My sister in the UK (UK citizen, born there) wants to come and stay with me (recent US citizen, born UK) for an extended period of time (6 months) and we have been looking at visa options. We originally thought she could come for 2 3-month visits using the VWP, but a comment on this forum to a previous post suggested otherwise.
As suggested, we looked into applying for B visa. But from our reading on the B2 the overwhelming advice seems to be that if you are still of working age you are likely to be turned down, which then sets up all sorts of problems for entering on VWP again.
She is 39, may not be working when she comes but obviously plans to get a job when she goes back after her ‘sabbatical’ (she is going to see if her company will let her take unpaid leave but they may not so she may just quit her job), has a mortgage, car etc, saving of around $40,000, has parents, sister and nephews in the Uk that she would want to return to, though no spouse or kids of her own.
Generally over the last 3-4 years she visits me regularly for 2 week holidays (3 or 4 times a year) to see my kids (3 ½ year old twins) and her main concern is that she doesn’t end up in a position where she could be denied entry long term and unable to see her nephews who she adores (she’s not that bothered about me
). She has never overstayed her time here.
So we are thinking again about VWP options and are thinking that she comes for three months – goes home for 2 – 3 months and then tries to come back again on VWP
So the questions are:
- How likely is it that she will be turned down on the second entry on the VWP?
- How much time would be recommended between visits to minimize problems – 2 months, 3 months, longer?
- What sort of evidence would she be wise to bring with on second time (and first time?) – would evidence of a job to go back to be critical here, or will money, mortgage be enough?
- One of my children has severe special needs/epilepsy – would explaining that she is coming to help give me some additional respite support help the case or might it hinder it and in some weird way add to their suspicions? (I am a single mother and her help is a real bonus for me)
- Would citing coming to help her special needs nephew be a positive factor in issuing a B2?
I obviously realize that so much is down to arbitrary immigration officers decisions and no one can say for sure- but I’d welcome peoples thoughts on what they would do.
Thanks for any advice
Eligabex
As suggested, we looked into applying for B visa. But from our reading on the B2 the overwhelming advice seems to be that if you are still of working age you are likely to be turned down, which then sets up all sorts of problems for entering on VWP again.
She is 39, may not be working when she comes but obviously plans to get a job when she goes back after her ‘sabbatical’ (she is going to see if her company will let her take unpaid leave but they may not so she may just quit her job), has a mortgage, car etc, saving of around $40,000, has parents, sister and nephews in the Uk that she would want to return to, though no spouse or kids of her own.
Generally over the last 3-4 years she visits me regularly for 2 week holidays (3 or 4 times a year) to see my kids (3 ½ year old twins) and her main concern is that she doesn’t end up in a position where she could be denied entry long term and unable to see her nephews who she adores (she’s not that bothered about me
). She has never overstayed her time here.So we are thinking again about VWP options and are thinking that she comes for three months – goes home for 2 – 3 months and then tries to come back again on VWP
So the questions are:
- How likely is it that she will be turned down on the second entry on the VWP?
- How much time would be recommended between visits to minimize problems – 2 months, 3 months, longer?
- What sort of evidence would she be wise to bring with on second time (and first time?) – would evidence of a job to go back to be critical here, or will money, mortgage be enough?
- One of my children has severe special needs/epilepsy – would explaining that she is coming to help give me some additional respite support help the case or might it hinder it and in some weird way add to their suspicions? (I am a single mother and her help is a real bonus for me)
- Would citing coming to help her special needs nephew be a positive factor in issuing a B2?
I obviously realize that so much is down to arbitrary immigration officers decisions and no one can say for sure- but I’d welcome peoples thoughts on what they would do.
Thanks for any advice
Eligabex