Urgent Advice Required
 

Good morning everyone

This is my first post so please bear with me.

My boyfriend has just been told he has secured a 3 year contract in Texas, I am naturally devastated but very happy for him as it has been his dream for many years. I would like to move over there with him , I am experienced recruitment manager however I do not have a degree I am finding that companies will not even look at my CV.

I would be grateful for any advice you could give me , I will quite happily put myself through a degree however it will take me longer than what he is going to be out there for.

thanks

Ema

Re: Urgent Advice Required
 

Realistically your choices are (i) get married if you want to work, (ii) B2 if you're a cohabiting partner, but working is not possible, or (iii) stay in the UK.

There are other theoretical possibilities such as F1 student visa, but likely not helpful for you.

Re: Urgent Advice Required
 

There are only very limited options.

1. Get married. If he is on a L-1 visa (company transfer) you will get a L2 visa and can work at any job you please once you get your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) which generally takes 60-90 days after arrival. If he is on a H1-B visa (new employee), you'll get a H4 visa which doesn't allow your to work.

2. Apply for a B2 cohabiting visa if you were previously living together. You can live in the US but cannot work.

3. Apply for F1 visa and attend college in the US.

Without a degree or equivalent work experience in a specialty field or company transfer, there isn't any other visas to work except seasonal visas (H2 visas). Even with requirements for a H-1B visa, applications aren't accepted until April 1 for work starting no earlier than October and this year the visas were oversubscribed as soon as applications were accepted. Also companies are reluctant to hire a foreigner on a H-1B visa unless they can't find an American with the skills needed due to the wait time and cost (several thousand dollars).

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/usc...00b92ca60aRCRD

Re: Urgent Advice Required
 

Thanks for your help guys. It looks like going back to School is my only option. Where do I start to even apply for courses within Texas and will they accept me ?

Re: Urgent Advice Required
 

You usually have to be a full time student (usually that is a minimum of 12 credits or 3 courses 5 days per week). Usually community colleges (2 year associate degree that can be credited towards a 4 year college or university to get a bachelors or masters degree) are the most inexpensive but you'll have to pay out of state fees.

The following is a list of community colleges in Texas. You should be able to click on any of the listed colleges and find information about the college and tuition fees.

http://www.tacc.org/tcc_links.htm

Once you decide on the college, then you'll have to work with the college to get accepted on a F-1 visa. See the following link for an example of the requirements for Alamo colleges.

http://www.alamo.edu/mainwide.aspx?id=506

Re: Urgent Advice Required
 

Please note you're going to have to show the financial capability to support yourself in school without having to work (more or less). Generally I think that means you have to show a little more than a year's worth of expenses (tuition and living expenses) in the bank.

http://www.internationalstudentforum...php?f=9&t=9116

Re: Urgent Advice Required
 

Thank you for your help , there is so much to take in I feeling rather lost. Does it or will it make a difference if my father has a dual citizenship with Hong Kong I don't think it will but I thought I would ask. Also do you feel I would be more successful looking for temporary work?.

Re: Urgent Advice Required
 

No and No. Seasonal work is for ski resorts and other seasonal work and you have to leave the US after the job is over.

http://usvisa.com/h-2_visa.shtml

My suggestion is to get married unless you are a same sex couple and then that won't help.

Re: Urgent Advice Required
 

The problem is that if your boyfriend's contract is only for three years, you likely won't have completed a four year degree. Theoretically, with a heavy course load, including "summer school" during the summer holiday, it is possible, but it sounds like there is a good chance you'll study for three years and only have a collection of study credits to show for it.

Re: Urgent Advice Required
 

Very limited work opportunity on a student visa, after first semester and limited to on campus, but realistically, you won't be getting it over work study students who get those jobs first.

Re: Urgent Advice Required
 

No.

No.

Is there a reason you're against marriage? That would be the easiest way of accompanying your SO to the USA.

Rene

Re: Urgent Advice Required
 

If you guys love each other get married. If it works out it will be a wonderful experience.
If not, get divorced.

That's the way my wife and I approached it. It's now our 10th anniversary and we're very much strongly in love and I could never imagine being apart.

Re: Urgent Advice Required
 

Just had to tell you, Hotscot....that spontaneous public declaration made me smile. :)

I hope your wife gets to see it

Re: Urgent Advice Required
 

And the 4th option: long distance relationship. It has worked for some of us on here.

Re: Urgent Advice Required
 

Damn...I'll have to show her now:)
Cute teacher with a brain and is a gourmet cook...believe me, I'm in heaven, every day.

Thanks.