The Portland OR honorary consulate requires $7000 in a bank account but no employment provisions so anyone can apply as long as they are physically in the USA when they apply so that is an option. Open to anyone with good means. Even non-US passport holders.

That is a "maybe", not yet confirmed. It depends on ones interpretation of "holding a US visa". Does this mean an METV is open to all except undocumented immigrants, or does it imply long term visa status only?

I take that to mean that someone with a non-US passport is physically in the USA at the time the visa application is provided to the honorary consulate and not mailing it in from outside the USA to a 3rd party within the USA who is then forwarding it to the Consulate.

As per their website (their bold):

You must be physically in the United States at the time of application.

Edited November 22, 201510 yr by JLCrab

The Portland OR honorary consulate requires $7000 in a bank account but no employment provisions so anyone can apply as long as they are physically in the USA when they apply so that is an option. Open to anyone with good means. Even non-US passport holders.

That is a "maybe", not yet confirmed. It depends on ones interpretation of "holding a US visa". Does this mean an METV is open to all except undocumented immigrants, or does it imply long term visa status only?

I take that to mean that someone with a non-US passport is physically in the USA at the time the visa application is provided to the honorary consulate and not mailing it in from outside the USA to a 3rd party within the USA who is then forwarding it to the Consulate.

As per their website (their bold):

You must be physically in the United States at the time of application.

They also state this:

Additional Requirements for Non-US Passport Holders

In addition to the above requirements, please submit a total of four (4) passport photos, a copy of your airline tickets or itinerary, a copy of your Permanent Residence Card or US Visa, and a copy of current bank statement.

The "copy of your ... US Visa" part is significant IMHO. You may be correct thet just proving you are legally in the US is sufficient, but I am suspicious. A short stay on an ESTA may not qualify. They may be looking for thngs like H visas.

That is a "maybe", not yet confirmed. It depends on ones interpretation of "holding a US visa". Does this mean an METV is open to all except undocumented immigrants, or does it imply long term visa status only?

I take that to mean that someone with a non-US passport is physically in the USA at the time the visa application is provided to the honorary consulate and not mailing it in from outside the USA to a 3rd party within the USA who is then forwarding it to the Consulate.

As per their website (their bold):

You must be physically in the United States at the time of application.

They also state this:

Additional Requirements for Non-US Passport Holders

In addition to the above requirements, please submit a total of four (4) passport photos, a copy of your airline tickets or itinerary, a copy of your Permanent Residence Card or US Visa, and a copy of current bank statement.

The "copy of your ... US Visa" part is significant IMHO. You may be correct thet just proving you are legally in the US is sufficient, but I am suspicious. A short stay on an ESTA may not qualify. They may be looking for thngs like H visas.

I agree that the visa requirement is significant and they are looking for more than someone being legally in the US. A UK national can be granted a 3 month (legal) stay without a visa. IMO they are probably looking for work/study visas or similar that give a semi permanence in the US.

Edited November 22, 201510 yr by elviajero

They seem to have a reasonable command of the English language. They also have your telephone number and email address and can ask you on the telephone "So how's the weather in Cleveland?

This topic has already drifted off topic. Not sure the OP would be interested in getting a METV in the US.

I have removed a baiting post and the expected reply to it.

They are not kids re needing advice about insurance and other rubbish about budget for overheads while living here. Their best option is the metv which they should have a reasonable shot at especially if the severance pay out was more than adequate. After 9 months here on metv they could obtain an setv giving a further

90. Trick is to find consulate flexible with some requirements.

Definitely disagree with the flippant comment in your opening sentence.

There is a sizeable proportion of my fellow Brits who mistakenly believe that they can simply walk into a hospital while they are abroad and receive treatment completely free of charge, just as they would under the NHS back home! (Not insinuating that the OP and her partner necessarily fall within this category, of course).

The need for adequate (accident) insurance cover is IMHO particularly important in the case of the OP's partner since she has stated that he plans to participate in scuba-diving activities while they are out here.

Edited November 23, 201510 yr by OJAS