Another Visa after a J-1

[JaredLCo 5]

Hello all!

I'm a born & raised US citizen, living in Virginia.

My girlfriend is a citizen of France. I met her in the US while she was on a J-1, 1 year(work) Visa.

We're not %100 sure of what our future holds yet...except that we want to spend as much time together as possible.

What is the likelihood, or process, of obtaining another 1 year Visa (or any other kind of Visa) for her, to live & work in the US, after she completed (with no troubles) a J-1 Visa, from September 2008 - September 2009 ?

Any info at all, to point us in the right direction of having her able to stay, live & work here, would be most helpful, & appreciated!!

Thanks a ton,

J

[milimelo 4,479]

No problem at all. I've had friend who did J-1 (one year WITH 2-year home residency requirement) and went back home to get another visa F-1 this time without any issues. They'll make up the 2-year HRR time when they finish F-1 studies.

I presume your girlfriend doesn't even have 2-year home residency requirement. All she needs now is whatever supporting documents are needed for her new visa - F1, another J-1... Of course she has to follow all the requirements that go with whatever visa she receives next.

[JaredLCo 5]

Thanks a lot for your response!

So, you're suggesting a F-1 Visa? Or were you just using that as your friend's example?

She doesn't have the 2 year HRR...thank goodness.

Are you saying that she can just get another J-1, or similar Visa? I had no idea you can go right into another 1-year work Visa, after having just completed one.

Does anyone have any Visa suggestions that would be the easiest & most practical, for simply allowing her to come & live with me & work for 1 year?

Any input is always, much appreciated.

Thanks !

[Audy_Rob 26]

Thanks a lot for your response!

So, you're suggesting a F-1 Visa? Or were you just using that as your friend's example?

She doesn't have the 2 year HRR...thank goodness.

An F-1 visa is a student visa and is not work authorized. That means she would not be allowed to work if she is here on an F-1. She would only be allowed to study at an accredited school on an F-1.

I am surprised she does not have the 2-year HRR. All J-1s used to have the 2-year HRR and I am not sure that has changed. The 2-year HRR is a requirement of the US Government, not the J-1s home country. What has changed, is it has become much easier to overcome the 2-year HRR by asking for a waiver which comes in the form of a no-objection letter from the Department of State.

You should look at the DOS web site to understand more about the J-1 visa. It is a cultural exchange visa used for many purposes one of which can be working in a specialized area to help promote cooperation with other countries.

There is not a Visa category that suits your requirements of allowing the girlfriend to stay, live and work here for a year.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Actually, you can work on an F-1, but the work must be part time and considered 'campus employment'

Plus, you'll have to address the issue of out of state tution since she is not entitled to tution of residents - it can be VERY expensive.

Take a look at the J-1 FAQs

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1267.html#25

Good luck

[JaredLCo 5]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate any input, into making this work for us.

I'll research another J-1, as I don't think a F-1 will be the way we go.

I'm just looking to do anything I can to have her here for as long as possible...to live & work. We just don't want to rush into marriage of course.

So for now, we're exploring any other options, & I'm grateful for everyone's assistance.

Any other possibilities or suggestions are always welcome. : )

[Audy_Rob 26]

Actually, you can work on an F-1, but the work must be part time and considered 'campus employment'

Yes, you are quite correct. Thank you for pointing this out. But I do not really consider that as "staying, living & working for a year."

The idea behind the F-1 visa is to study. Not for gainful employment.