Visa help!

[BarneyR 0]

Hi,

I'm an Australian currently awaiting a divorce (in Australia it's a lengthly process). I have met an American girl and we have spoken about marriage when my divorce is finalised and I really believe she could be the person for me. I've not been happier just talking with her daily.

I currently work in an engineering industry of which there is a world wide shortage of industry professionals (non destructive testing), and as such I have a fairly reasonable amount of savings accumulated.

We have holidays planned together and I am also going to see her for my birthday next week.

My question is, If things go well and we have been "together" emotionally for a great deal of time so I have faith it will, I want to go live with her mid next year until my divorce is finalised and we can possibly marry. I can afford to support myself without working for this time and can't stand the thought of waiting so long without her should things go well. So i need to find a visa that will basically allow me to go to her while we wait out my divorce. I dont really want to talk monetary figures online but I have more than enough to prove I can support myself, but I would be quitting my job essentially.

So I need to find a visa and / or advice that works for our situation, so that I can transfer to a spousal greencard down the line should things go well.

I've looked at B2 visas but I'm not sure and I'm scared to make a wrong move and mess it up.

Please help!

Thanks.

[canadian_wife 1,791]

What's wrong with using the Visa Waiver Program for a 90 day stay?

You may go for a B visa, but if denied, it is likely you'll lose your VWP privileges.

How long until your divorce is finalized?

good luck

[BarneyR 0]

Divorce won't be until later 2015 and I'm about to stay with her for 3'months so the and the VWP will only go sll

[canadian_wife 1,791]

The first question you'll be asked in an interview for a B visa is 'why do you want to go to the US" - essentially, why won't the VWP work. What will your answer be to that?

good luck

[Penguin_ie 5,986]

You may be thinking about the wrong visa.... since you are in an occupation that is sought after, a work visa may be the better option, and usually allows you to marry and adjust status to a greencard.

[BarneyR 0]

I've considered this but I need to convert my trade tickets to American versions thereof and find work sponsors and such, which will most likely take me away from where I want to be.

The VWP won't work as we would have already used my 3months visit under a VWP in nov, and essentially I'm looking at a wait of around 8 months since that time before we can think about setting a wedding date.

[Mollie09 1,543]

I've considered this but I need to convert my trade tickets to American versions thereof and find work sponsors and such, which will most likely take me away from where I want to be.

The VWP won't work as we would have already used my 3months visit under a VWP in nov, and essentially I'm looking at a wait of around 8 months since that time before we can think about setting a wedding date.

There is no such thing as "using up" your 3 months in VWP. You just have to be out of the US longer than you are in as a rule of thumb, but at the end of the day it's up to the officer at POE to tell you if you can enter and how long you can stay. You can use your ESTA for another 3 months right now.

Edited September 18, 2014 by F1H1I130

[BarneyR 0]

Thanks for the reply, I was under the impression that the VWP was only 3 months per year? If this is not the case this is positive.

Please excuse my ignorance but what is an ESTA?

[BarneyR 0]

As for the B visa, I read somewhere that It can also be used as a way of couples dating, etc but I'm really not sure if that is disinformation. I'd be happy not to work six months to be honest, and can afford to do so.!

[canadian_wife 1,791]

Working is considered a tie to Aus. A USC girlfriend is considered a tie to the US. For a B visa you want to show that you have more ties to AUS than the US. Without working and a USC girlfriend - your chances of being granted a B visa diminish.

good luck

[BarneyR 0]

Ok thanks. I think we will talk to a lawyer while I am over in nov to figure out what to do

[Mollie09 1,543]

ESTA = Electronic system for travel authorization. It's the system you use to be authorized under the VWP.

From the VWP website:

"The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of participating countries* to travel to the United States without a visa for stays of 90 days or less,"

Nothing in there about being 90 days in one year. If you want to Google it further, I'm sure you'll find more references to that fact.

[BarneyR 0]

Ok I was reading the 3 month per year stuff here on another persons thread before joining. Not being argumentative or anything, I just want to stay out of trouble.

[Boiler 43,597]

You visit her.

She visits you

Time passes.

[Mollie09 1,543]

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travelbuzz/703387-visa-waiver-multiple-business-visits.html