A little confused...

[Lew]

Here's the story:

I am a British national looking to stay in the USA for 1 year.

After working for 8 years in the UK I gave up my job last year when my older cousin got a job in Thailand and he asked me to come join him whilst I wanted to do some studying. Since his contracted has ended we have used the VWP to do a few road trips in the states whilst waiting on hearing about his next job. Now we are back in south east Asia and his next job looks to be in the states for 12 month contract, whether that's on secondment or not we are unsure as yet, still waiting on the green light. And yes I am dependant on him financially etc whilst I am studying.

So I look to join him again whilst I finish online studies etc. What are my options? I know the VWP will only allow me at most 90 days again, and a B2 could give me 6 month. I am not sure on how the extentions work on a B2. Or if I could get a student visa?

I know it's a rather odd situation in a way.


The question:

I'm looking to find out what my best option is, in my case, to stay in for 1 year?


Thanks in advance.

[peace999]

for a student visa, you need to enroll in a full time study program at an educational institute.

For you the only option is , get a B1/ B2 and get it extended for another 6 months while in US.
The problem is ;
For a B1/B2, you need a stable job /business in UK ,with good income you can come back to .
If you are unemployed , getting a B1/B2 would be hard.
And if you are denied a B1/B2 you won't be able to use your VWP.


My suggestion is do not ruin your VWP by getting a B1/B2 denied. Just use VWP 3 months + 3months with an interval of 4-5 months

[Lew]

Thanks for your reply.

I don't mind enrolling in full time study if I have to.

I did have a very well paid job in the UK and two homes. I got divorced, sold the houses, soon after left my job and headed travelling when this opportunity came up. So now I do not have a home at all in the UK. Neither do I have employment there.

I understand what you are saying about using the VWP but only staying for 90 days then leaving for 4 months or so to then use the VWP again seems like a long time between, considering i'm financially dependant on somebody working in the USA.
If my family member is working in the USA and I am dependant on them is there no other visa I would qualify for that allows me to stay with them for the time they are working there. I am not looking to work or stay there for longer than my family member is working there (which will be 1 year at most).

[peace999]

no other visa just to stay as a dependant.

You can go for a student or a work visa on your own. Look for an H2b employer for your qualifications/experience.,
it is a temporary need work visa that is initially given for one year. For example, if a sushi restaurant is looking for a sushi cook
for one year and cannot find one in US, they can get a foreign sushi cook for one year on an H2b visa.