terrygo

I have recently retired and have a close friend in the US.I want to spend as much time as possible there, ideally with some kind of visa.
How can i go about this?
I realise this is a very open question but any kind of starting point would be helpful.
Like is there a limit on the time I can spend there? I'm going as a tourist for 90 days in August, returning to the UK in November.
I want to go back for Christmas for another three months-is this possible?

Poppy girl

Is your friend a lady may I ask!

And yes you can visit both times but will need to show ties to the UK that proves your returning.

tonrob

Have a teensy weensy ickle read of the other threads in this section of the forum. Your questions have been answered and discussed at length, and at regular intervals. There's also a search function and a helpful Wiki section too.

Good luck!

terrygo

Thanks for your replies.

my friend is a lady, yes, I don't mind admitting that.

I have links with the UK , house, family etc, and will be getting return flights, but is there a time limit I can spend overall in the US?

i thought it might have been discussed before, I just have a slight problem in trawling through lots of info-I admit I get confused a bit-but I will be looking, thank you

Poppy girl

Well why not have those 2 trips and see if loves blossoms if it has not already and pop the question then do a K3 OR K1 Visa

AdobePinon

Errr..... look again.

Tracym

You will probably be questioned very thoroughly for the second trip, and might not get admitted. You might be ok, might not.

Rule of thumb is generally as much time spent out of the country as you spend in - like 90 days in the US, stay away 90 days before returning.

That said, my (now husband) came here for 89 days, went home for six weeks, came back for another 89 days - they let him in, but just barely. We did not try it again for a while after that.

In my opinion - you're pushing your luck.

Tracym

Oh. Right. I didn't notice either.

editing my post.

Manc

the OP is a chick.

Tracym

Just noticed, and had already edited my post.

You're too quick

terrygo

Is it okay to say i'm a bit confused??

I realise I cannot go there under the fiancee optition.

What I didn't realise until reading here earlier that there might be an issue on the number or length of times I can go across there.

Tracym

Sorry, we made a mistake and assumed you were a heterosexual couple. Please accept my apology.

There are limits to the time people spend in the US - it is considered an abuse of the visa waiver program to practically live here.

As you are retired, you might possibly be able to get a visitors visa (B1 right folks?) that would allow you to stay up to six months at a time. Apparently a lot of retired folks spend six months in Florida, six in the UK. Perhaps some of the posters who are familiar with this will join the thread.

However, you are not likely to be able to spend the majority of time in the US on the VWP or a visitor's visa imo.

scrubbedexpat099

B2 Visitors Visa should be good for 6 months in, 6 months out for an OAP.

terrygo

Its ok, I didn't make it clear in my original post.


I confess this is a bit of a blow regarding the time I can be there because I was looking to do as you say, be there more than in the UK.
I've taken early retirement deliberately to be there, I am not as yet an OAP-feel like one sometimes .

It was always our intention to consult the immigration authorities in the US, looks like this is very much something I need to do.

Poppy girl

Well caught WHOOPS did not see the pink ribbon