Temporary Work Visa

[Kat307 0]

Hi everyone,

My boyfriend has been offered 2 years of work by a USA branch of the company he works for.

It's a great opportunity for him career wise and we both want him to take it, however we also both want to stay together!

What are my options on going with him and getting work for myself? Would I need a job first and the company to sponsor me, or could I get a visa of some sorts and apply for work once I get there?

My work experience is in financial administration.

We are both UK citizens and do not want to immigrate to the USA permanently, simply just spend the two years there, then head home.

Also, would getting married help us at all? Obviously this is something I'd prefer to do at a later date, but if it's the only way we can be in the same country together, then we'd have to consider it!

I'm completely new to this forum and this topic of enquiry so would appreciate an explanation of any acronyms used, thanks!

[stevie b 141]

there is no boyfriend visa

a spouse visa will take 8-12 months to approve, although filed from abroad shortens it. it may be a waste of money since you will become a resident and then abandon it after the petition is approved, goes through the various visa applications and then interview at the embassy

you can use your vwp to travel to the states, but you will have to adhere to the limits on how long you stay

doubtful as an admin assistant you will find a sponsor

[canadian_wife 1,818]

Stevie, both are UK citizens, a spousal visa isn't an option for them.

Kat307, has your boyfriend talked to the immigration lawyer at his company? Sounds like they need to get on the visa. You would not, as his girlfriend, be able to travel with him under a derivative visa. You'd probably need to get married or have your own job offer with a company willing to sponsor you too.

good luck

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Sounds like an L visa, intra-company transfer, and a spouse can go with the employee.

Temp worker visa page http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1271.html

Spouse http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1271.html#spouse

"With the exception of Cultural Exchange Visitor Q-1 visa applicants, your spouse and unmarried, minor children may also apply for the same visa category as you to accompany or join you. You must be able to show that you will be able to financially support your family in the United States. For information about employment and study, review Temporary Workers information and Employment Authorization on the USCIS website."

And USCIS on employment for spouses. http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=13ad2f8b69583210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=13ad2f8b69583210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

Edited June 27, 2013 by Nich-Nick

[Owen_London 65]

Hi everyone,

My boyfriend has been offered 2 years of work by a USA branch of the company he works for.

It's a great opportunity for him career wise and we both want him to take it, however we also both want to stay together!

What are my options on going with him and getting work for myself? Would I need a job first and the company to sponsor me, or could I get a visa of some sorts and apply for work once I get there?

My work experience is in financial administration.

We are both UK citizens and do not want to immigrate to the USA permanently, simply just spend the two years there, then head home.

Also, would getting married help us at all? Obviously this is something I'd prefer to do at a later date, but if it's the only way we can be in the same country together, then we'd have to consider it!

I'm completely new to this forum and this topic of enquiry so would appreciate an explanation of any acronyms used, thanks!

Do you know what class of visa he is being offered? If it is an L-1 visa, (intra-company transfer), then if you were married, you would be able to apply for an L-2 visa, which allows you residency of the US and allows you to look for employment for the duration of his employment in the US. How easily you would find work if you will only be around for two years is difficult to tell.

Without being married, you can only use the visa waiver program to visit (assuming you aren't ineligible for legal reasons - most people are fine). Under the VWP, you can visit for up to 90 days at a time. There isn't technically a limit on the number of days per year you can spend in the US, but the border patrol officers might warn you not to come back for a while if they feel you're spending so much time that you're approaching becoming a US resident.

In theory, you could get a separate working visa, but I doubt you'd be successful if your experience is in financial administration.

[Kat307 0]

Thanks for all your responses.

We are finding the option of getting married just to be together quite stressful, but with my work experience not being highly skilled I understand why this is being suggested so much.

I don't know what class of visa he is being offered yet, he is off work with a back injury at the moment and will speak to his HR department when he gets back.

We are just trying to gather information at the moment, he has a lot of questions to ask his employer.

[Boiler 45,318]

We are finding the option of getting married just to be together quite stressful,

Probably the most common reason for Marriage.