Starting the process with a Work Visa

[Namons 0]

I realize this is a site related to Green Card visas but I'm brand new to the whole process and want to start by getting a Work Visa. Anything I've found related to work visas talks about having the employer fill out the forms and apply for them. All I want to do is make myself eligible to work in the US. I don't have a job offer and in fact my company says because they don't have the need at this time I will have to get the work visa all on my own before they will let me apply for a transfer to a US site. So if anyone knows the best way to go about getting this done please help.

Let me qualify this by saying that I do have a girlfriend and plan to move to the US but right now she is fresh off a divorce so any kind of Green Card version of a visa is just not an option for the foreseeable future. To further clarify I live and work in Canada, I have my passport, and my company is an international company with work sites all over the US.

Edited May 5, 2010 by Namons

[Boiler 46,160]

Then you need another employer who will sponsor you, look up H1B Visa and its requirements.

Assuming you are a Canadian Citizen also look up TN visa.

My guess is that you will come back to the marriage route.

[Mononoke28 135]

Let me qualify this by saying that I do have a girlfriend and plan to move to the US but right now she is fresh off a divorce so any kind of Green Card version of a visa is just not an option for the foreseeable future.

A recent divorce is not grounds for a visa denial, so filing for a K1 (fiancé) visa shouldn't be a problem.

Now, if you prefer not to take that route for personal reasons, then that's a different thing.

Diana

[Namons 0]

Allow me to clarify further. I work at a call center and for some reason they company either is unwilling to sponsor the visa or did not know that they had to. Very weird position for an international company to be in.

And yes it is for personal reasons that we are avoiding any kind of Marriage or Engagement route. It's not a matter of not wanting to be together just about wanting to get out from under her previous marriage and cleanse the whole thing from her system. Already though I go into too much detail. I will look into the H1B option as was suggested by Boiler.

Thanks everyone.

A recent divorce is not grounds for a visa denial, so filing for a K1 (fiancé) visa shouldn't be a problem.

Now, if you prefer not to take that route for personal reasons, then that's a different thing.

Diana

[Darnell 8,479]

Allow me to clarify further. I work at a call center and for some reason they company either is unwilling to sponsor the visa or did not know that they had to. Very weird position for an international company to be in.

An H1-B visa costs a company time and money. Sorry to say, but will be more cost-beneficial for THEM for you to remain in Canada. If you two are serious, have her come to Canada, get married in Canada, then SHE file an I-130 petition for a CR-1 visa in USA after she's returned to Canada. Months later, once you have CR-1 Visa in hand, you can cross the border and within 2 weeks have an SSN card, and get working again with that same company.

[Boiler 46,160]

Working in a call centre is unlikely to qualify you for a work visa.

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

An H1-B visa costs a company time and money. Sorry to say, but will be more cost-beneficial for THEM for you to remain in Canada. If you two are serious, have her come to Canada, get married in Canada, then SHE file an I-130 petition for a CR-1 visa in USA after she's returned to Canada. Months later, once you have CR-1 Visa in hand, you can cross the border and within 2 weeks have an SSN card, and get working again with that same company.

Are you'll for real, the OP has stated 50 times, he wasn't intrested in a Marriage visa and every post keeps telling him how to go that route.

[pushbrk 13,133]

Are you'll for real, the OP has stated 50 times, he wasn't intrested in a Marriage visa and every post keeps telling him how to go that route.

It does seem a bit strange, doesn't it. He's going to find that there's not going to BE any work visa. To be together in the USA with him working in the USA is going to have to WAIT until the couple IS ready for marriage. Unless he wants to be here several months BEFORE he's authorized to work, they will need to marry FIRST and months later have him come to the USA work authorized. If that's months or years from now, so be it. The path the OP envisions doesn't exist for a call center worker.

[Boiler 46,160]

Are you'll for real, the OP has stated 50 times, he wasn't intrested in a Marriage visa and every post keeps telling him how to go that route.

Maybe because he has no other option?

Possible.

[Namons 0]

There are job offers at the site I wish to transfer to. The site here in Canada is even saying they'll help me get to the US site it just has to be on a timeline they're comfortable with.

Neither of us have the desire to get married right now we just want to be together. The only way I can get there (I have to go there because of personal reasons) and not feel like a sponge is to get a Work Visa. I thank you all for your advice though and I do not take it lightly. If it comes up that Marriage is a better option at some point down the road I will of course pursue it. I am glad everyone is keeping an open mind about my inquiry and being as helpful as possible.

Edited May 6, 2010 by Namons

[pushbrk 13,133]

There are job offers at the site I wish to transfer to. The site here in Canada is even saying they'll help me get to the US site it just has to be on a timeline they're comfortable with.

Neither of us have the desire to get married right now we just want to be together. The only way I can get there (I have to go there because of personal reasons) and not feel like a sponge is to get a Work Visa. I thank you all for your advice though and I do not take it lightly. If it comes up that Marriage is a better option at some point down the road I will of course pursue it. I am glad everyone is keeping an open mind about my inquiry and being as helpful as possible.

The site in Canada may or may not know what's involved in getting you to work at their site in the US. When the figure it out, I wouldn't be surprised if they change their mind. Unless you have some unique ability or are an executive being transferred to manage the US site, they may not be able to get you there at any cost. No harm in trying though.