Widebase

I'm completely new to this, so apologies if I get the protocol wrong!

I'm due to be relocating to NYC in a month on business. My company is sponsoring me for a visa, and my girlfriend will hopefully gain a dependency visa on the back of it.

Question is, what can she do when we get there? - we have been told she can do 'occasional voluntary work for non-profit organisations' - does anyone have any links or has anyone been through this before?

She is a smart cookie, working in the civil service here, but isn't a US citizen, so can't transfer her skills to US government.

Any thoughts/help/suggestions would be very much appreciated!!

Thanks

christmasoompa

What visa will you be on, and what visa will she be on?

yorkieuk

What visa are you being given?

Ever considered marrying her?

Widebase

For me it will be an L1, we are aiming to get her a B-2 cohabiting partner visa

Yep - have considered marrying her, and that is probably on the cards, but not for a year or so!

ian-mstm

She can volunteer - but not work. She can *not* receive any benefit whatsoever from her volunteer activities. She can *not* do volunteer work *if* that position would normally be a paid position... in other words, she can not "work for free".

Ian

Bill_S

IOW there will be nothing stopping her from doing laundry, keeping the apartment spotless, and having a delicious meal ready for Widebase when he gets home from work

Widebase

Ok, understood, so no role that would usually attract a benefit of any description. Are there any organisations that exist to help people find these kind of roles/internships?

Bill - funny, that was my original suggestion to her, but surprisingly that didn't make pe particularly popular!

lisa67

have a look at:

www.volunteermatch.com

Widebase

Thanks!

...and just as a general point, this site is really blo0dy useful isn't it?! - been reading lots of the comments, lots of good stuff.

Cheers.

Rete

She cannot obtain a social security card which means it would be difficult for her to go to school, get a driver's license, etc.

MsElui

if and when you marry her - she can apply for the L2 visa and then once in the US can apply for Employment autorisation (EAD) which can take up to 3 months to arrive. (apply by mail rather than electronically as its quicker).

it would really be easier to do her L2 at the same time you do your L1 - same interview etc - basically just need the marriage cert. Otherwise she may have to leave the US to go back home for her L2 interview in London. could you do a civil ceremony now and the full monty proper celebration later on when your ready? Would minimise downtime so to speak.

Widebase

Ok, thanks for that. I've got my interview in the first week of June, so probably too late to get hitched and re-org the interview now, so guess the B-2 that she is aiming for will be the first step, then will have to re-run the fun after getting married in order to get her an L-2.