Work/finance concerns in the US

[CantonaCollar 0]

Hi all,

It would probably be best if I outline briefly my situation, as it's a little complicated

Basically, I've been long-distance for just over 10 years. I'm in the UK, she is in the US (IL). I have a good degree, soon to have a 2nd (with honours/a distinction at the moment).

I've tried looking for jobs and am finding that on the whole, employers are unwilling to assist with any sponsorship or visa support etc - they only want Americans.

I would like to possibly study, but the reality is that I am already in about $15,000 US in debt thanks to my degrees So, unless I can get financial aid/a bursary of some kind to pay the degree in full (unlikely), a masters, or really any qualification, is out of the question.

That leaves me with having to find a job, but it's far easier said than done. I have spoken at length to the US Embassy here and even they are strongly advising a K1.

Whilst I'd happily marry my girlfriend, the suggestion hasn't gone down well with my father and I'm not sure it would go down well with her parents. Both sets of families are keen that I have a job to already go to BEFORE i get married, but the reality is that I am unlikely to secure one due to the aforementioned reasons.

My big concern with going down the K1 route is that I get over, get married, and then find that a job is hard to come by. I am aware that I can apply for an EAD (Employment Authorisation document?) as soon as I am married, but does this limit the hours I can work and the jobs I can do?? How difficult do you think it would be for me to find work, given my qualifications? (For the record, I am a journalist/writer).

The only other option I have open at the moment is the Disney Cultural Representative Program, which I've just applied for. Basically, you represent your country (in my case, England) at one of Disney FL's resorts (I believe Animal Kingdom is the one that I'd be in if successful, although Epcot's British showcase would make a lot more sense) and then spend a year out in FL, with the possibility of a permenent role at the end. I will know if I'm on the shortlist in about 2 weeks' time or so, and the interview would be end of September if so. Any other suggestions on that kind of route? Disney's CareerStart program is not hiring at the moment, sadly...

Do I have any other options, or is a K1 pretty much my only route REALISTICALLY?

Please, if anyone can help, even if it's just thoughts or experience, it would be really welcome.

Cheers,

Nick

[jkminney 30]

Hi all,

It would probably be best if I outline briefly my situation, as it's a little complicated

Basically, I've been long-distance for just over 10 years. I'm in the UK, she is in the US (IL). I have a good degree, soon to have a 2nd (with honours/a distinction at the moment).

I've tried looking for jobs and am finding that on the whole, employers are unwilling to assist with any sponsorship or visa support etc - they only want Americans.

I would like to possibly study, but the reality is that I am already in about $15,000 US in debt thanks to my degrees So, unless I can get financial aid/a bursary of some kind to pay the degree in full (unlikely), a masters, or really any qualification, is out of the question.

That leaves me with having to find a job, but it's far easier said than done. I have spoken at length to the US Embassy here and even they are strongly advising a K1.

Whilst I'd happily marry my girlfriend, the suggestion hasn't gone down well with my father and I'm not sure it would go down well with her parents. Both sets of families are keen that I have a job to already go to BEFORE i get married, but the reality is that I am unlikely to secure one due to the aforementioned reasons.

My big concern with going down the K1 route is that I get over, get married, and then find that a job is hard to come by. I am aware that I can apply for an EAD (Employment Authorisation document?) as soon as I am married, but does this limit the hours I can work and the jobs I can do?? How difficult do you think it would be for me to find work, given my qualifications? (For the record, I am a journalist/writer).

The only other option I have open at the moment is the Disney Cultural Representative Program, which I've just applied for. Basically, you represent your country (in my case, England) at one of Disney FL's resorts (I believe Animal Kingdom is the one that I'd be in if successful, although Epcot's British showcase would make a lot more sense) and then spend a year out in FL, with the possibility of a permenent role at the end. I will know if I'm on the shortlist in about 2 weeks' time or so, and the interview would be end of September if so. Any other suggestions on that kind of route? Disney's CareerStart program is not hiring at the moment, sadly...

Do I have any other options, or is a K1 pretty much my only route REALISTICALLY?

Please, if anyone can help, even if it's just thoughts or experience, it would be really welcome.

Cheers,

Nick

Realistically your only option without finding a company to sponsor you would be a K1 or a CR1. The thing with the K1 is that once you get here and you get married you still have to apply for the EAD which can take a few months to get. With the CR1 you are already married and when you finally enter the U.S. you have a green card hence can go to work straight away. I'm not sure about job prospects in your field. I would think at a minimum you may be able to find freelance jobs. The question is how much you want to be with your girlfriend or are you really just wanting to live here? If you are doing it to be with your girlfriend and you want to get married then either of those visas are going to be your only option to be able to be here and eventually be able to work.

[CantonaCollar 0]

Realistically your only option without finding a company to sponsor you would be a K1 or a CR1. The thing with the K1 is that once you get here and you get married you still have to apply for the EAD which can take a few months to get. With the CR1 you are already married and when you finally enter the U.S. you have a green card hence can go to work straight away. I'm not sure about job prospects in your field. I would think at a minimum you may be able to find freelance jobs. The question is how much you want to be with your girlfriend or are you really just wanting to live here? If you are doing it to be with your girlfriend and you want to get married then either of those visas are going to be your only option to be able to be here and eventually be able to work.

I'd be moving to be with her. What's the difference between a K1 and a CR1? I know the CR1 would be that I'm already married, which we're not... wouldn't I have to go over there, get married and come back home though?

[HS2 7]

I'd be moving to be with her. What's the difference between a K1 and a CR1? I know the CR1 would be that I'm already married, which we're not... wouldn't I have to go over there, get married and come back home though?

My suggestion would be K1.Uk is a pain in the neck when it comes to marring a non Uk citizens.I belive there is some licences involved. On a K1 visa you can enter the US and get married here and also adjust your status here. EAD does not limit you on the hours or the jobs you can work. My understanding is that you have a secondary degree. It will not be hard to find a job if you have the qualifications. Maybe you will not be a journalist from the day you land in the US but there is plenty of HR or Public Relations opportunities out there that need someone who can actually put a sentence togather

Good luck on your decision

[advocator 0]

You can get married in either country to apply for the CR1 (be sure to check the rules on getting married in each country beforehand). You just need proof of the marriage to apply. If you're willing to be apart for the first year or so of your marriage, the CR1 is a bit cheaper and you can work immediately after you get in the US with your visa and your green card. Good luck!

[pushbrk 14,171]

You can get married in either country to apply for the CR1 (be sure to check the rules on getting married in each country beforehand). You just need proof of the marriage to apply. If you're willing to be apart for the first year or so of your marriage, the CR1 is a bit cheaper and you can work immediately after you get in the US with your visa and your green card. Good luck!

Generally true but with the OP being from the UK, marrying a foreigner in the UK is problematic. A special visa is needed, even if the foreigner has no intention of living in the UK.

To the OP,

If your requirement is to have a job in the USA prior to marriage, that will be difficult but you already know that. Fortunately, there are practical aspects to deal with when planning to marry a foreigner that don't come into play when marrying a citizen of your own country.

[CantonaCollar 0]

You can get married in either country to apply for the CR1 (be sure to check the rules on getting married in each country beforehand). You just need proof of the marriage to apply. If you're willing to be apart for the first year or so of your marriage, the CR1 is a bit cheaper and you can work immediately after you get in the US with your visa and your green card. Good luck!

I notice you (or other half?) are from the UK, what made you go for the K1?

[CantonaCollar 0]

My suggestion would be K1.Uk is a pain in the neck when it comes to marring a non Uk citizens.I belive there is some licences involved. On a K1 visa you can enter the US and get married here and also adjust your status here. EAD does not limit you on the hours or the jobs you can work. My understanding is that you have a secondary degree. It will not be hard to find a job if you have the qualifications. Maybe you will not be a journalist from the day you land in the US but there is plenty of HR or Public Relations opportunities out there that need someone who can actually put a sentence togather

Good luck on your decision

Thanks for this. It might be that I have to bite the bullet and go against my dad and possibly her folks a bit... but we'll see. Yes, I would two degrees by the end of this year - one from the UK in journalism, one from Southern Africa in English Linguistics and Literature (which looks like being a First Class Honours, at least so far anyway, only a few months left).

[NHKx2 43]

Regardless of whether you go the K1 or CR-1 route, it will be very tricky to get a job lined up before you got married. You're adults, and I don't think you should cave to familial pressure when planning your lives together (but that's just my two cents!) With a CR-1, you'd be eligible to work as soon as you arrive in the US, which is why my (now) husband and I decided to go that route. We actually flew to Jamaica to get married, he returned to the UK and I to the US, and we're putting our application together for CR-1. You'll potentially waste a lot of time if you spin your wheels trying to find employment from overseas without a US visa that allows you to work. And if you do get the Disney role, that'll put you in FL when your girlfriend is in IL? Coming to the US is supposed to END your long distance relationship!

[pushbrk 14,171]

Regardless of whether you go the K1 or CR-1 route, it will be very tricky to get a job lined up before you got married. You're adults, and I don't think you should cave to familial pressure when planning your lives together (but that's just my two cents!) With a CR-1, you'd be eligible to work as soon as you arrive in the US, which is why my (now) husband and I decided to go that route. We actually flew to Jamaica to get married, he returned to the UK and I to the US, and we're putting our application together for CR-1. You'll potentially waste a lot of time if you spin your wheels trying to find employment from overseas without a US visa that allows you to work. And if you do get the Disney role, that'll put you in FL when your girlfriend is in IL? Coming to the US is supposed to END your long distance relationship!

Sounds like an excellent plan that addresses the issues mentioned. If it works for you, good. No need to buy into anybody else's should be or supposed to be unless it matches your own priorities and circumstances.

[stu redman 4]

if you have lived in south Africa for more than 6 months make sure you get you police reports before you leave

[advocator 0]

I notice you (or other half?) are from the UK, what made you go for the K1?

We wanted a big wedding in the US. That takes time to plan, plus we would then have to spend more time apart after getting married while we filed the CR1. It was a timing thing for us and we only want to have one ceremony/party. The K1 makes it hard to plan a big ceremony, but my vendors have been fantastic about us having to reschedule as we discussed the whole visa process before we signed contracts. But I think both ways have their merits and disadvantages...

[* Kristin * 49]

Certificate of approval to marry in the UK was abolished on 9th May... http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsfragments/43-abolition-of-coa

Generally true but with the OP being from the UK, marrying a foreigner in the UK is problematic. A special visa is needed, even if the foreigner has no intention of living in the UK.

To the OP,

If your requirement is to have a job in the USA prior to marriage, that will be difficult but you already know that. Fortunately, there are practical aspects to deal with when planning to marry a foreigner that don't come into play when marrying a citizen of your own country.

[pushbrk 14,171]

Certificate of approval to marry in the UK was abolished on 9th May... http://www.ukba.home...bolition-of-coa

That is a different context applying to people IN the UK already. Read down to the bottom under what is "unchanged".

Immigration requirements

Immigration entry requirements for the purpose of marrying or registering a civil partnership in the UK are unchanged by the ending of the certificate of approval scheme.

Any person wishing to come to the UK to marry or register a civil partnership will still need to

• obtain the correct entry clearance before they travel to the UK to marry or register a civil partnership (or give notice)

Failure to obtain the correct entry clearance may result in admission to the UK being refused. Further information about entry clearance requirements can be found in our visa services section.

[CantonaCollar 0]

Regardless of whether you go the K1 or CR-1 route, it will be very tricky to get a job lined up before you got married. You're adults, and I don't think you should cave to familial pressure when planning your lives together (but that's just my two cents!) With a CR-1, you'd be eligible to work as soon as you arrive in the US, which is why my (now) husband and I decided to go that route. We actually flew to Jamaica to get married, he returned to the UK and I to the US, and we're putting our application together for CR-1. You'll potentially waste a lot of time if you spin your wheels trying to find employment from overseas without a US visa that allows you to work. And if you do get the Disney role, that'll put you in FL when your girlfriend is in IL? Coming to the US is supposed to END your long distance relationship!

If I am honest it's getting borderline ridiculous with my dad- don't think he appreciates the difficulty of getting into the US vs the opportunities that it will bring, not to mention the very fact that I love my girlfriend to bits!

I don't know what we will do but a K1 is the most likely I think, given the immeadiacy of things. We have to get things moving and neither of us are keen on spending much longer apart from eachother after 10 years of being long-distance.

As for FL... that would need a lot of thought, but the idea is that it would get me into the country, and if it materialised into something finite, it would be easy enough to get my o/h to transfer to FL.

Sounds like an excellent plan that addresses the issues mentioned. If it works for you, good. No need to buy into anybody else's should be or supposed to be unless it matches your own priorities and circumstances.

Thank you!

if you have lived in south Africa for more than 6 months make sure you get you police reports before you leave

This is where it might get complicated... I am STUDYING in Namibia (just above S Africa) and will have been here for over that by the time end of February 2012 comes round... but not sure if I'd be classed as applying from here or the UK. I still have a registered UK address.

if you have lived in south Africa for more than 6 months make sure you get you police reports before you leave

Actually on that subject I do have a police clearance, as I needed one to study

We wanted a big wedding in the US. That takes time to plan, plus we would then have to spend more time apart after getting married while we filed the CR1. It was a timing thing for us and we only want to have one ceremony/party. The K1 makes it hard to plan a big ceremony, but my vendors have been fantastic about us having to reschedule as we discussed the whole visa process before we signed contracts. But I think both ways have their merits and disadvantages...

Fair do's!

That is a different context applying to people IN the UK already. Read down to the bottom under what is "unchanged".

Immigration requirements

Immigration entry requirements for the purpose of marrying or registering a civil partnership in the UK are unchanged by the ending of the certificate of approval scheme.

Any person wishing to come to the UK to marry or register a civil partnership will still need to

• obtain the correct entry clearance before they travel to the UK to marry or register a civil partnership (or give notice)

Failure to obtain the correct entry clearance may result in admission to the UK being refused. Further information about entry clearance requirements can be found in our visa services section.

Bleurgh... thanks.