Originally Posted by SanDiegoFan (Post 6874954)

Hello all,

I was just hoping for some help really from people that seem to know what they're talking about when it comes to Visas.

My partner wants to move to California to work in software. He has a degree in his field and over 10 years experience. He's hoping to find a job and get a Visa that way.

We aren't married and I understand that the US do not recognise common-law relationships when it comes to Visas, so what would be my best bet for obtaining a Visa myself? We're thinking of going for about three years, if that's possible.

I would love to get a degree in those three years but I need to look into applying as a mature student, etc.

With the information given, does anyone have any advice on what we should be doing, reading up on, etc?

Any help (and your time) is very much appreciated and thank you in advance.

:D

Originally Posted by Ozzidoc (Post 6874973)

Which visa do you think you might be eligible for?

Originally Posted by Manc (Post 6874988)

it makes no difference either what they're eligible for either......

sponsorship and ascertaining the powers that be to relocate them at their expense is the difficult venture.

Originally Posted by SanDiegoFan (Post 6875046)

Thanks for the help so far. :)

I do want to move, we've talked about it and I would love the opportunity but I wouldn't want to make it permanent. We've agreed to keep the house in the UK as selling up just isn't wise at the moment.

It looks like my partner would apply for the H1B - are software engineer/system architects in demand in around San Diego/San Jose? I would think that there are probably plenty of them? He has a lot of experience and is exceptional at what he does. He would like to work for Sun Microsystems ideally!

It looks like there is a possibility that I could apply for the F1 visa? I could certainly afford 10k on top of tuition fees with two years to save.

So much to look into! I really appreciate the help so far, so thanks for that. I will venture deeper into the forum. :)

Originally Posted by SanDiegoFan (Post 6875046)

It looks like my partner would apply for the H1B - are software engineer/system architects in demand in around San Diego/San Jose? I would think that there are probably plenty of them? He has a lot of experience and is exceptional at what he does. He would like to work for Sun Microsystems ideally!

Originally Posted by Manc (Post 6875050)

your partner would not apply for anything.

and if he's that good, how come he's not been headhunted yet?

I rate your chances at slim to bordering on nil.

good luck.

Originally Posted by Noorah101 (Post 6875059)

The employer actually does all the application paperwork. So he needs to contact Sun and see if they will hire him. If so, they will begin the paperwork in April 2009, if he is lucky and gets a visa (it's a lottery these days, with so many applicants), then he can start work in October 2009.

He can apply all over the place, but until a company wants to sponsor him, he can't get the visa.

You can get your own separate student visa to come over on your own.

Rene