VWP/H1/L1/O1 -- any advice?

[bella82 0]

Hi folks,

I've been reading through the forum the last few days and thought I'd throw out my situation and see if you chaps can help me too. I've also posted this on another immigration forum, so apologies if you've already read it.

Long story. I am a British citizen, and I met my U.S. citizen girlfriend in San Francisco in April 2009. We've been together doing long distance since then, and trying to find a way for me to get out there! Looking at jobs in my area (libraries and information), a lot of jobs asked for a masters, so last year I started, and have now nearly completed my masters in library science here in the U.K. We've still been looking for work, but as everyone knows, the job market is dang tough for everyone at the minute! Not only do I have to apply for a job, get the interview, but I've got to provide skills no U.S. citizen can...and as there is a library grad school in the Bay Area, I am up that most notorious of creeks without a paddle.

So, I'm continuing to apply in the hopes I may be that 1 shot in a 1000 who gets an H1 via this method (a bit pie in the sky, I know). I've had advice from people who've said the best way is to get an L1 visa, as they are easier to obtain. This means finding work with a company with offices in the Uk and S.F.

Is it best for me to apply for jobs from the U.K, or should I be in the U.S.? I know the VWP doesn't allow for dual intent, but if I apply here, and get an interview what should I do?

And in the midst of all this, we're trying not to lose it as it's so difficult getting me out there we might not be able to stay together. I'm worried about visiting her again as last time the CBP officer gave me a right grilling! I have visited the states 6 times since April 2009, varying between 2 weeks and 2 months. Last time (this past June), I had to explain what my dissertation was about! Ha! I thought about the O visa too, as I've been a professional musician and have a bunch of press clippings to prove I was successful while in the band, but I have no agent or job offer in that area in the U.S.

Oh, and we can't get married as we are two women and DOMA is still preventative in that sense.

Thanks so much for reading, any suggestions at all or thoughts are massively appreciated.

[canadian_wife 1,823]

Well, if you are in the US and get a job interview, you may go. However, you'll have to go back to the UK until the H-1 visa is processed, you probably won't be able to stay in the US while it is processed, it still takes a few months to get, no visa is immediate.

I would apply in both the US and the UK to see what comes of it. In all honesty a work visa seems to be your only route

Good luck

[bella82 0]

Well, if you are in the US and get a job interview, you may go. However, you'll have to go back to the UK until the H-1 visa is processed, you probably won't be able to stay in the US while it is processed, it still takes a few months to get, no visa is immediate.

I would apply in both the US and the UK to see what comes of it. In all honesty a work visa seems to be your only route

Good luck

Thanks for your reply CW. I was unsure as to what the score is on actually attending interviews, so thanks for clearing that up. I'm absolutely fine with coming back to the U.K...we've been apart for so long, more time doesn't matter if I actually get a visa

[kzielu 1,149]

For L visa you would have to be with the company for a while (1 year I believe) until you will be eligible for it... Other part of it is - H is temporary work visa and L has its validity period too. You would have to have a plan what to do next towards permanent residency as marriage based immigration would not work.

Any chance your girlfriend would like to move to UK ?

[bella82 0]

For L visa you would have to be with the company for a while (1 year I believe) until you will be eligible for it... Other part of it is - H is temporary work visa and L has its validity period too. You would have to have a plan what to do next towards permanent residency as marriage based immigration would not work.

Any chance your girlfriend would like to move to UK ?

Thanks for the response! Aye, the L visa does require a minimum of one year...I think at this point, we are willing to try anything to be honest. Trying to get the next step to permanent residency would be....well, I'd wow the socks off my employer and hope they would assist with my GC. And with the little nudges of changes to DOMA (quite slow but getting there!) that may be an option in the future.

My girlfriend is setting up shop in SF and can't really move to the U.K. Technically it's a lot easier for her to move here, but it's not an option alas, as she has worked her butt off to get where she is right now. Damn!

[Harsh_77 718]

Not burst your bubble, but have you known anyone in your friends who is in the same field workign in library get a H1? It would be really really difficult to get a H1 for post of lirarian.

Even the school who is willing to hire you will have to foot a bill of almost 8-10K for your H1.

Which library works in two countries? Where you can go on L1?

I am not sure why ppl are feeding you information which might not be workable situation in your case.

At this point I dont see any visa that could help your situation.

I would not bank on DOMA its still a long way whichever govt or leader makes it legal at Federal level is going to get hit during the elections.

[bella82 0]

Thanks for your somewhat sombre reply. My field is not just limited to actual libraries. As I mentioned, my masters is in libraries and information management, and seeing as every organisation has information which needs to be managed (researcher, analyst, etc) there are quite a few places to take it. But, I hear what you are saying about being sponsored specifically for a librarian post, although it is listed under the US govs jobs eligible for an H1.

It's been a really hard struggle so far, and to be honest, we both need all the positivity we can muster. I appreciate what you are saying, and your honesty, but you seemed a little harsh (possibly why your username is so) in your response.

[Boiler 45,659]

My wife has similar skills, MLS and a DBA.

There is only one company that would fit the bill in SF I know of, you can pretty much forget a public institution.

[bella82 0]

My wife has similar skills, MLS and a DBA.

There is only one company that would fit the bill in SF I know of, you can pretty much forget a public institution.

Thanks Boiler for your reply. Yeah, I think that public institutions are probably not going to do it! I'm just trying for any job wherein I fit the spec. Which company were you thinking of?

[Boiler 45,659]

http://www.iii.com/about/careers.shtml

[bella82 0]

http://www.iii.com/about/careers.shtml

Ah just scoped it out, and on the first page of their job listings it states they don't sponsor any type of visa. Oh well, thanks anyway mate.

[Boiler 45,659]

International Offices

United Kingdom

3 York Court

Upper York Street

Bristol BS2 8QF, UK

tel + 44 (0) 117.9108.100

I know my wife's boss was Mexican and on a visa?

Perhaps they changed or just something to cut out the applications.

[Harsh_77 718]

Thanks for your somewhat sombre reply. My field is not just limited to actual libraries. As I mentioned, my masters is in libraries and information management, and seeing as every organisation has information which needs to be managed (researcher, analyst, etc) there are quite a few places to take it. But, I hear what you are saying about being sponsored specifically for a librarian post, although it is listed under the US govs jobs eligible for an H1.

It's been a really hard struggle so far, and to be honest, we both need all the positivity we can muster. I appreciate what you are saying, and your honesty, but you seemed a little harsh (possibly why your username is so) in your response.

I was trying to be honest... and tell you the reality. I dont see the point where I can encourage someone to just give them a false hope that everything would work out.

Lot of the companies have recently changed the policy and stopped sponsoring visa for foreginers and there are 2 major reasons.

1. Public image that they are trying to hire more local ppl then bring employees from out of US.

2. It costs them approx $8-10K per application, which is lot if they file for bunch ppl.

I have heard the comment about my user name in past......lol well you can say go by what is means or in Indian meaning which is happiness ...

[bella82 0]

I was trying to be honest... and tell you the reality. I dont see the point where I can encourage someone to just give them a false hope that everything would work out.

Lot of the companies have recently changed the policy and stopped sponsoring visa for foreginers and there are 2 major reasons.

1. Public image that they are trying to hire more local ppl then bring employees from out of US.

2. It costs them approx $8-10K per application, which is lot if they file for bunch ppl.

I have heard the comment about my user name in past......lol well you can say go by what is means or in Indian meaning which is happiness ...

Ah, no worries mate. I appreciate you being honest about it all and not doling out false hope, fair play. I think we're just going to have to do long distance for a few more years.