J-1 Visa with partner in the UK

[Rhubarb 0]

Hi everyone,

I was pointed to this site by a friend whose visa story had a happy ending, and I was hoping for some advice.

I'm a UK citizen currently living and working in the US (Texas) on a J-1 visa, but my boyfriend is back in the UK. Neither of us wants me to quit my job (since it's pretty much my dream job) but we've been apart for three years with no end in sight. He's ready for a career change and is okay to move. Our two options seem to be: 1) find a job for him in the US or 2) find one in Canada, since my company has offices there and I can transfer. The Canada option seems more likely since we're both UK citizens, but I wanted to see what other possible options we could explore. Does anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks!

Edited September 11, 2011 by Rhubarb

[Little_My 464]

Until he is your husband, there is no way for you to bring him to the US through your visa status. If you two were married, he could come here as a J-2 (due to your J-1 status), but his status would be fully dependent on yours - i.e. if you for whatever reason lost your J1, he would lose his status as well.

He can of course try to get his own visa to come here, either through employment or, for example, as a student. Employment visas are hard to come by, but not impossible. Student visas are easier, but come with heavy financial requirements, as studying here is far from cheap..

I have no knowledge about Canadian immigration procedures, so I can't comment on that option.. Maybe you can ask people in the Canada regional forum.