I am an au pair in J-1 status. I am planning to leave the program before it ends, return to my home country, and then come back on a B-2 visa to visit some friends. Is that allowed?

Answer

There is no legal prohibition on doing this. However, one in this situation would need to convince a consular officer (if one requires a B-2 visa “stamp”) or a CBP officer at the airport (if one already has a B-2 visa) that the purpose in coming only temporarily as a visitor, and that there is no intention of working illegally. Immigration officials tend to be very skeptical of people who request admission in B-2 status shortly after having been working in the U.S. for an extended period of time. (17.Jul.2019)

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