 11:45
ic_fl2
24914
answered Aug 24 at 11:45
ic_fl2
24914
24914
2
I'm sorry to hear about your bad experience but even Wikipedia knows that you must enter the US by land or by an approved commercial air or sea carrier in order to use the Visa Waiver Program: "VWP does not apply at all (i.e. a visa is required) if a passenger is arriving via air or sea on an unapproved carrier."
– David Richerby
Aug 24 at 13:03
ic_fl2, what you ask me here is the Gordian knot of my question. As I recall I left the country as I entered, without any hassle, but that doesn´t mean that my exit could not be recorded. I don´t know how computerized was the system back then, or if they keep thorough files for that long.
– Diego R
Aug 24 at 18:05
And by the way, the situation you refer here shows how different things are. And that makes me uneasy to go trough this uncertainty for a 10 day vacation.
– Diego R
Aug 24 at 18:10
@DavidRicherby Thank you for looking that up. Without going into too much detail, I did arrive on an approved carrier and had a valid visa waiver. In fact had I not been honest and followed what the first set of border people advised me to do nothing would have happened. Another part of the authority helped us file a complaint. The main point still stands, they are not reasonable and your current intentions are irrelevant.
– ic_fl2
Aug 25 at 14:10
@DiegoR As far as I know there is no recording of leaving the US. So no recording and new passport means no record of the length of your stay.
– ic_fl2
Aug 25 at 14:10
 |Â
show 2 more comments
2
I'm sorry to hear about your bad experience but even Wikipedia knows that you must enter the US by land or by an approved commercial air or sea carrier in order to use the Visa Waiver Program: "VWP does not apply at all (i.e. a visa is required) if a passenger is arriving via air or sea on an unapproved carrier."
– David Richerby
Aug 24 at 13:03
ic_fl2, what you ask me here is the Gordian knot of my question. As I recall I left the country as I entered, without any hassle, but that doesn´t mean that my exit could not be recorded. I don´t know how computerized was the system back then, or if they keep thorough files for that long.
– Diego R
Aug 24 at 18:05
And by the way, the situation you refer here shows how different things are. And that makes me uneasy to go trough this uncertainty for a 10 day vacation.
– Diego R
Aug 24 at 18:10
@DavidRicherby Thank you for looking that up. Without going into too much detail, I did arrive on an approved carrier and had a valid visa waiver. In fact had I not been honest and followed what the first set of border people advised me to do nothing would have happened. Another part of the authority helped us file a complaint. The main point still stands, they are not reasonable and your current intentions are irrelevant.
– ic_fl2
Aug 25 at 14:10
@DiegoR As far as I know there is no recording of leaving the US. So no recording and new passport means no record of the length of your stay.
– ic_fl2
Aug 25 at 14:10
2
2
I'm sorry to hear about your bad experience but even Wikipedia knows that you must enter the US by land or by an approved commercial air or sea carrier in order to use the Visa Waiver Program: "VWP does not apply at all (i.e. a visa is required) if a passenger is arriving via air or sea on an unapproved carrier."
– David Richerby
Aug 24 at 13:03
I'm sorry to hear about your bad experience but even Wikipedia knows that you must enter the US by land or by an approved commercial air or sea carrier in order to use the Visa Waiver Program: "VWP does not apply at all (i.e. a visa is required) if a passenger is arriving via air or sea on an unapproved carrier."
– David Richerby
Aug 24 at 13:03
ic_fl2, what you ask me here is the Gordian knot of my question. As I recall I left the country as I entered, without any hassle, but that doesn´t mean that my exit could not be recorded. I don´t know how computerized was the system back then, or if they keep thorough files for that long.
– Diego R
Aug 24 at 18:05
ic_fl2, what you ask me here is the Gordian knot of my question. As I recall I left the country as I entered, without any hassle, but that doesn´t mean that my exit could not be recorded. I don´t know how computerized was the system back then, or if they keep thorough files for that long.
– Diego R
Aug 24 at 18:05
And by the way, the situation you refer here shows how different things are. And that makes me uneasy to go trough this uncertainty for a 10 day vacation.
– Diego R
Aug 24 at 18:10
And by the way, the situation you refer here shows how different things are. And that makes me uneasy to go trough this uncertainty for a 10 day vacation.
– Diego R
Aug 24 at 18:10
@DavidRicherby Thank you for looking that up. Without going into too much detail, I did arrive on an approved carrier and had a valid visa waiver. In fact had I not been honest and followed what the first set of border people advised me to do nothing would have happened. Another part of the authority helped us file a complaint. The main point still stands, they are not reasonable and your current intentions are irrelevant.
– ic_fl2
Aug 25 at 14:10
@DavidRicherby Thank you for looking that up. Without going into too much detail, I did arrive on an approved carrier and had a valid visa waiver. In fact had I not been honest and followed what the first set of border people advised me to do nothing would have happened. Another part of the authority helped us file a complaint. The main point still stands, they are not reasonable and your current intentions are irrelevant.
– ic_fl2
Aug 25 at 14:10
@DiegoR As far as I know there is no recording of leaving the US. So no recording and new passport means no record of the length of your stay.
– ic_fl2
Aug 25 at 14:10
@DiegoR As far as I know there is no recording of leaving the US. So no recording and new passport means no record of the length of your stay.
– ic_fl2
Aug 25 at 14:10
 |Â
show 2 more comments
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7
I´m not sure if it´s convenient or relevant to mention my overstay when applying for a visa, considering after such a long time they may not have record of thatNobody here is going to tell you to lie to US immigration because the question is explicit on the application form.– Musonius Rufus
Aug 22 at 19:37
1
Absolutely; you all told me what I need to know. Now it´s up to me to decide on a more firm ground if I give a try.
– Diego R
Aug 22 at 20:39
"I just bought a plane ticket and departed in 1994". But did INS question you at the airport? Did they tell you you'd overstayed? When you arrived in 1993, what was the original departure date on your return ticket?
– smci
Aug 23 at 21:54
smci, I´ve been trying to remember these things myself since it´s been so long. Is it possible I could enter the country without a return ticket back then? My arrival was at LAX and I remember being quite easy with customs. What I do remember is that in my return nobody asked me or said anything. Too bad that passport is long gone and I can´t check with it.
– Diego R
Aug 24 at 17:22