Rhubycat

thank you all so very much for your help. I am certainly much wiser having read your posts and very grateful for the ESTA privilege i have.

oh no!!!! 

I am sooooo glad I found you guys. I am honestly feeling sick. I think i will cancel my application and stick with a 90 day visit 😞

Thanks again for all of your wisdom.

Is it best that i withdraw my application and submit a new one for 6 months?

I usually visit the USA every year and would hate not to be able to visit at all.

OMG! I am feeling very shocked. I honestly didnt know that a 1 yr tourist visa wasn't allowed and yes i did put it on my application ;-(. I have the finances to support myself for the year and can prove it and have no intention to work during my stay.

I do have ties here, I have my family and a home?

Are you also saying that if my visa application is denied I will not be able to use my ESTA or apply for another ESTA when my current ESTA expires?

Thank you all so much for your responses. It has certainly been an eye opener.

Hello. I am an Australian wanting to stay in the USA for 1 yr with friends (who I call family and visit yearly). I have an interview already scheduled at the US embassy here in AU and now have an opportunity to take another holiday (not to the USA) 5 weeks after my interview. I would love to go on the holiday but I am concerned that the US embassy may still have my passport for the visa application. Does anyone have an idea of how long they hold onto your passport after an interview?