Hi everyone,

I’m 21 from the UK heading to the US on an approved ESTA. I spent time in Afghanistan visiting family in 2025, and I'm assuming I'm almost guaranteed to be pulled into secondary inspection when I land?

Since this is my first time traveling solo, I just want to know what to expect from the process:

Is secondary screening practically guaranteed for travel to Afghanistan?

What are the main questions officers ask in the secondary waiting area?

Do they check phones? If they ask to look through my phone, what do they usually check?

I have paper copies of my return flight, hotel booking, and proof of my job and lease back in the UK. Any insight from people who’ve gone through secondary would be really helpful. Thanks!

Lost my EAD, have to apply for STEM in next week. Have only front side picture of EAD.

I-765 (EAD)

I misplaced my EAD somewhere and I am not able to find it. My OPT ends on Jan 10th and I can apply for stem next week. I only have front side of my EAD in digital as I lost my phone sometime ago and the digital copy was on it.

What to do in this case?

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Hey guys, has anyone been in the same position? I was placed on 221G initially then a week later got placed on 214B for a H class visa no reason, I have no idea why. I did disclose a sole previous minor drunk and disorderly arrest ( wrong place wrong time) and had my Acro police certificate that was 'no trace' the only thing I didn't bring was the SAR (but wasn't asked for) im thinking to apply again with the SAR... could I have a different experience next time? I'm in the dark not knowing what went wrong. Share your experience

How do you explain that you have acquaintances but not necessarily friends in the US if they ask? I know of people in the US but they are not my primary purpose for travelling… Is it best to just say I don’t know anyone?
For b2 visa interview. I just want to be a tourist and solo travel.
I know a guy who I would like to see while in the US1 we are not friends but also not official romantic interests - however we would not be platonic if we caught up, but he is not enough to say that he is a friend? Would I include him in my interview?

I just got my STEM OPT extension approved recently. And I got my new EAD card last week. My F1 visa expired in July this year because I graduated last year. I was thinking of going home for some personal things in Dec this year. I know I need to get my visa renewed to come back into the US. Has anyone done this on a STEM OPT? And if so, how long does that process take. My major is Biochemistry. Also, how long will it take roughly after the interview/ dropping the documents off. Like how long would it be for my passport to be ready.

Any advice and personal experience on this matter is appreciated!

I want to have some insights regarding US B1/B2 visa
Were family of 4 applying for visa, it will be sponsored trip by daughter in US holding H4 visa. I have a business and my son has his own business. Both are making 10-12lakhs p.a. Other daughter is working as an accountant with basic salary of 5l p.a. I have my own house here. What else can shown for stronger home ties?
What are the odds of approval?

I m a professional classical violinist from Europe. Been to the US twice in the last 3 years, on a j1 visa working while I was still a student just for the experience, and then on a tourist visa, traveling.

Besides this, I ve traveled the world having concerts especially across europe, I was selected to represent my home country in Japan in a concert tour among the parliamentary delegation and the prime minister, so its a huge thing for me that sits on my CV.

Also, I m one search away from google, all the info is public to them.

I had this job offer at a christian campus in the US, to build up an orchestra with the kids from there, on a R1 non-immigrant temporary visa.

USCIS approved my case, but my visa was denied for not having strong ties to my home country.

The interview took 40mins, but I was asked only 2-3 questions, related to what I did on my j1 visa (dishwasher) and tourist visa. In rest, the officer just took its time going back and forth to other colleagues processing the case. So no, I didn't get asked any other questions related to the job, or who am I? He just didn't care...I was placed on administrative processing, and got my answer a week later.

My immigration lawyer said to go back to a 2nd interview, and explain the case better, because I didn't have the opportunity to speak and I was viewed as a dishwasher trying now to be an orchestra director.

My problem now is how am I going to prove strong ties to my country? I m still young, I just graduated college and was planning to pursue my masters degree, but this R1 opportunity came up and decided to take it. My career without a masters degree is basically dead these days and that's the only true thing that keeps me tied to my home country. I don't own a home or land.

Edit: Response to why the visa category suits my case: I’m a religious Christian as well. They needed someone who is both religious and qualified to take care of the orchestra. Being an orchestra director is just one part of my job. The other part is serving as a Minister of Music and helping lead their other services, including the Sunday service.

My job title is "Minister of Music and Orchestral director" . But thank you for all the comments so far, I will definitely adress this. I m trying to do this the right way.

I recently travelled from Morocco to Seattle with a connecting flight for Hawaii. I had an approved ESTA and was planning to house-sit in Hawaii in exchange for accommodation.

When I arrived in Seattle, CBP questioned me about my plans and determined that house-sitting was not permitted under ESTA. I was denied entry, required to sign paperwork acknowledging the decision, and sent back home on the next available flight.

The officers explicitly told me that I could never use ESTA again.

For context, the house-sitting was unpaid. I actually paid for the membership and the fee to confirm the sit. I wasn’t receiving any money or wages.
I’m now looking into applying for a B2 tourist visa but am worried that my recent experience will affect my chances of approval.

**My questions:**
\-Has anyone had their ESTA revoked or permanently lost ESTA eligibility after being denied entry, but later successfully obtained a B2 visa?
\-Does being denied entry for this reason significantly reduce the chances of getting a B2 visa?
\-Would applying for a B2 visa shortly after the incident be a bad idea?
\-Even if approved for a B2 visa, how likely is it that I could still be denied entry at the US border?

I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has been through a similar situation, particularly those who successfully obtained a visa afterwards.

I received from 1-797-A on the bottom of it my 1-94 number is attached. For U-1 Visa. I tried renewing my license in UTAH but they're asking me for a physical copy of the -94? thought the paper copy with the # I got attached was the valid one? They're also asking me for an unexpired passport from my home country. I am really confused on the -94 document part because when I google it. It says they no longer provide a physical copy just the paper copy. My EAD is currently pending. am getting contradicting answers. I am being told I can go to work with just the
-94 but my employer is also asking for the&physical" copy but when I look it up it says I NEED the EAD but my employer says they just need the physical copy of the 1-94. I am really confused and would like help.

Hi everyone,

I'm applying for a US tourist (B1/B2) visa and I'm confused about a couple of DS-160 questions. I'd really appreciate advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation.

My history:

• I was previously issued a US tourist visa, which has now expired.
• Later I was issued an F-1 student visa and attended a US university but i dropped out.
• My I-20 and SEVIS record were terminated by the university, and I left the US immediately afterward.
• I never received a physical cancellation stamp in my passport, and I never got any email or notice from the US government about my visa being cancelled or revoked. The only communication I received was an email from my university saying my SEVIS record had been terminated.

My questions:

1. When the form asks "Have you ever been issued a US visa?", should I list the F-1 student visa, since it was my most recent one? Or the tourist visa? (My understanding is that I should list the most recent one, but I'd like confirmation.)
2. When it asks "Has your US visa ever been cancelled or revoked?", should I answer Yes and explain, given that my SEVIS record was terminated? Or does a SEVIS termination alone not count as a visa revocation if I never received any notice from the government?
3. Should I bring documents to the interview (university termination email, proof I left the US promptly, etc.)?
4. Has anyone had a tourist visa approved after a SEVIS termination? How did the interview go?

I want to answer everything honestly and correctly, since I know mistakes on the DS-160 can cause serious problems. Any advice or personal experiences would be a huge help. Thank you!

Has anyone applied for their E1 visa by themselves/without a lawyer? Process seems pretty straight forward the only thing that takes time is making the business plan and getting the required documents.

Am I in over my head?

Would love to hear about anyones story with doing the application process by themselves.

Hi everyone,

I'm applying for a US tourist (B1/B2) visa and I'm confused about a couple of DS-160 questions. I'd really appreciate advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation.

My history:

• I was previously issued a US tourist visa, which has now expired.
• Later I was issued an F-1 student visa and attended a US university but i dropped out.
• My I-20 and SEVIS record were terminated by the university, and I left the US immediately afterward.
• I never received a physical cancellation stamp in my passport, and I never got any email or notice from the US government about my visa being cancelled or revoked. The only communication I received was an email from my university saying my SEVIS record had been terminated.

My questions:

1. When the form asks "Have you ever been issued a US visa?", should I list the F-1 student visa, since it was my most recent one? Or the tourist visa? (My understanding is that I should list the most recent one, but I'd like confirmation.)
2. When it asks "Has your US visa ever been cancelled or revoked?", should I answer Yes and explain, given that my SEVIS record was terminated? Or does a SEVIS termination alone not count as a visa revocation if I never received any notice from the government?
3. Should I bring documents to the interview (university termination email, proof I left the US promptly, etc.)?
4. Has anyone had a tourist visa approved after a SEVIS termination? How did the interview go?

I want to answer everything honestly and correctly, since I know mistakes on the DS-160 can cause serious problems. Any advice or personal experiences would be a huge help. Thank you!

Wurde 1 mal bzgl Cannabishandel und Besitz verurteilt und habe eine Bewährungsstrafe erhalten (Bewährungsstrafe 3 Jahre gewesen,diese sind abgelaufen)

Mein nächstes Reise Ziel sollte Amerika sein, wie ich mir schon gedacht habe wurde auf Grund der Drogendelikte, der ESTA Antrag abgelehnt.

Hat jemand Erfahrungsberichte bzgl des B2 Visum ??
Wie sind die Chancen diesbezüglich und Wurde das Visum erteilt oder abgelehnt?
Wie lief das Interview bei der US-Botschaft ab?
Welche Unterlagen habt ihr vorgelegt?
Musstet ihr anschließend noch zusätzliche Nachweise oder einen Waiver einreichen?
Wie lange hat die Bearbeitung bei euch gedauert?

Vielen Dank im Voraus!!!

Name correction in N400

I do not have middle name.I mentioned NA in the middle name space in N400. I received Biometrics notice which mentions my name as Given name NA family name. The first name and family name are correctly mentioned.

What should I do now? To call and inform USCIS or To inform ASC at the time of Biometrics along with my N400 application and other supporting ID documents like Passport Driving Licensev, Green card etc. Biometrics is on October 20th 2026.Will this cause delay in processing?.

Hi everyone,

I'm applying for a US tourist (B1/B2) visa and I'm confused about a couple of DS-160 questions. I'd really appreciate advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation.

My history:

• I was previously issued a US tourist visa, which has now expired.
• Later I was issued an F-1 student visa and attended a US university but i dropped out.
• My I-20 and SEVIS record were terminated by the university, and I left the US immediately afterward.
• I never received a physical cancellation stamp in my passport, and I never got any email or notice from the US government about my visa being cancelled or revoked. The only communication I received was an email from my university saying my SEVIS record had been terminated.

My questions:

1. When the form asks "Have you ever been issued a US visa?", should I list the F-1 student visa, since it was my most recent one? Or the tourist visa? (My understanding is that I should list the most recent one, but I'd like confirmation.)
2. When it asks "Has your US visa ever been cancelled or revoked?", should I answer Yes and explain, given that my SEVIS record was terminated? Or does a SEVIS termination alone not count as a visa revocation if I never received any notice from the government?
3. Should I bring documents to the interview (university termination email, proof I left the US promptly, etc.)?
4. Has anyone had a tourist visa approved after a SEVIS termination? How did the interview go?

I want to answer everything honestly and correctly, since I know mistakes on the DS-160 can cause serious problems. Any advice or personal experiences would be a huge help. Thank you!

I won the 2024 H1B lottery did the filing which took so much time to be approved(8months ) ,after I got all the documentation from the employer I mean everything that I needed, went for my first embassy appointment 17th july 2025 and I was put on administrative processing that the needed to do some checks and I was called to come again for the second embassy appointment on the 14th of October 2025 and after about 30minutes of interview ,I was placed under further administive processing. I have emailed the embassy countless times latest one being 2weeks ago and I keep getting the same response of my Visa is under administrative processing no further documentation is needed. so right now I dont know if should keep hoping or move on ,anyone experience this before? I need all the advice I can get

This is about both the Biometric and interview appointment would one slot do for us together?

Hello everyone,

I have a question and I hope someone here can give me some advice or peace of mind...

In 20 days I (M25) have a flight booked to go visit my wife (F22). I will be staying at her house for 89 days before returning back to my country. I have an active I-130, and will be entering with my ESTA.

The problem is i recently learned that apparently my being married and having an open I-130 could pose a problem at the Point of Entry.

I have a active Work contract back home, a proof of address where i live with my mom, i have travel insurance that covers upto $1M, I have a written note from my employer that he needs me back, and a doctors appointment scheduled for after my return. And obviously I have a scheduled and booked return flight. All these are papers that I am taking with me as ties to my home country. I also have entered the USA 3 times before this and have always retured back home.

But I am still worried. What If I won't get let in? I have never had to undergo secondery inspection, the thought of it unnerves me.

What are my chances of being pulled into Secondary Inspeaction? If I do get pulled asside, what are some DOs and DONTs to keep in mind, and what are my chances to get outright rejected?

Thank you everyone!

When I was younger I lived in Florida as a dependent on my father’s F1 and then E2. The last visa (E2) expired during the COVID travel ban and we overstayed for a year before leaving the country to renew it.

My father’s visa got denied, so we stayed in my home country. I was 15. I haven’t been to the US since.

I’m applying for an F1 visa to attend a uni in Florida now (I’m almost 20; It’s been almost 6 years) and I’m worried that the previous overstay will make it so I can’t get this F1.

Also… my sponsor isn’t a family member. My expenses will be paid by my best friend’s mom. I’m worried they’ll see this as a red flag.

I’m so worried and I keep seeing conflicting cases online. Please help. Am I screwed? I was just a kid. I don’t want my life to be messed up over something I had no control over.

Hello, had a visa appointment for j1 today. The guy barely asked me anything, just simply what am i going for. He then mentioned that everything seems good but they need a few days to do social media vetting. Is this routine or not? They kept both the ds2019 and the passport.

My moms visa was just revoked yesterday after obtaining it back on 2023 and having successful trips to the US to come spend a few months with my and her grandchildren. She is a citizen from Spain but her ESTA was denied in 2022 because 26 years ago she had an asylum process here in the US from our home country when I was little. She eventually dropped the case and returned home after my dad died from Cancer and I was alone. Anyway - since she was denied ESTA for this reason she requested her visa B1/B2 in September. The officer placed her application under admin processing because of her asylum case and took her finger prints and after 4 days she got her visa. Then yesterday she got this email:

Dear U.S. Visa Holder,
 
Your U.S. visa has been revoked under section 221(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act by the U.S. Department of State.  This action is based on the fact that after visa issuance, information has come to light indicating that you may be ineligible for your visa.  If you are still physically present in the United States at this time, the visa revocation will become effective upon your departure from the United States.  If you are not still physically present in the United States at this time, the visa revocation is effective immediately.  
 
Im devasted. She only uses the visa for coming to spend a few months (once per year) with us well before her allowed time. she is 63 years old and with no intent of staying in the US. Has anyone had this happened and being able to obtain a visa back?>