USA for 3 months

[megapixels83]

Hi all

Me and the wife are talking about jacking in our (very good) jobs and hitting the USA for 3 months before we look to start a family.

I just wondered if anyone has traveled the States for 3 months and had any comments on experiences, how you got around, cost, issues you had, what lead you to go traveling there, did work give you a sabbatical or did you risk it that you could find a job when you were back, where did you visit, what did you wish you did and what did you wish you hadn't bothered with.

I would love to walk into work tomorrow and jack it all in and get away for the 3 months with the wife and we could afford it as we have a decent savings pot but then the sensible side of me says is it worth the risk of leaving a well paid job just for three months and then have to go through the recruitment process again whilst planning a family

We are both 30 by the way

thanks

[fatboy b]

3 months?? I'd be asking for an unpaid career break. That way you have a job to go back to. I'm sure your firm would prefer it that way.

[Matt Harper]

US Customs and Border Patrol would also view your intentions with a high degree of suspicion. They like you to show ties to your country of citizenship and jacking your jobs in is emphatically severing one of the most important ties.
They will also want you to demonstrate that you have the means to support yourselves adequately for 90 days. Not subsistence money - the kind of cash you'd need to spend 3 months in a hotel (you're on vacation, remember), car rental. 3 squares a day, plane tix, all that good stuff.

[h0b0]

Turn up on a tourist visa with a return flight booked and they won't care. Return flights 2 weeks out are cheaper than 1 way anyway. And, as long as you are out before 3 months are up they don't care.

It used to be that my company would send people out for 3 months then have them step in Canada or Mexico before returning for another 3 months. This is a total violation of their laws but pre 2001 it wasn't an issue. After 2001 we would bring them back to Manchester airport and send them back for another 3 months.

[WhereamI]

fatboy b said:

3 months?? I'd be asking for an unpaid career break. That way you have a job to go back to. I'm sure your firm would prefer it that way.

Absolutely agree, to quite just to have a three month break seems crazy, maybe if you were going to spend a year goinr round the world but for three months any sane employer would let you take the time unpaid. After all it takes that long to find and employ someone else.

[durbster]

If you're going to quit then do it properly and have a year at least! You might regret that sacrifice for just three months.

Does the US have anything similar to the working holiday visa in Australia? That's what I'd do, buy a cheap car and travel round picking up work when necessary.

[Matt Harper]

h0b0 said:

Turn up on a tourist visa with a return flight booked and they won't care. Return flights 2 weeks out are cheaper than 1 way anyway. And, as long as you are out before 3 months are up they don't care.

It used to be that my company would send people out for 3 months then have them step in Canada or Mexico before returning for another 3 months. This is a total violation of their laws but pre 2001 it wasn't an issue. After 2001 we would bring them back to Manchester airport and send them back for another 3 months.

Trouble is, the chances of being granted a B2 (Tourist visa) are slim if they are eligible to use the visa waiver program.
Showing up for a 3 month vacation will cause questions to be asked.
Who gets 3 months of vacation? Ah, so you don't have jobs, eh? So how motivated are you going to be to leave after 90 days then? How motivated are you going to be to look for employment here?

Certainly there would be grounds to suspect immigrant intent due to lack of ties. If you are truthful with them (and that's your choice, of course) they are going to need convincing that your intentions are honorable. If you've never been subject to secondary inspection at US CBP, it's not much fun.

Don't do it! At least not in the US. Canada or Australia would be a much safer bet.

Crossing land borders and visiting nearby islands does not re-set the VWP and no, there is no working holiday program in the US other than BUNAC, which the OP would not qualify for due to his age.

[h0b0]

Matt Harper said:

h0b0 said:

Turn up on a tourist visa with a return flight booked and they won't care. Return flights 2 weeks out are cheaper than 1 way anyway. And, as long as you are out before 3 months are up they don't care.

It used to be that my company would send people out for 3 months then have them step in Canada or Mexico before returning for another 3 months. This is a total violation of their laws but pre 2001 it wasn't an issue. After 2001 we would bring them back to Manchester airport and send them back for another 3 months.

Trouble is, the chances of being granted a B2 (Tourist visa) are slim if they are eligible to use the visa waiver program.
Showing up for a 3 month vacation will cause questions to be asked.
Who gets 3 months of vacation? Ah, so you don't have jobs, eh? So how motivated are you going to be to leave after 90 days then? How motivated are you going to be to look for employment here?

Certainly there would be grounds to suspect immigrant intent due to lack of ties. If you are truthful with them (and that's your choice, of course) they are going to need convincing that your intentions are honorable. If you've never been subject to secondary inspection at US CBP, it's not much fun.

Don't do it! At least not in the US. Canada or Australia would be a much safer bet.

Crossing land borders and visiting nearby islands does not re-set the VWP and no, there is no working holiday program in the US other than BUNAC, which the OP would not qualify for due to his age.

Without wanting to step into an argument but this is what the VWP is for! It's for tourists wishing to stay up to 3 months. I have known several people who have used this with out issue. In fact I know of instances where the boyfriend/girlfriend moved to the US on an L1 visa to live and their partners came over for 3 months. As long as you are out before the 90 days there is no issue. However, over stay and do not count on coming back to the US because they will interrogate you at immigration and are likely to turn you away. And, please do not forget what counts as the US and count the days wrong. This is surprisingly common.

[Matt Harper]

h0b0 said:

Without wanting to step into an argument but this is what the VWP is for! It's for tourists wishing to stay up to 3 months. I have known several people who have used this with out issue.

No argument from me. Just trying to give some balance - because what is being proposed here is not usual.

I have no doubt that there are untold numbers of examples of people who have exploited the VWP to it's maximum without issue. But I'm also aware of the very significant numbers of denials of entry to the US, due to insufficient ties to the home country. As far as CBP is concerned the single most compelling tie is employment.
The two mandatory questions they ask are 1) Purpose of visit 2) Length of stay

If you are truthful about the length of stay - they'll want to know about your employment ties to your home country. If you don't have any, that will cause them concern.

Also remember, the VWP is totally at the discretion of CBP - they are perfectly within their remit to admit you for max 14 days, if they choose to. 90 days is the maximum - not the entitlement. In fact there is NO entitlement and being a waiver, you waive any right to appeal the CBP decision.

If the OP is fixed on this plan, think carefully about what you say to CBP, re your intended duration of stay and your employment status.

Yesterday VS15 (LGW-MCO) had 14 'send-backs' - non US citizens denied entry. Multiply that by the number of aircraft arriving from overseas each day for a real risk assessment.

[steveo3002]

what do you suggest the op might say

do they have any way to check if he's employed or a buisness owner etc

[Anonamoose]

Sounds like absolute madness to me. Not only due to the issues with getting through the CBP but also quitting full time employment just for a 3 month jolly!

Firstly ask your employers about their policy on unpaid leave, they might surprise you. Secondly I take it you don't have a mortgage? If you rent what will you do when you come back, do you have the funds to support over 3 months until you can get somewhere else to live again? Then if you don't own your house and want to start a family wouldn't those savings be better used going towards a house or the costs of having children? Especially with statutory mat pay being low compared to most people's earnings.

Lastly how easily will you both find gainful employment again? Do you have desirable skills? You don't just need money for 3 months in the US, you need to have a contingency for what would happen when you get back.

[Matt Harper]

No, they're just going to wonder how he's managed to swing 3 months of vacation - when the norm is more like 3 weeks or less.
The catch-all CBP may use is lack of sufficient ties to return. Work, property and family are the main ones. When a visitor shows up wanting to max-out the allowable VWP stay - and has no job to go home to, they sometimes begin to question the motive. That's all.

[sassthathoopie]

Surprised to see the total lack of adventurous spirit on this thread!

My fiancee and I just returned from an 6 month road trip around the western US and Canada. We had a great time. 1 month offroad driving in National Parks, and 5 months chasing snowstorms to all the best ski spots. Visited CA, NV, AZ, UT, CO, ID, MT, BC, WA, OR around 8000 miles in all.

I bought this for the trip:

Everyone will tell you that it is impossible to buy a vehicle in the US. But loopholes will allow you to do it in TX, FL, SD and WA if you have a visa (we have 10 year B1/B2 visas).

Over three months you might be better renting. http://www.escapecampervans.com/ is reasonably economical if you are happy to rough it a bit. Otherwise you'd need traditional RV rental which would limit you to using RV parks or easy access campsites. Renting a true 4x4 camper is tough.

'Boondocking' is regularly practised in the US. Overnighting on Federal land is usually allowed provided you don't take the piss. Have a look at a map of the western states - everything listed as 'National Forest' of 'Bureau of Land Management" (BLM) is fair game. When you want to visit a city/town the majority of Walmart stores will allow you to camp on their lot overnight. We spent many nights at the 'Walmart Astoria' in a wide variety of locales and had no problems whatsoever.

More fun to camp here though

[Matt Harper]

2 points:
1) You have a visa
2) You live in the US (even though technically you shouldn't be doing that on a B visa)

Your circumstances are somewhat different to those of the OP, aren't they?

[sassthathoopie]

1) A B2 visa is a tourist visa that is perfectly possible to apply for and be issued in London

2) Renting a vehicle doesn't require you to live there.

Neither does owning one (I am British and don't reside in the US or work for a US company). You just have to be a bit clever if you wish to remain 100% legal.)

I was fortunate to have spent some time in the US to learn how this trip might be done. The camping laws are v different to the UK. I also had an option for a six month sabbatical written into my contract at work, although there was no guarantee our jobs would be there when we were ready to return.

Edited by sassthathoopie on Wednesday 15th May 16:57

[durbster]

sassthathoopie said:

Surprised to see the total lack of adventurous spirit on this thread!

I'm sure the British used to love adventure - we built an empire on it - but we seem to have lost it now.

As for ruining your job prospects: I had two years off work while I was travelling and it gave me precisely zero problems when finding employment afterwards. Most employers simply said, "good for you," or got nostalgic about when they'd done the same.

Just consider how much have you developed or progressed in your job in the last three months. For the vast majority I would suggest the answer is "sod all" (and I include myself in that), so what's the next three months really going to give you that you're jeapordising by going and having the time of your life?

[Anonamoose]

durbster said:

sassthathoopie said:

Surprised to see the total lack of adventurous spirit on this thread!

I'm sure the British used to love adventure - we built an empire on it - but we seem to have lost it now.

As for ruining your job prospects: I had two years off work while I was travelling and it gave me precisely zero problems when finding employment afterwards. Most employers simply said, "good for you," or got nostalgic about when they'd done the same.

Just consider how much have you developed or progressed in your job in the last three months. For the vast majority I would suggest the answer is "sod all" (and I include myself in that), so what's the next three months really going to give you that you're jeapordising by going and having the time of your life?

When did you have two years off? During the recession? When there are 100's applying for the same jobs unless you're in a specialist industry.

There are a lot of people that would love to do this, hell I'd go tomorrow if I could but I can't. If he was taking 3 months unpaid leave to do it I'd say it was a brilliant idea but quitting your job in this climate is madness just for 3 months.

In fantasy it's a great idea before you settle down but how often in real life does it work out.

No one has outright said 'don't do it' everyone has just tried to point out the potential issues.

[BryanUsrey]

I can't really help with the visa aspect, but I can help a little with what to see and how to see it. Either hire a car or an RV, but I'm not sure the legal aspects of the RV, as it might require a different licence. Some sort of transport is needed because there is not a real train system yet and everything is so spread out it would be hard to see everything without one. Avoid the usual tourist areas. It's important to see New York or Miami, but don't spend a lot of time there is you want to see the real America. A road trip across the country would be great. Start in New York or wherever you land and head West to California. The Midwest and the South are very nice to visit. Despite their backwards nature, those in South are always friendly and will show you a good time, especially Texas.

[Heff]

I used to go the the states for 2 months at a time as a student to visit my ex. No problems at immigration, and I had no visible means of support.

OP - just book return flights, and go under the visa waiver. You'll have a great time.

[megapixels83]

Anonamoose said:

Sounds like absolute madness to me. Not only due to the issues with getting through the CBP but also quitting full time employment just for a 3 month jolly!

Firstly ask your employers about their policy on unpaid leave, they might surprise you. Secondly I take it you don't have a mortgage? If you rent what will you do when you come back, do you have the funds to support over 3 months until you can get somewhere else to live again? Then if you don't own your house and want to start a family wouldn't those savings be better used going towards a house or the costs of having children? Especially with statutory mat pay being low compared to most people's earnings.

Lastly how easily will you both find gainful employment again? Do you have desirable skills? You don't just need money for 3 months in the US, you need to have a contingency for what would happen when you get back.

there policy is strict no on sabbaticals like this.

I do have a mortgage of £1514 per month and realistically we have sufficient cash sitting there to cover a years worht of living at the same standard. We have been good at saving and also made some good investment decisions along the way and have never had debt apart from mortgage. My flat is for sale and should realise £50k clean capital after fees and clearing balance on mortgage, it is for sale to buy a house but we have been thinking that life is for living and we are young and probably wont have this chance until we are retired, 3 months isnt going to hamper our plans of a family.

finding a job to cover my living needs once back would be easy, finding a job to my standard now would be slightly challenging but something that could be done.

As for a reason to show willingness to leave the states after 3 months is I could not do my profession in the States even if I wanted to, they simply do not have that industry and that is all I have done since 18 years old apart from also owning a business whilst I also worked for 3 years. I would potentially have an empty apartment back here, to return to, we would have return flights booked from the outset and clear travel plans covering what we want to see and how long we spend at each place as a guide. judging by our passport it is clear we like to travel and tend to go away for 4 week a year at least and have visited alot of places that are not your yearly holiday destination in the last 3 years alone. Other things like I would still be paying by Social Security payments here whilst away (UK eqv is NI). It is not like we are selling up to go traveling with a view to settle somewhere it is basically taking a short break from 2 successful but very stressful careers before we settle down into family life.