Hello,
I have a more complex J-1 visa problem than most.....
During an 18 month stay in the US, I ran into some problems with my visas status. During my time, sometimes it was my fault or error, other times it was the result of wrong advice from a university.
As an executive summary, on J-1 visas (of sorts), from May 2001 to November 2002, I worked in a summer camp, completed 2 semester at a University as an exchange student and worked in the area I studied on a visa extension with permission from my university. The challenge towards the end is I overstayed my visa by a few months whilst working.
Below is a timeline of my stay outlining my visa, border crossings etc..
13 Jun 2001
• Greg enters the US at Los Angeles International Airport on J-1 Visa (Camp Counselor Program (CCUSA.com)). Visa issued at US Consulate in Perth, Western Australia. Visa expires 24th of September. IAP 66 form processed successfully.
September 2001
• Greg completes Camp Conselor program.
• Greg arrives at a University
• University attempts to ‘justify’ visa status. University incorrectly issues pink IAP 66 (I-97) form ‘against’ visa. From memory, a camp counselor visa is a different ‘category’ to a study or university visa. University, incorrectly, states that Greg does not need to be issued a new visa, however issues a new IAP 66 instead. Greg and University happy and comfortable with visa status. Greg continues studying and working on campus.
April 2002
• Greg applies to work in the area he studied from formal job offer from
a company in New York City. This is within the bounds of the J-1 visa with University permission. Greg approaches University about program extension.
• University and Greg uncover the error the University has made in September, 2001 re: visa and IAP category changes.
• University determine a new visa and IAP-66 needs to be processed at US consulate in either Mexico and Canada.
• University foreign student office program notifies the INS of error.
27 May 2002
• Greg departs USA and enters Canada.
28 May 2002
• Greg obtains new visa, new IAP-66 issued by University processed by the US Consulate in Montreal, Canada. Visa expires on 30 August 2002.
29 May 2002
• Greg enters on new visa and IAP-66. June 2002
• Greg commences work at 1 – 2 weeks later for about 5 months
November 2002
• Greg resigns from the NYC company
• Greg departs the US, approximately over stays 3 months and works during that time.
Now, I want to visit the US on holiday and here is my question....
As Australia is part of the visa waiver program (http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wi...hout_1990.html), May I enter the US, given my past, and pass through immigration successfully in the near future?
If not:-
What do I need to do to ensure I can enter the US legally and without problems? I can see I may... have problems.
Any insights, help, direction would be very beneficial to me.
Best regards,
Greg

