WestKen

Hi,

My boyfriend's work is transferring him to their New York office for 6 months in Feb/March...and I think I'll be going too

Being naive I initially assumed I could look for a temp job but since doing some research have discovered I shan't be able to get a working visa - only for those with specialist jobs already lined up I think, and I won't qualify for one through him a we're not married. So - I will have to be on a tourist one.

I don't want to be a sit around all day long and I'd to try and make the most of my time there and either do volunteer work (?) and/or some kind of language or art-based course.

Googling hasn't brought up many helpful suggestions - is there the same kind of evening class/adult education class stuff going on there as there is in the UK? Can anyone offer suggestions for where I could go to find out more about either of these things?

Thanks

Elvira

Are you getting a B1/2 visa then? I think this should be possible as a live-in partner of someone on an L1 visa, but better do some investigating. It's not straightforward to get a tourist visa if you're from a country that is part of the WVP. You don't want to risk being turned back at the POE.

Community College might be the way to go - here is the link for Manhattan, but the outer bouroughs will have them to:

http://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/j2ee/index.jsp

However, you may face a problem being accepted on a tourist visa. I'm afraid I have no experience of this. You might have to be persistent.

But there is so much to do in NYC and surrounding areas that you would not be bored anyway (if you have the money to support yourself...). The Metropolitan Museum alone could take weeks to explore fully! And then there is the Frick, the Guggenheim, MOMA....... the list goes on and on. And all the theatres, concert halls, operas.

I'm kind of bored here............ can I come too............. I'll be your personal guide (no charge!!)...

MsElui

if you got married then you could get an L2 spouse visa and could apply for ead on arrival (can take up to 90 days but often takes less) and then could work.

Big D

In nYC at the moment this is taking ages -will be time to go home by the time it arrives!

chicagojlo

For 6 months, waiting for an L2 EAD would be pretty pointless. Mine came in less than 90 days (around 6 wks I think) last year, but then it took me another 6 wks to find a job.
I don't think you can do volunteer work either, from what I've read here about H4 spouses.
If you will be going over the summer months then I can tell you that hanging out in Central Park all day will last you a good couple of weeks! Then there is everything else to see. I can't see you being bored anyway.

meauxna

Non-immigrants can volunteer in traditional volunteer positions.

They can't 'volunteer' somewhere where they will get back pay for their work, or in lieu of a paid employee, but normal volunteering (ie Red Cross, Humane Society etc) should not make a problem.

Big D

a lot of places when you volunteer (and this was from experience in NYC) interview you like a proper job and you need to make serious commitments. Might not be quite what you had in mind!

Bob

doing a course could be rather expensive, international rates and all that...

best bet if you do get the B1/2 is just enjoy the state, visit the state parks, the galleries, go explore neighbouring states etc...

Elvira

The main problem I found when I was stuck in H4 hell was that none of the charitable organisations I contacted would accept volunteering help from someone without a SSN.

meauxna

There is a lot of adult learning stuff out there that is not University..

http://www.learningannex.com/default.taf?bizunit=annex

Irn-bru

I was a H4 (wife of a H1b) and I have and am a volunteer with no problems. I also volunteered before on a L2 (I think the visa is called, sorry I still get confused with all the visa terms ). I don't get paid and am not taking away a paid job from anyone else.

It depends what/who you are volunteering for.
If you are going to work with minors a background check will need to be done and then, depending on where you are (I don't know about NY) that is when you may run into difficulty.

Although for the past year WA background checks don't require a SSN (citing identity theft concerns) but will take a thumbprint instead (as well as letters of recommendation and the usual etc)

lapin_windstar

"Normal" criminal background checks in NYS don't accept an SSN because the system doesn't support them. I don't know what else is done to clear people who work with sensitive populations.

Irn-bru

I don't work directly with minors myself (one of the programs I work with I cook food and bring food, and my OH and I help with helping them move into their new homes etc, I ocassionally come across children there but as we are not alone with them its not considered necessary, I suppose) So I haven't been through it.

But others that I work with that do get background checks -have to give at least 3 letters of recommendation of people you know at least for 6 months preferably a year, criminal background check, interview, application letter. (Weirdly I've been one of those people 'vetting'/giving reference to others but the background screeners when phoning to check up with me how long I've know them and how etc don't ask me if I'm a resident etc)

I suppose it depends on what the individual charity sets as their rules for their background but I know the Washington State Patrol don't need SSN now for backgrounds.
I think they take your thumbprint if they can't 'find' you from your DOB and name etc. But they check you aren't on the sex offenders list and your name isn't coming up as having a criminal record.