How on Earth can this work? No idea where to even start...UK to USA visa.

[JCUSN 0]

Hey everyone. First, let me say THANKS for even having a forum like this. This is great for those of us that are lost in figuring out this whole "visa thing".

My girlfriend lives in the UK, and she's a Finance Consultant for the Royal Bank of Scotland. She wants to come to America so she can be with me, but we have no idea where to begin. Would she actually have to be hired for a job BEFORE she could come to America? Could she come here on a tourist visa and then apply for a work permit to get for a job? It seems the only way to get a significant other here is to do a K1 or a K3 visa. Surely there must be another route.

Any input?

Thanks in advance!

[wee carrington 33]

From what I understand it's very difficult to get a visa any other way than a K1 or CR-1 visa.

Edited January 5, 2012 by Mrs GH

[Inky 1,110]

She has to have a job in the USA first - then they have to apply for her work visa shell out a lot of money for it and she waits until its approved.

She could apply to schools in the USA that do student visas - and go to school in the USA with a student visa - that would be easier than getting a work visa if your not ready to get married yet.

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

There are no girlfriend visas so yes, if she wanted an employment visa, she'd need an employer to sponsor her. She can come over on the visa waiver program and go to job interviews, but she cannot work and for most work visas, would need to go back home to interview at the US embassy in LOndon.

[JCUSN 0]

There are no girlfriend visas so yes, if she wanted an employment visa, she'd need an employer to sponsor her. She can come over on the visa waiver program and go to job interviews, but she cannot work and for most work visas, would need to go back home to interview at the US embassy in LOndon.

So she could get a simple 6-month B1/2 tourist visa...come here and apply for jobs and interview, then that employer would have to put in for her work visa and she returns to England for an Embassy interview?

Any idea what sort of employer would for a work visa for a girl with her experience/expertise?

[N&S 32]

Careful - if I'm not mistaken you aren't legally allowed to apply to jobs / go to interviews if you're in the US on a tourist visa / under the visa waiver program. Maybe someone with more in depth knowledge can expand?

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

Careful - if I'm not mistaken you aren't legally allowed to apply to jobs / go to interviews if you're in the US on a tourist visa / under the visa waiver program. Maybe someone with more in depth knowledge can expand?

You are- you just cannot actually start work: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html#travelertype You are essentially going for "business- negotiating a contract"

Edited January 5, 2012 by Penguin_ie

[JCUSN 0]

I didn't see anything exact saying that she could apply for work while on B1/2 visa. Is there anywhere that says that exactly?

I like the idea of her being able to come here, search for work, get a job offer...and then go back to file the correct paperwork/do interview. This is a reasonable way to go it about things, right?

Thanks again for everyone's replies and help!

[Anh map 2,098]

I didn't see anything exact saying that she could apply for work while on B1/2 visa. Is there anywhere that says that exactly?

I like the idea of her being able to come here, search for work, get a job offer...and then go back to file the correct paperwork/do interview. This is a reasonable way to go it about things, right?

Thanks again for everyone's replies and help!

The employer files (and pays) for the visa, not the employee. She would need to be offered work by a company willing to expend the resources.

[Boiler 45,314]

The obvious way is to get an internal transfer:

http://gbm.rbs.com/about-us/our-locations/americas/united-states

[JCUSN 0]

The obvious way is to get an internal transfer:

http://gbm.rbs.com/about-us/our-locations/americas/united-states

That would definitely be the best way, but there is no office close to where I'm currently stationed. The nearest one is Atlanta, and that's over 4 hours away:/

[Boiler 45,314]

I can not quite work out if you are serious or taking the mickey.

[Harsh_77 716]

I didn't see anything exact saying that she could apply for work while on B1/2 visa. Is there anywhere that says that exactly?

I like the idea of her being able to come here, search for work, get a job offer...and then go back to file the correct paperwork/do interview. This is a reasonable way to go it about things, right?

Thanks again for everyone's replies and help!

That would not be the right way as seeking an employment while on B1/2 would be considered illegal.

She can apply for jobs in US from her home country and if employeer would like to do in person interview then she can get B1 for the interview purpose.

Based on interview then employeer would file for H1 or appropriate work visa and once that is stamped she can enter legally to work in US.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

That would definitely be the best way, but there is no office close to where I'm currently stationed. The nearest one is Atlanta, and that's over 4 hours away:/

Are you in the military and cannot move?

If you aren't, I can't understand why you wouldn't mind relocating 4 hours away. Since she's relocating from about 4000 miles away.

[JCUSN 0]

Are you in the military and cannot move?

If you aren't, I can't understand why you wouldn't mind relocating 4 hours away. Since she's relocating from about 4000 miles away.

Yes, I am in the military, and moving is not an option for me:/