I Need Some Advice Please on Traveling to and Staying in the States!

[David21]

Hello!

I'm a third year student living in England, UK and at around June onwards, I plan to go to the States, possibly for the long-term. You see, I have a friend who lives in San Diego, California, near the Mexico border and what I want is to move over there with her.

However, I am quite confused about the visa situation, as it is complex. I was told that I can get a traveler's visa, for a maximum of 3 months. I was then told that if I wanted to re-new this visa, I could just go into Mexico for a while (10 minutes someone said) and then come back into the States with a refreshed visa. So my first question is, how many times can I renew the visa like that?

My other concern is that having a travelers visa will not allow me to work, so if I stick with that visa I will have no way to continue funding my stay. I've heard that the States are quite strict on who they allow in to stay, so I was concerned that I may not be able to get an ordinary working visa there, but I don't know. I don't intend to use my degree over there, as I've had enough of that field for one life time. Does any one have any idea what options are available to me regarding different visas and working opportunities?

So any way, I'm really confused as to what my options are, so if any one could give me any advice on this, any of the above, I'd be most grateful.

I also have other problems, such as where to stay etc., so any advice on accomodation of any kind would also be a great help.

I should just add that I would discuss all this with my friend, but at the moment her life is a little stressful and complex, so I don't want to add to her worries, which is why I'm not discussing it with her just yet.

Thanks.

[aelle]

Originally Posted by David21

I was told that I can get a traveler's visa, for a maximum of 3 months. I was then told that if I wanted to re-new this visa, I could just go into Mexico for a while (10 minutes someone said) and then come back into the States with a refreshed visa.

Yep, that's the Visa Waiver Program for tourism or business visits. All it takes to renew it is to step out of the country to Canada or Mexico and step back in.
You can also apply for an actual tourist visa (B2) at your local embassy so that you don't have to step out of the territory every 3 months. The duration of the visa that you will be granted will be at the discretion of the embassy employee who interviews you, but I think they can be up to 1 or 2 years long.

Originally Posted by David21

So my first question is, how many times can I renew the visa like that?

Officially as many times as you want, but in the facts it's at the discretion of the immigration agent that checks you at the border. If they have reasons to suspect that you are breaking the rules of your tourism visa (by being employed illegally for example), they may not allow you back in the country.

Originally Posted by David21

My other concern is that having a travelers visa will not allow me to work, so if I stick with that visa I will have no way to continue funding my stay. I've heard that the States are quite strict on who they allow in to stay, so I was concerned that I may not be able to get an ordinary working visa there, but I don't know.

Have you read up a bit on the different visas that exist? The US typically sorts them in 2 categories: non immigrant visas and immigrant visas, and it can be quite hard to switch from the first to the second. Most work visas fall into the immigrant category.

I don't think there's such a thing as an "ordinary work visa" as far as the US immigration is concerned. As a non resident foreigner, you will need a company to sponsor your work visa. It's expensive and difficult for the company in question, so they need a really good reason to hire you to make it worthwile - if you don't have any special skills (or don't plan on using them) it can be a real deterrent for them to hire you.

It's pretty much impossible to (legally) pick up odd jobs to support yourself. That's possible in some countries under the Working Holiday Visa program, but the US doesn't have one. If that's what you want, then maybe a year in Australia or Canada would be an alternative to consider?

If you plan to stay in the US for the long run and work there, and if you don't have an American wife or a potential employer who would sponsor you, your best shot would be to enter the Green Card Lottery (Diversity Visa program). Eligible nationalities change yearly, so you need to read up on it.

So yeah, to sum up, when you decide to live and work in a country of which you are not a national, you are pretty much that country's b*tch. But good luck!

[David21]

Thank you so much for responding, aelle. The advice you've given me is golden!

I haven't really done much research into this as it's a bit daunting and I had no idea where to start - there are so many possible relevent websites, I just didn't know.

So pretty much there is no easy way for me to stay permanently in the States, unless I have those kinds of visas you mention or am rich enough to not have to work. Damn. What about if I worked in Nearby Mexico and lived, on an ordinary travelers visa, in the States? Is the visa system different in Mexico, do you know?

Any way, thanks so much. It's important to me because I want to be able to be with the person I have met in California, but it's scary because I know it will be complicated.

[James81]

Originally Posted by David21

. It's important to me because I want to be able to be with the person I have met in California,

I say this about half jokingly, but why don't you just go ahead and get married to her? BAM! Instant citizenship.

[David21]

James81

I say this about half jokingly, but why don't you just go ahead and get married to her? BAM! Instant citizenship.

Thanks. But, no, because that's called using her for an easier life. Besides, if it comes to that then good, but I don't want to jump to it just because it gives me a simple way to be with her. I want to build a strong relationship with her that has good foundations. Thanks, though.

[beast]

Originally Posted by David21

So pretty much there is no easy way for me to stay permanently in the States, unless I have those kinds of visas you mention or am rich enough to not have to work. Damn. What about if I worked in Nearby Mexico and lived, on an ordinary travelers visa, in the States? Is the visa system different in Mexico, do you know?

Being a US citizen, I'm not too familiar with the hell that we make foreigners go through, but this doesn't seem like a very realistic option. For one, cost of living in San Diego is really high - I doubt you'd get good wages in Tijuana. Also, the border can be extremely crowded (and dangerous, too). It could amount to many hours every day at the border crossing.

[aelle]

Originally Posted by David21

So pretty much there is no easy way for me to stay permanently in the States, unless I have those kinds of visas you mention or am rich enough to not have to work.

Well it's not that hard, but it does have to mean that you need to start thinking within the options available. Another upside is that the US is a country of immigration and they make it relatively easy for long term foreigners to obtain long visas (5+ years), permanent residency or citizenship. So in the long run your options are pretty good. Me, I have to fight with immigration every 12 months no matter who I marry or what services I give the nation.

Originally Posted by David21

Thanks. But, no, because that's called using her for an easier life. Besides, if it comes to that then good, but I don't want to jump to it just because it gives me a simple way to be with her. I want to build a strong relationship with her that has good foundations. Thanks, though.

It's an honorable mindset to start with But as someone who's in a relationship with someone of a different nationality (I'm French, he's Dutch, we're both living in Korea) I can tell you that sooner or later marriage will be put on the table for its convenience rather than its romantic aspect. Because long distance relationships suck, and in the long run one partner having to support the other also sucks, and letting the whims of an immigration agent (or an employer) decide on whether you can stay with your loved one or not also sucks. It's not wrong to think "well, we want to be together now, we're not sure we want to be together forever, but a marriage contract is the easiest way of having a chance to find out."

How established is she in her life in San Diego? Would she be open to the 2 of you going to a 3rd country on a work holiday visa, where you both get a chance to try being together without being a financial burden for the other?

[garentee]

Originally Posted by James81

I say this about half jokingly, but why don't you just go ahead and get married to her? BAM! Instant citizenship.

I am pretty certain it is not that easy anymore.. any people that I know that have tried that have had to go through serious immigration hassles... of course that said some countries may be more favored than others... I really do not know..

[David21]

aelle

Well it's not that hard, but it does have to mean that you need to start thinking within the options available. Another upside is that the US is a country of immigration and they make it relatively easy for long term foreigners to obtain long visas (5+ years), permanent residency or citizenship. So in the long run your options are pretty good. Me, I have to fight with immigration every 12 months no matter who I marry or what services I give the nation.

I will keep this in mind. I'm feeling quite pessimistic about the situation at the moment.

aelle

But as someone who's in a relationship with someone of a different nationality (I'm French, he's Dutch, we're both living in Korea) I can tell you that sooner or later marriage will be put on the table for its convenience rather than its romantic aspect. Because long distance relationships suck, and in the long run one partner having to support the other also sucks, and letting the whims of an immigration agent (or an employer) decide on whether you can stay with your loved one or not also sucks. It's not wrong to think "well, we want to be together now, we're not sure we want to be together forever, but a marriage contract is the easiest way of having a chance to find out."

How established is she in her life in San Diego? Would she be open to the 2 of you going to a 3rd country on a work holiday visa, where you both get a chance to try being together without being a financial burden for the other?

Things are complex. At the moment she's looking for work and study, so she's pretty settled. She's got family living in both TJ and San Diego, so the chances of her moving away with me to a third country is not looking to likely at the moment. I spoke to someone today who is a lot older and wiser than me, and she told me that my aim to go to the States permanently in June was a mistake, a grave error that I should avoid. She thinks I should find work first once my degree finishes is May, then perhaps go visit my friend in California a while later, for maybe a month or two. She didn't go any further, but she was persistent that going there permanently in June was a mistake. I agree with her to an extent....I just wish things were different.

Getting a job in San Diego will be difficult, especially if I am not going to use my degree and give my self a chance at sponsorship. I just don't know what to do....

[James81]

Originally Posted by David21

Things are complex. At the moment she's looking for work and study, so she's pretty settled. She's got family living in both TJ and San Diego, so the chances of her moving away with me to a third country is not looking to likely at the moment. I spoke to someone today who is a lot older and wiser than me, and she told me that my aim to go to the States permanently in June was a mistake, a grave error that I should avoid. She thinks I should find work first once my degree finishes is May, then perhaps go visit my friend in California a while later, for maybe a month or two. She didn't go any further, but she was persistent that going there permanently in June was a mistake. I agree with her to an extent....I just wish things were different.

How would she know? Does she have a crystal ball?

I don't mean that to be a smartass. I just mean that a person's assessment of the situation is as good a guess as yours. There's nothing wrong with taking people's feedback and using it, but don't use a person's negative feedback to determine your life path. If you truly, honestly, and wholeheartedly want to move to the States then move in that direction.

Worst case scenario is that you do not get citizenship and you wind up having to move back to your home country. (Is that so terrible?) Best case scenario is that you actually get what you are going for and you succeed and become a great success. Most likely scenario: the experience itself helps you to grow in massive ways whether you get in or not.

If this is what you truly want, then go for it. You can't micromanage your success without taking some risk. The question for you to ask yourself is this: is the risk worth it?

Originally Posted by David21

Getting a job in San Diego will be difficult, especially if I am not going to use my degree and give my self a chance at sponsorship. I just don't know what to do....

There are challenges to be had, but it's not an impossible scenario. It might require you to grow...to step up your game...to go after what you want with passion...but it's not an impossible scenario, and there are many ways in which you might achieve what you want. I'd start by focusing on what you truly want, and, when you know that, you do what it takes to get it/get you there.

Everything else is really just an excuse that you come up based on fears. Face your fears, brotha, and you can't fail (even if you do ).

[David21]

James81

There are challenges to be had, but it's not an impossible scenario. It might require you to grow...to step up your game...to go after what you want with passion...but it's not an impossible scenario, and there are many ways in which you might achieve what you want. I'd start by focusing on what you truly want, and, when you know that, you do what it takes to get it/get you there.

I know what you mean and totally agree with you, but what can I do? I can't get an immigrant visa, since I can't find someone to sponsor me, nor have I got any relatives that live in the States that could sponsor me. Actually, I have an uncle by marriage that lives in Florida, but that's not a lot of help.

What if I lived in Tijuana?

[ssandra]

Originally Posted by David21

Is the visa system different in Mexico, do you know?

No, they are pretty much the same actually. It is a bit easier to stay illegally then it is in the US, but indeed, crossing the border daily isn't something I'd recommend....

Also it is easier for a company to sponsor you here then it is in the US, less paper work.

You could potentially look into teaching English in Mexico? The pay isn't very good, but language schools usually like native speakers and are used to the paperwork.

Originally Posted by David21

Any way, thanks so much. It's important to me because I want to be able to be with the person I have met in California, but it's scary because I know it will be complicated.

If she wants to be with you as well, and she doesn't have a job at the moment... why not go to Australia or Canada the both of you for a year?

[James81]

Originally Posted by David21

James81

I know what you mean and totally agree with you, but what can I do? I can't get an immigrant visa, since I can't find someone to sponsor me, nor have I got any relatives that live in the States that could sponsor me. Actually, I have an uncle by marriage that lives in Florida, but that's not a lot of help.

What if I lived in Tijuana?

Don't tell me why you can't do it. Tell how you are going to find a way to do it. You gotta get into the right mindset if this is truly what you want. Listing all the reasons why you can't do it just suggests, to me, that you either don't want to do it or you are looking for ways to talk yourself out of it because you are afraid.

Make the decision. You either want to do it or you don't. If you want to do it, you'll bypass all the reasons why it's going to be tough and you'll research ways you can do it. If you don't want to do it, you'll find ways to talk yourself out of it.

What can you do?

Start here:

USCIS Home Page

Read what you can on that site and then look for contact info and start calling people. Having this discussion here is great for support and encouragement. But you aren't going to find a "how" here. You are going to find the how in the link I gave you, and by actually calling up/emailing people who actually handle immigration who can tell you your options and being persistent until you find someone who can get you a visa.