Expat assignment and visa process

[JohnandMhay 13]

We are a little over three weeks away from the wedding now, but I've been asked if I would consider one of two expat assignments at work. One would be in Southampton UK, the other Shanghai. I would think it would be easier to get my wife a visa for the Shanghai assignment, don't know about UK, would need to talk with HR on what they would help with.

But the bigger question would be, since these are long term expat roles, one to three years, would we be better off filing the CR-1 (or maybe IR-1 at that point), after I take the position and am closer to the end of it, or file now?

Just wondering how immigration would view her getting visa, coming to the US and then having to leave to come live with me in my expat assignment country?

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi,

Apply when she's is ready to come live in the US with you.

A green card is for living in the US. That is why it's called US legal permanent residentcy.

Your wife would need to maintain her green card by living in the US. If she wants to be temporarily outside the US, then you need to get a Re-Entry Permit. Also, if your marriage is less than 2 years when she gets her green card, then you have t file for ROC on her conditional green card. Lots of processes and cost ands remembering all the rules to keep her green card.

Go live abroad, then file when she is ready to live here on a more permanent basis. If you have been married for more nthan 2 years, sheq gets an unconditional green card and you can at least avoid the ROC.

[ama537621 3]

I suggest you wait to file until you are within 6 months of returning. If in Shanghai you can do a DCF which speeds up the process greatly. Only issue might be getting the Visa for her to stay in China for an extended period of time. But if you are married before your ex-pat assisgnemnt you should be able to get her an extended stay visa.

For your long term health I would suggest the UK. We just spent 11 months in Shanghai and the air pollution in the winter is horrible. Even in the summer the air pollution is much worse than in the US. Look up the Shanghai US consulate PMI 2.5 monitoring station. that alone should scare you away from Shanghai.

[JohnandMhay 13]

I suggest you wait to file until you are within 6 months of returning. If in Shanghai you can do a DCF which speeds up the process greatly. Only issue might be getting the Visa for her to stay in China for an extended period of time. But if you are married before your ex-pat assisgnemnt you should be able to get her an extended stay visa.

For your long term health I would suggest the UK. We just spent 11 months in Shanghai and the air pollution in the winter is horrible. Even in the summer the air pollution is much worse than in the US. Look up the Shanghai US consulate PMI 2.5 monitoring station. that alone should scare you away from Shanghai.

Just flying into Shanghai where I couldn't see the grong before we were at 1200' AGL was scary enough, all brown air!

I've worked UK before so less of a challenging assignment and the Shanghai one is a better overall position, and better expat benefits.

Need to talk it over with May when I'm in PI in two weeks.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi,

I've experienced Chinese air pollution when I was in Seoul. The winds carries pollution from China to Sout Korea and Japan.

You may want to consider how it is better if being outside is like sucking on a dirty car exhaust pipe.

The better expat package is to get you to overlook the downsides of life in China. Is a better package when you consider the impact to your health? Your wife's health? The health of your future children?

Rich Chinese worry so much about the pollution there that many are looking to get their kids out to schools abroad.

Just somethings for you to consider.

Edited July 1, 2014 by aaron2020