6 Month American Visa

ampr1150gs

I'm planning my RTW bike trip and my first port of call will be the US. I know that I can get a 90 day visa waiver, but I intend to cycle from the East coast to the West Coast and then down through Callifornia and into Mexico and I'll be in the US for about five months in total.

How difficult is it to get a 6 month visa, considering that I'm giving up my job in London, don't own a home etc? Has anyone of the forum done similar?

Thanks
Aidan

http://www.acousticmotorbike.com

NFMC

It's not that difficult if you can prove you intend to come back. Generally a return ticket will be OK. Prof of permanent residency or even a note from your mum and dad if you live at home might help as well!

But, you must make an appointment at the US Embassy and take all the right paperwork. Not sure of the exact terminology but you want an extended tourist visa.

It takes about 12 weeks and there are all sorts of fees involved in getting an appointment.

NFMC

Bored at work so just had a look. You need a B2 visa...

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/b2.html

And it says you need....

All B-2 visa applicants, even children and babies listed in parents' passports are required to:

Complete the visa application form DS-156;

Pay a visa application fee;


Present a passport or other travel document valid for at least six months beyond the holder's period of stay in the United States with at least one blank page - the six-month requirement does not apply to United Kingdom passports. If the passport is damaged, we recommend that you obtain a new passport before applying for the visa to avoid any delay in the processing of your application;

Provide one photograph which meets State Department regulations;
and present evidence of sufficient funds to cover all expenses while in the United States; and evidence to show that the applicant has a residence abroad to which he/she intends to return at the end of the stay in the United States. This is generally established by evidence of family, professional, property, employment or other ties and commitments to some country other than the United States sufficient to cause the applicant to return there at the conclusion of his/her stay.

It also says that males aged between 16 and 45 have to fill out a further form. A bit form-tastic.

It doesn't limit the time but I guess that when you got your appointment you'd explain you're there for six months and that's how long they'd issue it for.

Whatever you do, don't overstay your visa (or overstay for 90 days on a visa waiver) as they'll probably never let you back in.

NFMC

Bored at work so just had a look. You need a B2 visa...

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/b2.html

And it says you need....

All B-2 visa applicants, even children and babies listed in parents' passports are required to:

Complete the visa application form DS-156;

Pay a visa application fee;


Present a passport or other travel document valid for at least six months beyond the holder's period of stay in the United States with at least one blank page - the six-month requirement does not apply to United Kingdom passports. If the passport is damaged, we recommend that you obtain a new passport before applying for the visa to avoid any delay in the processing of your application;

Provide one photograph which meets State Department regulations;
and present evidence of sufficient funds to cover all expenses while in the United States; and evidence to show that the applicant has a residence abroad to which he/she intends to return at the end of the stay in the United States. This is generally established by evidence of family, professional, property, employment or other ties and commitments to some country other than the United States sufficient to cause the applicant to return there at the conclusion of his/her stay.

It also says that males aged between 16 and 45 have to fill out a further form. A bit form-tastic.

It doesn't limit the time but I guess that when you got your appointment you'd explain you're there for six months and that's how long they'd issue it for.

Whatever you do, don't overstay your visa (or overstay for 90 days on a visa waiver) as they'll probably never let you back in.

ampr1150gs

I don't intend coming back to the UK for at least a couple of years and I won't have a return ticket to show them. I'll have a work with HR and see if they can do me a letter to say that I'm returning..

Aidan