Immigrating to the US to be with my girlfriend
Dec 30th 2018, 6:56 pm
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 3
Immigrating to the US to be with my girlfriend
I first started talking to my girlfriend around 3 years ago after we met online through gaming and we began dating 2 years ago. I have visited her 4 times for a total of around 17 weeks across all 4 visits. I am 20 years old, she is 19 and I have no criminal record. I would like to move here to be with her after I finish my degree in 2 more years. I am studying for a masters degree in urban development and planning. I have browsed around online to understand the options and it seems the only way is through marriage, however I was wondering if there are any other options. Not that I would be completely against marriage, but with us both being young I wanna was wondering if I have any other options? I find the immigration laws confusing so if anyone has been in a similar situation and made it work I’d love to hear your stories on how you guys did it. Thanks in advance 
Dec 30th 2018, 6:59 pm
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 6,159
Re: Immigrating to the US to be with my girlfriend
No, marriage is not the only way..
This will keep you occupied for a bit.
Short story..
Marriage, company transfer, business/study are potential routes.
Many here did it through marriage or company transfers. Some do it via a study program like a PhD
REALLY, READ ME: Want to Live & Work in the US?
(Urban planning is quite a hot topic these days...)
https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=urban+planning&l=
This will keep you occupied for a bit.
Short story..
Marriage, company transfer, business/study are potential routes.
Many here did it through marriage or company transfers. Some do it via a study program like a PhD
REALLY, READ ME: Want to Live & Work in the US?
(Urban planning is quite a hot topic these days...)
https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=urban+planning&l=
Last edited by Hotscot; Dec 30th 2018 at 7:05 pm.
Dec 30th 2018, 7:07 pm
#3
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 3
Re: Immigrating to the US to be with my girlfriend
i appreciate your fast response. I’ll give that a read. Thank you
Dec 30th 2018, 7:09 pm
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 6,159
Re: Immigrating to the US to be with my girlfriend
FWIW.
If you really, really want to move to the US, in my opinion you're at a good age and education level to be planning it.
Good luck but read through the material and come back with specific questions if you wish.
If you really, really want to move to the US, in my opinion you're at a good age and education level to be planning it.
Good luck but read through the material and come back with specific questions if you wish.
Dec 30th 2018, 7:22 pm
#5
MODERATOR
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 58,679
Re: Immigrating to the US to be with my girlfriend
Options are:
- Marriage visa (by far the easiest)
- H1-B visa (but unlikely as a recent graduate)
- L visa (intercompany transfer. . Need to work at least 1 year in UK)
- F-1 student visa for higher education in the USA.
Rene
- Marriage visa (by far the easiest)
- H1-B visa (but unlikely as a recent graduate)
- L visa (intercompany transfer. . Need to work at least 1 year in UK)
- F-1 student visa for higher education in the USA.
Rene
Dec 30th 2018, 7:26 pm
#6
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 3
Re: Immigrating to the US to be with my girlfriend
I will research those options. Thanks
Dec 31st 2018, 11:40 am
#7
Often not so civil...
Joined: Apr 2010
Location: The Boonies, GA
Posts: 9,561
Re: Immigrating to the US to be with my girlfriend
In reality, at your age, marriage is likely to be the only option. If you are thinking 5 years+ then a work visa would be much more likely.
A J1 might be do-able, but it's going to confine you to going where the program is.
A J1 might be do-able, but it's going to confine you to going where the program is.
