NaveT

Hello all,

My employer has asked me to work in the US for 2 years. We have a 2 year old and my wife currently works so will have to take a sabbatical from her company. (Luckily they allow that)

So all going good we should be over there early next year. Now we/she has some major concerns.

1. Will she be able to work even part time, as she doesn't want to really become a full time housewife as she feels she will go crazy! Looking at the requirements, the likelihood of getting any permit looks impossible. Anyone in this situation?

2. What will she do all day with out her friends and family network in the UK. Anyone willing to share experiences?

Many thanks

Englishmum

I guess you will be coming over on an L1 visa? Spouses on L2 visas can get work authorisation but it can only be applied for once you have relocated to the US. The US Embassy in London has all the info on its website for non-immigrant visas:

http://www.usembassy.org.uk

However......holiday entitlement is totally different to the Uk.....in some States there is no entitlement at all - vacation leave has to be 'earned'!!! It's not unusual for new employees to only get one week's vacation in their first year.....

Where will you be relocating to? It's hard to help otherwise!

There are such groups as "Mothers and More" and "Newcomers Clubs" and the "Welcome Wagon". Your wife might like to consider doing some voluntary work (loads of info online) or to help out in a co-operative nursery.

Bob

Settling in should'nt be a problem either, you make what you will, but go to the local library, good place to find info on whats happening in the area and the like and meet people, there's always something to do, though having a car helps

NC Penguin

All but Q2 of your post would be more appropriate on the "US Visas" forum on BE.

However, before posting there, have you looked at the USCIS website? Your answers may be on that site. The address is:
http://uscis.gov/graphics/index.htm

If you do decide to post on the US Visas forum, please include additional information.

i.e. indicate which visa your employer will be sending you on? H1B, L1? Something else.

This is most important because spouses on H4s cannot work at all. I'm not sure about the working situation for spouses on L2s (I believe that's the correct visa).

Otherwise, people do not have the basic information necessary to give you relevant answers.

I'm not a lawyer and this message is not legal advice, just information gleaned from British Expats, other online sources and my personal experience.




NC Penguin

NaveT

Many thanks for your replies.

Not entirly what visa they are getting for me. I have asked so should find out soon.

Likely to be in Boston, MA for my stay.

Bob

I believe on L2 can, but I think they do have to apply for EAD once they get here, as opposed to being allowed to work straightaway, but I could be wrong?

Brit Vic

They call us, stay at home mums, over here, and beleave me its a lonely life without your friends and family for surrport, I also have a 2 year old, theres no such thing as mother and toddler groups, well whare I am anyway, good luck with what you choose to do.

Bob

Boston is a great place, should enjoy it, and chances are, it'll be L1 as the H1B won't be available till next year anyway.

Bob

That's the thing with this country, it really all does depend on where you are, it can be so different depending on which state your in and all that.
Doesn't make it any easier if your in a place that doesn't have it though does it

AdobePinon

Seems to me that you should tell your boss, "If you want me to go out of my way to work for you in Boston, then you need to give my wife a job there too."

Ash UK/US

Not much help if she can't work over here though.

Ash

AdobePinon

Sorry for the confusion. I'm suggesting that they give her the same deal that they're giving you - work permit and all in a separate application. Moving country is a drastic change and you need your wife to be happy with it. Plus, you'll really want her to be able to work if that two years looks like it might get stretched.