Wemic

Hi all,

I'm new to all this, so please bear with me. In short, I am a natural
born US citizen. I am recently separated (June) from my wife but divorce
papers have not been filed to date but they are imminent. Two weeks
after my separation, while on a business trip to NYC, I met a Japanese
woman who was here on vacation and we have since fallen for each other.
She returned to Japan a few weeks ago. We think we would like to marry
eventually. Before that happens, she would like to live with me here in
the US to see if she can adjust to life here. We would like this to
happen sooner rather than later but my divorce process is likely to be
lengthy. Obviously, a fiancee visa is out of the question for now. Does
anyone have an option they can suggest? My girlfriend is 39 and a
rather successful business owner in Japan. She can operate her business
from here.

Thanks in advance.

Bob

Could apply for a B2 holiday visa, would allow 6 month of stay, but she would need to prove that she would go back to Japan or she might not be allowed in at POE

Wemic

Bob wrote:

    >>Hi all,
    >>I'm new to all this, so please bear with me. In short, I am a natural
    >>born US citizen. I am recently separated (June) from my wife but divo-
    >>rce
    >>papers have not been filed to date but they are imminent. Two weeks
    >>after my separation, while on a business trip to NYC, I met a Japanese
    >>woman who was here on vacation and we have since fallen for each othe-
    >>r.
    >>She returned to Japan a few weeks ago. We think we would like to marry
    >>eventually. Before that happens, she would like to live with me here
    >>in
    >>the US to see if she can adjust to life here. We would like this to
    >>happen sooner rather than later but my divorce process is likely to be
    >>lengthy. Obviously, a fiancee visa is out of the question for now. Do-
    >>es
    >>anyone have an option they can suggest? My girlfriend is 39 and a
    >>rather successful business owner in Japan. She can operate her busine-
    >>ss
    >>from here.
    >>Thanks in advance.
    >
    >
    > Could apply for a B2 holiday visa, would allow 6 month of stay, but she
    > would need to prove that she would go back to Japan or she might not be
    > allowed in at POE
    >


That sounds like a perfect option. Would she need to designate a place
where she intends to stay? Right now, I am staying in a small apt
which, quite frankly, would not be acceptable for both of us. The plan
is for us to get a place together. Obviously, she would have to leave
after the 6 months. How long would she have to stay out of the country
before coming back? I am guessing she can apply for a fiancee visa if
my divorce goes through while she is here?

Thanks.

Bob

She wouldn't while applying for the visa I think, can't remember, but she would when she enters the States. Generally speaking, you would have to be gone for equal length of stay before they let you in, unless you do the finance K1 visa, but depending on where you are, that can take up to 6 months. And you would be the one that petitions for the visa, K1, not her.
The other route would be to marry and go through K3 visa, but I don't know too much about that one.

Wemic

Bob wrote:

    >>Bob wrote:
    >>>>Hi all,
    >>>>I'm new to all this, so please bear with me. In short, I am a
    >>>>natural
    >>>>born US citizen. I am recently separated (June) from my wife
    >>>>but divo-
    >>>>rce
    >>>>papers have not been filed to date but they are imminent. Two
    >>>>weeks
    >>>>after my separation, while on a business trip to NYC, I met a
    >>>>Japanese
    >>>>woman who was here on vacation and we have since fallen for ea-
    >>>>ch othe-
    >>>>r.
    >>>> She returned to Japan a few weeks ago. We think we would like to
    >>>> marry
    >>>> eventually. Before that happens, she would like to live with me
    >>>> here
    >>>> in
    >>>> the US to see if she can adjust to life here. We would like this
    >>>> to
    >>>> happen sooner rather than later but my divorce process is likely
    >>>> to be
    >>>> lengthy. Obviously, a fiancee visa is out of the question for now.
    >>>> Do-
    >>>> es
    >>>> anyone have an option they can suggest? My girlfriend is 39 and a
    >>>> rather successful business owner in Japan. She can operate her bu-
    >>>> sine-
    >>>> ss
    >>>> from here.
    >>>> Thanks in advance.
    >>>Could apply for a B2 holiday visa, would allow 6 month of stay, but
    >>>she
    >>>would need to prove that she would go back to Japan or she might not
    >>>be
    >>>allowed in at POE
    >>That sounds like a perfect option. Would she need to designate a pla-
    >>ce
    >>where she intends to stay? Right now, I am staying in a small apt
    >>which, quite frankly, would not be acceptable for both of us. The pl-
    >>an
    >>is for us to get a place together. Obviously, she would have to leave
    >>after the 6 months. How long would she have to stay out of the count-
    >>ry
    >>before coming back? I am guessing she can apply for a fiancee visa if
    >>my divorce goes through while she is here?
    >>Thanks.
    >
    >
    > She wouldn't while applying for the visa I think, can't remember, but
    > she would when she enters the States. Generally speaking, you would have
    > to be gone for equal length of stay before they let you in, unless you
    > do the finance K1 visa, but depending on where you are, that can take
    > up to 6 months. And you would be the one that petitions for the visa,
    > K1, not her.
    > The other route would be to marry and go through K3 visa, but I don't
    > know too much about that one.
    >


Well, I am in upstate NY, so I am assuming these types of issues are
dealt with regularly by officials in NY....I would be surprised if it
took 6 months for the K1 but then, this is uncharted territory for me.
In all, it might be easier for her to come on the B2 in that she has a
going concern in the business sector in Japan and is likely to be
approved for entry.

The marriage would obviously depend on when the divorce happens but it
would be the easier route it seems.

scrubbedexpat099

Is Japan a Visa Waiver Country, I do not know but rather assumed it was.

You might have a problem in getting a B2 if so.

Your post also goes to http://britishexpats.com/forum/newre...eply&p=1630996, have a look a round, loads of posts on travelling in these circumstances.

Basically she has to be certain that she can show to the Immigration Officer she has no Immigrant Intent.

If she is going to conduct a Business here that is a another issue entirely.

Wemic

Bob wrote:

    >>Bob wrote:
    >>>>Hi all,
    >>>>I'm new to all this, so please bear with me. In short, I am a
    >>>>natural
    >>>>born US citizen. I am recently separated (June) from my wife
    >>>>but divo-
    >>>>rce
    >>>>papers have not been filed to date but they are imminent. Two
    >>>>weeks
    >>>>after my separation, while on a business trip to NYC, I met a
    >>>>Japanese
    >>>>woman who was here on vacation and we have since fallen for ea-
    >>>>ch othe-
    >>>>r.
    >>>> She returned to Japan a few weeks ago. We think we would like to
    >>>> marry
    >>>> eventually. Before that happens, she would like to live with me
    >>>> here
    >>>> in
    >>>> the US to see if she can adjust to life here. We would like this
    >>>> to
    >>>> happen sooner rather than later but my divorce process is likely
    >>>> to be
    >>>> lengthy. Obviously, a fiancee visa is out of the question for now.
    >>>> Do-
    >>>> es
    >>>> anyone have an option they can suggest? My girlfriend is 39 and a
    >>>> rather successful business owner in Japan. She can operate her bu-
    >>>> sine-
    >>>> ss
    >>>> from here.
    >>>> Thanks in advance.
    >>>Could apply for a B2 holiday visa, would allow 6 month of stay, but
    >>>she
    >>>would need to prove that she would go back to Japan or she might not
    >>>be
    >>>allowed in at POE
    >>That sounds like a perfect option. Would she need to designate a pla-
    >>ce
    >>where she intends to stay? Right now, I am staying in a small apt
    >>which, quite frankly, would not be acceptable for both of us. The pl-
    >>an
    >>is for us to get a place together. Obviously, she would have to leave
    >>after the 6 months. How long would she have to stay out of the count-
    >>ry
    >>before coming back? I am guessing she can apply for a fiancee visa if
    >>my divorce goes through while she is here?
    >>Thanks.
    >
    >
    > She wouldn't while applying for the visa I think, can't remember, but
    > she would when she enters the States. Generally speaking, you would have
    > to be gone for equal length of stay before they let you in, unless you
    > do the finance K1 visa, but depending on where you are, that can take
    > up to 6 months. And you would be the one that petitions for the visa,
    > K1, not her.
    > The other route would be to marry and go through K3 visa, but I don't
    > know too much about that one.
    >


Bob,

If my girlfriend came on the B2 prior to my divorce, wouldn't it be
simpler to just say she is visiting a friend and to provide my address?
I guess I am asking if it is an impediment to visit a separated man?

Derek

helenab

You do realise that if she comes here on a tourist visa, she can't work or get a social security number or drivers license, which will obviously limit the "adjustment" of living in this country? I could never have gotten a feeling of home in this country without being able to work(make friends there), be able to drive where I want and to have a SSN so I could get bankaccts, insurances etc. Unless you live in the center of a city with subway or a decent bus system, it's kind of impossible to get around.

Bob

I didn't need a ssn to open a bank account, would have been easier yes, but it wasn't required, and drivers license, that all depends on the state.

Bob

That would be ok, because you are a "friend", but she would still need to provide evidence that she would go back to Japan and not have immigrant intentions, such as rent lease, note from work, otherwise she could well be denied entrance.

Wemic

helenab wrote:
    >>Hi all,
    >>I'm new to all this, so please bear with me. In short, I am a natural
    >>born US citizen. I am recently separated (June) from my wife but divo-
    >>rce
    >>papers have not been filed to date but they are imminent. Two weeks
    >>after my separation, while on a business trip to NYC, I met a Japanese
    >>woman who was here on vacation and we have since fallen for each othe-
    >>r.
    >>She returned to Japan a few weeks ago. We think we would like to marry
    >>eventually. Before that happens, she would like to live with me here
    >>in
    >>the US to see if she can adjust to life here. We would like this to
    >>happen sooner rather than later but my divorce process is likely to be
    >>lengthy. Obviously, a fiancee visa is out of the question for now. Do-
    >>es
    >>anyone have an option they can suggest? My girlfriend is 39 and a
    >>rather successful business owner in Japan. She can operate her busine-
    >>ss
    >>from here.
    >>Thanks in advance.
    >
    >
    > You do realise that if she comes here on a tourist visa, she can't wo-
    > rk or get a social security number or drivers license, which will obv-
    > iously limit the "adjustment" of living in this country? I could never
    > have gotten a feeling of home in this country without being able to
    > work(make friends there), be able to drive where I want and to have a
    > SSN so I could get bankaccts, insurances etc. Unless you live in the
    > center of a city with subway or a decent bus system, it's kind of imp-
    > ossible to get around.
    >


Thanks for the input. Helen, those are definitely valid things to
consider. I live in a very nice area but public transport is virtually
non-existent. She appears to be quite comfortable financially as a
result of her business but these are definitely concerns.

Boiler, Japan is a waiver country but I misunderstand why it would be a
problem to go for a B2 unless a consular official would be made
suspicious by her wanting to go through the slower process. Also,
waiver is only for 90 days whereas the B2 is up to one year.

I may be answering my own question here but my girlfriend's business
involves the export and distribution of product to the US. I'm
beginning to think a business trip on a B1 visa might be her ticket.

Bob

B2 would be stamped for a max of 6 month stay when you get to the States though.
B1 for that purpose might be the way to go if she will only be over seeing things, I think.

Wemic

Bob wrote:

    >>helenab wrote:
    >>>>Hi all,
    >>>>I'm new to all this, so please bear with me. In short, I am a
    >>>>natural
    >>>>born US citizen. I am recently separated (June) from my wife
    >>>>but divo-
    >>>>rce
    >>>>papers have not been filed to date but they are imminent. Two
    >>>>weeks
    >>>>after my separation, while on a business trip to NYC, I met a
    >>>>Japanese
    >>>>woman who was here on vacation and we have since fallen for ea-
    >>>>ch othe-
    >>>>r.
    >>>> She returned to Japan a few weeks ago. We think we would like to
    >>>> marry
    >>>> eventually. Before that happens, she would like to live with me
    >>>> here
    >>>> in
    >>>> the US to see if she can adjust to life here. We would like this
    >>>> to
    >>>> happen sooner rather than later but my divorce process is likely
    >>>> to be
    >>>> lengthy. Obviously, a fiancee visa is out of the question for now.
    >>>> Do-
    >>>> es
    >>>> anyone have an option they can suggest? My girlfriend is 39 and a
    >>>> rather successful business owner in Japan. She can operate her bu-
    >>>> sine-
    >>>> ss
    >>>> from here.
    >>>> Thanks in advance.
    >>>You do realise that if she comes here on a tourist visa, she can't
    >>>wo-
    >>>rk or get a social security number or drivers license, which will
    >>>obv-
    >>>iously limit the "adjustment" of living in this country? I could ne-
    >>>ver
    >>>have gotten a feeling of home in this country without being able to
    >>>work(make friends there), be able to drive where I want and to have
    >>>a
    >>>SSN so I could get bankaccts, insurances etc. Unless you live in the
    >>>center of a city with subway or a decent bus system, it's kind of
    >>>imp-
    >>>ossible to get around.
    >>Thanks for the input. Helen, those are definitely valid things to
    >>consider. I live in a very nice area but public transport is virtual-
    >>ly
    >>non-existent. She appears to be quite comfortable financially as a
    >>result of her business but these are definitely concerns.
    >>Boiler, Japan is a waiver country but I misunderstand why it would be
    >>a
    >>problem to go for a B2 unless a consular official would be made
    >>suspicious by her wanting to go through the slower process. Also,
    >>waiver is only for 90 days whereas the B2 is up to one year.
    >>I may be answering my own question here but my girlfriend's business
    >>involves the export and distribution of product to the US. I'm
    >>beginning to think a business trip on a B1 visa might be her ticket.
    >
    >
    > B2 would be stamped for a max of 6 month stay when you get to the States
    > though.
    > B1 for that purpose might be the way to go if she will only be over see-
    > ing things, I think.
    >

If I understand, can't the B2 be renewed up to an additional 6 months?
Also as far as the B1 is concerned, I'm wondering how subtantial the
business she would have to conduct be. She has no US staff to my knowledge.

Bob

The visa is valid for quite a while, but can only use it to stay for 6 month max, and in theory you can apply to extend it, but to be honest, they hardly ever give that the ok, because would need to prove you don't have immigration intentions.
I can't help with the B1 though

Wemic

Bob wrote:
    >>Bob wrote:
    >>>>helenab wrote:
    >>>>>>Hi all,
    >>>>>>I'm new to all this, so please bear with me. In short, I am a
    >>>>>>natural
    >>>>>>born US citizen. I am recently separated (June) from my wife
    >>>>>>but divo-
    >>>>>>rce
    >>>>>>papers have not been filed to date but they are imminent. Two
    >>>>>>weeks
    >>>>>>after my separation, while on a business trip to NYC, I met a
    >>>>>>Japanese
    >>>>>>woman who was here on vacation and we have since fallen for ea-
    >>>>>>ch othe-
    >>>>>>r.
    >>>>>> She returned to Japan a few weeks ago. We think we would like to
    >>>>>> marry
    >>>>>> eventually. Before that happens, she would like to live with me
    >>>>>> here
    >>>>>> in
    >>>>>> the US to see if she can adjust to life here. We would like this
    >>>>>> to
    >>>>>> happen sooner rather than later but my divorce process is likely
    >>>>>> to be
    >>>>>> lengthy. Obviously, a fiancee visa is out of the question for
    >>>>>> now.
    >>>>>> Do-
    >>>>>> es
    >>>>>> anyone have an option they can suggest? My girlfriend is 39 and
    >>>>>> a
    >>>>>> rather successful business owner in Japan. She can operate her
    >>>>>> bu-
    >>>>>> sine-
    >>>>>> ss
    >>>>>> from here.
    >>>>>> Thanks in advance.
    >>>>>You do realise that if she comes here on a tourist visa, she can't
    >>>>>wo-
    >>>>>rk or get a social security number or drivers license, which will
    >>>>>obv-
    >>>>>iously limit the "adjustment" of living in this country? I could
    >>>>>ne-
    >>>>>ver
    >>>>>have gotten a feeling of home in this country without being able to
    >>>>>work(make friends there), be able to drive where I want and to have
    >>>>>a
    >>>>>SSN so I could get bankaccts, insurances etc. Unless you live in
    >>>>>the
    >>>>>center of a city with subway or a decent bus system, it's kind of
    >>>>>imp-
    >>>>>ossible to get around.
    >>>>Thanks for the input. Helen, those are definitely valid things to
    >>>>consider. I live in a very nice area but public transport is virtu-
    >>>>al-
    >>>>ly
    >>>>non-existent. She appears to be quite comfortable financially as a
    >>>>result of her business but these are definitely concerns.
    >>>>Boiler, Japan is a waiver country but I misunderstand why it would
    >>>>be
    >>>>a
    >>>>problem to go for a B2 unless a consular official would be made
    >>>>suspicious by her wanting to go through the slower process. Also,
    >>>>waiver is only for 90 days whereas the B2 is up to one year.
    >>>>I may be answering my own question here but my girlfriend's business
    >>>>involves the export and distribution of product to the US. I'm
    >>>>beginning to think a business trip on a B1 visa might be her ticket.
    >>>B2 would be stamped for a max of 6 month stay when you get to the
    >>>States
    >>>though.
    >>>B1 for that purpose might be the way to go if she will only be over
    >>>see-
    >>>ing things, I think.
    >>If I understand, can't the B2 be renewed up to an additional 6 month-
    >>s?
    >>Also as far as the B1 is concerned, I'm wondering how subtantial the
    >>business she would have to conduct be. She has no US staff to my kn-
    >>owledge.
    >
    >
    > The visa is valid for quite a while, but can only use it to stay for 6
    > month max, and in theory you can apply to extend it, but to be honest,
    > they hardly ever give that the ok, because would need to prove you don't
    > have immigration intentions.
    > I can't help with the B1 though
    >

Oh yes, I forgot about the immigration intentions part. Frankly, by the
time the 6 months are up, the divorce would likely be final.