All I want to do is visit for a year.
So all this immigration shite isn't relevant is it? I just need a temporary work visa or something?

Edit- Praps this: travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html
( hoifbjifbef, Sat 9 Jul 2005, 16:20, archived)

my cousin
went to America for a holiday and was under the immigration radar for nine years
( Blue Star was working part time at the 5 and Dime, Sat 9 Jul 2005, 16:24, archived)

Unless you have a job offer
you can't get a temporary work visa. If you have a job to go to the employer has to apply for the visa for you.
( Three Dog Man, Sat 9 Jul 2005, 16:27, archived)

But because we're in the UK
you can stay for 90 days in the USA without a visa and find work. And then the employer applies for the visa?
( hoifbjifbef, Sat 9 Jul 2005, 16:29, archived)

The US govt won't let you do that
You need to be in the UK when the applications are made. They won't let you "convert" visa types.
( Three Dog Man, Sat 9 Jul 2005, 16:30, archived)

It doesn't say anything about that on the pages I'm looking at.
Maybe I'd have to get a holiday visa and get a loan, and then pay it back when I get back here? Is that what most people do?
( hoifbjifbef, Sat 9 Jul 2005, 16:32, archived)

You don't actually need a visa to go in as a tourist for 90 days
we still have the visa waiver program. The problem lies here, when you apply for the temp work visa...

"Method of Application
With limited exceptions, nonimmigrant visa applicants aged 14 to 79 are required to schedule an appointment for an interview with a U.S. consular officer . Interviews are by appointment only. The Embassy does not accept walk-in applications"

from - www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/index.html
( Three Dog Man, Sat 9 Jul 2005, 16:42, archived)

What if I got a friend in America to 'employ' me?

( hoifbjifbef, Sat 9 Jul 2005, 16:47, archived)

Yep that's a possiblity...
Possible problems though - your friend has to have a "real" business. US immigration will check. Also, there are only a limited number of temp work visas issued each year. As with hiring people from the US to work in the UK, your friend will have to justify why they need you and your skills. They have to show that they can't find anyone in the US to do the job.

Basically, without a real job it's not easy. If you overstay your 90 day tourist slot and work illegally, you probably won't ever get back in to the US, and you will get stopped when you try to leave, coz the airline have to check if you have overstayed, and they will call in the fascist interrogation squad...
( Three Dog Man, Sat 9 Jul 2005, 16:57, archived)

So basically unless I'm rich, I will only be allowed to stay for 90 days.
But if I can come up with £10 000 I would be able to get a holiday visa for a year, but I wouldn't be able to work during that time.
( hoifbjifbef, Sat 9 Jul 2005, 17:04, archived)

If you are rich enough
you can even buy permanent residency in the US by investing in a US company.

I stayed in the US for just over a year in 2000 on multiple 90 day visits, but I had to come back to the UK for a few days between each of them. After 9/11 they won't let you get away with that one any more.
( Three Dog Man, Sat 9 Jul 2005, 17:13, archived)

Even if I don't wear my turban?
*sigh*
( hoifbjifbef, Sat 9 Jul 2005, 17:19, archived)