Visiting American boyfriend on a B-2 visa

[*_Sweden_* 0]

Hi everybody!

I know there has been threads about this subject before, but I would like to tell my story and hopefully get help with applying for my visa. I am a Swedish citizen and went to America for the first time as an exchange student in high school in 2010. During my year I met an american guy who I started dating. I went home the next year and the two of us have now been doing long distance for two and a half years. I have been visiting him 7 times (every time on an ESTA visa) throughout those years and he has been visiting me in Sweden 3 times. My trips have usually been 2-3 weeks at the time due to school with the exception of this summer where I stayed as long as my visa permitted, three months. I graduated this summer. Now, as I understand, getting into the country again on an ESTA visa would be very difficult, I am thinking about applying for a B-2 visa.

I have read a lot about it and it seems like it is very difficult to get a B-2 visa approved, especially with my situation. I am a tewnty year old girl living with my parents, I have a part time job and I am not rich. My boyfriend works fulltime and would be the one providing for me while living there and my parents would as well. I would like to stay for as long as I can, is that 6 months with a B-2 visa?

I would like to get help with what arguments I could give at the interiew. What strong ties to Sweden would I have to provide? A letter from my job stating a date for my return? Maybe if I also enrolled in a class at the university? Bank statements?Also, I know it is good to have a return ticket as a proof of return, however, is it a good thing to even buy a plane ticket before I know if my visa gets approved or not? What if it gets denied and I can't go on the date I booked my ticket for?

Also, my boyfriend is only a year older than me but we have even disscussed marrige if that would mean I could live in the states for a longer period of time. I don't know if marrige is easier than this kind of visa though! I am thankful for any answers and help I could get!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Just stick with the ESTA. I don't know why you think now all of a sudden that getting in will be difficult.

Or, if you think it will be difficult just to enter the country, it will be a lot more difficult to get a B2.

You could look into getting a J visa for work being an au pair or other student jobs.

[*_Sweden_* 0]

Thank you for your reply. I don't know, I just thought it would be difficult to enter on an ESTA visa again since I've used it so many times and spent three months there this summer. I thought they would be suspicious if went back this winter to spend another three months. My past excperience getting through immigration has been rough, they have never taken me aside to asked further questions but asked many many questions and been quite suspicious. So the chances are big of getting let in even though I recently spent three months there? I can spend another three easily without being refused?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

To get a B2 when you can use the VWP, you need a really good reason why you need 6 months instead of 3 months. If you show up and say "I have been using the VWP too much and I want to live with my bf for 6 months instead," do you think you will be approved? I don't. Then you won't be able to use ESTA either.

A visa interview is like a more intense border interview. If you think border patrol won't let you in, why do you think you would be able to get a B2? You need to prove the same things plus more for the B2 interview compared to a border interview.

[*_Sweden_* 0]

I agree. So what reason can they have for not letting you in with an ESTA visa? What will happen if I get refused?

[canadian_wife 1,823]

If they think you are abusing ESTA, such as using it to live with your boyfriend, or spending too much time in the US, then they can refuse you entry. Then it makes it more difficult to use ESTA in the future

good luck

Edited September 28, 2013 by canadian_wife

[*_Sweden_* 0]

Okay I understand. For a J visa, what student jobs except for au pair are there?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

When did you return home last? You said you were in the US 3 months this summer, did you just get home? I might try to visit again but I would wait a while if you just returned home.

For J-1 jobs, I am not sure all the options, but you could look for programs. I am not sure if you are eligible, anyway, since you are not longer a student. But you might be.

[*_Sweden_* 0]

Yes, I arrived home the 20th. I will look at that, thank you for your help!

[Darnell 8,478]

I say stick with ESTA .

[*_Sweden_* 0]

Darnell, if I should stick with the ESTA, how long do you think I should wait until I return? And what should my arguments be for coming back so often?

Because I really would like to surprise my boyfriend for his birthday the 28th of October...is that too soon considering I returned September 20th due to the 90 days period?

Edited October 7, 2013 by *_Sweden_*

[madtownguy 164]

Just give it a try, the worst they can say is no. You can still get to lots of countries, I'm sure your boyfriend would rather meet you in Cancun anyway I would just tell them your parents gave you more money because you said you had so much fun but still felt you didn't see enough... just don't finish that sentence with enough of your boyfriend... ha ha It would certainly look better if you had some hotels booked too, but that's up to you there's a lot of couch surfers now as it is a big fad. Good luck!

[*_Sweden_* 0]

Okay Would a denied entry on an ESTA visa create any problems with applying for a K visa in the future?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I think you might be able to visit in October if you make it a short trip. If you come and say you are staying 3 months I don;t think you have much of a chance. if you come and say you are staying one week, then stay 3 months, I don't think you'll be able to visit again for a long time.

A denied entry on ESTA will not effect a K-1 visa.

[Boiler 45,657]

If you stayed 3 months you overstayed, 90 day max on VWP.

You are definitely pushing it, depends on how high your risk tolerance is.