I'm a Spanish citizen currently a tourist in the Dominican Republic. Before I get into my question, let me list my recent moves, as they are relevant to the case:
- Lived in California for five years on a Student Visa.
- Visa ended so went to Spain for three months.
- Flew back to the US under the Visa Waiver Program for three months.
- VWP ended so have been in the Dominican Republic for three months.
During my student stay in the US I made a film, which I am now finishing. I need to get back to California so I can complete work on the film, submit to festivals, have meetings, etc. Also want to see my friends and spend time there with my film-making peers. I guess I can go back on the VWP again, but I would like to get six months to have time to complete all these things. I will not be working, I have money saved up.
That said, I'm thinking of applying for the B-1 or B-2 6-month visa here, at the US Embassy in the Dominican Republic, but I am afraid this may be useless. Here are my concerns:
- B-1 or B-2?
Should I explain my situation with the film to justify the need for six months or would it make them suspicious that I would want to stay in the US indefinitely?
Maybe I should omit the B-1 (Business) and go for the B-2 (Tourist); telling them that I want to travel along the West Coast, which I didn't get a chance to while I was studying and didn't have money.
- I assume the fact that I am a Spanish citizen applying in the Dominican Republic will raise some flags. Specially since I haven't been to Spain in between my trips US-DR-US.
Am I correct?
- If I decide to pass on the B-1/B-2, will I have trouble with a new Visa Waiver trip?
I have been out of the US for three months, and I never overstayed my trip, but the Dominican Republic is considered adjacent territory and doesn't reset the 90 days within the VWP; so they may suspect I just went to an adjacent territory for a couple of months of ''vacation'' and now want to return to the US to continue ''living'' there.