cmb29385

Ok, so bear with me here guys. I have no idea if what I want to do is allowed, or how. I don't know about visas, permits or any of that stuff. I will read up on it all, but right now I just need some simple answers if anyone is willing to help me.

Basically, my life is falling apart. Relationship, crumbling. Rented home, disappearing. I need to escape, to hit reset.

I have a life-long friend who lives in the USA. She moved there from the UK some 15 years ago, has an excellent job, her own home, and is married.

I'd like to go and stay with her for upto six months. I'd have a job waiting for me at home, but not much else. I'm 31, female. Ideally, I'd like to work part time, waitressing or similar, while visiting so I could pay my way.

Is this kind of thing even possible? I would appreciate any help or advice anyone can give me. I'm pretty desperate.

hottoddy

Stand and face your demons.When your life is more stable then think about taking that big move.Trust me

cmb29385

There's a lot more to it I'm afraid. I just need to know if what I'm thinking of is even possible. If it is, I'm going to put at least 6 months more thought into it. I'm not running away. I'm taking a sabbatical from my almighty sh*t storm.

london_calling

In a sense, I disagree. Forget the US (won't happen for visa-related reasons) but why not head to Thailand, Bali, South America or somewhere equally chilled for six months? For example there's plenty of casual bar work in Thai tourist hotspots and you'll be in paradise, meeting people from all over the world. You'll come back a better person.

cmb29385

Because money is extremely limited. If I go to the US I have a place to stay, with a woman I consider family. Can I holiday there for a few months? Anything at all?

Pulaski

You can visit for 90 days, and not a minute longer, assuming you're British (or from another country that is eligible for the VWP) and have never been arrested.

You cannot work while in the US, full stop. Not for cash, not casually, and not remotely/on-line.

The US has no equivalent of the "working holiday visa" that Canada, Australia, and NZ have.

Noorah101

No, your plan as it stands is not possible. What you can do, is go to the USA for 90 days or less (you'll need to complete an ESTA application first). Go see your friend and relax. You cannot work at all while in the USA, though.

Rene

hottoddy

OK staying on topic do you think suggesting that a single female should head to Thailand, Bali, South America or somewhere equally chilled.When clearly she made a point about wanting to go to the U.S because she had a friend in that country.Think about the advice you are giving.?

petitefrancaise

I think the OP has been given the information she needs re;USA. FWIW, you can live very cheaply indeed in some of these places and teach english to earn a bit of money,so I think it's not bad advice at all.

hottoddy

I stand by my comment advising the O.P to hastily travel to the Far East or South America without friends or contacts is not such a good ideal.

BEVS

However. This is a USA visa and immigration forum.

In this forum we stay on topic .

If you wish to widen the horizon please link to other forums that might help if the OP wishes that. Not have a conversation here.

I thank you

scrubbedexpat099

As has been said no such legal option in the US.

ian-mstm

Not possible without a B-2 visa - and you're highly unlikely to get a B-2 visa if you're eligible for the VWP. Wanting more time in the US is not sufficient to get a B-2 visa... in a nutshell, the US has no interest in what you want.


And here's the reason why you won't get a B-2 visa... lack of ties to the UK.


You can't work on either a B-2 visa or the VWP. End of story.


No - not in the US.


It's been my experience, and have said as much for many years now, that people who are desperate make very poor decisions.


Yes. If you're eligible for the VWP you can spend up to 90 days in the US without a visa. Complete ESTA and, if approved, get on a plane and go. Do not overstay in the US by even 1 day or you can never use the VWP again... ever. Hint: Google is your friend.

Ian

cmb29385

Thank you to everyone for their visa related advice. Pulaski, I got arrested once in 2008 for drunk and disorderly (which to this day I am so embarrassed about that only my mum knows because she had to pick me up - cringe), I wasn't charged or anything, just made to dry out in a cell. Will that count against me then if I did the 90 day holiday?

Pulaski

I am not certain what the ESTA questions are, as I have never needed an ESTA, so I don't know off-hand what the impact would be.