UK citizen needing advice om B2 visa please???

[emmabxx 0]

Hi guys!!!

Im HOPING I have a pretty straightforward case I need advice on here..all tho other topics seem to be more complicated!!! I have family in America (aunt, uncle and some close friends). I want to take advantage of the B2 and go visit for 6 months. Im working so so hard at the moment to save for it. I WILL be leaving at the end of the 6 months since I will only have enough money for that time period. I am DEFINITELY not looking for any permanent move. There is a possibility I will be looking at extending for 12 months but certainly not more than that. The only real worry I have is.... to go for that long I WILL have to leave my job. Ive asked them and sadly they wont let me take extended unpaid leave. Im skilled and will be looking to return straight to work as soon as im home. Anyone have any advice about this??? I live with my parents and I dont have a mortgage (hence the reason I can afford this trip!!!!). So I really dont have any ties here to show. Ive read this will be a problem.

ANY advice (UK) is greatly appreciated. Im looking at going Aug time. So any advice on the visa process and waiting times would be great.

I will be staying with family so accomodation is free. The only money I need is purely spending money (which I wont need too much of) so if anyone has any ideas of how much exactly they will be looking for available in my account PLEASE let me know

Many thanks in advance

Emma x x x x

[emmabxx 0]

Meant to add....this is PURELY a holiday. All the other topics seem to mention, boyfriend...or girlfriend...so I just wanted to clrify that for you guys. Thanks xxx

[canadian_wife 1,785]

So with limited money, and very limited ties to the UK, plus family in the US AND being from a VWP...it will be tough

one of the first questions asked will be "what ties do you have to the UK". How do you plan on answering that?

And then the next question, why do you need to stay for 6 months (which isn't a guarentee by the way)vs. the 90 days offered by the VWP.

Good luck

[emmabxx 0]

Thanks for the reply!!! In answer to that. Im young (26...hahaha) I just feel like doing something different with my life. Seeing my family and visiting different parts of the US with them and some friends I have met over the years of visiting there. Ive saved hard. When I say money money is limited I will be going with around £4000 ($6500). Ive tried this forum because when I posted on another it seemed everyone quizzed me like I had some ulterior motive? I basically want an extended holiday before I "settle down"?? I dont think that is weird....everyone else seems to tho??? But Thats great....because I imagine this is how immagration are going to treat me. Its great practise!!!! xxxx

[canadian_wife 1,785]

I agree that it is an adventure, but you still have to overcome the 'ties' issue. What ties do you have, because they are certainly going to ask you why you MUST return to the UK

good luck

[emmabxx 0]

Basically.... I have to return to the UK because I can not work in America an eventually Im gonna run out of money!!! This isnt a student working holiday. Im (sadly) a grown #### woman now!!!I have to work to support myself till I win the lottery My family are here.... my babies (my dogs) are here, my friends are here... Im a homing pidgeon. I need my mum...but I have a feeling that aint gonna wash with immigration? Maybe it will though? Thats why I need any advice? It was only since I started looking on forums Ive started getting stressed about how a simple (or so I thought) holiday can turn into this nightmare!!!! xxxxx

[canadian_wife 1,785]

The CO isn't going to simply take your word for it. Trust me, plenty of illegal immigrants find work in the US, how can you prove to them that you won't be one of them

I'm trying to help, I really am, but I just don't think your well prepared for a B2 visa

Good luck

[emmabxx 0]

Nope...I am definitely not prepared which is why I came here. Im working night an day shifts to pay for this holiday so the thought of finding work in America...legal or otherwise makes me feel physically sick . Im going to relax and sit in the sun for 6 months. Proving ties is my major problem. I can get letters...statements...anything. If ANYONE has any advice on getting proof that I need to return (which I really do!!!!) that would be so so appreciated x x x x x x x x

[Little_My 463]

The best kinds of proof are things like a job - which, apparently you won't have -, an ongoing lease under your name, being enrolled in school, having most of your family back in the country of origin.. In all honesty, not too many people can take a 6-12 month "holiday". And I am not at all suggesting that you have an alterior motive for coming to the US, but as Canadian_wife pointed out, that is what the IO will think. The fact that you are also willing to give up your job for this holiday also makes it seem as though you might be planning to stay in the US longer than you say (and again, I do not think so - as a person who loves to travel and does it as much as possible, I can definitely understand giving up a job to go for a travel adventure for a year) - but again, it is not us here you have to convince, it is the person interviewing you at the embassy, and the IO at the port of entry in the US. In immigration, "innocent until proven guilty" is not how it works - everyone is an intending immigrant, until proven otherwise. The burden is on you to convince them that you do not intend to immigrate to the US, and you'll have to come up with more than friends in the UK to show that.

You can't come up with evidence of ties from thin air. Affidavits could help - but what would they say? Your mom writing a letter saying you told her you will come back probably won't make much of a difference. What it looks like right now is that you are wrapping up your life there in the UK and coming here for a fairly long trip, long enough to apply for the B2 even though you could just come for 90 days under VWP, which is also a pretty long time for a holiday.

Have you considered just coming for the 90 days under VWP? It would most definitely be much easier than going for the B2..

Edited April 25, 2011 by Little_My

[emmabxx 0]

Thanks for the reply hun. Went last year travelling there with my best friend under the VWP. Vegas, Florida an so on. Thats why this year is a mix of travelling and a mix of just basically sitting in the sun and doing something deifferent with my summer. Is there anyway of getting my uncle to sign something to say he is definitely sending me back to my parents??? hahaha. Trust me...that man wont have me for too long!!! I have a part time job alongside my regular job. I work as a beautician doing pamper partys with another girl. Do you think a letter from her saying she needs me back to do the parties with her is enough?? Only ask as that is not my main job xxx

[emmabxx 0]

Just so frustrating because to me...I cant see why there is a problem with working my bum off to spend 6 months sitting on it in the sun. Grrrrrr. I dont want to work, i dont wanna live there I just want some sun since we wont have any all summer here. Think some people have obviously abused this system and make it so difficult for everyone else. Very very sad xxxx

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

There is one thing you need to understand: you have one chance to make your case. If they deny your B2 application, you cannot use the VWP anymore, so go into this well prepared and expect some really inconvenient questions.

[Boiler 43,392]

There is one thing you need to understand: you have one chance to make your case. If they deny your B2 application, you cannot use the VWP anymore, so go into this well prepared and expect some really inconvenient questions.

Not quite right, you would need to update ESTA, may or may not have an issue with using the VWP.

My advice would be to make it two trips on the VWP say a year apart. Going in August is going to somewhat restrict your sun opportunity.

[Harsh_77 716]

Basically.... I have to return to the UK because I can not work in America an eventually Im gonna run out of money!!! This isnt a student working holiday. Im (sadly) a grown #### woman now!!!I have to work to support myself till I win the lottery My family are here.... my babies (my dogs) are here, my friends are here... Im a homing pidgeon. I need my mum...but I have a feeling that aint gonna wash with immigration? Maybe it will though? Thats why I need any advice? It was only since I started looking on forums Ive started getting stressed about how a simple (or so I thought) holiday can turn into this nightmare!!!! xxxxx

All these are not good enough reasons for the offical purpose.

You need to have some good reason like job or school or family etc.

Also if you are visiting for first time, then why would VWP would not be enough time over B2 if you just want to visit family and friend?

As you mentioned earlier staying in US for 12 months is not possible, even on B2 max (best case scenario is 6 Months).

[Harsh_77 716]

Not quite right, you would need to update ESTA, may or may not have an issue with using the VWP.

My advice would be to make it two trips on the VWP say a year apart. Going in August is going to somewhat restrict your sun opportunity.

Boiler - Bob said is correct if she goes for B2 she only has one chance as if screws that up she cannot even use her VWP.

So best option for het the OP is use VWP stay here for 90 days and return back home at end of 90 days.

Edited April 25, 2011 by Harsh_77