Hi all
I recently discovered this forum and have been reading avidly all of the great advice and guides.
I am looking for some advice, based on the far greater knowledge of forum users here and perhaps past experiences, on the best and quickest way to proceed in my circumstances.
Circumstances:
My long term partner (US Citizen) and I (UK Citizen) have been together 7 years, during which time we have each visited UK and US, respectively multiple times per year. In my case, on an ESTA.
We both have good jobs, plenty of savings and own houses etc
I intend to relocate and work in the US on a permanent basis as soon as possible.
I am exploring options for relocated through work with my current employer and obtaining visa sponsorship that way, but that is proving slow and frustrating.
Due to a recent change in circumstances (partner is now pregnant and this will be our first child) I am planning to take a career break and spend as much time as possible (ideally the entire term of the pregnancy and child birth) in the US to support my partner.
In an ideal world we would legally marry and got the CR-1 route, however, the 12-15 month processing time is clearly not going to work given timeline
K-1 visa appears to be the more likely and slightly quicker option, but again, 6-12 month lead time would not work either - even with potential short visits to US whilst the K-1 application is pending.
My current thinking is applying simultaneously for a B-2 and K-1 visa is my best bet for getting to US in the short term and being able to stay for 6 months (+ possible extension?). However, having read other forum posts it appears that the success rate on the B-2 applications is quite low?
Other option I can see is to travel on ESTA with the intent to visit/support during pregnancy, get married and then apply for change in status, work authorisation and advance parole etc. This feels super risky though.
Any and all thoughts welcomed and appreciated! 😀
