B2 girlfriend

[federica 0]

Hi,

me and my boyfriend are Italian. He is a student in US, so he has a F1 visa. I'd like to go to Us for 6 mounths with a B2 visa, but I have some doubts: I need to prove a strong ties to my country. I'm 23 years old...I don't have a family, I don't have a job and when I will ask for the visa I will just graduate! How can I prove a strong ties to my country? Can be refused a visa for this?

(sorry for my English)

Thanks

Federica

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Don't try for a B2, use the Visa Waiver Program and go for 3 months. You might be denied the B2 and then you cannot go to the US at all anymore.

[federica 0]

I've been in the US 3times with an ESTA. I'd like to stay with him for a long time not 3months a time...is it true that I cannot go to the US anymore f the visa will be denied?

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

I've been in the US 3times with an ESTA. I'd like to stay with him for a long time not 3months a time...is it true that I cannot go to the US anymore f the visa will be denied?

It is true that you can no longer use the visa waiver program if your tourist visa is denied, but you can apply for another tourist visa (though unless your circumstances change, there is little point). I agree with the above suggestion. They will wonder how you can support yourself for 6 months without illegally working, so unless you have a lot of money and can prove it, it's too risky.

[federica 0]

It is true that you can no longer use the visa waiver program if your tourist visa is denied, but you can apply for another tourist visa (though unless your circumstances change, there is little point). I agree with the above suggestion. They will wonder how you can support yourself for 6 months without illegally working, so unless you have a lot of money and can prove it, it's too risky.

Thank you

I don't know how much money they ask, I have about 30thousands euros.

[Boiler 45,993]

It is true that you can no longer use the visa waiver program if your tourist visa is denied, but you can apply for another tourist visa (though unless your circumstances change, there is little point). I agree with the above suggestion. They will wonder how you can support yourself for 6 months without illegally working, so unless you have a lot of money and can prove it, it's too risky.

Not so, you need to update ESTA however.

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

Not so, you need to update ESTA however.

That is true, though I have not met any people who were denied a tourist visa and were able to travel on ESTA within a few years.

[Moomin 292]

30,000 euros is fine on a bank account so you at least can support yourself throughout your stay. However, if asked, the CBP officers are usually looking for any ties to home country. Your money doesn't tie you to your home country. However, bills to pay would tie your money and you to your home country.

I know 3 months don't seem like much time. But to be honest, it is probably more than what the average person have spent with their SO before they moved in together.

What you could do - and I'd strongly suggest this - is to book a return ticket, have the return date be a couple of days/a week/month before your 90 days would be up. At this point, you'd want to make sure you do not get an overstay in case something happens. Then you simply travel to the US using ESTA/VWP. Be honest. If CBP officer asks who you're visiting, you're visiting your boyfriend. If they ask anything more, then you're visiting your Italian boyfriend who's currently working in the US. Never offer a 10 minute story if only asked "business or pleasure" or "who are you visiting". CBP officers are looking for signs that you're planning on immigrating or simply not returning to your home country - hence all the ties to home country. But they don't ask everyone. I flew through the very first time.

IF they ask you to return, then simply go back to Italy and THEN apply for a B2 after you secure some strong ties. I wouldn't advise you to get a tourist visa when you are free to use VWP. First time you get denied tourist visa, you can't use VWP. So if it flies the first time visiting on VWP, visit for almost 3 months, go back for some months, find a job and then visit again using VWP.

[Boiler 45,993]

That is true, though I have not met any people who were denied a tourist visa and were able to travel on ESTA within a few years.

I have not met anybody who was denied ESTA.

[yvy23 11]

I really, really wouldn't try the B2 visa if you have an ESTA already. I made that mistake almost 2 years ago now when I wanted to spend more than 3 months in the US with my then bf (now fiance). I had proof of a job, mortgage, family ties, bank account with sufficient funds, car ownership, owner/directorship of a UK company etc and was still denied the visa. I can't reapply successfully because there's no way of me getting any more ties than I already have - I have everything that should be required and more. OK, I think it was a bad decision on the day, but with no right of appeal and no further ties I can prove, it still leaves a situation that can't be changed. When I updated ESTA, that was revoked too. We're now, almost 2 years on, going the K1 route, but it's been a long 2 years with only a week's trip here and there to various countries as a way for us to get any time together at all. If you have an ESTA and can have 3 months together, I'd accept that and be grateful you can have that much. You might be luckier than I was, but I really wouldn't risk losing your ESTA for the sake of a longer trip.