work vs student visa

[Bsze 50]

If he fulfills the bachelor degree requirements, it's entirely possible. It takes a while but it can be done. I never said it was easy so I am offended if your intent was to put words in my mouth. Also, an entire career shift for someone who already has two masters is very unusual and if he's just here for a certificate, the question remains - why not in your home country?

Still, the fact remains that it is suspicious for someone so qualified to attend a community college. I don't know if you have ever studied in a US community college, but they typically only award Associate Degrees (2 year degrees) and not Bachelor Degrees. Why go through all the trouble to look for a SEVIS accredited school, prepare all the paperwork and jump through all the hoops just to get a student visa for a junior college? I'm not saying the OP's partner shouldn't do it - I'm saying it looks really fishy and he needs to be prepared to give a reasonable answer.

And while you might see no harm, you are not a CO whose job is to make sure they don't give visas to people who will use them beyond it's purpose. Perhaps Americans should be glad that you are not one.

Anyways, to the OP, I wish you and your partner the best of luck. DOMA is a joke.

[MalaysianGirl 26]

Dear bsze, you tried to offend me by saying perhaps we should be glad I am not a CO, but it didn't work. In fact I'm glad that I'm not a CO! I'd hate to judge your relationship or anyone else's. That is all.

To the OP: I wish you all the best. Ignore the rest of us whom you think is unwise.

[Soapz 14]

Agar, to bring the thread back... With 2 masters he is definitely qualified for several positions. Why don't you try to apply for a job for a while and during that time put some pressure on the company he is working for? Maybe even go to LA and talk to headquarters directly - in person? Maybe shop around for a job with the competition? (don't forget - most confidentiality-contracts signed in Europe don't hold up in court - most of them can be signed because they are null and void! (Used to be work-counselor myself - know all about it...)).

For a student visa he will have to enroll full-time - if it gets approved he'll be able to stay until he finishes his degree. If that is another masters - so be it. I see the problem the others have mentioned though: He needs to go and apply for the visa and they will most likely ask why he is pursuing another degree. He might have a hard time explaining that in a way that will get him the visa. If he doesn't, he will always have to tell that he had a visa denied once. Maybe not so good long-term.

He could also check into Canada - at least that way you guys would be on the same continent and they do recognize same-sex couples in common-law marriages. If he gets a job there - he could bring you. Don't know if that is really helpful but as long as we have to deal with DOMA I don't see much of a choice. Your partner has also to consider that while he is studying here he is losing pension benefits at home, he has to get medical insurance and so on. It would be getting expensive really soon. Also, consider that if he does not really want another degree - and he will have to depend on you for everything - that put's a lot of strain on a young/fresh relationship. I get that you want to be together - and it sucks that the law here prevents that - but don't rush into anything it might turn into something the two of you will regret.