Work eligibility for spouse of US citizen living outside the US

[Bill Pierce 0]

I realize this may not be quite the right forum for this question, but I hope someone might do me the favor of a reply.

I am a dual US/Canadian citizen (native-born US citizenship/naturalized Canadian citizenship) currently residing and working in Canada. My wife is a Canadian citizen. A few months ago she lost her job due to the bad economy, and she has been very actively searching for a new job. She finds that in her field there are more opportunities on the US side of the border (we live in Ontario within commuting distance). She is wondering if she would be eligible to work in the US as the spouse of a US citizen. We would continue to live in Canada, as she has a father in his 70s in poor health and two high school age children under joint custody with her ex-husband, who would not give permission for the kids to move to the US. So my question is whether she would be eligible to work in the US as my spouse even though both of us reside in Canada.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[milimelo 4,486]

Not unless she gets a work visa (employer sponsored) or you move to the US and she gets the GC.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

No, being married to a US citizen does not entitle her to live or work in the US. To work in the US she'll need a work visa, typically requiring being sponsored by a US company, - which can take up to a year to get. Work visas are becoming increasingly difficult to come by with this economic situation.

Good luck

[hheaven67 2]

No, being married to a US citizen does not entitle her to live or work in the US. To work in the US she'll need a work visa, typically requiring being sponsored by a US company, - which can take up to a year to get. Work visas are becoming increasingly difficult to come by with this economic situation.

Good luck

It took me almost a year to find work in the US, applied for 300 jobs, finally landed one last June! I was faced with MUCH racism and in this economy, they are going to hire their own (USC) unless you meet the RIGHT Manager plus with SO many unemployed, a company isn't going to pay out money for a working visa....sorry...