Questions on becoming USC while attending Work and Travel Program

[Onix 0]

SO, to anybody that might know this information, I would greatly appreciate it. My non-us fiancee wants to attend a work and travel program. Now, if we were to get married while she attends, will the process still be effective for the Visa? Can she still work with the program? And if anyone knows the average fees for the Work and Travel program form Poland, or where I can find the info, I'd apreciate the help. THANKS!

[Shub 78]

This is not what you asked about but I'll say it nonetheless: I've seen and met a number of people from central/eastern Europe on those "work and travel" programs. They do no travel whatsoever (other than to get from their country to the US) and work ####### jobs. I spoke with a Romanian girl last summer who worked at a Denny's right off I-476 northeast extension in Pennsylvania, somewhere between Allentown and Scranton. She was miserable and wished she could go home.

Likewise, I've seen countless girls (yeah, mostly girls for some reason) working at food places along the NJ/MD shore on boardwalks. Indeed that is better than a random Denny's by the turnpike, and despite the crappy nature of the job, it probably pays better than a student job in their home countries, but judging from the moods of the various people I spoke to who were on those programs, I'm not sure they're that great...

Anyway, in your case, things may be different since your fiancée and yourself would, after all, be together.

Sorry I can't answer your actual question.

Edit: I can tell you one thing though: your topic title is about "becoming a USC while attending a work and travel program". That's not gonna happen. Her earliest shot at applying for citizenship is after marrying you and residing in the US for 3 years. In the meantime, she would be a permanent resident, a.k.a. green card holder.

Edited November 30, 2007 by Shub

[Onix 0]

Thanks for the info! And yeah, I know eactly what you're talking about. I did meet alot of students working at some crappy places, but the majority of the "internationals" that I met were working at Sea World Orlando. It wasn't SO bad for them, I suppose. Anyway, thanks again for that bit of info, it definitely helps. So, after we'd get married, she would have to apply for the green card, obviously. Might you know how long the process takes for that, and the fees? Again, I thank for any info you could tell me.

[Boiler 45,541]

Thanks for the info! And yeah, I know eactly what you're talking about. I did meet alot of students working at some crappy places, but the majority of the "internationals" that I met were working at Sea World Orlando. It wasn't SO bad for them, I suppose. Anyway, thanks again for that bit of info, it definitely helps. So, after we'd get married, she would have to apply for the green card, obviously. Might you know how long the process takes for that, and the fees? Again, I thank for any info you could tell me.

I thought a J1 required non immigrant intent.

Presumably it is a J1 we ae taling about.

[AUBGER 0]

SO, to anybody that might know this information, I would greatly appreciate it. My non-us fiancee wants to attend a work and travel program. Now, if we were to get married while she attends, will the process still be effective for the Visa? Can she still work with the program? And if anyone knows the average fees for the Work and Travel program form Poland, or where I can find the info, I'd apreciate the help. THANKS!

Ok I have come with a Work and Travel program to the US three times. I was going to a college in Bulgaria though so I did not just stay in the US while on a J-1 visa. I do, however, know at least three people that got married while having their J-1 visas without ever leaving the country. I do not know how they did it though. I know, however, that it's possible but not preferable. It does not make a case too attractive to the immigration because a J-1 visa involves people going back after being in the US.

A work and travel visa is usually not subject to a 2 years home residence requirement though. It's a good thing because she won't have to go through what I did...staying physically 2 years in the country of residence that is.

For more info about the visa please follow http://www.cetpoland.pl/en/wat.html

Good luck to you

and yes...a J-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa

[athena_ny 1]

SO, to anybody that might know this information, I would greatly appreciate it. My non-us fiancee wants to attend a work and travel program. Now, if we were to get married while she attends, will the process still be effective for the Visa? Can she still work with the program? And if anyone knows the average fees for the Work and Travel program form Poland, or where I can find the info, I'd apreciate the help. THANKS!

Ok I have come with a Work and Travel program to the US three times. I was going to a college in Bulgaria though so I did not just stay in the US while on a J-1 visa. I do, however, know at least three people that got married while having their J-1 visas without ever leaving the country. I do not know how they did it though. I know, however, that it's possible but not preferable. It does not make a case too attractive to the immigration because a J-1 visa involves people going back after being in the US.

A work and travel visa is usually not subject to a 2 years home residence requirement though. It's a good thing because she won't have to go through what I did...staying physically 2 years in the country of residence that is.

For more info about the visa please follow http://www.cetpoland.pl/en/wat.html

Good luck to you

and yes...a J-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa

Which would mean...since there's already intent, J-1 is the incorrect visa to use to come here. It is not dual intent, so if she intends on staying upon entry, she needs to do a K-1.

[Onix 0]

Thanks to everyone for the info, it helps greatly!