Long Term Visa?

[Praetor]

Hello, I am new here hoping to get some advice from people who have been/are in the same situation as me.

I am a UK and Australian dual citizen, last year I visited the USA on the VWP... While in the US I met someone (US citizen) and we have been in constant contact since, we also managed to recently meet up in Europe for a short while. We are both very serious about our relationship and are genuinely in love with each other.

I have visited the US several times over the past decade and every time I have never overstayed my visa and always followed the laws and rules.
So my question is whether there is a visa I can get out to the US on for longer than 3 months to be with my girlfriend? Is there a way that I will be able to work legally to support my stay?

I am just looking at options for now, I know marriage is definitely an option for us down the road (whether that's soon or not we will have to see) But for now I just want to be with the person who I love.

Hope to hear from someone soon, thanks!

[JAJ]

The B2 allows a 6 month stay, but it's not easy for a VWP eligible person to get one without good reason. Wanting to stay with boyfriend/girlfriend is not a good reason in eyes of consular officer.

Are you eligible for an E-3 visa?

Otherwise you might need to think about the fiance visa, K-1.

[Praetor]

Thanks for your reply!

Yeah I don't think they will look at me visiting my girlfriend as a real reason to obtain a B2 Visa especially when like you say, I am eligible for a VWP.

For the E-3 Visa, If I read it correctly does it mean that I have to have at least a Bachelor degree? If so then no, I do not have a qualification of that level. Although I am doing a Bookkeeping/Accounting course at a vocational level, I will probably have finished that by the end of the year.

The K-1 Fiance visa is an option, but me and my girlfriend didn't want to be forced to rush into our marriage, for quite a few reasons. I will definitely discuss it with my girlfriend though, I am open to ANY suggestion or idea.

It's a terribly frustrating situation to be in!

[JAJ]

Could she come to Australia on a Work & Holiday visa?
http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-holiday/462/

Or perhaps a J-1 visa would suit you, to go to the USA (check that you would not be prevented from remaining on, sometimes there is a 2 year home residence requirement on the J-1).

[Praetor]

Thanks for the advice, I've been speaking with quite a few people and they all say to me that there is a better chance of us moving to the UK or Australia rather than the USA. You have definitely supplied me with food for thought though, thanks!

[JAJ]

Thanks for the advice, I've been speaking with quite a few people and they all say to me that there is a better chance of us moving to the UK or Australia rather than the USA. You have definitely supplied me with food for thought though, thanks!

If you get married - that's not true! If you don't want to get married, it may be true, depends on circumstances.

You can also apply for the US immigrant visa lottery next time it comes up (assuming you're born in Australia or somewhere else eligible) but that's a long shot and not a quick solution.

[Praetor]

Yeah me and my girlfriend are definitely looking into marriage, it may be the only option. We just didn't want to have to be rushed into it quicker than we wanted.

I also looked into the lottery and because although I have an Australian passport, I couldn't apply because I was born in Britain, bit annoying but I guess that's the way it works.