SC16

Hi, I was hoping for some advice.

In a scenario not too dissimilar to what happened to Ross and Rachel in Friends. My long distance girlfriend of 4 years (I live in London, she lives in Maryland) is pregnant and the baby is due in November.
We are both 27 and neither of us can legally live in the other persons country.

Before the news had broke out my plan was to move over to the US for 3 months on a travel visa at the start of June and look for work over in Maryland/Virginia (and propose to her). I have a Masters in Mechanical Engineering and am soon to become a Chartered Engineer and have 4 years experience in the rail industry. I understand it is extremely difficult for a non-US citizen to get a job in America but had hoped that maybe being over in person I could get lucky?

Anyway, I want to be over to support her ASAP and especially want to be over there for the birth of our child.

I don't know what route to take is best: I understand the K-1 fiance visa could get me over quickly but not being able to work and having to financially support a child seems infeasible. The CR-1 option seems like it takes a lot of time and I won't be there for the birth of my child. Quitting my job to look for work seems a huge risk, but the biggest reward.

Conversely, I could move her over to the UK on a marriage visa (I believe it only takes a matter of weeks) until my US visa gets approved? However this scenario does seem costly.

What would everyone's advice be and what do you believe is the best scenario for success for us as a family - the amount of uncertainty is very unnerving!

(PS my younger sister, 26, has a US passport as she was born there but I got told it takes years for a sibling visa to get approved?)

Thanks!

Pulaski

Take the pregnancy/ birth matter out of the equation - you aren't go to be in the US on any sort of marriage/ fiancé visa by November anyway. If you want to be there for the birth, plan to be there as a visitor, nothing more.

I presume that income and earnings are going to be paramount, therefore I would recommend marrying ASAP, making a trip to the US soon for that purpose if necessary, then filing ASAP for a CR-1. You will be able to work in the UK up until your visa is approved and from the moment you clear immigration in the US once you arrive on your CR-1. It might not be an "ideal" solution, but there is no perfect solution in the situation you have created for yourselves.

SC16

Thanks for your quick response and helpful advice.

So going over to look for an employer is too unlikely an outcome?

Hotscot

Wot Pulaski said.
Nothing more.

In a nutshell.

(Employers use t'internet.
Not knocking on doors.
Dressing up in a shirt and tie and giving your resume to the young receptionist will get you laughed at nowhere.
That's so last century.)

However!
You could invest in a virtual address. perhaps give an edge, depending on your visa.

Pulaski

You're welcome
Yes, or at least not in the least bit helpful for you, because the only likely visa that would apply would be a H-1B, and the earliest you could apply for one is at the start of April 2020 with a start date of October 2020. That visa category is also usually oversubscribed by 2½-4 times so getting a visa is unlikely even if both you and the job meet the criteria.

BTW With a sponsor resident in the US, you're currently looking at 12-14 months to get a CR-1 from the date of filing.

spouse of scouse

Hi, if you want to research ways for your girlfriend to move to the UK you'll need to post those questions here https://britishexpats.com/forum/citi...-visas-uk-196/ Very briefly, a marriage visitor visa is valid for a maximum of 6 months and is only intended for people to marry in the UK. Your girlfriend would need to return to the US after her visa expires. A fiance visa is also designed for an engaged couple to marry in the UK, with the difference that after the marriage the non British citizen can immediately apply for a spouse visa without having to leave the UK. Marriage visitor visa fee around £95, fiance visa fee around £1,500 - same fee again on applying for the spouse visa plus £1,000 for the International Health Surcharge.

Unless your girlfriend has a visa that allows her to reside permanently in the UK (ie a spouse visa), she would not be entitled to free NHS treatment.

SC16

Ok, thanks again guys.

Hotscot

Big changes for you.

Live in America?
Or the UK?

And being a father.

You handle this right and your life will be gold.

(Where did you obtain your Master's and also your original Degree?)

SC16

Thanks, as you can imagine it is currently a lot to take in but it will end up great.

I got an integrated Masters at Edinburgh Uni (incredible city).

Hotscot

Excellent! Keep your head screwed on and you'll be fine.
Edinburgh. I worked there for years until I ended up in this California dump. (No decent curries or pints.)

sherbert

Or, he could just use his GF's address

Hotscot

Depending if they want to stay there or move.
Mrs. H. and I have several locations.

scrubbedexpat099

Her moving would seem more obvious.

Octang Frye

Not trying to sow doubt and cast aspersions, but can you be certain the baby is hers?

zzrmark

Easily ascertained by whether anything drops out of her hoo-ha in November, generally accepted that she who gives birth is the mother!

OP: You can still visit while the CR1 is proceeding, no visa required to get married in the US, the norm is just three days between applying for the marriage certificate and getting it signed (ie married). Which means you could pop over very soon, tie the knot and still come back in November for birth, as well as any summer trips you fancy - vacation time and finances permitting.