selecta123

Hello!

I'm a self employed male (sole trader), 34 years old with British passport, single, no mortgage, I have family (parents,brother,nieces) in the UK.

I have made a few trips to the US on a ESTA over the past 2 years, 14 days here and there. I have also spent the last 90 days here on a visa waiver/ESTA.

I would like to return to the US to complete a 6 month course. The course is not at a recognised academic institution, so the student visas would not be an option.

My question - What paperwork would I need to show as a self employed person applying for a B2 visa?

Bank statements - How far back?
Tax returns - How many years?

Does anyone have direct experience of this?

Any other pointers!?

scrubbedexpat099

I have never seen a similar case.

Sounds a bit of a long shot.

Noorah101

I know people on the VWP are not supposed to study. I don't know if that applies to the B-2 visa, but you'll want to make sure before going through all the steps for nothing.

In general, if you qualify for VWP travel, it's very difficult to get a B-2 visa. Especially if you are self-employed, because the ConOff may think you plan to work remotely in the USA while you're visiting. What proof could you provide that you MUST return to the UK?

Far enough to prove you have the funds to cover a 6-month stay in the USA.

What do tax returns prove? You need to prove that you do not intend to remain in the USA, and that you must return to the UK. A lease or rental agreement would be better proof than a tax return.

Something to keep in mind....If you apply for a B-2 and it's denied, it will affect your ability to travel on the VWP for the next 6 to 12 months.

Rene

fatbrit

Don't do it unless you want to find yourself unable to visit the USA as a tourist in the foreseeable future.

Also, spend at least 90 days (and preferably much longer) out of the USA before you attempt another VWP entry.

Not what you wanted to hear, I know. I presume there's a love interest here. Proceed with great caution.

selecta123

Thank you for your quick replies everyone.

Yes, there is a love interest. But neither of us are really at a point where we want to marry.

Not my intention to mislead you guys, just trying to keep the questions simple!

I would genuinely like to do the course and we would have more time to decide if we wanted to get married.

I guess the only other option is to wait a while and come on the VWP again?

I have read a K-1 for a UK citizen currently takes 7/8 months and I cannot travel to the US during the application.

Noorah101

That sounds about right.

This is incorrect.

If you are not at a point where you want to get married, then the K-1 visa is not what you want. With the K-1 visa, you must get married within your first 90 days in the USA, and then adjust your status to permanent resident after marriage.

Rene

selecta123

I'm also concerned that even if I did get a B2 visa and then tried to change status by getting married this would cause issues?

Noorah101

Yes, it could. It is illegal to misrepresent yourself at the POE as a visitor, when your true intent is to remain in the USA and adjust status.

If that is your intent, the B-2 is not the one you want.

Sounds like you just need to spend more time visiting each other, until you know for sure you want to marry.

Rene

selecta123

Thanks Noorah,

Do you know if it is possible to travel to the US on ESTA/VWP during a K-1 application?

Is it possible to extend the 90 days before marriage on a K-1 visa?

Thanks again!

fatbrit

Do you know if it is possible to travel to the US on ESTA/VWP during a K-1 application? Yes -- but there's never any guarantee of entry.

Is it possible to extend the 90 days before marriage on a K-1 visa? Never.

Noorah101

Yes, it is.

No, it is not.

Rene

selecta123

Thanks FatBrit,

I guess they would know that a K-1 application was in progress at the border depending on how far through the process we were.

Probably best to meet in a third country during that time.

Thanks everyone for the info - Have a good day =)

fatbrit

It's not impossible to visit during the K1, just has some caveats. Let's say you arrive 2 weeks after your last, full 90-day VWP visit with the kitchen sink in your baggage. Then, you'll be spending the night in a cell and going home on the morning flight. But otherwise, a visit is possible.

Noorah101

Having a K-1 application in progress does not prohibit you from visiting the USA on the VWP.

Only if that's what you both prefer.

Rene