Have you considered moving because of immigration hassle?

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

Has anyone considered relocating to beneficiary's home country due to immigration hassle?

If you have relocated, were you able to obtain job with US government agency or missions abroad? Likelihood of ending up working in that country?

[MrsBonsu 138]

I thought about that but I've been at Toyota for 17 years I'm gonna do 3 more and see how I feel after that, I would check the DOJ site for jobs at the embassy or maybe open your own business that is what I thought about, but it's gonna be better if you have money saved too cause Ghana is becoming expensive

[Nathan&Cata 5]

I'll tell you our experience: At first, we gathered the papers to start the K1 Visa, I even mailed my documents to my fiance in that time. But his job wasn't working him, he couldn't find another, and the distance was killing us, so he decided to move here to Colombia and we got married. We already did his paper for him to be able to work and stay here longer than three months. I found him a job at the school where I work as an English teacher. He is taking Spanish lessons and playing soccer, something that he loves. At the begging, he was worried because he didn't know any Spanish, but now he can understand and speak some. Life here is not like in the USA, but we are happy because we are together. We are planning on living here for maybe two years and then move to the USA to have and raise our kids there. We hope for when we start the process to get my visa the dollar goes down; right now it is pretty high.

[Umka36 781]

I'll tell you our experience: At first, we gathered the papers to start the K1 Visa, I even mailed my documents to my fiance in that time. But his job wasn't working him, he couldn't find another, and the distance was killing us, so he decided to move here to Colombia and we got married. We already did his paper for him to be able to work and stay here longer than three months. I found him a job at the school where I work as an English teacher. He is taking Spanish lessons and playing soccer, something that he loves. At the begging, he was worried because he didn't know any Spanish, but now he can understand and speak some. Life here is not like in the USA, but we are happy because we are together. We are planning on living here for maybe two years and then move to the USA to have and raise our kids there. We hope for when we start the process to get my visa the dollar goes down; right now it is pretty high.

Unfortunately the visa process might get pricier in the future, like it always has.

[Volta-Region 26]

Has anyone considered relocating to beneficiary's home country due to immigration hassle?

If you have relocated, were you able to obtain job with US government agency or missions abroad? Likelihood of ending up working in that country?

I wouldn't advice anyone to relocate to Ghana because of immigration difficulties. It requires careful planning, critical analyzing, and plenty of money. If not, you are bound to run out of money, get frustrated, and come back to the U.S in a bad situation. It's a very slim to no chance of getting a job with the state department and get stationed in Ghana. Be patient for now. But if you are going to move there, you should start taking steps towards that goal right now, and not make it a sudden decision.

[TBoneTX 43,014]

*** Thread moved from K-1 Process forum to the General Immigration Discussion forum. ***

[lutz 41]

I would say be patient and wait in the your own country. I spent 8 months in Ghana. It is more expensive than you may think. Petrol is about the same price as here in the States. Food is also expensive, as is housing. I don't know how people survive there. But the Ghanaians I saw and interacted with are very resilient and resourceful. I have a lot of respect for them, as it's not easy to survive, at least in Accra, unless you have a lot of money.

It's also not that easy to find a job that pays well. You may find a job, but you will get the equivalent of 300 dollars a month, even if you are well educated and have a profession. The jobs through the US government and NGOs are usually already filled up with people from that country who send their staff to Ghana (at least that's what I saw while there).

So, all in all, I would think twice about your plan. It's difficult to be apart from your loved one, but in the long run, it may be worth enduring the separation for a better life in the future.

[Jawaree 717]

One can do that with careful planning & depending on what country

The USC is not very likely to get a State Dept job just like that , there

are a few embassy jobs available at times for locals in the other country

maybe a USC could get that job if they applied when there is such openings

best would be foreign mate helping & probably gaining a job for USC.

They have to look in location to live that is relatively decent & affordable

find a group of expats there and after settling in they could start the petition

process in the US wherein they would be together & not feel pressured.

Getting a work permit for USC should be the first thing in hand B4 they

relocate.

[Andrea&Henry 311]

I come from Venezuela which is one of the most dangerous places to live! I would never want my husband to move there. Actually all my family relocated in other countries. It's been 4 years since I moved and I haven't go back (not even planning to)

[mallafri76 1,012]

Neither of us wants to live in my country and due to my husband's current situation, the US is the only place for us right now. If we had the option to live somewhere else, I would insist on it. Canada would be our ideal country to live in, it's the best of the US and the best of Europe put into one country.

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

This process is just frustrating...

[Adil & Jeanne 296]

i thought seriously about it as it took us 6 years but then, i have an income without working and we could have lived good in morocco

but there still would not have been good job oportunities for my husband even though he has 2 years of college and works 6 days a week

the process is frustrating and if wasn't for the support here, most of us couldn't do it.

Can not forget that the election coming up will change embassy staffing as the head of each US embassy is appointed and new President will staff his own people. So, anyone lucky to work there may find themself out of a job in under 2 years

[MrsBonsu 138]

i thought seriously about it as it took us 6 years but then, i have an income without working and we could have lived good in morocco

but there still would not have been good job oportunities for my husband even though he has 2 years of college and works 6 days a week

the process is frustrating and if wasn't for the support here, most of us couldn't do it.

Can not forget that the election coming up will change embassy staffing as the head of each US embassy is appointed and new President will staff his own people. So, anyone lucky to work there may find themself out of a job in under 2 years

I hate to think if we get a republican president, we are really gonna be in for rough journey!

[NikLR 13,220]

Immigration to most countries is hard. On the flip side, we could both move to my country and do the entire process within so there wouldnt be a separation again. But that doesnt mean the process is easy either.

There is no good without bad. No happy without sad. Grin and bear it; the hard makes you stronger.

[yaoadjo 3]

This process is just frustrating...

I understand your frustration, but we hope for the best with this petition, i'm praying he joins you soon. when i went to Ghana last year, i told everyone i think Accra is more expensive than New York, rent might be cheaper in Ghana, but everything else is expensive. Will keep you in prayers.