Looking for some advice

[SunDrop 59]

What ties to the UK will she have to prove her intent to return?

In your situation, I would book a 4-6 week trip. There's nothing to stop you from choosing to extend her visit, if it's going well, to the full 90 days. There's no way of really telling what 'real life' in a foreign country is going to be like, until you actually do it.

And 12 weeks is usually enough time to get a sense of what being together is going to be like on a permanent basis. Once you know more about how you get on together when just living together for a somewhat sustained time, you can decide if and how you want to go about making it a permanent thing.

And in support of Nich-Nick's point about 6 months of doing nothing nearly ruining a relationship, we're a testament to that. My fiance came over for 3 weeks and ended up staying nearly the full 6 months permitted on the UK's VWP. He was miserable at the end. Isolated, bored, desperately homesick and unable to start doing anything with himself because study and work wasn't allowed. It made him very depressed, he got home and was unemployed, living with his parents again... I literally had to get on a plane and surprise him for 3 days, to remind him of what we have as a couple and why it's worth working through it. After that I traveled out there for 3 more trips: a 3 week stay, 6 weeks and 5 weeks. And at the end of the 5 week trip, we got engaged. I have absolutely no doubt at all, that if it weren't for that emergency salvage visit I made, we wouldn't be together today.

[RoninGeek 0]

What ties to the UK will she have to prove her intent to return?

In your situation, I would book a 4-6 week trip. There's nothing to stop you from choosing to extend her visit, if it's going well, to the full 90 days. There's no way of really telling what 'real life' in a foreign country is going to be like, until you actually do it.

And 12 weeks is usually enough time to get a sense of what being together is going to be like on a permanent basis. Once you know more about how you get on together when just living together for a somewhat sustained time, you can decide if and how you want to go about making it a permanent thing.

And in support of Nich-Nick's point about 6 months of doing nothing nearly ruining a relationship, we're a testament to that. My fiance came over for 3 weeks and ended up staying nearly the full 6 months permitted on the UK's VWP. He was miserable at the end. Isolated, bored, desperately homesick and unable to start doing anything with himself because study and work wasn't allowed. It made him very depressed, he got home and was unemployed, living with his parents again... I literally had to get on a plane and surprise him for 3 days, to remind him of what we have as a couple and why it's worth working through it. After that I traveled out there for 3 more trips: a 3 week stay, 6 weeks and 5 weeks. And at the end of the 5 week trip, we got engaged. I have absolutely no doubt at all, that if it weren't for that emergency salvage visit I made, we wouldn't be together today.

Thank you Sundrop, I really appreciate the advice and sharing of your experience. It's invaluable to us as I try to sort out the best way to go about this for us, while still doing things the right way.

One more question, just out of curiosity, if she were to get denied the B2, would that eliminate her VWP that she already has?

[gwenneh 7]

Yes, it would. If you have been denied a visa, you cannot use the VWP. This is one of the questions on the green I-94W form for the visa waiver admission.

[English Muffin 59]

Yes, it would. If you have been denied a visa, you cannot use the VWP. This is one of the questions on the green I-94W form for the visa waiver admission.

That isn't true. You will need to declare the fact that a visa has been refused but it doesn't stop you from using the VWP. Expect to get sent to secondary inspection at the POE though.

[*julez* 124]

Going for the B2 will be a waste of time and money. Seriously. It will be easier to try to work within the parameters of the VWP.

[Boiler 45,761]

That isn't true. You will need to declare the fact that a visa has been refused but it doesn't stop you from using the VWP. Expect to get sent to secondary inspection at the POE though.

Which is not pleasant

[Fandango 1,439]

Eh, I lived in the UK for ages doing what the OP suggested....but actually, it happened accidentally, as we just did lots of traveling and everytime I came back in, my pp was stamped for another 6 months.

I don't think it's a bad thing...however, I don't think it's something to bank on doing intentionally, though.

Have no advice for the B visa situation. I will give one word of caution based on my experience....when I lived there, it was great, had a blast! Who wouldn't, I didn't work, and basically partied, shopped, and traveled for years. But I was having so much fun because it was an escape from real life and all the responsibilities that come with it...so my time there was not helpful in gleaning a good idea of how we work as a unit should we have gotten married. Different set of eyes, basically.

And for those who don't know me here, no we did not wind up getting married. Thank God, lolz.

Good luck though, whatever you decide!

Edited February 8, 2010 by Happy Bunny

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Eh, I lived in the UK for ages doing what the OP suggested....but actually, it happened accidentally, as we just did lots of traveling and everytime I came back in, my pp was stamped for another 6 months.

I don't think it's a bad thing...however, I don't think it's something to bank on doing intentionally, though.

Have no advice for the B visa situation. I will give one word of caution based on my experience....when I lived there, it was great, had a blast! Who wouldn't, I didn't work, and basically partied, shopped, and traveled for years. But I was having so much fun because it was an escape from real life and all the responsibilities that come with it...so my time there was not helpful in gleaning a good idea of how we work as a unit should we have gotten married. Different set of eyes, basically.

And for those who don't know me here, no we did not wind up getting married. Thank God, lolz.

Good luck though, whatever you decide!

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...t&p=3695241

[Fandango 1,439]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...t&p=3695241

The 'experience' of having an 'extended vacation' in another country to be with your SO is not country specific, imo. And I feel my contribution to this thread based on my experience and my viewpoint could prove to be helpful to the OP.

But thanks for the follow up!

[RoninGeek 0]

Thanks to everyone for the helpful advice. It seems that was is "allowed" on paper doesn't mesh with reality. =)

I sort of figured this was the case, and I'm thankful for all the experiences everyone has related and the detailed helpful advice.

I believe we'll just have her come over on the VWP again, as we did over the holiday.

Again, Thanks so much, I really appreciate it.

Chris.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

If either of you is still in education, you may want to explore opportunities for study in one country or the other.