GambitRabbit

Speedwell, Gegel,

Thanks both for the super informative feedback! So refreshing after years of being in Europe with an insanely confusing paperwork system... man do I miss home :-)

So ok, it is clear now with the visa waiver and CR1/IR1... Now for some additional complexity.

Our problem is that we have family in both Europe and US... So although we plan to move back to the US, it might turn out that in 5 years we have to return to Europe to look after our family here... Old age, care etc. so if we do that, can we not get somehow with my wife using the WVP? What if she stays for 90 days, leaves for 14, then back for another 90... Not ideal given our situation but at least avoids the extra costs in paperwork for her and she gets to visit family in Europe occasionally?

On top of that, the reason we are not interested in her getting a SSN and filing taxes is because it does not benefit us financially, and if we stay for 5 years then leave and return after another 5 years, then it makes no sense that we are dual taxed in US and UK for our global assets... Therefore keeping it separate would be finically preferable... But ok, if it is mandatory to get SSN and file taxes, then so be it...

Last question... She does have PR status in Canada and technically could get a Canadian citizenship... Should we look at that instead to have her enter US as Canadian, or are the visa and immigration requirements the same?

Oh Lord why can't family just be in one place!!! Parents get so set in their ways in their old days, and its costing us money, oh well.... That's life!

Dear Experts,

First off, hope everyone had a wonderful new year 2013 stateside, was cold and kind of boring out here in Europe... But heck, at least we have Apple TV to comfort us :-)

Any way, need some much needed advice with our slightly complex situation. Hoping you can help before we proceed with an immigration attorney to get all our papers complete...

I am a US citizen, wife is UK, we married in UK, living and working in Europe since then (about 4 years now)... This year we are planning to move to the US, I have a job lined up, and naturally my wife will join me.

Questions:

1. I know there is a non-visa waiver of 90 days for her, does that mean she can come for those 90 days and during those 90 we apply for the IR1/CR1 visa so she is not obligated to leave the US?

2. How will this affect my tax filings from before our move to after - do I need to file jointly? She would not be working, only myself.

3. Is there any alternative/simpler way for her to stay in the US without having to get IR1/CR1?

4. Does the visa require her to get a SSN and file taxes? Ideally, we just need a visa for her stay in the US indefinitely - she does not require a job, social services etc.

Thank you!