I have done a retirement visa when I went. Last time was 10 years ago. I got that as it afforded me to stay many months,though I did not plan ever to live there full time. I gathered all required documents and went to Chicago, made my application, stayed at a friends house and picked the visa up in a few days. It was easy when I did it with all documentation needed. For the background check, I just got that at the state level and it was always fine.