Leaving in a couple weeks, nervous.

my math is horrible i meant 180 days, not 90

So your intention is to request the full 6 months when you arrive at the border?

I'm afraid you're going to need proof of major ties to the US and an intent to return to the US in order to be allowed in. Something like a job or lease, or other obligation that would require you to return. Without that, I'm afraid you don't stand much of a chance of entry.

ETA: may I ask your age & gender?

Does anyone know how long visitor visa are taking currently?  I'd certainly want to apply for one if I was in the OP's shoes.

Does anyone know how long visitor visa are taking currently?  I'd certainly want to apply for one if I was in the OP's shoes.

24-48 hours if using an expeditor.

well, if i can make my funds last 6 months then yes...but if not, I will leave as soon as I run out of funds.

What all would constitute a major obligation besides anything work/lease related? Would a brothers wedding fall under that category?

age- 20
gender- male

Funds..that's another issue all together...how much do you have?

The general rule of thumb is about £60/day (if I recall correctly from another thread, someone please correct me if they know the right amount discussed previously) multiply that by the number of days 180 gives a total of about £10,800.

Given your age, and lack of sufficient ties to the US, and potentially lack of sufficient funds, I believe that you will be refused at the border. If that happens, you're stuck applying for advanced entry clearance each time you want to enter the UK.

Do you have travel insurance?

wow, i might have to cancell now.

wow, i might have to cancell now.

I would suggest that perhaps you should visit for a couple of weeks and then in the future when you are more established in the US come for a longer visit.

I have enough for 3 months. Would the immigration officers keep tabs on that? Say if i said 3 months for my flight home, but i ended up being there for a couple extra days would I be an illegal? Not trying to be illegal and get banned forever.

3 months is more than doable, and if i act quick i can find some sort of obligation.

You will not be "illegal" if you stay for a few days over what you said you would, but its never smart to lie to immigration officials if you know you plan to stay for longer than you tell them. I have been told that they do make note of how long you plan to stay and if you stay significantly longer, that COULD work against you at some point.

Have you not yet bought your ticket?  You need to show your return ticket to the IO thats shows the day you will leave the UK. So you cannot say you are staying for 3 months and have a ticket that shows you are scheduled to stay for 6 months?  If you've only bought a one-way ticket b/c you arent sure how long you want to stay, you will defintely be refused entry.

My advise if you havent booked yet, would be as Weby said - plan a shorter trip (2 weeks or so) as this will help you build up your immigration history and can work in your favour if you return for a longer visit in the future.

They will look at your proof of funds and make the decision then and there. It also helps that if you're staying with someone that they state in their letter that they will be providing all your accommodation free of charge as well.

If you state to the IO that you are staying 3 months, they very well may only stamp you in for 3 months...

A legitimate charge of plans once you enter is one thing...but intentionally telling an IO that you are only staying 3 months and they happen to dig deeper and find out you actually intend to stay longer...they'll refuse you for trying to use deception to enter the UK and then you're in serious trouble and are looking at a ban.

Best thing...short trip, go back when you state you're going back and come for another visit when you're more established.

this is difficult.

I have both tickets in hand, departure and return. If my return is once the 6 months is up I dont see why they would have a problem with that. I do indeed have a letter from whom im staying with stating that the accommodations are taken care of. This is why im very confused. I also have travel insurance if that means anything.

I would go for a brief visit, but that, to me would be lots of money spent carelessly. I followed every rule on the appropriate website and did everything it asked me to do, which further adds to my confusion.

Should I follow my original plans and shoot for the 6 months? I can get an obligation to come home if it is that urgent. I can change flight dates, that is just a phone call away so even if it is scheduled for 6 months i can have them cut 3 months off that.

Even if you had the ties to the US, you would still have a problem with funds if you go for the 6 months.

also, i thought i would get a stamped visa upon arrival? I have read several times that certain countries and its citizens do not need to apply for one.

What you will get, if allowed entry, is a stamp in your passport that states you can stay for the period of time they determine.  This is often refered to as your visa, but do not confuse it with prior entry clearance, which is a visa you apply for before your visit to guarantee you will be allowed entry.

The travel insurance is that if you have a medical issue whilst in the UK you won't be a burden to the NHS system...if you've read all about it then you already know that part.