Quote:
Originally Posted by Sime66
Hi Joel
I've recently done what you want to do - the paperwork is a little bit of a pain in the arse and the waiting time at the embassy is several hours but I came away with a 10 year B1/B2 visa. When I asked them how long I could stay they said "just don't take the piss and you'll be OK". (This may not be the definitive answer).
Just make sure you've filled in all the forms (from the website) before you get there (I would list them but I can't remember).
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As Simon says, it's a B1/B2 visa you need as a tourist, and they are valid for 10 years.
However, on entry to the country you are only granted 6 months (I know this, I did it last Sunday x) and you have to apply to a local NIS office to get it extended. You can apply to do this online in the US, but you must go down to a local office to do the actual paperwork. If you don't extend it with the immigration service, they will get sniffy (fines etc) again on the way out. And Visas can be revoked, so take care!
When I spoke with the US embassy in the UK before I left, she said much the same as the reply Simon got - however, that is primarily if you are coming and going regularly. If you are clearly spending more time in the USA than anywhere else (ie. over 6 months a year, and certainly if you keep extending your stay once you are there), then she said you should really apply for a residency visa - particularly as they are at liberty to say you can't stay indefinitely on a B1/B2 visa, and you must leave when the current period is up.
It is possible to convert a B1/B2 to residency, but you do have to have the (primarily financial) means to support yourself while in the USA - typically people who retire here, or spend the winter in Florida for example would have that sort of visa.
xxx
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