neeyt

Hi everyone, im new to this posting stuff so if it's in the wrong place i apologize! . Were thinking of buying a house over in Florida? "but" could anyone tell me how many times a year are you allowed to go ? im going for 3 months at xmas, how long do you have to be out of the states for until you can return, im sure it's not as easy as just crossing the border is it ? any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks from Neeyt

hopeful_Mark

If you are entering on the VWP then 90 days in and 90 days out rule seems to apply. try searching the forum this subject will come up a million times to answer your question more fully.

Ray

There is no 90 day visa

neeyt

ok, did i meen entry permit ? (the time you get allowed into the country for anyway !)

neeyt

Thanks mark, im looking back thro the pages now to see if there is anything that might help me.

Ray

It a visa waiver you use ..ie.. no visa

Good for a maxumum 90day stay

If you want a 180 day you will need to apply for
B-2 visa ..if you are off a younger working age do not bother

Tracym

The visa waiver program (VWP) allows people from certain programs to enter for 90 days without a visa.

Ray is describing the B-2 visa, which is a multiple entry visa good for 10 years. Generally, at the point of entry a person is granted 180 days for their trip. This is a difficult visa to get, since generally people are expected to just use the VWP instead. However, they understand the logic of retired persons wishing to spend the winter in florida, so older folks have an easier time getting one.

There is no actual rule about how much time to spend out of the US - the general rule of thumb is to spend at least as much time out of the US as you spend in.

neeyt

Thanks... we will be looking at spending the winter out there, my husband is retired, so it looks like probably this way is the best way to go ! do you have to contact the embassy ? or is there on-line ways to apply? !

Ray

You will have to go for interview

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/b2.html


The florida housing market is in turmoil ..
Be careful ....

Elvira

And what about healthcare...

Ray

Snowbirds can get that in the uk ...

neeyt

thanks, thats another thing we need to look into. Healthcare ? there is so many things that we need to get info on !! thats why i looked for help on this site.. all your replies have been helpful . thanks

Tracym

They can buy travel insurance in the UK for that I believe.

They'd be repatriated if seriously ill, but that's ok I would think.

Ray

lots of retired peopole from the uk ..spend 6 months in
florida every year.. lots near me ...

neeyt

i really dont blame them !!! it's supposed to be summer and it hasn't stopped raining for days. We're coming to Florida 16th Dec staying in Sarasota and Naples untill March, i can't wait i love it.