Northern Ireland isn't Ireland.
If flying to Belfast you can remain for 6 months within any 12 months period, if you are flying to Dublin you will get 3 months, without the need of a visa for either Ireland or the UK ( Belfast is UK) ...so as long as you have enough money to support yourself while you are on holiday, have a return ticket home, have an address where you are stays, then it is up to the immigration officer at the airport if and how long they allow you to stay
US citizens do not need a visa to visit the UK as a tourist: (Belfast is in Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom). If you fly first to Dublin (which may cost less) then make certain your trip is less than 90 days (not 3 months - less than 90 days) as the visa free time for the Republic of Ireland is 90 days and not 180 days like the UK.
http://www.skyteam.com/en/Airports-Servi...
Note that a round-trip ticket is required, and you need a copy of your airline itinerary in your carry-on.You also need the street address and phone number for where your friend lives.
www.aa.com
www.delta.com
www.united.com
You need a passport and you apply at the post office:
http://travel.state.gov/content/passport...
Unless the extra $30 would be important then get a passport card in addition to the regular passport:
http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/ppt...
The cards are only valid for crossing land/sea borders within North America, but they make great daily ID when traveling abroad. That lets you keep your regular passport (and US driving license) safely tucked away.
The cards also don’t show your home address (like a driving license or state ID card does), making it much less likely someone could steal your identity while you are traveling.
Check with your health insurance to find out if it covers you outside the USA and pays for medical evacuation to home (should that be necessary). If yes then take proof of coverage with you. If no or not sure then get trip medical insurance, which is cheap and sold by airlines & travel agents. Having travel medical insurance is a requirement to enter some countries (ex. Lithuania & Slovakia). Even if it's not, PLEASE do not skimp on this as an otherwise-silly accident could turn into a crisis if you don't have medical insurance.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1470.html
Avoid describing him as your "boyfriend" unless you have an existing relationship in real life and not just online. If you know him in person from a visit to the USA by him it's not as much of an issue. Be sure to answer "No" if the Immigration Officer asks you about marriage plans or plans for any other type of long-term relationship, even if you do know him from real life.. You are visiting a friend and that's all.
Make certain you can change the return date for your flight home if necessary.
Get a credit card if you can, or a supplemental card on your parent's account.
If you have a bank account then get a debit card for it with the MasterCard or Visa logo. Get 100 British pounds (about $150) in 10 Pound notes and keep the rest of your money in your account. Your bank can probably help you get the Pounds. Call the bank a week before you depart to let them know you will use the card in Europe (the phone number to call will be on the back of the card). Use ATMs to get cash while you are in Europe, and only use ATMs from a real bank.
If you don;t have and can't get a bank account then get a reloadable debit card from American Express, MasterCard, or Visa. I am referring to the type card with your name embossed on it and NOT a gift card. The Serve card from American Express is an example:
https://www.americanexpress.com/us/content/prepaid/reloadable-cards.html?intlink=USHP-LFC-PrepaidCard-Large
Dress comfortably but reasonably nicely for the flight to Europe. The equivalent of a polo shirt and khaki trousers is fine.
The Immigration Officer may closely question you when you say you will visit for longer than a normal vacation of 2 to 3 weeks. If yes, show your airline itinerary, the travel medical insurance, the credit/debit card(s), and the cash. Explain you will stay with your friend so you won't need to pay for hotels. Be nice. One of the Immigration Officer's duties is to ensure visitors won't become "trouble" or a burden on society, so don't look or sound like "trouble". .
You were a UK citizen yesterday!
Your boyfriend lives in Illinois!
2 months ago you were Gareth from Belfast!
You're just a sad fantasist troll, stop wasting peoples time and get a life.
As a US citizen you can stay in the UK for up to six months on an ordinary tourist visa they will stamp into your passport as you pass through customs and immigration.
You can stay for up to 6 months with the stamp on your passport that you get when arriving in the UK. No worries. You don't need a visa. Just go.
You posted in IRELAND section but Northern Ireland is part of The UK....For that time you need no visa for The UK...
You had better go to the british consulate where you are and find out, and go now,sometimes these things take months to sort out!
TROLL !!
