Help! Im german and I would like to go along with my bovfriend to the US.

[Lilyena 10]

well thank you guys for the help I knew there were no chances to come with him without marry him. I just couldn't figure this out by myself. ;-)

I don't know if my answer will be helpful but..

First of all I second what everyone else said before, without getting married your chances to live and work in the US are zero.

However, you can still apply for the lottery but be careful to go on the official website, because there are a lot of scams. If you win, then you wouldn't have to get married if you don't wanna do it just for the visa.

BUT in my experience, if you really love your BF and really wanna go to the US to be with him, than IMO it is a good enough reason to get married to each other.

I met my US husband while in the US on an exchange visa, i had to go back to Europe. It was painful, and expensive, but for two years we just visited each other back and forth, well aware the only solution would be to get married. Like you, we had explored the other solutions for me to come because we didnt wanna get married "just for the visa". I had looked up into getting a degree here, and see what happens to our relationship, that way we wouldnt feel pressured..

After his first trip to visit me after I had left, we realized that we wanted to get married not because it was the easiest way to be together, but because we wanted to be together...

We did long distance for two years before starting the K1 route, and it was well enough for us to feel ready.

I understand that not everyone can/wants to do that, so my advise would be :

Take your time to talk about it, what does getting married really mean, and if there wasnt this him leaving problem would you get married later on or not? If the answer is yes, would it be a big deal to get married earlier than planned?

You can still visit him on the visa waiver programm and decide later on, but are you willing to pay the price? (financially, emotionnaly)?

Since he is in the military you guys are lucky that a lot of procedures exists to make the situation of a spouse of US military easier. faster processing, etc.

Also to work on a base, i don't know about the citizenship requirements, but I ve heard that you needed to get married because they don't recognize domestic partnership.

Anyways, don't worry, and just talk about with him. You two knows whats best for you, and let us know what you decide!

Machs, gut und viel glück!

[Confused 2 94]

US citizenship is required anyways if you wanna take a job on base as a civilian.

Not true! A friend has a civilian job at a military base and she is an LPR. Not all jobs require one to be a citizen.

[AF-Wife 181]

Not true! A friend has a civilian job at a military base and she is an LPR. Not all jobs require one to be a citizen.

Where we are stationed, all jobs require citizenship. Is he hired by the government or by another company? Every job, even just a secretary, required citizenship. I looked into it, because I did try to get a job on base. AFEES & those food courts are outside companies.

Edited August 23, 2012 by AF-Wife

[Sweetcheeksss 91]

I agree with AF-Wife, all the jobs on the base where we are all specify that US Citizenship is a requirement.

*Except the PX (and maybe the commissary)*

[mr_and_mrs_smith 0]

you should go with him for a few weeks or months. If you like it you can try to become a student over there or if you really want to, get married

Edited August 23, 2012 by mr_and_mrs_smith

[bt1 42]

Unfortunately, nothing can occur in three months that would result in a visa allowing you to work in the US.

If you have a willing and able employer, it would still take over a year for a work visa.

Your only realistic option of coming to live in the US with your boyfriend is marriage.

How about a student visa, could she not apply for a visa to study in the US?

[aaron2020 11,651]

How about a student visa, could she not apply for a visa to study in the US?

A student visa is a non immigrant visa that does not allow her to work. Tuition is also fairly expensive; she must show she could pay the cost for her entire degree. In addition, it would take at least six months to a year.

A student visa doesn't solve the OP's need to work to support herself.

Without work, it's incredibly hard to show she has $20,000 or more per year to attend school in the US.

While student visas are often thrown out as an option here on VJ, it is really only an option for those who can afford tuition without the need to work.

For most of us without an extra $20,000 a year for an international student, the student visa option ends when there is no way to pay that much. Very few Americans can afford to attend college without financial aid. Hard for me to imagine that most people abroad could afford international student tuition to attend college in the US. Only a few rich and fortunate foreigners can afford college in the US.

Edited August 23, 2012 by aaron2020

[aaron2020 11,651]

Here are the financial requirements to get an I-20. The I-20 is required to apply for a student visa.

For undergraduates at the University of California San Diego, the prospective international student must show that he/she can afford the $56,260 per year cost for tuition and living expenses.

Not many people can show they can pay $56,260 per year for four years to get a bachelor degree from UCSD.

http://icenter.ucsd.edu/ispo/prospective/undergrad-costs.html

For undergraduates at the local community college in San Diego, the prospective international student must show that he/she can afford the $18,000 total cost per year in a checking or savings account. This is for a 2 years associate degree.

http://www.sdmiramar.edu/sites/default/files/documents/international/Spring_2013_International_Student_Application.pdf

SECTION 2: FINANCIAL RESOURCES

Financial Resources and Estimated Expenses

The estimated cost of attendance for one academic year is $18,000. You must submit proof of sufficient

financial support while you are attending school. Only funds on deposit in a checking or savings account

can be accepted. Stocks, annuities, Certificates of Deposit and/or real property, etc, are not acceptable.

The estimates provided are based on the applicant being single with no dependents. Include adequate

funds for support of any dependents coming with you to the United States. Funds must be listed in U.S.

dollars. Forms with funds not listed in U.S. dollars will be denied.

There are 2 parts to this section: 1) Bank Certification and 2) Sponsor Support Verification. You must

submit financial verification showing you have sufficient funds of at least $18,000 U.S. dollars per academic

year. The total amount is required if someone else is providing your room and board. Incomplete,

incorrect or missing information will delay or prevent acceptance. Note that fees are subject to change at

any time.

---------------

The above emphasis (bold in the PDF from the community college) is not mine. That's on the international student application. $18,000 x 2 academic years to get a degree = $36,000 in the bank. If you don't have the money, the application goes no where.

Also, foreign students cannot receive financial aid.

How realistic is the student visa option when cost is considered?

Edited August 23, 2012 by aaron2020

[mrs_gonzo 9]

I also think you should just go with him for a while. maybe apply for the Tourist visa and stay up to 6 months. It won't allow you to work, but will give you an idea of what your life will be like away from home and in America. It is a good way to see if you can be away from home and just picture yourself living there.

If you guys can afford it, you should defo go for the student visa, as it will allow you to live in the states for a while and to figure things out.

I never thought I would stay in the USA this long before getting married, but I am very thankful that i got to live over here prior to getting married.

[james5 1]

If you have become a In german resident since you've been residing there such a lengthy time, you can check out your partner in the USA on the charge waiver system for up to 90 days- you cannot perform.