MediaBoy

Hello,

I am in the what seems to be common situation of having a girlfriend in the US. I am really trying to find any jobs in the Chicago area that will sponsor myself. I am a recent ex-student only at level 3 (A-Levels/BTEC) and not University in Britain. I am wondering what the best course of action would be? Doing a college course there or perhaps getting an engagement visa?

If anyone could give me help or private mentoring i would appreciate it greatly.

We hope to get a cheap studio apartment downtown. I studied Media Production and from what I've heard the industry is available in the Chicago area. I'm under 21 if this matters at all.

Thank you all for your time.

Jerseygirl

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Take a look at this...if you fit into one of the categories you may have a chance. If you don't then you won't be living in the US in the near future.

Attending uni in the US is expensive...so if you have tens of thousands of dollars to spend...uni could be a way.

HumphreyC

Based on other people's experiences i'd say you should do a uni course there, see if it works out and if it does tie the knot. Someone might be able to advise you here on one of the cheaper ones. I'm sure there are some in Chicagoland.

Bill_S

Even if you were eligible for an H1-B employment visa, you'd have a hard time finding an employer willing to spend the money to bring in a foreigner when there are tens of thousands of Americans looking for work; the latter don't need visas and could start working tomorrow.

Attending college in the US is a possibility if you have enough money. Be aware though that the sticker price for the University of Chicago is $50,000 - $60,000 per year. Yes there are cheaper institutions, but education in the US is in general very costly.

TimNiceBut

IME finding a company in the US to sponsor you when there is an alternative route of becoming a resident is going to be even harder than "just" finding someone to sponsor you.

It might be easier to plan a trip to Las Vegas with the GF in the not-too-distant future.

ian-mstm

I hear wedding bells!

Ian

scrubbedexpat099

We may have to go around the block a few more times first.

chrisbeale

For someone with BTECs and doing something like media, what might be more interesting and better for someone looking to get into work in that sector is somewhere like Columbia College Chicago which is a performing arts school, they have a lot of programs that might be of interest and seemingly a financial aid system that is somewhat meaningful.

http://www.colum.edu/admissions/Programs/AEMM.php

Just from Googling, not an expert, good luck.

nettlebed

You and his GF?

AmerLisa

scrubbedexpat099

Is she up to it?