Work visa or Fiancee visa?

[DaisyD 12]

Hi,

I want to move to the USA to live with my fiance. We plan on getting married sometime next year. I was just wandering if anyone had ideas on the advantages of a getting a work visa as opposed to a fiancee visa? I've seen a couple of jobs advertised that I could apply for but I have a few questions.

Assuming I get the job would (big assumption I know!) would that visa application be quicker than a fiancee visa?

Also, if my partner starts the fiancee visa application (hopefully in the next few weeks) and I then get offered a job, does having 2 different visa applications at once cause problems?

Thanks

Daisy

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[Anh map 2,098]

A work visa is something that an employer files and pays for, not you. Have you checked to see if your career / work skills qualifies? And if so, are these prospective employers prepared to process the application?

Not a problem to have a K1 petition going on while an employer files for a work visa.

[Penguin_ie 5,989]

With work visas, it depends on what type of visa you go for- most are processed a bit quicker than a K1, but if you factor in needing to find a job, negotiate a contract etc, it'll likely be almost as long, unless you have a really great skill set.

[kzielu 1,147]

One more thing - work visa does not give you permanent residence - it is _temporary_ worker visa. Why would anyone think of that as an option if the other choice is K-1 ?

[LeftCoastLady 441]

If your goal isn't to get married until next year, your fiancé should move forward with filing the petition now. If he files this month, it likely wouldn't be adjudicated until January 2013 at the earliest. Unless you're in a super-specialized career where an employer can justify sponsoring you and want to spend the $$ to bring you over, you'll have better success with filing the fiancé petition.

[DaisyD 12]

Thanks for all the advice.

I am not sure if my skills are specialised enough but I work in scientific research so if an employer wants me they should be able to justify it as my background consists of unique research (I'm hoping!). Though how unique that is compared to others is something I will have to find out. I understand that the work visa is temporary but I'd hope to change my status after we marry and this way I won't have either the months apart from a spouse or the months twiddling my thumbs waiting for my work permit after arriving and marrying on a k1. Although we want to get married next year we'd prefer to be together as soon as possible so are looking at all our options.

Thanks again for your help. Any other opinions would be appreciated.

Daisy

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