U.S B-2 Tourist Visa - How to apply for it?

Night_KD

I'm currently in the US (from the UK) on a 3 month Visa, I have until the end of July.

I'd like to apply for a B-2 6 month Visitors Visa, but I'm not sure how to go about it. The most useful thing I've seen so far is a pack that includes details (mostly useless, but some which could be handy) of the Visa and the form to apply for it....it costs $50. On top of that is about $131 for the Visa itself. Is there any way to get the application form free or at least cheaper??? (Eg not pay $50!)

Is there anything else I need to do in preparation for this? Eg things I need to get together to apply?

Also, does anyone know how long roughly it's taking for the Visa's to come through?? Just a rough estimate if it all goes smoothly? I have a feeling it won't be before the end of July, but I was planning to go home then or (if the Visa came through) August, so it doesn't put me out of sync too much if it takes longer...

Thanks for any suggestions.

ETA: I'm currently engaged to an American Citizen, is it worth applying for the Fiancé Visa? I'm a little confused as to if there's a benefit in applying for one or the other?..

neilbond007

I can't really help with the questions just tell you of my experience...
I've just arrived in the US on an L1 visa.
This, after paying an extra $1000 for the speedy service, was expected to arrive within 2 weeks. It took nearly 3 months as the immigration people in the US asked for more supporting evidence.
As for getting stuff for free I'd doubt it. It seems to be all about money getting the Visa.
To call the US embassy in London to get an appointment - £1.20 a minute (call 20 mins +)
To get the appointment - £90 per person
Additional payment for my wifes part of the Visa at the embassy - £73
Payment for passports postage - £15
All this was paid by my employers... but still it all adds up!

Probably doesn't help much... sorry!

dzug1

Night_KD wrote: »

I'm currently in the US (from the UK) on a 3 month Visa, I have until the end of July.

I'd like to apply for a B-2 6 month Visitors Visa, but I'm not sure how to go about it. The most useful thing I've seen so far is a pack that includes details (mostly useless, but some which could be handy) of the Visa and the form to apply for it....it costs $50. On top of that is about $131 for the Visa itself. Is there any way to get the application form free or at least cheaper??? (Eg not pay $50!)

Is there anything else I need to do in preparation for this? Eg things I need to get together to apply?

Also, does anyone know how long roughly it's taking for the Visa's to come through?? Just a rough estimate if it all goes smoothly? I have a feeling it won't be before the end of July, but I was planning to go home then or (if the Visa came through) August, so it doesn't put me out of sync too much if it takes longer...

Thanks for any suggestions.

ETA: I'm currently engaged to an American Citizen, is it worth applying for the Fianc! Visa? I'm a little confused as to if there's a benefit in applying for one or the other?..

Do you really have a 3 month visa? Are you sure you don't mean a visa waiver? (the distinction is important - if you really have a proper visa you can apply in the US to extend your stay, if it's a visa waiver you can't, you MUST leave the US by the required date)

You should be able to get the B2 form for nothing from any US Embassy website. The only costs are the application fee, travel to the Embassy for the interview and postage, etc.

You need to come home to apply for it - getting it in the US will be very iffy if not impossible. It is anyway - with your situation (you are not really a bona fide tourist) you don't stand a chance. Even when you get home your chances are not that good. You will have extreme difficulty persuading them that you do not intend to stay in the US which is one of the requirements for a B2 visa.

As to timing, it can take 2 months to get an appointment at the Embassy - less if you are prepared to take a short notice cancellation. IF there are no problems, it will be approved straightaway and be in the post within a week. If there are problems (and as I've said I think you will have them) it's anyone's guess.

The fiance visa is your best route.

alanrowell

The main thing to know is that you will have to apply for the visa whilst in the UK. That way if they refuse you they don't have to chase around the US to find you.

Also your current "tourist" visit isn't going to be looked on too happily by the US authorities as they can rightly say that you entered the US illegally.

You are going to have to come up with a very good excuse as to why you should be allowed in the US for up to 6 months at a time - saying you are visiting your fiance(e) is not going to cut the mustard (see above) - and you'll need proof of an independent income so that you don't either try to work or sponge off the state

Night_KD

Thanks guys.

With the Fianc! Visa could I apply for that while I'm in the US? (Or would I perhaps have more luck getting it while I'm here?...) And would it be easier to get a Green Card after we get married on that Visa?

It's the Visa Waiver, but it was easier just to say I have three months basically at that point.

They wouldn't have to chase around the US, they have several records of where I'm currently staying. I didn't enter the US illegally. I have savings.

I'm getting frustrated with all the messing around websites seem to do, without giving a clear set of instructions on which actions to take at what point. Does anyone have a link to the form for free? I still can't find one.

Also, any ideas who we should talk to in person to get some clarity on the situation?

Cheers again.

dzug1

Night_KD wrote: »

. I didn't enter the US illegally.

It's possible that you did. You entered as a tourist. It's arguable that you are not a tourist but a prospective migrant. People have been refused entry in similar situations.

Night_KD

dzug1 wrote: »

It's possible that you did. You entered as a tourist. It's arguable that you are not a tourist but a prospective migrant. People have been refused entry in similar situations.

I entered as a tourist, met my BF for the first time and we're now 'engaged'. No ring yet, no proof that we're engaged, just an....'agreement' let's say. I'm still absorbing the sights and still in the process of deciding whether I AM staying or not... Arguably anyone is a prospective Migrant - visit US, like it so much they want to stay. I'm still working within the limits of my Visa and simply investigating the possible paths I could take from here.

somabc

You should seek legal advice.

Spouse - If you are an American citizen you have two ways to bring your foreign spouse (husband or wife) to the United States to live. They are

• Immigrant visa for a Spouse of a U.S. Citizen (IR1 or CR1) - An immigrant Petition for Alien Relative, Form I-130 is required.
• Nonimmigrant visa for spouse (K-3) - It is important to note that application for the nonimmigrant visa for spouse (K-3) who married a U.S. citizen must be filed and the visa must be issued in the country where the marriage took place. After the visa process has been completed, and the visa is issued, the spouse can travel to the United States to wait for the processing of the immigrant visa case. Two petitions are required:
  • Petition for Alien Relative, Form 1-130; and
  • Petition for Alien Fiance, Form I-129F

Fiance - If you are an American citizen, you may bring your fiance to the United States to marry; and live here.
Nonimmigrant visa for fiance (K-1)- To travel to the United States for marriage. An I-129F fiance petition is required.


I would return to the UK and seek a green card via one of these routes. Trying to enter on a 6 month tourist visa will more than likely be rejected and it will look really bad for you if you overstay the visa wavier.

alanrowell

somabc wrote: »

Trying to enter on a 6 month tourist visa will more than likely be rejected and it will look really bad for you if you overstay the visa wavier.

Or worse still they get one and then apply for a spouse/fiance(e) visa when questions WILL be asked about the circumstances under which they obtained the B-2 visa.

My advice - do it properly or don't do it at all. Don't try to abuse the system as invariably it will bite back

Night_KD

Thanks. I'm definitely not intending to overstay the Visa Waiver, whatever happens.

See it's all these form numbers that are adding to the confusion. Bah. So is there any way I could apply for these Visas and stay in the US (obviously with whatever required trips I need to make back to the UK to satisfy Visa requirements)?

I want to be able to stay in the US for longer than 90 days right now, because my partner cannot take the required leave to accompany me every time and we both can't really afford (as in blowing $3000 at least each time is not exactly ideal) to be making these trips regularly - this time has unfortunately fallen into the school holiday period so is ridiculously expensive....

I need to get the ball rolling on whichever Visa I'm going to apply for NOW, from the US, I can stay in the UK if need be when I go back in July.... But I'd much rather get it all sorted, still be able to stay here as I currently can, only with a longer Visa in the pipeline. I have no clue what to do. What is best to apply for without making it a permanent thing just yet?

Sorry if this frustrates anyone, but I've read all this stuff and I'm just at a loss as to which is the best route, which is the correct route for my situation(!) and how I'm meant to go about it (which country I need to be in and if I'm going to end up biting myself on the !!! if I'm on a Tourist Visa and apply for a more permanent one/fianc! visa).

Night_KD

Okay, adding here... So what if I was a Fiance, who wanted to stay, but didn't want to get married yet?