Comedy

Hi,

I moved over here a few weeks ago on an L1 visa with both my girlfriend and our daughter. Our visa lawyer in the UK told me that as we are not married her options are to either take a B visa when we come over or come over on a visa waiver and look for someone willing to sponsor an H visa... as we're back in the UK within 3 months we went for the second. I've had a read through the eligibilities for each visa and I can't think of any industry she would be able to get an H1 visa for (her work history in the UK is purely retail and there's not really a short supply of retail workers in the US), so that leaves an H2 visa, which due to the requirements employers tend not to issue.. We've looked around at places and on websites but haven't been able to find anything promising.

Anyway, my question is really has anyone else been in this situation and are there any good ways to get temporary work if you're already in the country?


Please, I know about the whole marriage thing and that's an option but not going to happen immediately so I don't need reminding

Thanks!

snowbunny

Not legally, no.

NC Penguin

Have you looked at this sticky post? This summarizes the legal ways to live and work in the US.

I suppose your girlfriend and daughter are currently visiting the US on visa waivers. They can only stay up to the date stamped on their I-94s.

Based on your post, I cannot see a legal means for your girlfriend to continue to stay in the US.

I am not a lawyer. This is not legal advice.


NC Penguin

Jerseygirl

In the OP's previous post he states he has a L1 visa with a waiver for a previous drug conviction.

Comedy

Yes, I'm on an L1, my daughter is on an L2, my girlfriend is on a visa waiver

hayley82

I am in a similar situation to your girlfriend (without the kid!). I am on a B2 visa, and my partner is on an L1. On my Visa there is an annotation stating that I am accompanying my partner on L1.

On a B2, you are not allowed to work legally. In reality there are plenty of cash in hand jobs around, but I have chosen not to follow this path. It seems too risky!

In order to get your girlfriend a B2, you will have to provide proof of legitimate ties to the UK....property, family, job etc...

Hope this helps a bit! PM me if you need any more info!

Comedy

Thanks! that's just the kind of news i was after although it's not a working visa it's better than a visa waiver each 3 months

hayley82

Glad to help! I do have to go home every 6 months though... which is quite nice to be honest!

scrubbedexpat099

The obvious solution is to marry her.