Best option for long-term stay ASAP
#1
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Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 4
Best option for long-term stay ASAP
Hi all!
Im looking for guidance on best options for remaining in the USA long term. I have an American girlfriend of 5 years so I’m aware marriage is an option.
Im currently in the USA under the ESTA program but will be returning to the UK to visit family next month. Besides marriage, are there any other options to remain? Would it only be work visas?
Any comments would be appreciated.
Have a nice day !!
Im looking for guidance on best options for remaining in the USA long term. I have an American girlfriend of 5 years so I’m aware marriage is an option.
Im currently in the USA under the ESTA program but will be returning to the UK to visit family next month. Besides marriage, are there any other options to remain? Would it only be work visas?
Any comments would be appreciated.
Have a nice day !!
#2
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Joined: May 2019
Posts: 341
Re: Best option for long-term stay ASAP
By far the easiest way would be to get married and apply for a greencard via that. Otherwise, work/study may be other options in very limited circumstances. How have you been sustaining yourself in the US so far?
#3
Re: Best option for long-term stay ASAP
Marriage is your easiest option, not going to be quick though. What do you do and what is your highest qualification? If you can give people more info, they may be able to suggest an employment based route that would be quicker.
And as above, how long have you been in the US?
And as above, how long have you been in the US?
#4
Re: Best option for long-term stay ASAP
Im currently in the USA under the ESTA program but will be returning to the UK to visit family next month.
You cannot live in the US without the correct visa to do so. As you have already pointed out, you currently hold no visa at all (Hint: The VWP/ESTA is not a visa)
You have already correctly identified the fastest route to living in the US (legally) for you most likely.
I assume you are not going to be looking at returning to the US from the UK? The current travel ban makes the direct trip impossible. I echo my fellow posters in wondering how long you have been 'visiting' this country.
#5
Re: Best option for long-term stay ASAP
Hi all!
Im looking for guidance on best options for remaining in the USA long term. I have an American girlfriend of 5 years so I’m aware marriage is an option.
Im currently in the USA under the ESTA program but will be returning to the UK to visit family next month. Besides marriage, are there any other options to remain? Would it only be work visas?
Any comments would be appreciated.
Have a nice day !!
Im looking for guidance on best options for remaining in the USA long term. I have an American girlfriend of 5 years so I’m aware marriage is an option.
Im currently in the USA under the ESTA program but will be returning to the UK to visit family next month. Besides marriage, are there any other options to remain? Would it only be work visas?
Any comments would be appreciated.
Have a nice day !!
Rene
#6
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 4
Re: Best option for long-term stay ASAP
Hi there! Thanks for the reply all.
Im aware of the travel ban upon return from the UK. I’ve been living overseas so entering was no problem.
My aim would be to return home to the UK and save some money then return via a trip to Mexico where I have family for a few weeks.
In response to my qualifications, I have a law degree (UK) which is obviously different to US Law and a teaching qualification (TESOL).
How difficult is it to organize work whilst waiting for a marriage green card to process? Is it straightforward?
kind regards
Im aware of the travel ban upon return from the UK. I’ve been living overseas so entering was no problem.
My aim would be to return home to the UK and save some money then return via a trip to Mexico where I have family for a few weeks.
In response to my qualifications, I have a law degree (UK) which is obviously different to US Law and a teaching qualification (TESOL).
How difficult is it to organize work whilst waiting for a marriage green card to process? Is it straightforward?
kind regards
#7
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Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 4
Re: Best option for long-term stay ASAP
I’ve added that info below, cheers!
#8
Re: Best option for long-term stay ASAP
Here's the problem. Your intention on your return to the US, when you present yourself for admittance as a 'visitor' is really to get married, and attempt to adjust status so you can remain in the US.
This is illegal.
Your better bet is to get married now, and adjust status now. Put off visiting your family until you have regularized your legal status in the US and have applied and have Advanced Parole in hand. Everything else is irrelevant.
As part of the process you apply for an Employment Authorization Document. When you have that in hand, you can seek and take employment. Before you have that document, you can seek it, but you cannot actually work, since you will not have legal permission to do so.
You also conspicuously failed to answer the question about how long you have been in the US.
This is illegal.
Your better bet is to get married now, and adjust status now. Put off visiting your family until you have regularized your legal status in the US and have applied and have Advanced Parole in hand. Everything else is irrelevant.
How difficult is it to organize work whilst waiting for a marriage green card to process? Is it straightforward?
You also conspicuously failed to answer the question about how long you have been in the US.
Last edited by civilservant; Aug 4th 2021 at 2:34 pm.
#9
Re: Best option for long-term stay ASAP
Or, since you are currently in the USA, you can marry and adjust status now, but that means not going to the UK for several months (until you have AP in hand).
I think we assumed you wanted info on an actual work visa (instead of a marriage based visa).
Rene
Last edited by Noorah101; Aug 4th 2021 at 3:22 pm.
#10
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Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 4
Re: Best option for long-term stay ASAP
Cheers once again for the fast reply!
Ive been in the US since the 6th July in GA myself.
If you cannot marry whilst on ESTA status, how could one legally enter for marriage with no specific visa for this?
Thanks
Ive been in the US since the 6th July in GA myself.
If you cannot marry whilst on ESTA status, how could one legally enter for marriage with no specific visa for this?
Thanks
#11
Re: Best option for long-term stay ASAP
It's not the marriage that's the problem. It's presenting yourself as a 'visitor' when your real intention is to marry and adjust status.
You can enter on ESTA, marry, and then leave the US in order to apply for the correct visa. That's the right way to do it.
You can also marry and stay (apply to adjust status) now, since when you entered this time you did not intend to adjust.
The intention is the issue.
You can enter on ESTA, marry, and then leave the US in order to apply for the correct visa. That's the right way to do it.
You can also marry and stay (apply to adjust status) now, since when you entered this time you did not intend to adjust.
The intention is the issue.
Last edited by civilservant; Aug 4th 2021 at 3:33 pm.
#12
Re: Best option for long-term stay ASAP
Rene
#13
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Joined: Aug 2010
Location: NYC
Posts: 465
Re: Best option for long-term stay ASAP
Food for thought if you entertain the idea of getting married on ESTA:
https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclope...reen-card.html
https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclope...reen-card.html