I am looking to travel the States for around a year or so in just under two years time with my wife and very young child (still a bump at this point) and was wondering if there is anyone out there that is already doing this on a foreign passport. Are there do's and don'ts as far as Visas or legal documentation, are bank accounts easy enough to set up etc.
I am English but have lived in NZ for 15 years so could travel on either passport.
Any help or information appreciated.
Rich
ticat900 said
10:55 PM Jan 25, 2016
Iam no expert But I believe the most u can stay is between 3 and 6 months on a visa or passport (unless your Mexican)( LOL)
igotjam said
10:39 AM Jan 26, 2016
ticat900 as far as I know is correct. Depending on the country your passport is from you can stay in the USA from 90 days to 6 months per year.
RichandEmme said
11:24 AM Jan 26, 2016
Well that might change our plans.
BiggarView said
11:45 AM Jan 26, 2016
What if you had a longer travel time frame in mind.... six months in the USA, six months in Canada, then another six months in the USA then back home. Sure it's a technicality, but there is a difference in the intent of rules and their general application. There's always a way around any obstacle. Maybe you should consult an attorney versed in immigration legalities.
I'm presuming you are wishing to come visit for legitimate peaceful reasons.
PrairieRV said
02:25 PM Jan 26, 2016
RichandEmme wrote:
I wasn't sure where to post this question???
I am looking to travel the States for around a year or so in just under two years time with my wife and very young child (still a bump at this point) and was wondering if there is anyone out there that is already doing this on a foreign passport. Are there do's and don'ts as far as Visas or legal documentation, are bank accounts easy enough to set up etc.
I am English but have lived in NZ for 15 years so could travel on either passport.
Any help or information appreciated.
Rich
You should inquire at the USA embassy or consulate in NZ, and get the straight scoop. As a Yank, I'd love to have you visit here as long as you like, but I don't know the rules. Like BiggarView said, maybe exiting the States to Canada for a while then re-entering will be all you need to do!
Patti
RichandEmme said
04:08 PM Jan 26, 2016
@BiggarView - That may actually work, if possible... as we would like to see Canada also. And yes absolutely peaceful except for maybe a couple of rowdy nights (i hear) at quartzsite
@ Patti - I will be putting in our B2 forms in the next couple of months and then on to a meeting at the consulate hopefully in the the not so distant future after that.
-- Edited by RichandEmme on Tuesday 26th of January 2016 04:11:55 PM
SuzieQ said
08:29 PM Jan 27, 2016
Opening a bank account may be a problem because of the Patriot Act (post 9/11)
RichandEmme said
08:34 PM Jan 27, 2016
That shouldn't be too much of a problem, i will use a international credit or debit visa. I thought it may be easier to transfer funds over to a local bank.
kl0verleaf said
08:22 AM Jul 11, 2016
3 to 6 months is correct. No need to open a bank account as your debit/credit card is more than adequate here and accepted.
Dave and Denise said
06:11 PM Jul 11, 2016
I retired from the banking industry and specialized in opening accounts for people who did not live in the U.S. You should have no problem opening a bank account here in the U.S. Opening a checking account at one of the larger banks such as Bank of America or Wells Fargo, will give you free access to their ATMs. Just make sure you have the proper identification documentation. The only small issue you may run into is if you want to open an "interest bearing account", such as a savings or CD. Because you would basically meet what is called the "substantial presence test" by being in the U.S. for more than 180 days your earned interest would be subject to 30% withholding of taxes. But these days you need a lot of money to be concerned about interest. With a regular checking account you should be fine.
RichandEmme said
06:39 PM Jul 11, 2016
Hey, Thanks for this, Very helpful. now i need to work out away to stay in the US for about a year. LEGALLY.
I wasn't sure where to post this question???
I am looking to travel the States for around a year or so in just under two years time with my wife and very young child (still a bump at this point) and was wondering if there is anyone out there that is already doing this on a foreign passport. Are there do's and don'ts as far as Visas or legal documentation, are bank accounts easy enough to set up etc.
I am English but have lived in NZ for 15 years so could travel on either passport.
Any help or information appreciated.
Rich
What if you had a longer travel time frame in mind.... six months in the USA, six months in Canada, then another six months in the USA then back home. Sure it's a technicality, but there is a difference in the intent of rules and their general application. There's always a way around any obstacle. Maybe you should consult an attorney versed in immigration legalities.
I'm presuming you are wishing to come visit for legitimate peaceful reasons.
You should inquire at the USA embassy or consulate in NZ, and get the straight scoop. As a Yank, I'd love to have you visit here as long as you like, but I don't know the rules. Like BiggarView said, maybe exiting the States to Canada for a while then re-entering will be all you need to do!
Patti
@BiggarView - That may actually work, if possible... as we would like to see Canada also. And yes absolutely peaceful
except for maybe a couple of rowdy nights 
(i hear) at quartzsite 
@ Patti - I will be putting in our B2 forms in the next couple of months and then on to a meeting at the consulate hopefully in the the not so distant future after that.
-- Edited by RichandEmme on Tuesday 26th of January 2016 04:11:55 PM
That shouldn't be too much of a problem, i will use a international credit or debit visa. I thought it may be easier to transfer funds over to a local bank.
Hey, Thanks for this, Very helpful. now i need to work out away to stay in the US for about a year. LEGALLY.