Weeze

This isn't true as per the drivers handbook of Texas though. It's 90 days. Those are the people you will be dealing with.

Speedbird One

wow, good find, that is on headache less then as i have full uk license.

I agree the need for a US bank account is not a very material issue for me.

the key remaining issue is school, assuming i hire a car for the period which is possible, and assuming I apply and get a b1-/b2 all round.....

i will probably go for an eb5 soon, just a long wait. on property, i think i can put up with land lording from far away as have loads of experience of this, good and er bad !

Jerseygirl

Usually a visitor to the US can use their foreign DL longer than a resident can. Of course this varies from state to state. Sounds like the OP will be a visitor but would like to be a resident.

Speedbird One

true ! but i will work with the realities and I do not want to breach the rules in the usa. I can enjoy myself perfectly well while waiting for an eb5 to come through after all.

Mr Weeze

I think it is a touch more nuanced than 90 days after entry. It's 90 days after establishing residence (this is my take on it).

Lawful Residence Requirement (TX)

And here is the list of permissable temporary visitor documentations (TX)

Here are some excerpts:

"There are several requirements all applicants must meet in order to obtain a Texas driver license or identification card, including most notably identity, social security number, and residency requirements."

"B1/B2 Visa/BCC with I-94
(Border Crosser Card , DSP-150, or “laser visa”)
All of the following:
♦ Unexpired foreign passport,
♦ Visa (border crosser card), and
♦ I -94
Note: Applicant must have an I-94 to be eligible because of the time and distance from the border restrictions for applicants who do not obtain an I-94."

"B-1, B-2, C-1, C-3, D-1, and D-2
Unexpired foreign passport or I -94
Note: The applicant may not be able meet residency/domicile requirements."

Here is the requirement for moving to Texas:

"New residents moving into Texas, who are at least 16 years or older and have a valid driver license from another state, have 90 days after entry into the state to secure a Texas Driver License."

Now if you are never classed as a resident, then this doesn't apply and you can use UK license. (My opinion).

You may be able to get car insurance via AIG travel assist.

jackattack

I don't recall having to provide a SSN for the private school my daughter goes to. Maybe if you are applying for financial aid, then yes, they will want to see your financial situation (tax returns). But, that being said, good schools like continuity of students and want to see a stream of revenue over a few years, not just a 'one off' student.

As part of the application process we were certainly interviewed about our intentions and how long we were thinking of keeping our kid at the school. You can, obviously, lie or be less than truthful and there is nothing that they can do should you decide to relocate or that the school isn't for you. Anyway, that is my experience with three private schools here in the Bay Area.

Jerseygirl

My daughter's school asked to see her visa.

jeffreyhy

You will be visiting Houston, not moving to Houston. And a B2 visa is a visa for pleasure purposes, not business purposes. As a practical matter, B visas may show a classification of B2 only, B1 only, or B1/B2. Of more importance, I think, is the classification that the CBP officer writes on the entry stamp when you enter the USA using the visa, but in any case be clear as to the purpose of your intended visit when you apply for the visa. A B visa allows up to 6 months in the USA per visit. How many visits you can make in any given period of time is up to the CBP officer who inspects you at a US POE when you arrive to request entry. Different banks have different policies for what documentation they require to comply with the provisions of the Patriot Act. Some banks may require a SSN or ITIN, but not all do. You may have to shop around to find a bank that will open an account for you. (All banks will require a SSN or an ITIN for an interest bearing account, since they have to report the interest to the IRS.) What you will need to get car insurance will depend on each insurance company's policies and procedures. A SSN (or ITIN) should not be required, but you may be asked for one, and you may even be falsely told that one is required, since the SSN is commonly used as a defacto national ID number by insurance companies and many other entities. The local school district policies and procedures will apply. There should not be any problem buying if you're using cash. You will have to be careful to make your property tax and insurance payments, and if you rent it out you will have additional insurance issues and income tax issues to deal with. Your wife will want a B2 visa, unless she will be in the US for business purposes also. I believe that if she uses the VWP, and goes to Mexico (or Canada) for a couple of days after, say, 80 days in the USA, she will have 8 more days to stay in the USA based on her initial entry. Back-to-back 90-day VWP entries may entail more than a "small risk" of denied entry given your presence in the USA in B status. Regards, JEff

Bob

You can't open a savings account, but you can open a checking account. Might need to ask for a supervisor as they might have to faff around with the backend to do it and you can use 000-00-0004 as a SSN if you don't have one, as it's a general johnny foreigner number.

The VWP thing to Mexico won't cut it, can't be a neighbouring country.

Getting utilities usually isn't a problem without a SSN, you'd generally be asked to pay a deposit though, anything from $50-600.

Insuring a car without a US license or SSN isn't a problem....rates will be shit and the cover will be voided if you go past x day allowed on a foreign license and have not gotten a local license.

Buying a house, when you don't have the ability to live here, especially if you haven't lived in the area for a couple of years is generally an incredibly stupid thing to do.

This whole adventure is going to end in tears.

Bob

It's so they can run a credit check, simple as that. They want to know you're in good standing and can pay up.

ian-mstm

Respectfully, you aren't moving at all. At best, you're visiting... there's a huge difference!


Respectfully, he will not be able to attend school, as he is only a visitor to the US.


Yes - what will you do with the property when you are refused entry to the US for abusing the B visa?


Your notion of what is and what is not allowed is seriously flawed!

There are so many red flags with your intent, that it's just easier to just let you screw yourself over... than try to tell you why it's not going to work as you envision it.

Ian

Speedbird One

Thanks for the recent replies.

So I will come for less than 90 days under the vwp, not apply for a b class visa, and leave. simple. My son won't be schooling in the US either, that does not work for a 90 day entry, and there is no point him getting an F-1 if i am limited to a 90 day stay.

Buying a property, agree, no, only if I have a green card, as regular re-entry immigration approval risk seems a lot higher than I thought, and with one rejection things will get ugly.

EB-5.....nice deal....

jackattack

Well that definitely that makes sense. And since the OP had already said that his son isn't going to enroll in a private school for his 90 visit to the US, the point is somewhat moot.

But doesn't someone have to tell you if they're going to run a credit check on you? I really don't remember my daughter's school doing that.

Sally Redux

Depending on your son's age, that's a lot of schooling to miss.

Speedbird One

It is, and it is the deal breaker for me. My premise had been that I could have my son at school for the 3 - 6 months while I am there. That then became 3 months, with risk of re entry refusal after 3 months, which I don't care for too much. Then it became, no local schools can be used either for my son....so final attempt was for private schooling, but it seems I may well even get visa breach problems even from that, so, I am out of this, it is too hard. We will come for a few weeks holiday instead again and then leave. I won't take any visa breach risks in the USA at this stage, as a green card can be obtained.

There are plenty of other exciting places, and I will be happy to spend my hard earned dollars where I am welcome, and it seems the US does not want them, a pity, mutually, but so be it.