Next step... B2 Visa??

[Eskimo25 0]

So here goes,

I'm currently in America on the Visa waiver program which is due to expire on the 20th of October (i am flying home on the 19th)

I have been out here since July visiting my relatives (not immediate) and enjoying the summer/fall.

I really want to come back out here as soon as possible when i return home and after doing lots of research into different visa's, it looks like my only option would be to get the B2 travel visa, which would hopefully give me an initial 6 months here. However looking more long term i would love to find work out here and make a go of things. Is it possible to change from a B2 visa if i was to be offered some line of work once here on it? Also is the B2 visa easy enough to get hold of?

I'm really just looking for advice for someone who wants to stay out here and i know its a bit of an open ended question but would the B2 visa be my best option? or could i take an alternative course of action to get myself back over here, once i'm back in England in a few weeks.

Thanks for reading

[kzielu 1,149]

B2 can give you up to 6 months stay - but this solely depends at CBP office at POE - you need to provide the reason of your trip, you may be asked for your return flight home (I once came for 2 weeks and was allowed to stay 3 weeks - which was perfectly OK - just saying it does not have to be 6 months).

The reason like above (you would like to stay and look for work) will get you sent back home immediately.

[Eskimo25 0]

Ok so obviously i'm would not say at a B2 interview or at the point of entry that i'm going to look for work as i am aware of the consequences. However as an example theres nothing to stop me looking for work here once i'm in the country is there, as who knows what the future holds or who i could meet.

Furthermore if i was offered some sort of work here, an adjustment of status is possible correct?

[kzielu 1,149]

Furthermore if i was offered some sort of work here, an adjustment of status is possible correct?

Marriage based - yes. Employment based not quite. Work visas are temporary (meaning there is certain time you can work on the and be legally present within US) and you need to meet number of requirements to be eligible for one (specialty occupation - can't be work at fast food)- your employer would have to apply for a work visa for you (being offered work generally means nothing unless potential employer is willing to spend few thousand $ and apply for a visa for you). To get a GC based on employment, your employer would have to sponsor you for that, which is even more difficult than obtaining work visa.

To get B2, you need to have a reason to come too.

[Boiler 46,013]

Your chances of a B2 are close to zero.

[Eskimo25 0]

What so i've been on a visa waiver, not out stayed it. I'm going to go home apply for a b2 because i want to come back and do more travelling and possibly see what happens along the work lines, that makes my chance close to zero? Initially all i'm going to be doing is coming back for pleasure purposes to be with family etc.

After that who knows what the future holds or who i could meet out here, thats why its a bit mind blowing really.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You were just here for 3 months straight, and you want to come back and stay 6 months and plan to find work or meet someone - in other words you are cruising to stay in the US.

You need a really good reason why 3 months is not a long enough stay, and "because I want to find a job or meet someone to marry" is not a good reason.

[Boiler 46,013]

Also is the B2 visa easy enough to get hold of?

You asked, you were answered.

No need to complain it was not the answer you wanted.

[Eskimo25 0]

..Typical Welsh arrogance kicking in there.

Anyways a thanks for the advice to the others that responded. Just what i needed to hear really, doesnt seem like it will be to much of a problem.

Just reading online about people getting the B2 visa pretty easily, just gotta show good ties to home which wont be a problem.

Yeah i've been here for 3 months but from what i have read it seems to be a common occurance, people staying the length of the VW and then getting the B2 to do more travelling.

[Boiler 46,013]

Do come back and let us know how the interview went.

[ceadsearc 516]

The reason it will be difficult is because you are from a country that already lets you come to America quite easily, and stay several months, but you want to try to ask for a visa to give you even more time. Anyone, from any country, who is applying for a B-2 needs to prove strong ties to their home country (owning a house, a spouse, etc.), which will be difficult for you to do if you've already easily left the country for 3 months and are planning to tell your interviewer that coming back for 3 more months on VWP is not enough, you need 6 months. Interviewer will probably wonder, what kind of ties can someone have to their country if they can easily leave it for 9 months at a time? Beyond that, the issue you are going to run into is that you are going to need to give them a good reason as to why just coming back on the much simpler VWP is not adequate for you and WHY you need 6 months to stay here. Maybe you'll get lucky and they'll go for it, but they also might look at it as you spending 9 months a year in America which is practically living here.

The other issue is that if you get denied, you're going to have a hard time using VWP in the future as well, because then you're going to have to admit to having been denied a visa in the past. If that's a risk you're willing to take, that's completely your choice, but think through the consequences because you already have an option that many, many people do not in VWP and you may find yourself having an even more difficult time getting into America in the future if things go sourly.

[Boiler 46,013]

And now Bolivian arrogance!

[ceadsearc 516]

And now Bolivian arrogance!

How dare we!

[Noah Lot 391]

..Typical Welsh arrogance kicking in there.

Anyways a thanks for the advice to the others that responded. Just what i needed to hear really, doesnt seem like it will be to much of a problem.

Just reading online about people getting the B2 visa pretty easily, just gotta show good ties to home which wont be a problem.

Yeah i've been here for 3 months but from what i have read it seems to be a common occurance, people staying the length of the VW and then getting the B2 to do more travelling.

what possible job or tie can one have and still make somebody believe that they can goof off for nine consecutive months??? Obviously you aren't independently wealthy or you wouldn't be looking for a job.....do the Irish routinely get 9 months vacation each year? I would not expect an approval.

[ceadsearc 516]

what possible job or tie can one have and still make somebody believe that they can goof off for nine consecutive months??? Obviously you aren't independently wealthy or you wouldn't be looking for a job.....do the Irish routinely get 9 months vacation each year? I would not expect an approval.

+ 1

All of that aside, if you really want to spend an extended period of time in the US AND have a chance to possibly work in the future, I would consider looking into a student visa and coming here to study. You still have to prove ties to your country, but you'd be here longer and have the chance for OPT afterwards, and if you're lucky, a job offer.