Maintaining residences in two countries, USA and Sweden

KarlssonDoyle

New Member
Seeking Visa for Swedish citizen to visit regularly in US -----

The challenge: US Customs in San Francisco, California, conveyed to Swedish citizen upon entry, that due to her frequent visits to the USA – despite each visit lasting under three months each time under the tourism (ESTA waiver) Visa – that she would likely be detained on her next visit to the USA for more in-depth questioning.

Seeking a solution for the two of us to travel between our two countries, the USA and Sweden, with appropriate Visas that will limit hassles at customs in either country. Sweden has offered a solution for the US Citizen through temporary residence solution. We’ve explored the various Visa options published on various US government Web sites, and none seem appropriate to the aforementioned situation. Swedish citizen does NOT want permanent residency here, is NOT seeking a job, NOT seeking US Citizenship, NOT seeking Social Security or other benefits. We simply wish to live part time in both countries - coming and going as needed, but without hassles at US Customs.

We have been together for nearly 4 years. We are expecting our first child in June 2011. We went to get married, but learned last-minute that it could cause us more and serious hassle. We've reviewed the K-1 and other spousal Visa approaches, but because of what we described earlier, none really apply. To date, we've traveled back and forth between USA and Sweden 3-4 times per year without hassle until now.

We've sought guidance from USCIS in person at the Sacramento, California, office and got the message - literally: "This ain't Burger King and you cannot have your way!"....soooo, we seek guidance, ideas and suggestions for a legal way to enable each of us to maintain our standing in our respective countries, yet be allowed the appropriate Visas to travel between our two homes.
 
Marry apply for GC

Sweden is more forgiving but not USA. The best option for you both is to get married and have her apply for GC. Once that is done live for the next 1.5 yrs in the USA and travel next 1 yr, by that time she would be able to apply for US citizenship, and in the mean time you are a Swedish PR. Thereby both of you can go back and forth. You have to sacrifice 1.5 yrs for the privilege. Think what is viable.
 
If her visits are temporary and there is a clear pattern of this, a GC is of no value. One should not let an individual CBP agent scare her off.
 
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