Multiple J-1 internship visas and time in between?

Hi everyone,

My situation is little complicated—any advice or experience passed on would be really helpful.

I just came off of a J-1 visa recently (in the last 3 weeks) doing an internship in California. I ended it early because I wasn't getting much more out of the internship and wanted to take the time before Christmas to vacation and travel around. I told my sponsor company that I wasn't at my internship company anymore under the impression that I had a 30 day grace period, which I now know doesn't apply if you terminate the internship early. So I had to get out of the US within ten days.

I flew home so as not to overstay and planned to come back in as a visitor a few days later so I could travel around, stay with friends, etc for a month or so. I also left all of my stuff there and planned to bring it back with me later, because I had to get out of the country so fast the first time. Needless to say, they didn't let me in at all the border (was flying out of Buffalo) because I had so recently come off of the J-1, had my stuff there, showed intent to come back as a visitor when I'm "supposed to leave" and a bunch of other stuff. I wasn't coming in to work or stay in the states, but that's what they thought.

That said...an opportunity has come up for another internship, again in San Francisco. It's more advanced, pays, will give me better experience, and is for a year so I'll be able to learn a ton while I'm there and will be really impressive when looking for permanent jobs in Canada when I come back (I want to work in online marketing/copywriting, so SF is ideal). I know I have to wait 90 days between finishing one J-1 and starting another, so have to wait that time regardless of when I apply.

My question is: does anyone think it will be held against me that I tried to come in as a visitor and got denied, and then landed this other internship so quickly? Do you think I should wait longer to apply, that that will make a difference? I don't want to wait too long because the application process can take a while, especially over the holidays when everyone is away. I want to be able to start this internship as soon as the 3 months is up because it's a great opportunity and I don't know how long they'll hold it for me. But I don't want to shoot myself in the foot if the US government thinks this is all happening too quickly and denies me because they think it's suspicious.

Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

My question is: does anyone think it will be held against me that I tried to come in as a visitor and got denied, and then landed this other internship so quickly?

It will only be held against you in the sense that you will probably always be questionned more closely because the denial is on your permanent record, but it will not prevent or delay you from seeking any other US status.

but this should help you realize that when you go to US as a visitor (as opposed to a working/student status) you need to have strong provable ties in canada.

Great, thanks a lot! That's good to hear.