Couple of questions about B2 Visa App - Help would be hugely appreciated!

[Condaviejune 0]

Hey there,

I'm making a B2 visa application, and I would love some advice on a few questions if possible. I'd like to go over for 6 months to spend a bit more time with my girlfriend who's American.

> If I put friend, will that be rejected as it's frowned upon to go as a tourist to spend time with a partner (not married or engaged)?

 

> It asks if I've had a visa petition for me before, I got 50% of the way through a permanent visa, as I was married to a US lady around 8 years ago. I stopped the application after we split up/ got divorced. I assume this would be a yes, as we started the application?
> Where it asks about convictions (etc.) - I was arrested 1/ 2 times as a minor, although I don't have a record (doesn't show on any background checks employers do). It was just stupid things like drunk and disorderly before I was 18, do I need to declare this? (the website seems to indicate I do), and if so, do you know the best way to get the info?

Thank you so much in advance, I'm really nervous about making my application.

P.S. Does anybody know what timescales are like at the moment? For getting an interview and then being approved/ being able to go?

Thank you!
Conor

[Crazy Cat 41,809]

Just answer every question truthfully.  No one here will encourage otherwise.   

[milimelo 4,475]

What's your local consulate ie. which country are you interviewing in?

 

To expect to be able to spend whole 6 months in one fell swoop is a bit ... ambitious. What circumstance do you have to be able to afford 6 months absence?

[Boiler 45,443]

Sounds Irish?

[MaxP22 186]

1. You put the truth. I said I was visiting my girlfriend many many times and never had an issue entering with my B2.

 

2. You put the truth. The petition was started so off course it's a yes.

 

3. You put the truth. If it asks if you were ever arrested and you were then off course it's a yes.

 

You don't say what country you are applying from which is a very important factor. You also don't say what ties to your home country you have, which is even more important. Also what job allows you to take 6 months off?

[JeanneAdil 6,489]

part 2 first question of security and background says

 

Have you ever been arrested or convicted for any offense or crime..........

so  its ,  yes

 

you also will be disclosing the name of person u will visit so,  its fairly obivious its a gf  Under US point of contact 

and you will be answering the section of previous spouse including her nationality under Family information -former spouse 

 

 

[Condaviejune 0]

Thank you, everyone, really appreciate the responses. Just to confirm sorry, it wasn't so I provide false info, it's just that I want to make sure I'm being 100% honest (for example, I could only see Spouse or Friend, not girlfriend, so I didn't know if I'm ok to put friend and explain it during the interview), and the other 2 questions I genuinely wasn't sure if based on the circumstances, should be declared or not, but I'll apply a 'if in doubt, declare!' approach - thank you!

 

Does anybody know the approx timescales from now at the moment? Just so I can start planning which dates I'll likely be able to go.

 

Thank you again, you've already been really helpful!

[Boiler 45,443]

ROFL

 

People are not psychic, you need to answer the questions asked.

[Condaviejune 0]

@Boiler you've contributed nothing of help but just made a few remarks. I recommend you log off and go spend time with your family.

 

I'm based in the UK, so it'll be the London office I think? If anybody has any idea about the wait times at the moment.

 

Thank you!

[Boiler 45,443]

The MEGA question is of course why you can not use the VWP?

[Condaviejune 0]

What's the VWP?

[Crazy Cat 41,809]

4 minutes ago, Condaviejune said:

What's the VWP?

Visa Waiver Program.... UK is a VWP country...Why do you need a B2 visa to visit the US?  

Edited December 13, 2022 by Crazy Cat

[Daphne . 1,852]

15 minutes ago, Condaviejune said:

What's the VWP?

You won't need a visa, you can apply for an Esta. But, Esta only allows visits up to 90 days. I strongly recommend that you apply for an Esta instead of applying for a visa. Are you a citizen?

 

Let's say you choose to apply for a B visa anyway: the most important thing about getting a visitor visa approved, is showing strong ties like a job, house, etc. to your home country. This way, they don't have to worry about you trying to stay in the US. Being able to visit for 6 months doesn't show very strong ties to your home country. And, you will lose your Esta privilege if your B visa gets denied.

 

You can apply for an Esta here: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/ 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 13, 2022 by Daphne .

[powerpuff 6,677]

Is your country of citizenship UK? 

[Condaviejune 0]

Thank you both, really appreciate the thorough responses.

 

So ties to the UK, I have a registered business here, but I don't own my own place. My apartment lease is coming up so I thought it would be a good time to take a break, really appreciate this info!

 

Staying for 90 days, can you leave for a couple of weeks and come back, or is that more than likely declined? I'm genuinely going for a holiday, I'm not working there, and I don't plan on staying either, I just want to spend a bit of time with my girlfriend and come home. So I'm not trying to 'beat the system' in any way, hope that makes sense!

 

In balance, do you think it's worth not applying for the B2, and going for the 90 days then? If my ESTA gets revoked (I have one already), that would kill me!