New to visas, UK student intending to stay with boyfriend in the US for >90 days?

[th375 0]

I'm new to the whole process of visas as I have only travelled abroad with family previously and as I was younger I have never had to fill much out myself. Therefore I know extremely little about documents when travelling abroad and this will be my first time travelling alone and sorting out things myself.

I'm only 17 and I do not have a job - only a savings account which I have permission to use for this, so obviously my case likely isn't very strong, but around September '14 time I plan on taking a gap year from education due to both stress issues(relating to mental health) and to visit my boyfriend who lives in the US during. As I'm taking a year off and also because we want to make the most of our time, we desperately want my stay to be as long as possible, and this appears to be 6 months with a tourist visa. My hopes were pretty high at first as I didn't see a problem, but looking through this forum, rejection is much more common than I expected. I also hear that if I apply for a visa and am rejected, I may not be able to visit whatsoever even via the VWP.

I've no clue as to what I should do, and how I should go about travelling. I'd prefer if people didn't comment on my age or our relationship when helping - just what's realistic and how likely it is that I could stay for a good 5/6 months.

My main questions are how am I to get a tourist visa without being rejected? If I apply and am rejected, would it still be possible for me to visit via an ESTA? How far in advance should I apply, and should things such as plane tickets be booked prior to visa application or is later on in the planning process okay? And lastly, what sort of information would I need to provide?

In terms of what information I have, I have the address at which I'd be staying(although this could change if he moves which may be worrying...), my home address here in the UK along with family ties, and I intend to have a deferred university placement before I travel.

I understand that it's easy to be critical of a situation but I'm looking for serious advice that isn't demeaning. Thanks in advance to anyone who helps.

[CC90 90]

You will not get a tourist visa. It will be better to visit using the VWP and filling out the ESTA. That will give you 90 days non-extendable. That's the reality unfortunately.

When entering, your purpose of visit should be tourism and have an idea of places you intend to visit. Try not to mention the boyfriend, although you should be truthful if the question comes up.

[Dbkrantz 16]

The problem here is that if you overstay at tourist visa, so if you stay for more than 90 stays, it could be a BIG problem if you ever want to come back to the US, especially if you want to immigrate.

Considering your situation, and if you are really certain that you want to do this, I think I would go see your boyfriend and just stay for the length of the visa (ESTA). It's long time to get to know the country, the people and spend time with your boyfriend. Then, if you do like it there, you could apply to study there and get a student visa. The chances of you getting a job sponsorship are pretty low, I am sorry to say because with your young age, you are missing experience, which would make your sponsorship very time consuming.

It's a good plan to have, but I would try to stay for 3 months at first. If you want to stay more, go back to the UK and figure something out. But, whatever you do, do NOT overstay your visa, because that could mean being blacklisted from getting any sort of visa for a very long time!

[th375 0]

Would it possible to go for 2 sets of 90 days within one year, or is it likely that I could get rejected the second time?

Thanks for the information, I'll definitely consnider the ESTA as a more favourable option for now. I guess it's longer than it seems at a glance but I'd sure love to spend as much time as possible over there. We would both visit other places during the stay, it's just a matter of me being with him the majority of the time there.

Edited July 11, 2013 by th375

[Dbkrantz 16]

ESTA is valid for two years once you get approved, but I am not sure what the limitations are.

Don't forget that between the two 90 days period, you WILL HAVE to leave the country and then return which could make it extremely expensive, and could be a bad idea depending on the rules associated with travel authorisation.

[lost_at_sea 995]

Would it possible to go for 2 sets of 90 days within one year, or is it likely that I could get rejected the second time?

Thanks for the information, I'll definitely consnider the ESTA as a more favourable option for now. I guess it's longer than it seems at a glance but I'd sure love to spend as much time as possible over there. We would both visit other places during the stay, it's just a matter of me being with him the majority of the time there.

Technically, yes, you can do two blocks of 90 days, but you would have to leave for a reasonable time in between in order for that to not look completely dodgy. So, it wouldn't really work as a way to create a longer stay with only a tiny stop outside the US, if you see what I mean?

Also, you could only do two 90 days. Once you start getting to the point where you're in the US more than you're not, you're likely to find you can't get in anymore.

Have you considered looking for some gap year work at a Camp America or Disney Land or something? They do visas for such work, and that would allow you to be there for longer.

Edited July 11, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[CC90 90]

Would it possible to go for 2 sets of 90 days within one year, or is it likely that I could get rejected the second time?

If you stay the FULL 90 days and then come back for another FULL 90 days, it will be suspect.

The idea is that you're not "living" in the US. I wouldn't say that it's extremely likely you'll be rejected the second time, but it will certainly be harder. It would be best to wait at least 90 days before trying to come back and have a good reason for coming back. The issue there is that you have your entire plane ticket at risk because you won't know until you arrive in the US.

[Dbkrantz 16]

Actually, lost_at_sea, that's a good idea. Looking for work for companies like that might be worth it. They do provide visas for people willing to work for them.

[lost_at_sea 995]

Oh also, if you wanted to do 90 then 90, you'd have to go further afield than Canada or Mexico:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_Waiver_Program#Visa_Waiver_Program_restrictions

Travelers can leave to contiguous countries (Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean), but will not be granted another 90 days after reentry in the United States.^[

[Dbkrantz 16]

You would have to go back to England after the 1st 90 days for quite a period to make sure it's not suspicious. the Visa waiver program is normally for travelling purposes. Spending extended time with the boyfriend is not what they would consider travelling so you would have to be very careful !

[Stressed Out 81]

Can your boyfriend not come back with you to the UK after your 3 month stay in the US? For the purpose of visiting a boy/girlfriend just because you miss them a lot I would never recommend getting yourself into the sticky situation of a very possible visa denial, especially since you say you don't have a job or any assets. A visa denial leads to the craziest stress you'll ever imagine...that black mark on your record will make it a lot harder to get into the US in the future until your circumstances change that you can prove to the USCIS that you can properly wield a B2. My husband tried the same exact thing as you, same age as you and in the same situation as you....and he got denied within 4 minutes at his interview in Frankfurt. As painful as it is to be separated, just use the ESTA. And, like CC90 said, don't mention the boyfriend unless they ask you.

[Boiler 45,670]

90 days you visiting him, 90 days him visiting you = 6 months five or take.

[emyardy 11]

I agree with everyone else-- do not overstay the 90 day time period! You know, in the UK, Americans are granted a six month entry. So, you could visit him for the 90 days allotted on the VWP, and then he could fly back with you. My fiancé and I have been doing that for four years, now and although we have both been in each other's countries many times over those years, there has never been an issue because we respected the allowed time!

It's really not complicated, you'll figure it all out!