Do I have a chance of getting a B2-visa? (female from Finland)

[himeloli 1]

I live in Finland and would like to visit my friend for a longer period of time in the US. I got to know them online. Does anyone know how difficult it would be to get an B2-tourist visa? What would the requirements be? Would it be a problem if I'd stay at this friends house for that whole time period (6 months) in his guest room and pay rent to him? Has anyone any success story with the B2? I don't think I've met one yet :/

I know my country is in the Visa Waiver program, but I would really want to stay longer than 3 months.

Thank you to anyone who cares to answer. I am very new to all of this and get quite depressed with all of these strict guidelines with the visas :/

[Girl from Celebes 588]

I live in Finland and would like to visit my friend for a longer period of time in the US. I got to know them online. Does anyone know how difficult it would be to get an B2-tourist visa? What would the requirements be? Would it be a problem if I'd stay at this friends house for that whole time period (6 months) in his guest room and pay rent to him? Has anyone any success story with the B2? I don't think I've met one yet :/

I know my country is in the Visa Waiver program, but I would really want to stay longer than 3 months.

Thank you to anyone who cares to answer. I am very new to all of this and get quite depressed with all of these strict guidelines with the visas :/

I think people are from your country have more chance to get B-2 visa. I got denied in 2011.

[JohnR! 5,495]

I live in Finland and would like to visit my friend for a longer period of time in the US. I got to know them online. Does anyone know how difficult it would be to get an B2-tourist visa? What would the requirements be? Would it be a problem if I'd stay at this friends house for that whole time period (6 months) in his guest room and pay rent to him? Has anyone any success story with the B2? I don't think I've met one yet :/

I know my country is in the Visa Waiver program, but I would really want to stay longer than 3 months.

Thank you to anyone who cares to answer. I am very new to all of this and get quite depressed with all of these strict guidelines with the visas :/

Himeloli, you will have to explain to the US consulate why you want to spend 6 months in the US and prove you have enough ties with Finland as evidence that you will return after your intended stay. In addition you will be required to show evidence that you can afford to support yourself while in the US. It is a tall order.

My suggestion is that you come in with your VWP and plan to stay for the 90 days you will be allowed under the privilege. It is another tall order to commit to visiting someone you have not met in person for six months and I believe it will sound somewhat odd to the interviewing officer as well.

Good luck!

Edited October 21, 2013 by Gegel

[Boiler 45,979]

Sounds very odd to me, why do you not do a 2 week trip or whatever to check things out?

[himeloli 1]

Yes, I will be visiting him soon for two weeks before any longer stay. Because there might be something romantic here with us and we need to know. And we are willing to take a risk if it's true love! Just didn't want to blurt it out loud first thing here to a bunch of strangers, since it's very personal! But if all of this sounds strange to someone , then what the heck!! I just want to know about all of the possibilities, since I'm the worrying type and long distance relationships are difficult!!

I was hoping for a B2-visa, because it would hurt too much to just be together only for under 3 months .. And then part again. But of course it's worth it, if it were for love. B2-visa would be a dream come true to stay for longer, if this love was meant to be!!

Edited October 22, 2013 by himeloli

[canadian_wife 1,827]

What ties do you have to Finland that would allow you to stay in the US for 6 months? What can you show the CO that you'll return to Finland?

Keep in mind, if denied a tourist visa you may not be able to use the VWP

good luck

[himeloli 1]

Thanks for all the replies

So, maybe I should use the VWP before applying for any visa.. Does anyone know if you can use the VWP (for 90 days) only once? Can you use the VWP of 90 days more than once? I'm very blonde inside and out about this. Tried to search info online about how the VWP is with this, but couldn't find it :/

Oh and I do have a steady job, have had it for over 10 years, would that be enough for a good tie? I will be able to get a year off from that job and then return.

Edited October 22, 2013 by himeloli

[Delboy 6]

Thanks for all the replies

So, maybe I should use the VWP before applying for any visa.. Does anyone know if you can use the VWP (for 90 days) only once? Can you use the VWP of 90 days more than once? I'm very blonde inside and out about this. Tried to search info online about how the VWP is with this, but couldn't find it :/

Oh and I do have a steady job, have had it for over 10 years, would that be enough for a good tie? I will be able to get a year off from that job and then return.

VWP does not guarantee you that you will get entry it depend on immigration officer if he/she finds you eligible under VWP. You must have strong ties to your country such as a job,collage or property lease agreement etc. You can travel more then once on VWP but if you use it very often then immigration officer will think you are using VWP to live in the US.

[Boiler 45,979]

Oh and I do have a steady job, have had it for over 10 years, would that be enough for a good tie? I will be able to get a year off from that job and then return.

A job you are leaving and hope to regain is no tie.

[himeloli 1]

A job you are leaving and hope to regain is no tie.

How come (because I've heard from other Finns, that it is )? I won't hope to regain it, I will HAVE it to return to. We have this program in Finland, where you can take (non paying, of course) up to a year off from your work according to the law, but must return, when the time period is done. I can also get a letter signed by my boss, that will show this.

If you are so wise, maybe you can give me more advice on what is then? I don't know why, but you seem like very prejudice and cocky with your replies. I am a very sensitive person, just asking for help, so it doesn't feel really nice

Edited October 23, 2013 by himeloli

[MacUK 983]

How come (because I've heard from other Finns, that it is )? I won't hope to regain it, I will HAVE it to return to. We have this program in Finland, where you can take (non paying, of course) up to a year off from your work according to the law, but must return, when the time period is done. I can also get a letter signed by my boss, that will show this.

If you are so wise, maybe you can give me more advice on what is then? I don't know why, but you seem like very prejudice and cocky with your replies. I am a very sensitive person, just asking for help, so it doesn't feel really nice

What you have to think about is that the US regards EVERY tourist visa applicant as someone who will attempt to immigrate. It is down to the applicant to prove that they will return to their own country. Basically guilty until proven innocent.

So while you might have a legal right to take an unpaid year off work in Finland and still have a job to come back to that is not proof that you WILL return to it.

That's my understanding of it anyway

[himeloli 1]

What you have to think about is that the US regards EVERY tourist visa applicant as someone who will attempt to immigrate. It is down to the applicant to prove that they will return to their own country. Basically guilty until proven innocent.

So while you might have a legal right to take an unpaid year off work in Finland and still have a job to come back to that is not proof that you WILL return to it.

That's my understanding of it anyway

Ok, thankies I hope I have some other way of showing I'll return, gaaahh. I didn't even wanna visit/live in the U.S., just happens that a certain someone is there..

[himeloli 1]

Been reading experiences from my Finnish sisters (in another forum) in this same kind of situation as I am! And I was right - a letter from your employer (that you will return to your job) always helps with the immigration officer!! Yay

And actually, I think I won't apply for any B2-visa right now.. With the VWP I can still travel to the US quite well. Unless I overdue it of course >.<

Edited October 23, 2013 by himeloli

[Teddy B 17,252]

Yes, I will be visiting him soon for two weeks before any longer stay. Because there might be something romantic here with us and we need to know. And we are willing to take a risk if it's true love! Just didn't want to blurt it out loud first thing here to a bunch of strangers, since it's very personal! But if all of this sounds strange to someone , then what the heck!! I just want to know about all of the possibilities, since I'm the worrying type and long distance relationships are difficult!!

I was hoping for a B2-visa, because it would hurt too much to just be together only for under 3 months .. And then part again. But of course it's worth it, if it were for love. B2-visa would be a dream come true to stay for longer, if this love was meant to be!!

Welcome to the world of long distance relationships. The pain of parting for periods of time is part of the deal.

I think you should use your VWP to make a few trips and get to know each other before attempting to commit to a B2 visa. If you apply for a B2 visa and are denied, you will also lose your VWP privilege. Based on what you have said here, your ties to Finland are not that strong to obtain a B2 visa. Good luck!

[himeloli 1]

Welcome to the world of long distance relationships. The pain of parting for periods of time is part of the deal.

I think you should use your VWP to make a few trips and get to know each other before attempting to commit to a B2 visa. If you apply for a B2 visa and are denied, you will also lose your VWP privilege. Based on what you have said here, your ties to Finland are not that strong to obtain a B2 visa. Good luck!

Thank you for helping out! I know, it will be difficult, but thank God for this day and age, where you can communicate in so many ways daily!

Well, my dogs are like children to me and they stay here -aren't they a good tie? - JK Hahaha

I guess it's lucky to be Finnish then, because I've now read from that Finnish forum, where other Finns in my situation have traveled to the US a lot with their VWP (to see a bf).. And they say it was enough that they had a return ticket, letter from their employer/school and other small documents like paychecks, bank account info, etc. indicating they really will return (weather or not the immigrant officer believes that, is another thing >.<) Actually, some of them were even broke and didn't have their own home and still got through. Of course, never say never though

Edited October 23, 2013 by himeloli