clatts

yes ian i thought of that ..but i still have to come back to the uk.. and i can prove to them i have to?

Noorah101

No. It is illegal to enter the USA as a tourist, with the intent to remain and adjust status to permanent resident.

You can get the Immigrant Visa started by having you wife file the I-130. Then you can continue visiting on the VWP, but you can't work in the USA. Then eventually when you come to the USA on your Immigrant Visa, you'll become a US permanent resident from Day 1 and can work in the USA.

There is no short-term solution to your problem. If you come to the USA as a visitor, you can only stay less than 90 days at a time and you can't work. Your quickest way into the USA right now is a spouse Immigrant Visa.

Forget about the B-2. If you qualify to use the VWP, you won't get a B-2.

Rene

Noorah101

The Immigrant Visa takes about 8 to 10 months to process, but you can continue visiting her on the VWP while it's processing.

Rene

fatbrit

I know this visa stuff is like really, really hard work and all that. But if you don't give it some effort, it'll bite you.

clatts

yer thats why iam asking for opinions

clatts

rene are you saying i dont need the b2 visa then , i thought i could stay 6 months on that ?

fatbrit

If you want to live and work in the USA, CR1/IR1 immigrant visa. Takes 10 months give or take and requires a certain commitment.

If you want her to go and live with you in the UK, that'll only take a month or so.

But you need to decide which country you're going to live in. Flipping back and forth between the two is going to be costly and difficult. In fact, the concept of dual citizenship is the only status that allows that -- and you've rejected that out of hand, already.

clatts

ok rene got it that looks like the best course of action i am ok for vwp thank you all

Just Jenney

The B2 visa is typically valid for 6 months, yes. But someone who's eligible to use the VWP has basically zero chance of getting approved for a B2 visa in the first place. Therefore, you can visit the US on the VWP in 90-day increments while your immigrant visa is being processed.

Rule of thumb: Spend as much time outside the US as you do visiting the US on the VWP. For example, if you spend 90 days visiting the US on the VWP, then you should plan to spend at least 90 days outside the US before going back for another VWP visit.

~ Jenney

Noorah101

If you can GET a B-2, it might allow you to stay 6 months (still up to the POE officer)....but if you qualify to use the VWP, it's very difficult to GET the B-2 visa in the first place. And there's really no need for it. You don't "need" to stay in the USA for 6 months at a time.

Rene

scrubbedexpat099

If you are looking at a long visit do not forget to take proof of ties to the UK to be shown only if asked.

meauxna

You need to write ore than one sentence at a time about your situation if you want a sensible reply.
How long have you been married? What's the rush suddenly to be back together? Why do you need to return to the UK, how often and for how long? Where do you plan to live permanently? Do you have a job in the UK? Are there children involved on either side of the pond? Does she have a job?
etc etc etc

TimNiceBut

Well, last time I checked my passport I wasn't called Ian but nevertheless, if you can show immigrations that you do have a job, house etc in the UK and a return ticket, that should generally be enough to get in on the VWP. I've always carried a bundle of documents around showing this sort of stuff and I've never had to pull them out; I think I only offered to show them to the immigrations officer once or twice in six years when the conversation was heading that way.

I've always been fairly open as to the purpose of my visit - the classic one was "What's the purpose of your visit to the US" - "Parents in law's Golden Wedding anniversary" - "Good luck then".

I realise that it's not always like that and in some places they're rather stricter when questioning you, especially when you stay at a private residence, but if you follow the basic guidelines that mentioned over and over again - namely, spend more time outside the US than inside, don't overstay and all that - you've got a pretty good chance of being let in, even with a passport that's as littered with VWP stamps as mine is.