Staying in USA with english girlfriend for four years?

[Seb W]

She's most probably going to university in New York starting September next year for four years, and I want to go over there with her... and to make things more complicated, her course would involved her going to another country for a year...

Is this possible? I work in radio/online/IT and would most probably just work for English clients/companies based in the UK...

Should we be married? Would that make it easier if shes on a student visa? Could I work for American companies as well?

I tried to decipher the US Immigration website, but it's just too complicated for me.

[Marco 72]

She's most probably going to university in New York starting September next year for four years, and I want to go over there with her... and to make things more complicated, her course would involved her going to another country for a year...

Is this possible? I work in radio/online/IT and would most probably just work for English clients/companies based in the UK...

Should we be married? Would that make it easier if shes on a student visa? Could I work for American companies as well?

I tried to decipher the US Immigration website, but it's just too complicated for me.

If you get married you will qualify for an F2 visa. Otherwise you may qualify for a B2 visa as a cohabiting partner of a non-immigrant visa holder. This should essentially allow you to "live" with your girlfriend in the US between visits to the UK. You won't be allowed to work, however, either with F2 or B2.

See also this discussion.