Getting tourist visa and being in early retirement..

[Roxxi 3]

I hope someone has any insight into this...

I'm Swedish and would like to apply for the B1 tourist visa so I can stay for a longer vacation than 90 days.. I've read the requirements but am not sure about my situation. I'm in what is best described as "early retirement" for medical reasons, I guess it would be called disability pension in the US? So I don't work...have income every month (though small)but can otherwise travel. I'm 45 if that makes a difference..

Would this situation be good or bad regarding getting the visa approved??

I have been in the US plenty of times under VWP, for weeks and months but never overstayed.

I have plenty of friends in the US to visit and stay etc...

I don't have family here in Sweden (parents dead etc) but I have a lease on a apartment.

Based on your experiences would this visa be approved or denied, what do you think?

Edited February 26, 2012 by Roxxi

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Well, 2 possible issues are your lack of ties to Sweden (it seems like you simply have an apartment lease) and the reasons why you cannot simply travel on the WVP

Remember, if your B tourist visa is denied, it could impact your use of the WVP

Good luck

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

I think you have a reasonable chance of getting approved. I know some Irish pensioners who got approved for similar reasons. I assume you have travel insurance or similar to cover your disability. should the need arise while in the USA?

[Roxxi 3]

Well, 2 possible issues are your lack of ties to Sweden (it seems like you simply have an apartment lease) and the reasons why you cannot simply travel on the WVP

Remember, if your B tourist visa is denied, it could impact your use of the WVP

Good luck

Yes, that's what I'm afraid of...not being able to use the waiver again....

the reason for not using the waiver and my ESTA (which is valid) is of course that I wanna stay longer, hopefully an entire winter

This lack of ties confuses me... the fact that I need to be a swedish resident to recieve my benefits shouldn't that be a tie to my country?

I think you have a reasonable chance of getting approved. I know some Irish pensioners who got approved for similar reasons. I assume you have travel insurance or similar to cover your disability. should the need arise while in the USA?

Yes I would get a travel insurance...

Thanks for your replies so far

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Yes, that's what I'm afraid of...not being able to use the waiver again....

the reason for not using the waiver and my ESTA (which is valid) is of course that I wanna stay longer, hopefully an entire winter

This lack of ties confuses me... the fact that I need to be a swedish resident to recieve my benefits shouldn't that be a tie to my country?

Absolutly! However, I think this needs to be made clear at your interview. I always err on the side of caution

Good luck

[Boiler 45,538]

If you have a small pension how can you afford to visit the US for so long?

[Roxxi 3]

If you have a small pension how can you afford to visit the US for so long?

I save money

+ I'm used to living on little money..

I was there for 90 days and did just fine everything is much cheaper than in Sweden

[Boiler 45,538]

Have you though of going to Mexico?

[jaycali 415]

If you have a small pension how can you afford to visit the US for so long?

This is a very Scandinavia specific issue. Scandinavian wages and pensions are usually very high in US standards. Even a «low-end» one. It's not uncommon for a burger flipper at McDonald's to make the equivalent of $20 USD an hour. My grand mother's «minimum» pension equaled the salary of an average American retail job. This is because prices in the US are generally 30% - 40% lower than in Scandinavia. The COs are aware of this.

To the OP - I can't give you a specific answer, only the consular officer in Stockholm and the immigration officer at the US border can. But I think your chances of getting the visa are fairly good. Scandinavian countries are generally considered very low fraud countries, and you can show ties such as income and an apartment lease.

I would bring a letter from the place paying your pensions stating how much you get paid, and that in order to get your pension you have to be a Swedish resident. It's probably also a good idea to note why you receive this pension. Also bring an apartment lease. Ultimately, it's up to the consular officer, but knowing how pensions work in Scandinavia, and having dealt with the embassy in Oslo on numerous occasions, I'd say your chances are pretty good. The COs in Oslo (and I'd assume Stockholm) are generally very nice, friendly and helpful.

If you get the visa, don't forget to bring whatever evidence you have with you on the plane. The CBP officer at the US airport had the final say, even if the embassy approved your visa.

On that note, if you are denied the visa, you may be ineligible for the VWP again. This does not maan you can't apply for a 90 day visa later though.

Lykke til! :-)

Edited February 26, 2012 by jhsm85

[Roxxi 3]

Have you though of going to Mexico?

Mexico?

[Roxxi 3]

This is a very Scandinavia specific issue. Scandinavian wages and pensions are usually very high in US standards. Even a «low-end» one. It's not uncommon for a burger flipper at McDonald's to make the equivalent of $20 USD an hour. My grand mother's «minimum» pension equaled the salary of an average American retail job. This is because prices in the US are generally 30% - 40% lower than in Scandinavia. The COs are aware of this.

To the OP - I can't give you a specific answer, only the consular officer in Stockholm and the immigration officer at the US border can. But I think your chances of getting the visa are fairly good. Scandinavian countries are generally considered very low fraud countries, and you can show ties such as income and an apartment lease.

I would bring a letter from the place paying your pensions stating how much you get paid, and that in order to get your pension you have to be a Swedish resident. It's probably also a good idea to note why you receive this pension. Also bring an apartment lease. Ultimately, it's up to the consular officer, but knowing how pensions work in Scandinavia, and having dealt with the embassy in Oslo on numerous occasions, I'd say your chances are pretty good. The COs in Oslo (and I'd assume Stockholm) are generally very nice, friendly and helpful.

If you get the visa, don't forget to bring whatever evidence you have with you on the plane. The CBP officer at the US airport had the final say, even if the embassy approved your visa.

On that note, if you are denied the visa, you may be ineligible for the VWP again. This does not maan you can't apply for a 90 day visa later though.

Lykke til! :-)

Thank you for the input

yes I thought of that too...that swedish pensions are high in comparison to some US wages.

I thought that if I'm denied I can't go there at all?

[Gosia & Tito 199]

I hope someone has any insight into this...

I'm Swedish and would like to apply for the B1 tourist visa so I can stay for a longer vacation than 90 days.. I've read the requirements but am not sure about my situation. I'm in what is best described as "early retirement" for medical reasons, I guess it would be called disability pension in the US? So I don't work...have income every month (though small)but can otherwise travel. I'm 45 if that makes a difference..

Would this situation be good or bad regarding getting the visa approved??

I have been in the US plenty of times under VWP, for weeks and months but never overstayed.

I have plenty of friends in the US to visit and stay etc...

I don't have family here in Sweden (parents dead etc) but I have a lease on a apartment.

Based on your experiences would this visa be approved or denied, what do you think?

The B1 would only get you 180 days max; and eventually, someone might be asking why so many trips of long stay; thus I'd say it depends on what your long term plans are to choose an arrangement that would be the least of a hassle -given that it seems you are planning many stays-

I'd say that a B1 would not be too difficult, I know several people who for one reason or another came to the US for longer periods to what ended up being years. I myself was in that category mit en svensk kvinna, who was the one staying long periods and she was eventually asked. She was traveling with me (this is a prior relationship I had several years ago) and then once I explained that we were going back and forth, were together in sambo and I was the USC, things went easier) But also this was pre-9/11 and I think things might have tighten now.

Lycka till!

[R and F 34]

Have you though of going to Mexico?

:bonk: :bonk:

Have you though of going to Mexico?

Pfffttttttttt hahaha

[jaycali 415]

The B1 would only get you 180 days max; and eventually, someone might be asking why so many trips of long stay; thus I'd say it depends on what your long term plans are to choose an arrangement that would be the least of a hassle -given that it seems you are planning many stays-I'd say that a B1 would not be too difficult, I know several people who for one reason or another came to the US for longer periods to what ended up being years. I myself was in that category mit en svensk kvinna, who was the one staying long periods and she was eventually asked. She was traveling with me (this is a prior relationship I had several years ago) and then once I explained that we were going back and forth, were together in sambo and I was the USC, things went easier) But also this was pre-9/11 and I think things might have tighten now.Lycka till!

I didn't get the impression she's planning to take multiple trips over a long period of time.. Just an extended visit of up to 180 days.

But yes. None of us can guarantee anything, but given the situation, I'd say the odds are in your favor. :-)

Lykke til, og god tur!

[JudyKCski 12]

that swedish pensions are high in comparison to some US wages.

My husband receives a disability pension from Norway and with the current exchange he makes over 2 times more than I gross in a month and I work full time. Sort of wish I could retire early but in order for us to have insurance on him (because he is not in Norway) I will continue to work. I agree things are very expensive over in that area of the world in comparison to how things are here... to my husband it is as if it is Christmas each month for all that he can get here compared to there.

I wish you all the luck in the world.