B2 Visa

Hi Again
Now that we have decided to go home (from Scotland) and get married in the US, I was wondering how my finance can stay longer than the 3 month visitor visa with me . I have read about the B2 visa, but can't figure out how much it costs or how hard it is to get. We need about 4 months tops to be in the states to get everything taken care of (including getting my spousal visa) before we come back to settle in the UK. I know that there is also a fiance visa for the states, but not sure which route is the easiest and least expensive.

Thanks in advance for any response
Briana

Keep in mind that this is a forum for Americans who want to live in the UK, most of us don't have a lot of knowledge about how the process works in reverse.  However, I have heard that the US fiance visa is hugely expensive and takes ages--6 months or more.  Plus, it's for people who want to settle in the US, so I don't think you'd be granted one. 

ETA: I've just googled "B2 visa extension" and apparently it is possible to extend them, for up to a year.  You might do a similar search of your own for more details.

The fiance visa (K1) will take months and is only really for use if the foreign fiance is intending to stay in the US after marriage and adjust status to gain permanent residency.

The B2 visa is very difficult to get if you are eligible for the VWP. If you should apply for it and be turned down then you can expect to be subject to further scrutiny by the IO (Immigration Officer) at your POE (Port of Entry).

On the 90 day VWP you are unable to extend your stay unless there are mitigating circumstances, e.g. you have been admitted to hospital with a life-threatening illness or similar.

Like the others have said, the B2 visa can be very tricky to get--sometimes visas to the US don't have the turnaround that ones to the UK have, and the K1 refers to wanting to settle in the US. In this case you might very well need to stay in the US while your husband flies back to Scotland until you get your visa and affairs sorted, if you're going to need 4 months to do it.

My advice would be to call the US Embassy helpline, I really cannot see a 30 day extension on a typical visit visa being a problem but best to let the experts answer you.
The number to call from the UK is 09042 450100 and it will cost £1.20/minute

My advice would be to call the US Embassy helpline, I really cannot see a 30 day extension on a typical visit visa being a problem but best to let the experts answer you.
The number to call from the UK is 09042 450100 and it will cost £1.20/minute

They won't be able to tell you anything that you can't find on the US Embassy website. They don't work at the Embassy but from a call centre in Scotland.

Thanks everyone! Just wanted to know my options. Guess we will fly back to the US and in 3 months we will marry and get my spouse visa so we can leave together and finally start our lives!!! Wow what a real ordeal huh? Love is a very strong thing though - gets ya through anything!!!! thanks again

Information on B2 Visa...Cost $131.00 http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/b2.html

Just make sure that your fiance has strong ties to the UK when you enter--sometimes I think they look suspiciously on people that push the limit on the VWP, i.e staying for the full 3 months, or 6 months in the UK without a lot of reassurances. Granted, it sounds like you'll be traveling together, but it's just something to keep in mind.

A B-2 visa could take up to 4 months to get, due to possible long waiting times for visa interviews and then processing time afterwards, and really the only people who should apply for B-2 visas are those who live in a country that is not part of the VWP or those who have criminal convictions/certain illnesses/previous US visa refusals etc. as those people will not be allowed into the US without a B-2 visa. If you are already eligible to travel under the VWP, then chances are a B-2 visa application will be refused.

They won't be able to tell you anything that you can't find on the US Embassy website. They don't work at the Embassy but from a call centre in Scotland.

Yeah, don't call the US Embassy helpline - they are basically not allowed to tell you anything except how to book a visa interview (believe me, I wasted about £20 on calls to them when I was applying for my student visa and was trying to change my visa interview date and find out info about the application process)!