Rorypens

I was considering buying a small holiday home in the US (West Coast) for use under 180 days a year. I am retired.

I was looking at the visa options and I figure I would need a B2 to get 6 months (?). But I read that the B2 is issued, in terms of length, at the IOs discretion.

Do other holiday home owners have problems getting the visa for the full 6 months a year? I would hate to have the holiday home for 6 months a year and not be able to stay in it.

Moses2013

I thought you wanted to split your time between Asia and Europe and were looking at Portugal/Spain. Why suddenly the US? I would assume that it can be harder for people who fall under the Visa Waiver Program to get the B-2 Visa, but maybe I'm wrong.


The B-2 visa allows the applicant to reside in the U.S. for private or tourist purposes. In particular, people who do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program (visa-free entry) due their nationality may be interested in applying for the B-2 visa.
The holder of a B-2 visa can stay for a maximum of 180 days per entry (several times consecutively or at a time). These conditions apply to all visits until the visa has expired. After that the person must reapply for the visa at their U.S. consulate.

B-2 visa holders who stay in the U.S. for longer periods of time and make frequent entries may experience additional difficulties at the border, especially if the U.S. border officials suspect that the visa holder no longer has strong ties to their home country.

Rorypens

The tax bills are coming in high (very) so I am additionally also looking at a 3 country option to minimize taxation. Portugal/Spain is still my priorty.

Moses2013

Of course it depends on exact area, but if you calculate all other costs (Insurance, utilities, food, travel) then the West Coast of US is certainly not a cheaper option.
And even when it comes to tax, I can't imagine that you'd be better off there. You said you are worried about your pension being taxed, but from which country do you receive a pension? You are basically paying thousands more for a third property and have even more costs.

Rorypens

Yes very worried, I am having professional calculations done now for PT and SP but I am in the upper level tax brackets for SP and PT which are quite shocking rates compared to my current 0% (or even UK and USA tax rates for that matter). My pension is offshore but I have to keep an eye on the various residency tests in my planning. The more I dig into the planning the more I am interested in looking at every potential avenue that suits my criteria. I will prob end up coming back to my first plan but the planning is a journey I need to make ;+)

civilservant

A B2 for a retired person is not nearly as tough a get as it is for a working age VWP eligible person.

Moses2013

Easiest option is that you pick a nicer low cost area in the UK as your main residence and spend less than 6 months in Spain or Portugal. Anywhere in the UK for Spring and summer is ideal and just spend the winter months in Spain for example. You'll save hundreds of thousands on property alone, rather than buying 3 properties in high cost areas.

Rorypens

Thats actually excellent advice Moses. Thanks. Its been in the back of my head as well. The taxation is respectively low.

tht

Rorypens

Actually I live in one now ;+) Small was good but "island fever" set in and I got frustrated with local cultural issues (sloppiness and corruption) in my little corner of the world. Now I see my dotage in some place bigger and with a degree of equality under the law. Thanks for the heads up on Canadians.

Anrev

I use the Esta. Stay for up to 90 days a few times per year.