lontgimeLAaffinicado

1st - thanks in advance for bothering to respond. I'm 60 and aware that life is short and for many years I've spent a lot of money coming to the US with my family. I want a home somewhere in LA (near the sea) and I want to come and go at will - probably not spending more than 6 months at any one time. I don't think I want to become a US citizen though it is a possibility. But really I'd be happy with visiting and I figure that the US should enable that because as a westerner I'd spend money in the US. So what are the do's and don'ts? Is it possible to 'visit' easily - do you get hassled - or do you have to go for it fully?

Beaverstate

Many will be along to tell you why this isn't possible. You really need to be an immigrant to do this, desire and a westerner (British) isn't enough.
Unless you have lots of money (lots) to invest in this.
Check online as there is a nearly limitless supply of 55 plus ladies looking possibly for someone like you.

lontgimeLAaffinicado

The 'British' bit is about not guaranteed non-upsetting of the apple cart - the UK is a an 'aircraft carrier' for the US anyway.... The option you mention doesn't work though as my partner may just have a problem with that. Is it the duration that's a problem - 3 months maybe - or is it that bringing in regular money just doesn't cut it with the US? In the UK right now - relatively wealthy people from anywhere are wanted as long as they don't kidnap the nationals (no matter what the UK government and UKIP put out there).. Are you saying the US is just too insular for openness to UK oldies and that being straight can't work? That US borders will start to make a problem?

lontgimeLAaffinicado

Just to say - I am of working age and without going into details: for the academic world I have the chops for work. But I suspect that visas end after a job ends. I also have 'Alien of Special skills' or whatever that immigration distinction is - I have work scattered around the globe. I suppose I was naively hoping that this was basically a grown up proposition. I'm not trying to scam anything, I'll pay my way and I'll 'add value'. But from your replay I get that all of that is just plain naive....

mikelincs

A read of this from the BE wiki will explain all you need to know about getting a visa to live in the US, otherwise you are limited to the VWP, 90 days in the US then at least 90 days outside, and not Canada or Mexico.

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Pulask...ork_in_the_USA

lontgimeLAaffinicado

OK - I get it - I was naive.... Maybe I'll start a business - thanks

civilservant

If you are of retirement age, you might want to consider a B2 visa which allows 6 month stays as a visitor. Failing that, it's 90 days on the VWP.

JAJ

Non-immigrant visas end after the work ends. But if you could qualify for an employment based immigrant visa, then you could remain in the U.S. indefinitely.


However, there are no special immigration benefits for British citizens.


If you want to visit regularly, then you can normally do that on the visa waiver program or get a B-2 visa, which can be an option for those in retirement.

The U.S. is open to wealthy migrants - perhaps research the EB-5 immigrant visa option.

Something you may also want to consider is U.S. tax - if you become a permanent resident, then you also become U.S. tax resident which may or not be a problem. And you can even become U.S. tax resident if you start spending too much time in the U.S. as a non-immigrant and you probably want to avoid that. California has a lot of state-specific tax issues to watch out for too.

You also talk about buying a home in the U.S., perhaps also consider the possibility of U.S. (and/or California) capital gains tax on disposal, property taxes and also the U.S. estate tax at death. Plus any California estate tax issues, if this were ever to be re-introduced.

Sally Redux

Westerners spend more money - than whom?

Sounds like you only want to visit really - VWP should work or B2 if you've retired, as mentioned above.

Pulaski

I guess he is unfamiliar with the tycoons of China and SE Asia.

SanDiegogirl

There is no retirement or semi-retirement visa for the US.

As you just want to visit and, at age 60 you are probably not too much of a risk at trying to find work, then apply for a B2 visa which gives you up to 6 months in the country.

However, make sure you have strong ties in the UK so that when you apply for the visa you won't give the officials reasons to think that you might try and stay in the US indefinitely.

Don't forget about health insurance for the US. Since you will not be a permanent resident you will find it difficult to get the main US health insurance companies (Blue Cross/Blue shield/Aetna/Cigna etc) to give you a policy. So you probably need to look for an international company to cover you.