Visa granted in 2019, yet to visit for the first time.

[TheGuest]

Dear members,

This year I am planning to visit the US for tourist purposes. I am a Dutch citizen. However, I am not sure whether I can book my flight yet. My case is as follows:

In 2019 I applied for an ESTA, this was refused because I visited Iraq in 2012. This short visit was for family purposes. As a result, I had to apply for a B2 tourist visa at the consulate general in Amsterdam. The online application process and the visit/interview at the consulate went smoothly. A few days after, I received my passport at home with the 10-year valid B2 visa.

As I was planning to book flights early 2020, the pandemic started and I had to postpone my plans. Ever since I postponed visiting the US, but now the time has come to visit. In the meantime I have visited Germany, Belgium and France several times. Since ESTA was refused based on my travel history, I am not sure whether immigration requires travel history.

My question is whether on arrival, the US border will allow me to enter knowing that I received the visa almost 4 years ago. Is it advisable to visit the consulate for a new check on travel history? Also, could US border ask for any documents? If so, which ones? I want to make sure that my return flight is not on the same day

Thanks in advance.

[Libra_14]

Your visa is issued for 10 years, so it won't be any issue waiting 4 years before travel. Even if it is asked, you can respond that your plans changed and pandemic happened.

US border agency will certainly ask purpose for your visit & you should be able to prove why you need to travel & prove that you'll return after the said visit.

[TheGuest]

Thank you Libra_14 for the advice. I'll be packing up soon.