Which visa do I need?

[Crazy Cat 39,151]

3 minutes ago, Timm98 said:

Alright thank you. Now just to check, there really isn't another way? Say I just wanted to move there to live and work and she wasn't in the picture. 

The US doesn't allow just anyone to move here and start work........

[Daniela M_______ 409]

16 minutes ago, Timm98 said:

I want to do it the legal and proper way not some 90 day fiance way.

Actually it's a legal and proper way.

 

Stop watching reality shows, there are tons of serious people filling for K1 or fiance visa every day. This site is full of them (us).

[Timm98 0]

3 minutes ago, Daniela M_______ said:

Actually it's a legal and proper way.

 

Stop watching reality shows, there are tons of serious people filling for K1 or fiance visa every day. This site is full of them (us).

I actually don't watch that stuff. Wasn't trying to offend anyone.

[millefleur 5,034]

I think the OP is just ill informed about how US immigration works, that happens. I believe Germany has some kind of other visa options, like "self employed" or something like this (obviously we do not have such visas in the US). I hope the OP will realize that US immigration is a totally different ball game and that the options are much more limited here when it comes to living/working in the US.

[Timm98 0]

1 minute ago, millefleur said:

I think the OP is just ill informed about how US immigration works, that happens. I believe Germany has some kind of other visa options, like "self employed" or something like this (obviously we do not have such visas in the US). I hope the OP will realize that US immigration is a totally different ball game and that the options are much more limited here when it comes to living/working in the US.

Yeah. Not everyone is aware of how the US process works which is why I came here to you all for help and infos. 

Well thanks all to your answers.

[D.Ba 85]

There is also the Green Card Lottery (or did that get ended)? I actually have met people who have won, so it is not that hopeless.

 

I would also not give up on the work visa quite yet. If you complete a German traineeship you are actually pretty qualified for your profession.

[Daniela M_______ 409]

Could he try a student visa? 

 

They don't allow you to work (I think) but you could live in the US for some time and if you decide to continue your relationship and take it to the next level, then you can go back to Germany and she could file a K1 or a spousal visa to petition you.

Edited January 22, 2019 by Daniela M_______

[aaron2020 11,651]

5 minutes ago, Daniela M_______ said:

Could he try a student visa? 

 

They don't allow you to work (I think) but you could live in the US for some time and if you decide to continue your relationship and take it to the next level, then you can go back to Germany and she could file a K1 or a spousal visa to petition you.

Sure if he meets the qualifications.  However, a student visa would not allow him to live and work in the US the way he intends.

 

1.  Be accepted into an accredited school.

2.  Have the $20,000 + per year for tuition and living expenses.

3.  Have non-immigrant intent and can show a foreign home that he intends to return to.

4.  Prove that he has a legitimate education plan

5.  Understand that he is unlikely to be able to work the first semester and can only work up to 20 hours on campus after that.  (Not a guarantee since practically every international student wants to work and there aren't enough campus jobs)

Edited January 22, 2019 by aaron2020

[aaron2020 11,651]

10 minutes ago, D.Ba said:

There is also the Green Card Lottery (or did that get ended)? I actually have met people who have won, so it is not that hopeless.

 

I would also not give up on the work visa quite yet. If you complete a German traineeship you are actually pretty qualified for your profession.

He can try when it opens up in September 2019.  His chances will be extremely low.  

[millefleur 5,034]

11 minutes ago, D.Ba said:

There is also the Green Card Lottery (or did that get ended)? I actually have met people who have won, so it is not that hopeless.

 

I would also not give up on the work visa quite yet. If you complete a German traineeship you are actually pretty qualified for your profession.

The GC lottery still exists and you're right, it is an option but chances are always very slim.

 

Often times the problem with work visas is not just about being qualified enough, it's about being lucky enough to find an employer who will actually go through the hassle of sponsoring a visa.

 

It just seems to be if the original desire to come to the US was for the girlfriend, that a fiance visa or spousal visa makes the most sense, hence why everyone here keeps going back to that.

[Ontarkie 13,898]

~~Fifteen posts removed. Please stick to the legal options for the OP and avoid what IF's situations that do not apply.~~

[ourjourney_pc 118]

13 hours ago, Daniela M_______ said:

Actually it's a legal and proper way.

 

Stop watching reality shows, there are tons of serious people filling for K1 or fiance visa every day. This site is full of them (us).

exactly what i want to say ...

[K & R 343]

13 hours ago, D.Ba said:

There is also the Green Card Lottery (or did that get ended)? I actually have met people who have won, so it is not that hopeless.

 

I would also not give up on the work visa quite yet. If you complete a German traineeship you are actually pretty qualified for your profession.

Isn’t the gc lottery for countries with low us immigration rates? Is Germany one if those countries?

[aaron2020 11,651]

1 hour ago, K & R said:

Isn’t the gc lottery for countries with low us immigration rates? Is Germany one if those countries?

Germany is not on the list excluded from the DV lottery.

 

https://ec.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/Diversity-Visa-2019-Information.pdf

 

Countries whose natives are ineligible for DV-2019 are BANGLADESH, BRAZIL, CANADA, CHINA (mainland-born), COLOMBIA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, EL SALVADOR, HAITI, INDIA, JAMAICA, MEXICO, NIGERIA, PAKISTAN, PERU, PHILIPPINES, SOUTH KOREA, UNITED KINGDOM (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and VIETNAM. A “native” ordinarily means someone born in a particular country, regardless of the individual's current country of residence or nationality. Persons born in Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan are eligible.

[Gonzala 9]

16 hours ago, Timm98 said:

Hello, I am a 20 year old German dude who has just finished my apprenticeship and received my examination certificate for the profession of toolmaker. I plan on moving to California where my

girlfriend lives. I would love some advice on where to start and what to do. Marriage is our last resort if nothing else works. Thanks to all for any help.

One option which is not very likely, is to participate in the diversity visa lottery if it still takes place this year. I know two Germans who got their Green Card through this program. It takes place in October.