Changinglives

Im a French native, I have lived in the UK for 5 years - I look forward to meeting you all. I am a trained librarian, gave this career up 5 years ago to come and live in the UK where I eventually became a retail supervisor for a Health Food Company. I also now have several home based businesses which I am working very hard at developping. Recently I travelled to the US to meet some friends and expand my businesses there. I met a friend's friend and would like to go back in the US and train with him in order to start a new career. He is a natural foods specialist and I am keen on living with his community for a while as a in between careers sort of thing. Ideally I would like to live and work in the US - eventually. I was thinking of applying for a tourist visa and was wondering if any of you could share your experiences with me - how long is the visa for, is it renewable, do I need to make travel arrangements prior to applying etc etc. Thanks for any tips help and advice !

HarryTheSpider

Hi Melanie,

Welcome to BE!

As far as I know, if you are a French national, and you aren't planning to work initially in the US, you can go out and live for up to 90 days at a time. France is in the Visa Waiver Programme or VWP, so you just need a machine-readable passport with at least a year before it runs out (at the time of entry to the US) and then apply electronically with ESTA - see this link:

http://france.usembassy.gov/niv_waiver_program.html

If you are going to be studying formally (at a recognised college) you will likely need a study visa.

Other people here on BE will be able to confirm that if you stay in the US under the VWP, say for the max 90 days, when you leave, don't come back to the US for at least 90 days or you may find entry denied. It doesn't pay to cheat the visa system or over stay. You should also have a return ticket, not a 1 way ticket, and likely be asked to demonstrate a means of supporting yourself while staying in the US - and that means having cash, not a job!

Do you have any direct relatives that are US citizens? This might help.

The other thing I suggest you do if you haven't already, is take a look at the WIKI here: http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Category:USA_Immigration_

Any other questions, just ask! Some body will likely point you in the right direction!

Cheers

Harry

PS - DO NOT make travel arrangements until you have any necessary visas - it can take MONTHS to come through, if successful, and there doesn't seem to be any means for accurately forecasting just how long it takes - every person's situation is unique... I'd first get registered on ESTA, take a trip over to your friend, just for a few weeks, and see how things go - do it as a holiday trip.

Nutmegger

Welcome -- but be very careful of this wording -- the VWP allows you to VISIT the US for the length of the stamp placed in your passport when you are admitted, not to LIVE in the US. The rule of thumb -- 90 days in, 90 days out, and don't overdo the visits!

HarryTheSpider

Thanks nutmegger - I know some people would say this is being pedantic, but it seems this is a 'necessary evil' when discussing legal issues like a visa - I'd hate for people to use the wrong words (my words!) and get denied entry when they could otherwise have got in...

Cheers from a more informed Harry!

meauxna

Read Me: REALLY, READ ME: Want to Live & Work in the US?

A tourist visa isn't appropriate for living or working in the US. As a French citizen, you should usually be eligible to use the Visa Waiver Program, for a visit of 90 days or less. You may not work on the VWP; be careful about that if you have long-term aspirations to live here.

E3only

= visit, do touristy things, enjoy.

Changinglives

Thanks everyone for your replies. Yes I do know about the visa waiver programme (in fact I have just used it) that does allow one to travel for 6 weeks at a time .. with a cooling off period of 6 weeks in between .. but I think the Authorities may become suspicious if you do that too often !! I was just wondering - does anyone know if it is possible to apply for a visa (like a trainee one), travel under the visa waiver programme and be granted the visa whilst you are in the US - allowing you to extend your stay ? Thanks - hope that makes sense - melanie

E3only

What?

lisa67

The VWP is for 90 days, as someone has already said and you cannot change status once in the US if you have entered on the VWP.

Changinglives

Thanks

ian-mstm

A "visa" is a travel document. It allows you to come to the US and ask for permission to enter. You can NOT get a visa while you are inside the US... because a visa is a travel document.

Ian