I've been reading all your posts and it seems that most of you actually know what you're talking about, which is a welcome change in the minefield of ******** which is the American Immigration system.
Here's my question Is there ANY WAY I can come over to the States to visit my boyfriend for a period of time longer than 3 months, without having to produce a return ticket? We have not ruled out marriage but are treating it as a last resort.
I'm slowly going out of my mind with this and hopfully some of you lovely people can help me. mad
Welcome to Britnet, sorry you're having a rough time.
I am not an expert, but as you say, we have quite a few here, so hopefully someone can sort you out smile
I suppose it depend also if you want the INS after you . .. .
Welcome to our cray world grin
you know a return ticket is quite often cheaper or at least the same price as a single ticket to the states, so i wouldn't bother getting just a single, secondly if you want to stay longer than 3 months you have to get a "B-2" tourist visa, this is totally different to the I-94w visa waiver (which isn't actually a visa). the "B-2" visa allows you to stay for a maximum of 6 months, but it is usually valid for life meaning you can come and go from the us as you like but cannot work or get benefits here. Also if you did pln to marry your b/f whilst in the states on a B-2 visa you would be able to adjust your status in the USA via a I-485 adjustment of status package.
Hope this helps also check out this INS site as it will give you far more help than we could here, feel free to come back and ask more questions though
http//www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/index.htm
Am I right in thinking, though, that it is difficult to get a B2 visa if you are eligable for visa free travel? I have no real ties to the UK (no property, job by the time I leave, dependants) and if they ask the right questions at immigration, it is going to be quite clear that I intend to stay.
On 2003-02-19 17:11, u50jr wrote:
Am I right in thinking, though, that it is difficult to get a B2 visa if you are eligable for visa free travel?
Yes, it will be hard without a good reason.
I have no real ties to the UK (no property, job by the time I leave, dependants) and if they ask the right questions at immigration, it is going to be quite clear that I intend to stay.
Not a good situation to be in.
If you intend to stay permanently , then marriage is your only option, unless you can get a work-based visa.
If you are unsure that you are a permanent item, then why not give the 3 months a go? It's a very long time to live with someone when you are unable to work, so it may well be long enough for you to make up your mind about marriage. And as Luked says, returns are often cheaper than singles anyway.
Thanks guys. I was pretty sure that this was this situation we were in but I wanted to be positive.
We are a permanent item - we spent 5 months living together this summer and, for the most part, got along great. We are just reluctant to get married just for the sake of a Green Card. But if its that or not seeing each other, its not a difficult decision.
Thanks again! razz