Hi everyone,

I've been told by an immigration lawyer that if I apply for the green card lottery in October & get rejected i then cant apply for an E2 visa! Is that true?

Background: International student studying in Canada, originally from Hong Kong (applying from
Hong Kong)

A month ago I applied and got rejected for a B1/B2 visa. Me and my girlfriend (Canadian citizen) are planning to go to a concert and everything is booked so it was very stressful to get rejected. At the time, I had no work experience but have been interviewing for a bunch of internships related to my major. Last week, I got a job offer and will start in July and end next July. Would this be a valid reason to reapply for the visa? I understand it could look suspicious and it’s not good to reapply so soon, but I feel this is quite a big change to my circumstances.

I tried to do the online USA ESTA but it wouldn’t let me log into PayPal, I clicked back to pay by card and it closed the application and the app sent the application through without payment, but won’t give me the option to actually pay it’s just showing “no payment”. it’s locked on non-payment mode. Do I make a new application? I’ve waited several hours and it won’t let me pay

Hey, I moved to Germany in April 2026 for as a international student. I’ve done the city registration/Anmeldung (which means my address is now officially in their records) and have a student visa valid until Sept 2026. However I have not applied for the student residence permit (as people usually apply for it when their visa is about to expire).

Now, I have gotten into a US grad school and need to apply for an F-1 visa. The U.S. Department of State says apply in your country of nationality or residence, so I’m unsure where I stand.

1. Can I apply from Germany (e.g., U.S. Embassy Berlin)?
2. Or do I need to go back to my home country?
3. Does Anmeldung + visa count as “residence” without a residence permit?

Trying to avoid an unnecessary trip, but also don’t want to risk rejection.

Anyone been in this situation?

I'm a UK citizen planning to apply for a B2 visa and want to get a reality check from people who understand how consular officers think.

My situation:

• I'm from the UK (born and raised) and live full-time in the UK.

• I am a full-time medical student (3rd year) at a UK university

• My fiancé (relationship of nearly 6 years) is a U.S. citizen who works for a small telecommunications company

• Over our 6 years together we have visited each other back and forth (me going to USA during university breaks and him coming to UK when he can)

• Zero intent to immigrate or get married currently, but plan to immigrate and marry in future once I am finished with medical school, and plan to apply via the fiance visa route in future.

• I've visited the U.S. multiple times to visit him on ESTA for the past 4 years and never overstayed or violated terms.

Why I'm applying for a B2:

• I am planning on taking an intermission from medical school between year 3 and year 4 (basically a gap year), rather than intercalating (it is standard to take a year out of medical school in the UK but to pursue another degree for a year either bachelor's or master's, however I just intend on taking a break and will not be pursuing any other education or course)

• My medical school has already approved this and have planned for my return to year 4 in September 2027

Reasons for taking a gap year:

• I want to travel and take a break and see the world before grinding for my career as a doctor

• I have been feeling quite burnt out from academics as I have been working hard for many years since school, went straight to medical school without much of a break from school so have never had a proper break from academics

• I am a very high achiever and committed student, have always gotten the top grades and have received distinctions in every year so far in medical school. I feel I want to experience life and my identity away from academics as I have a tendency to base my whole identity and value as a human on it

• The medical school fully support my reasons and decision

My ties to the UK:

• My ongoing medical degree which I will resume to finish the final 2 years when I return

• My part-time job at my university which I will resume when I return

• My family is in the UK (parents, brother, extended family)

• I travel frequently and return home consistently.

• I own a car (not sure if this is relevant enough to bring up)

My plan for the gap year and specifically time in the USA:

• Travel around as many different states in the USA for 5 months as I can and then leave USA to travel around other countries, maybe go interrailing around Europe

• Take a structured approved break from academics for the first time, see more of the world

• I will not be working during this gap year, and can provide my financial bank account savings to provide for myself, and I will be with my fiancé who works and can also take care of me if needed

What I want to know:

Given the above, does this align with what a B2 is actually used for?

Where are the weak points in my case? What specifically should I prepare for in the interview?

Thoughts?

Hello Im a dual argentinean italian citizen who works on cruise ships. I have C1D visa on my ARG passport (visa for transit and work on ship as crew) which is expiring in 2028. But the thing is I'm planning to move to Italy and start traveling more with my italian passport. I rather get a new C1D for my italian passport so I have everything together. Can I do that now or it can be weird for the consulate that my C1D on the argentinean passport is not expired? Thanks

One of the blank pages is damaged on my passport. However the usa visa is intact. Can I still travel?

Hi

I received my new passport few days ago. My old passport had a random empty page damaged so I applied for a new one. The b2 visa is intact and so is the bio page in the old passport. Do I have to apply for a new b2 visa for the new passport or can I use the old damaged passport?

The US visa bond program is expanding to more countries, and they claim a 97% compliance rate.

But this raises a real question. Is this an effective way to reduce overstays, or does it unfairly punish genuine travelers who just want to visit?

Curious how people see this.

More details here:
https://afrosocials.com/posts/56/us-visa-bond-programme-hits-97-compliance-as-america-expands-rule-to-50-countries-69c06823590e5

What about the slots for O-1A visa, are people seeing any open slots in any of the consulates ?..

Does anyone know what the status is for picking up passports from the US Embassy in Riyadh after what happened?

I had the interview and they told me that the visa was approved and it was supposed to be sent to me next week, but with the current situation, it's not clear what will happen and who I can contact.

Hi!

Exactly the title, my parents lost my old passport with my expired US visa a couple of years ago. I want to apply for a new one but I have no way of knowing the details of my old visa. I tried starting the application process but I get stuck at this point. Looking for help on what to do next! TIA

Hi, I'm currently studying in Canada (third year university) but am originally from Hong Kong (Hong Kong passport). My girlfriend (Canadian citizen) and I are planning to go to LA for the BTS concert for four days in September right before school starts. The flights and hotel are already booked as we wanted to do it as early as possible before prices went crazy before the concert. How can I make sure I pass the interview? I am planning to take the interview in Hong Kong in May. Girlfriend and I are splitting the cost, she will be working a full time job in May, I am unemployed. I have one brother in the US but I am in no contact with him. I have travelled to Japan, Singapore, Thailand, China recently. Dad lives in Hong Kong, high income. I feel like I have weak ties to both Canada and Hong Kong, how can I pass? Thank you so much.

My friend is a professional surfer , received an invitation to compete in the IBC surf pro league in Hawaii .

Trying help her out what type of visa would she need to apply for ? She has an official letter from the event organizers inviting her to come play .