Really cant work it all out!!

hello there - i have been reading through all the various posts and trying to understand where i stand as far as spending time and working in the states goes. i am a british citizen with a uk passport.

i have been in the states for about 6 weeks for one reason or another and in that time ive met someone. we know we want to be together which is great, and im going to stick around for another month as i have the 3 month visa waiver, but after that i know i have to go. both of us really want me to be out here, but i know i can only stay for 6 months a year maximum, and i cannot work. well, money doesnt grow on trees so we are a bit stuck! there just doesnt appear to be any easy way for me to get a work permit out here. is there anything for this situation? 2 people who want to be together but are not up for getting married just yet!! ive tried to fathom all the various visa's etc, but its extremely confusing! money is a bit tight too so im trying to put off going to see an immigration for as long as poss! can anyone shed any light on whats possible?!

many thanks in advance
si

si0101 wrote:i have been in the states for about 6 weeks for one reason or another and in that time ive met someone. we know we want to be together which is great, and im going to stick around for another month as i have the 3 month visa waiver

Careful, it's 90 days, not 3 months. Stay 91 days and you'll have overstayed.

si0101 wrote:but after that i know i have to go. both of us really want me to be out here, but i know i can only stay for 6 months a year maximum

I'm not aware of such a limit when travelling on the Visa Waiver Program. You are however advised to spend as much time outside as you do in the US.

si0101 wrote:and i cannot work. well, money doesnt grow on trees so we are a bit stuck! there just doesnt appear to be any easy way for me to get a work permit out here. is there anything for this situation? 2 people who want to be together but are not up for getting married just yet!!

Not really. If you don't qualify for a work visa (and it's easy not to), then your only option is to get married. You can either get married now and file for Adjustment of Status (AOS) or you can go back to the UK and apply for a fiancee visa or immigrant visa in London at some point in the future. See here.