L2 Visa holder about to divorce and I want to stay in the US
#1
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 11
L2 Visa holder about to divorce and I want to stay in the US
Im sorry, this is going to be a long one, but I have absolutely no idea where to start.
I'm a Brit and have been living in the US for the last 4 years on L2 visa, obtained through my british husbands L1 visa. And unfortunately we decided to divorce.
Firstly, my L2 visa and work permit are valid for another 14 months, but if my husband leaves the country I presume they are invalid, is this true?
Secondly, I desperately want to stay and build my life in the US. I have no degree, but I do have professional qualifications, and I am very employable as a jeweler - as of right now I have no position though as I have been running back and forth to the UK for the last year to help take care of my father, but I would have no issue finding employment and have several offers - but I have not mentioned my visa issue yet. Does anyone know if there is any chance I can stay in the US with so little qualifications - all visas seem to be given out to brain surgeons and such. If so, any information would be appreciated - just a point in the right direction of somthing useful to read even would be amazing!
I had the following thoughts:
- is it even possible for a company to sponsor someone who isn't a brain surgeon, and what are the costs involved in this, for my employer and myself
- would it be better if I owned a house in the US?
- are larger companies or smaller companies more likely to sponser someone
Thank you for any information, and sorry for rambling, im a little stressed out
Loo
I'm a Brit and have been living in the US for the last 4 years on L2 visa, obtained through my british husbands L1 visa. And unfortunately we decided to divorce.
Firstly, my L2 visa and work permit are valid for another 14 months, but if my husband leaves the country I presume they are invalid, is this true?
Secondly, I desperately want to stay and build my life in the US. I have no degree, but I do have professional qualifications, and I am very employable as a jeweler - as of right now I have no position though as I have been running back and forth to the UK for the last year to help take care of my father, but I would have no issue finding employment and have several offers - but I have not mentioned my visa issue yet. Does anyone know if there is any chance I can stay in the US with so little qualifications - all visas seem to be given out to brain surgeons and such. If so, any information would be appreciated - just a point in the right direction of somthing useful to read even would be amazing!
I had the following thoughts:
- is it even possible for a company to sponsor someone who isn't a brain surgeon, and what are the costs involved in this, for my employer and myself
- would it be better if I owned a house in the US?
- are larger companies or smaller companies more likely to sponser someone
Thank you for any information, and sorry for rambling, im a little stressed out
Loo
#2
Re: L2 Visa holder about to divorce and I want to stay in the US
As far as I am aware once your husband leave the US then your visa is not valid anymore, same I believe if when you get divorced it is not legal anymore
Owning a house in the US makes no difference
Finding employer maybe easy but getting visa may be the hard part, H1b required degree at the minimum unless you have over 12 years experience (sure someone with more experience will confirm this)
Owning a house in the US makes no difference
Finding employer maybe easy but getting visa may be the hard part, H1b required degree at the minimum unless you have over 12 years experience (sure someone with more experience will confirm this)
#3
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Joined: May 2011
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Re: L2 Visa holder about to divorce and I want to stay in the US
Thank you Silver Dragon,
I have been doing research, and I am very sure I am going to find it difficult or impossible. But I am just wanting to check every nook and cranny. The divorce will take a while I guess, so I am not to worried about that yet.
I don't have a degree, but I have a Graduate Gemologist diploma, which is a great qualification (almost a degree) in my industry. I wonder if they would consider that.
Thank you again, I appreciate your time
I have been doing research, and I am very sure I am going to find it difficult or impossible. But I am just wanting to check every nook and cranny. The divorce will take a while I guess, so I am not to worried about that yet.
I don't have a degree, but I have a Graduate Gemologist diploma, which is a great qualification (almost a degree) in my industry. I wonder if they would consider that.
Thank you again, I appreciate your time
#4
Re: L2 Visa holder about to divorce and I want to stay in the US
Im sorry, this is going to be a long one, but I have absolutely no idea where to start.
I'm a Brit and have been living in the US for the last 4 years on L2 visa, obtained through my british husbands L1 visa. And unfortunately we decided to divorce.
Firstly, my L2 visa and work permit are valid for another 14 months, but if my husband leaves the country I presume they are invalid, is this true?
Secondly, I desperately want to stay and build my life in the US. I have no degree, but I do have professional qualifications, and I am very employable as a jeweler - as of right now I have no position though as I have been running back and forth to the UK for the last year to help take care of my father, but I would have no issue finding employment and have several offers - but I have not mentioned my visa issue yet. Does anyone know if there is any chance I can stay in the US with so little qualifications - all visas seem to be given out to brain surgeons and such. If so, any information would be appreciated - just a point in the right direction of somthing useful to read even would be amazing!
I had the following thoughts:
- is it even possible for a company to sponsor someone who isn't a brain surgeon, and what are the costs involved in this, for my employer and myself
- would it be better if I owned a house in the US?
- are larger companies or smaller companies more likely to sponser someone
Thank you for any information, and sorry for rambling, im a little stressed out
Loo
I'm a Brit and have been living in the US for the last 4 years on L2 visa, obtained through my british husbands L1 visa. And unfortunately we decided to divorce.
Firstly, my L2 visa and work permit are valid for another 14 months, but if my husband leaves the country I presume they are invalid, is this true?
Secondly, I desperately want to stay and build my life in the US. I have no degree, but I do have professional qualifications, and I am very employable as a jeweler - as of right now I have no position though as I have been running back and forth to the UK for the last year to help take care of my father, but I would have no issue finding employment and have several offers - but I have not mentioned my visa issue yet. Does anyone know if there is any chance I can stay in the US with so little qualifications - all visas seem to be given out to brain surgeons and such. If so, any information would be appreciated - just a point in the right direction of somthing useful to read even would be amazing!
I had the following thoughts:
- is it even possible for a company to sponsor someone who isn't a brain surgeon, and what are the costs involved in this, for my employer and myself
- would it be better if I owned a house in the US?
- are larger companies or smaller companies more likely to sponser someone
Thank you for any information, and sorry for rambling, im a little stressed out
Loo
#5
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 11
Re: L2 Visa holder about to divorce and I want to stay in the US
Thanks Ray,
I guess I first need to check if my Graduate Gemologist "degree" counts for anything.
Maybe I could go down the student route and study for 3 years..... kill two birds with one stone.......
Thank you again
Loo
I guess I first need to check if my Graduate Gemologist "degree" counts for anything.
Maybe I could go down the student route and study for 3 years..... kill two birds with one stone.......
Thank you again
Loo
#6
American Expat
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,598
Re: L2 Visa holder about to divorce and I want to stay in the US
Unlike an L, an F-1 student is required to have a foreign residence they don't plan to abandon. F-1 have significant restrictions on where they can work, and how many hours they can work. Keep that in mind.
#7
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 760
Re: L2 Visa holder about to divorce and I want to stay in the US
#8
Re: L2 Visa holder about to divorce and I want to stay in the US
How would she get the J1 though? It's limited to within a short time frame of between 1/3 years depending on graduation and/or on job training.
http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Pulask...ork_in_the_USA
That's basically it really, have a large wedge of cash and start a jewellery business or if you were uber well known in the trade and could pursue the O1, but that's unlikely.
Sucky situation to be in, good luck.
http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Pulask...ork_in_the_USA
That's basically it really, have a large wedge of cash and start a jewellery business or if you were uber well known in the trade and could pursue the O1, but that's unlikely.
Sucky situation to be in, good luck.
#9
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: L2 Visa holder about to divorce and I want to stay in the US
The obvious solution would be a US SO.
Might be a bit premature.
Might be a bit premature.
#10
American Expat
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,598
Re: L2 Visa holder about to divorce and I want to stay in the US
People can and do try a lot of things. A J-1 is required to have a foreign residence as well and even if possible, work would be limited to a specific employer. Many J-1 end up leaving with less money than before once they cover their expenses.
Health insurance is another concern that needs to be considered.
Health insurance is another concern that needs to be considered.
#11
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Joined: Dec 2003
Location: Boston / Guipúzcoa
Posts: 718
Re: L2 Visa holder about to divorce and I want to stay in the US
How amicable is the divorce? Is your husband planning on leaving the US?
Just wondering out loud here. Someone correct me if I'm wrong...
If your husband is planning on staying in the US on his L1 -- and is willing to help you out -- maybe the two of you can get separated but not divorced. And then you might be able to continue using your L2. Again, I'm not sure, but I don't know if their is a requirement the the L2 holder has to actually live with the L1 holder.
May be worth checking into.
- Eric S.
Just wondering out loud here. Someone correct me if I'm wrong...
If your husband is planning on staying in the US on his L1 -- and is willing to help you out -- maybe the two of you can get separated but not divorced. And then you might be able to continue using your L2. Again, I'm not sure, but I don't know if their is a requirement the the L2 holder has to actually live with the L1 holder.
May be worth checking into.
- Eric S.
#12
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Joined: May 2011
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Re: L2 Visa holder about to divorce and I want to stay in the US
Wow, thank you for all the responses, sorry I didn't reply earlier - I thought I got email notification when they came through, but aparently not this time
Im just going to read through them, and do a little research on suggestions, then I will come back tomorrorw with more questions im sure. I just wanted to say thanks first, and not post and run
The divorce is ammicable btw, and I can continue using the visa until my husband leaves the country, but I don't know when that will be. My visa does run out in 14 months though so I would like to have somthing in place by then.
I have thought though, if I get an employer sponsorship, its all about proving they can't get the skills anywhere else right, in the jewelry industry I am sure this is very subjective and hard to quantify - especially in terms of "qualifications". Oh well off to read now - Just thinking out loud too.
Cheers everyone you have no idea how much I appreciate the feedback!
Loo
Im just going to read through them, and do a little research on suggestions, then I will come back tomorrorw with more questions im sure. I just wanted to say thanks first, and not post and run
The divorce is ammicable btw, and I can continue using the visa until my husband leaves the country, but I don't know when that will be. My visa does run out in 14 months though so I would like to have somthing in place by then.
I have thought though, if I get an employer sponsorship, its all about proving they can't get the skills anywhere else right, in the jewelry industry I am sure this is very subjective and hard to quantify - especially in terms of "qualifications". Oh well off to read now - Just thinking out loud too.
Cheers everyone you have no idea how much I appreciate the feedback!
Loo
#13
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Joined: May 2011
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Re: L2 Visa holder about to divorce and I want to stay in the US
Boiler - sorry but whats an SO?
Sorry to be jumping in hear with no background, well I have read quite a bit, I just have no idea on how to make this work, and I wanted to get pointed in the right direction before spending weeks reading through things I dont understand, or need.
Thank you again
Sorry to be jumping in hear with no background, well I have read quite a bit, I just have no idea on how to make this work, and I wanted to get pointed in the right direction before spending weeks reading through things I dont understand, or need.
Thank you again
#14
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Re: L2 Visa holder about to divorce and I want to stay in the US
A large wedge of cash would be like $350k I read somewhere, right? I could start my own jewelry business, but I am likely to have $150K at most, and how successful does this business have to actually be? I mean I could easily start a small business and earn enough to live on, but I presume they want more than this.