MLJ123

I work in a Credit Union (similar to a bank for anybody who doesn't know what it is) and have NVQ qualifications in business admin and customer services as well as the GCSE's and diploma in ICT so my line of work varies from an office to anything financial.

LinkTen

Do you do anything 'specialised' at the Credit Union and if so, how long have you worked there for, and what is your diploma (e.g. Diploma of Higher Education i.e. two years of a degree, etc)?

MLJ123

I've worked there for 3 years now and I specialise in pretty much running the counter there. My it's a national diploma

LinkTen

Unfortunately you do not qualify for a H-1B visa, so cannot get sponsored. If your Credit Union has a presence in the USA, I highly doubt they'll transfer you over (due to the fees) to the US. The only other options I'm aware of are to invest (if you have $500k+), start a business ($150k+), study for an undergraduate degree ($100k+) or if you were born outside of the UK, you may be able to apply for the diversity program.

MLJ123

Okay thanks, I know it'll be a few years until we finalise a move as we've agreed in the meantime so do regular visits from each other so we can build our relationship up too so hopefully in the meantime I win the lottery or some of the law changes haha

What is required for a H-1B visa?

vikingsail

Not to pour salt onto your already difficult situation but don't forget the spectre of US healthcare. IF and I say if you are lucky enough to get onto your prospective same sex spouses healthcare a lovely surprise awaits. Unlike most employer paid contributions for same sex couples the employer paid healthcare contribution is treated as income on pay stubs. Thus you will be paying extra tax just for the benefit of having healthcare. Something 'hetro' couples do not experience. Might seem insignificant now but thats probably another $300 + off your pay check.

Good luck. I'd say settle in the UK

LinkTen

I'm unsure of the exact requirements, but I know you are required to have a degree or at least 12 years experience in a specialized position. I believe there's some rules about the job you're being sponsored for requiring a degree and/or other strict criteria has been met.

Keep an eye on the immigration reform news. You never know what might happen. Also, it may be worth putting a plan together if moving to the US is ultimately what you want to achieve. This will likely start with enrolling on an undergraduate degree course.

Best of luck.

Bob

You can use 3 years of experience in lieu of each year of a 4 year degrees study missing, so if you can get the HND evaluated to show the equivalent of two years of a bachelors degree and with 3 years experience, would only need another 3 years of experience to quality. I have no idea if that's feasible with the NHD mind, just putting it out there for something to be investigated by the OP.

Also, the thing with using experience in lieu, you must be able to show career growth and knowledge, so pay rises, increases in responsibility, that kind of thing.

But yes, you're right, job must require a degree, be a "specialist" occupation, which is a pretty loose term.

retzie

True, however, what about all the USCs who can't be with their loved ones? Half of the people this law directly affects can vote (not to mention the USCs' own support networks, who probably have opinions on such things). Among the various immigration issues on the table now, I hope the 'local interest' inherent to this one pushes it over the line.

I shall also be hoping a senator's blood-relative falls for a same-sex foreigner...

LinkTen

I didn't know this, interesting, thanks.

I have a Diploma of Higher Education (after completing two years of my degree, which I think is the same as the HNP). I'm going back to university in September to 'top-up' to a full BSc, so this might be worthwhile route for the OP if they hold the HNP.

Michael

In my opinion, immigration reform concerning same sex couples is at a minimum of 10 years away. We just finally got rid of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in the military and the supreme court will be hearing arguments about the refusal of the white house to enforce DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) as well as to hear arguments in California's same sex marriage case (Prop 8).

The democrats won't currently waste political capital on immigration reform for same sex couples with so many other important issues that need to be addressed. Even legally married same sex couples in states that allow it aren't treated as married at the federal level or other states that don't allow same sex marriages and I would think that would need to be resolved prior to changing immigration laws for same sex couples.

kimilseung

Well who knows, but I think the decision last year to treat same sex relationships as family relationships in terms of deportation proceedings and the keenness of the Republicans to bring in immigration reform, (I think there is room for this to be of little political capital) at least make it a little bit more optimistic at this time. We will have to wait and see.

Michael

Political capital is spent when the public is not ready for a new law possibly causing loses in congress and/or the presidency. Although little political capital would likely be spent in New England and West Coast states, the cost would probably be very large in the South, Midwest, and Rocky Mountain states.

Obama is already spending a lot of political capital on immigration reform, gun control, the budget deficit and taxes, and just indicating that he supports same sex marriage. I doubt if very many democrats and almost no republicans except New England and West Coast congressmen and senators are willing to spend the political capital over same sex immigration reform. Even a republican with a gay or lesbian child would think twice about supporting such legislation.

henryh

I think 10 years is way pessimistic, but 1 year is too optimistic.

scrubbedexpat099

I can not help but think Obama is using Immigration more for political purposes than any real intent to see reform.

There is so much that could have been done to set a positive environment.