visa for long term tourist?
 

hi

my partner and i are currently here in Santa Fe having gained entry via visa waiver program (we are both british)
we have our own vehicle and are taking 7 to 10 years to travel around the world.
having now shipped our vehicle here from korea we are realising that 3 months is way to short a time ! we had hoped to just renew whenever needed by just crossing borders into either Canada or Mexico but i have learnt that this is not a guaranteed way to gain another 3 months under the vwp.
We really expect to be touring america for anything up to 4 years (nipping back home to UK when weather gets too uncomfortable here) so spending maybe 8 months in a year here but as i say over the next 4 years.

I have heard of the option of a 10 year visa being obtained ?
is this true ?
if so, then how do i go about requesting one ?
if not true, then anybody got any suggestions?

thanks
Phil.

Re: visa for long term tourist?
 

Welcome to BE. I believe that others more knowledgable will be along shortly, but on VWP maximum is day under 6 months only.10 yrs visa only applies to green card and you'll not get one, in your circumstances.read up on search system, plenty of info on there.

Re: visa for long term tourist?
 

The Visa Waiver is only for a max of 90 days!

Even in the days when British tourists had to have a visa to visit the US, the maximum time you could visit was (I seem to recall) 6 months per visit. The visa was annotated 'Multiple entry valid for 10 years' ie. the visa was valid for 10 years but you certainly couldn't stay in the US for that length of time! Unfortunately you can't get these visas by post anymore and have to have an interview at a US Embassy AFAIK....google the US Embassy website in London or perhaps Canada or Mexico.

However, you can't make multiple *frequent* entries to the US on a visa waiver without raising the suspicions of the POE (port of entry) officers and run a strong risk of being denied entry.....I've often read on these boards that you need to spend at least as long outside the US as your intended next visit.

I can only think that it might be best to see if you can get the B1/B2 visas and provide plenty of evidence that you can not only support yourselves but provide ample evidence that you have strong ties to the UK (eg. property, job(!) that the consular officers are convinced that you will return there and not try and stay in the US.

Sorry, probably not what you want to hear but that's the way it is.

Re: visa for long term tourist?
 

I think the B1/B2 only allows six months at a time.

Re: visa for long term tourist?
 

My suggestion is to re-evaluate your travel plans since what you have in mind is not possible

Re: visa for long term tourist?
 

Visa waiver ..90 days in 90 days out

B-2 visa ... 180 days in 180 days out ..

and all will be safe and happy

Re: visa for long term tourist?
 

Hang on here. Travelling into and out of the USA under the VWP more likely will NOT cause a problem as I am assuming YOU can absolutely prove you do not have any finacial need to work and are fully self sustaining (Travel Insurance) and all that.

Sure, it's not guaranteed BUT a lot of people do the VWP who do not have the means to be self-supporting and get away with it BUT in your case, you should be OK.

Since you are not breaking any laws, you are at the mercy of the POE BUT with good evidence as above, *I* think you'll be fine. IMHO.

Do NOT however even think about staying over the 90 days and keep ALL docuemntation (proof of self-sustaining) with you. If you are staying in HOTELS - even better - keep all the receipts because this again proves you as a tourist.... proof proof proof and you'll be fine.

Re: visa for long term tourist?
 

D'oh...

B1/2 visa might be valid for 10 years, but it's the stamp on the I-94 that counts, usually not longer than six months...chances of getting it if your not retired and able to use the VWP are slim.

Consider touring Canada...

Re: visa for long term tourist?
 

For 8 months of a year, for four years running?

Uh, I don't think so.

Re: visa for long term tourist?
 

Colleagues managed to get a 12 month stamp once. Both UKC he was working here - girlfriend not but she got the tourist visa lived on it for 18 months (they are married now) they had some trying times at POE but she always got in. Employer supported and showed she didnt need to work etc etc but this was unusal case

Re: visa for long term tourist?
 

That's the thing -- you aren't supposed to "live here" on a tourist visa. You're supposed to be a tourist. It's too bad the OP didn't consider that before importing his car here from Korea.

~ Jenney

Re: visa for long term tourist?
 

Yes I know but it can be used that way - thats the circumstances that they were issued it, like i said it was unusual, but at least it didnt force them to get married before coming over - our company has had some example of that which went badly wrong!

Re: visa for long term tourist?
 

Sorry mate, no effing way.