Discussion
Adopted at 10 days and now 67, after doing an Ancestry test, I suddenly find out my real Dad was American and served in the USAF for 21 years. He was stationed over here in the mid-fifties.
Sadly he died three years ago and never knew about me but I have a younger half-sister and uncles, aunties and cousins out there.
So how easy is it to get a visa to visit these days for say two or three weeks or is there some other option like maybe dual nationality.
Doubt I’ll be going over there very much but would really like to visit.
They’re mostly in the South Bend area so any advice welcome.
Sadly he died three years ago and never knew about me but I have a younger half-sister and uncles, aunties and cousins out there.
So how easy is it to get a visa to visit these days for say two or three weeks or is there some other option like maybe dual nationality.
Doubt I’ll be going over there very much but would really like to visit.
They’re mostly in the South Bend area so any advice welcome.
Unless you have a dodgy past, you do not need a visa to visit the USA, for up to 90 days per visit.
Demonstrating US citizenship without a solid paper-trail will be a bit of a challenge. Ancestry.com and similar will not be sufficient in isolation, I suspect.
South Bend is in the very north of Indiana - closest major city is Chicago IL. It isn't a particularly nice city - though is famous for its college - University of Notre Dame - The Fighting Irish of college football and baseball.
Demonstrating US citizenship without a solid paper-trail will be a bit of a challenge. Ancestry.com and similar will not be sufficient in isolation, I suspect.
South Bend is in the very north of Indiana - closest major city is Chicago IL. It isn't a particularly nice city - though is famous for its college - University of Notre Dame - The Fighting Irish of college football and baseball.
Davel said:
Thanks for that.
I’ll look into it more now.
She's in Fort Wayne not South Bend sorry...
As Matt said you won't need a Visa to visit for a few weeks. Fort Wayne is about 110 miles north east of Indianapolis and about 160 miles south east of Chicago. It's a normal US town. You can fly into Indy (no direct flights from the UK unfortunately) or into Chicago or Detroit and rent a car. I’ll look into it more now.
She's in Fort Wayne not South Bend sorry...
The ESTA gives 90 days which is more than enough for most -
or are you considering buying somewhere and spending more time? I have a visa that I believe gives me 6 months a year - which is 5 more than I usually need. Cool find on ancestry - but if you don’t have a mad desire to be in the States - enjoy the access you already have.
Eta - sorry Davel - my post is insensitive, a find like that after a lifetime isn’t just ‘cool’ but must open many questions. My grandfather was a Dr Banardos kid and he passed “knowing” who his father must be. Last week my dad found out that he was way off the mark and in a weird Gotham style event (he wasn’t the famous Bruce Wayne) his true father was very different indeed.
or are you considering buying somewhere and spending more time? I have a visa that I believe gives me 6 months a year - which is 5 more than I usually need. Cool find on ancestry - but if you don’t have a mad desire to be in the States - enjoy the access you already have.
Eta - sorry Davel - my post is insensitive, a find like that after a lifetime isn’t just ‘cool’ but must open many questions. My grandfather was a Dr Banardos kid and he passed “knowing” who his father must be. Last week my dad found out that he was way off the mark and in a weird Gotham style event (he wasn’t the famous Bruce Wayne) his true father was very different indeed.
Edited by Petrus1983 on Saturday 9th July 21:59
Sorry for the very late reply.
Not insensitive at all and thanks for your comment. I've found out much more about both my Mother and Father - Davina could make a series about it all.
I've also found a half brother in Aylsbury, a half sister in London and a half sister in Pwhelli on my Mother's side.
ESTA approved and hope to visit the USA late April.
A mate has suggested coming too and that we do Route 66 or something on a couple of bikes, after spending a while with my new family who have all been very welcoming, especially as they didn't even know I existed.
Not planning to buy anything as my wife doesn't want to come out there but I'll see how the visit goes..
I wonder if I could claim dual nationality?
Anyway, pretty excited now to visit and meet new family
Still stunned really but keen to travel
Not insensitive at all and thanks for your comment. I've found out much more about both my Mother and Father - Davina could make a series about it all.
I've also found a half brother in Aylsbury, a half sister in London and a half sister in Pwhelli on my Mother's side.
ESTA approved and hope to visit the USA late April.
A mate has suggested coming too and that we do Route 66 or something on a couple of bikes, after spending a while with my new family who have all been very welcoming, especially as they didn't even know I existed.
Not planning to buy anything as my wife doesn't want to come out there but I'll see how the visit goes..
I wonder if I could claim dual nationality?
Anyway, pretty excited now to visit and meet new family
Still stunned really but keen to travel
Edited by Davel on Saturday 19th November 18:05
Doing a trip out there sounds great - and seems like you’ve already had an exciting journey.
Re dual nationality - I’m not fully familiar with it fully but I wouldn’t jump too quickly before finding out all the implications.
https://www.greenbacktaxservices.com/blog/irs-taxa...
Re dual nationality - I’m not fully familiar with it fully but I wouldn’t jump too quickly before finding out all the implications.
https://www.greenbacktaxservices.com/blog/irs-taxa...
Davel said:
Indiana apparently.
I really know nothing about the place but could be close to Route 66
South Bend was where the Studebakers were built. Indiana had quite a large number of auto manufacturers in the early days. Route 66 does not run through Indiana...goes Illinois-Missouri-Kansas-Oklahoma-Texas-New Mexico-Arizona-Californai.I really know nothing about the place but could be close to Route 66
Petrus1983 said:
Doing a trip out there sounds great - and seems like you’ve already had an exciting journey.
Re dual nationality - I’m not fully familiar with it fully but I wouldn’t jump too quickly before finding out all the implications.
https://www.greenbacktaxservices.com/blog/irs-taxa...
Perhaps not then....Re dual nationality - I’m not fully familiar with it fully but I wouldn’t jump too quickly before finding out all the implications.
https://www.greenbacktaxservices.com/blog/irs-taxa...
Davel said:
Haven't really thought about DN and not giving it serious consideration.
At 68, it's a bit late in life really
I'm a dual national. While living in the UK, I had to show the IRS each year that I'd paid more in UK tax than I would have owed in the USA, which wasn't too tricky or time-consuming. If you're ever looking at the possibility, feel free to send a PM.At 68, it's a bit late in life really
As for a Route 66 trip, it's much less interesting than it sounds until you're pretty close to the West Coast. In your shoes, I'd do a loop of either Lake Michigan or Lake Erie instead. I use riders-share.com and I was planning to rent this bike this summer for a Great Lakes till a family illness forced me to cancel.
tdm34 said:
Trev450 said:
The ESTA is valid for 3 months and as a British citizen you automatically qualify to apply for one.
ESTA is valid for two Years, but you can only visit for six months out of every twelve.tdm34 said:
Trev450 said:
The ESTA is valid for 3 months and as a British citizen you automatically qualify to apply for one.
ESTA is valid for two Years, but you can only visit for six months out of every twelve.Gassing Station | USA & Canada | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff