Why does it have to be so complicated? USA Visa applications

NutterzUK

NutterzUK

NutterzUK

Associate
Joined
18 Feb 2010
Posts
940
Hey,

I'm posting with the hope that someone can help me with this one, given the huge range of information on the internet that I have already seen I just feel that each time I try to find more information out I am taking backwards steps.

Here is the situation:
- I am living in the UK, working for a company in the USA. I'm a student in my second year wanting a year in industry to gain experience. My dream job, literally... dream job has offered me a year with them in California ( I study computer science and management ).
- I have been with my girlfriend for 4 years, also a student. I have lived with her for 2 of those 4 years, and wouldn't be able to go without her. She is also a student, studying Genetics.

So, I need to get hold of two visas for the year. One for myself, one for her. My boss is totally supporting us but doesn't have the time for researching into it all.

I've looked at the H2b, the J1, the B1, B2 and all sorts of other strangely coded visas, and really.. it's just stressing me so much.

I believe I should be able to get a J1 visa. That means though that without marrying my girlfriend she can't get the J2 visa. So, she would have to apply to a B2 visa ( I think, is that the best one.. I'm hoping she can get it for the year ).

I am unsure of the steps to obtain these visas, but looked on the internet and saw all sorts of confusing stuff that almost seems like it's there to be in the way on purpose ( I'm not stupid, this stuff is confusing, or at least I tell myself that ).

Do you think we can do that with the J1 and B2 visa? What do you think the success chances are? I'm rapidly coming to the point where I need to get a house for next year of university if not, also exams are coming up :S.

Someone.... please help!
 
I'm getting married to a US citizen and it's not much easier - gonna take 8 months for the engagement visa to come through, then a further 4 months for a green card to be able to work.

Oh and this site is awesome to help you research - http://www.visajourney.com/
 
You can go as a J-1 and she can go as a student provided she is willing to study abroad? It's a fairly straight forward process, just a bit pricey. She needs to find a college/uni near where you want and get in to contact with them. They will help you out LOADS as they would have done it before. It takes time but can easily be done. :)
 
I can only speak from my experience, which certainly wont cover all your needs, but should give you some insight. Currently I hold an O1 visa, which I have had for a year, and lasts for three years in total, with the option to extend further if I need to after it expires.

My first, main, and greatest piece of advice I can offer...Get an immigration lawyer. Don't think any further without getting one if you are serious about this. Not so much for you, but your misses. If your company have offered you the job, then Im certain you will have no problem obtaining your visa at all. Im not sure but I believe it is the J1 visa that you will receive. A fairly easy process, but its normally something the company would apply for on your behalf.

The problem comes with your misses. As said above, the easiest way would be for her to go as a student and study there. Main problem with this is the expense. I dont know the exact amount, but I think they require you to have a certain amount in your bank in advance, which can be a high figure I think.

Aside from this, it really does depend on who she is, what she does, and what experience she has in various fields. A B visa, is normally regarded as not only difficult to obtain, but im sure only last for 6 months, on which you cant work. I dont know if this is important, but if your misses require to work, this limits the visas you can apply for. B visas are difficult because they require a great deal of proof that you have adequate reason to return to the UK, and in my experience, that means a proof of job when you return, owning a house, and if you own your own business as well...bonus. Students dont usually get them. Unless she is from a country that falls out of the Waiver scheme?? In which case a B visa is standard, but normally for a couple of weeks, not the full 6 months.

When I first looked at things, I had no idea whether I could apply or if any visa was available to me. After speaking with an immigration lawyer, I was directed to one specialising in O visas, which are entertainment based visas, and due to my work within music I was applicable, and managed to get an O visa. But I also have my company here, which is based here and pays taxes here, for which looked a lot better on my application than if I didnt have this.

As I said...speak to an immigration lawyer. I can direct you to mine, however, they specialise in O visas, and unfortunately based on just the information you have provided, it doesnt look like it is applicable for her.

The other option, which although still isnt easy as mentioned above, is still easiest, is marriage. Although different when you are marrying a US citizen, as applying for a K visa, can take almost a year to complete...if you are both UK Citizens, and marry here...She can jump on the back of your visa without too much hassle at all if I remember correctly. Not ideal if you arent ready. But a couple of my friends were in the same situation. Got married, didnt tell anyone moved away, came back 2 years later, he proposed properly, and they let everyone know, and got the wedding they always wanted.

Its a tough process...but without wanting to sound like a Parrot...GO SEE AN IMMIGRATION LAWYER!
 
[TW]Fox;18836711 said:
I cant see how you are going to get your girlfriend over. She has no job offer and she is not married to you.
Click to expand...

Im sorry buddy, but with not that much knowledge of his girlfriend it would be impossible to make this statement. You can very much get a Visa without a job offer. I had no job offer for my Visa. And Im not married either.

Yes, it looks like it might be a tough task for her to get a visa, but it is certainly not impossible! Without knowing more about her history, and experience in different fields, no one could say how applicable she is for a visa or not.

Also, to the OP you didnt mention when this would be happening? Would your GF still be a student at the time? If so, what would she do regarding her studies? Is moving something she wants too?
 
I have an O-1 Visa. For which you dont need to have a job offer of any form, and you don't need to be married. You have to have sponsership from an American company, for which I am, but this could be any company (to a degree obviously), however it is a company I have no working relationship with whatsoever.

There are at least 3 other Visas I can think of off the top of my head that dont require a job offer or marriage to be applicable, however, in these circumstances based on what the OP has said already, I dont think the OPs misses would be able to apply for them.
 
Detroit_Waves said:
I have an O-1 Visa.
Click to expand...

Which seems to be a Visa for those...

who possesses extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or who has a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry and has been recognized nationally or internationally for those achievements
Click to expand...

I somehow doubt his girlfriend falls into this! How did you manage?
 
sammo62 said:
Oh and this site is awesome to help you research - http://www.visajourney.com/
Click to expand...

Yes - definitely check the above site out! I went through the whole visa process about 6 years ago (I married an American gal and moved over here to the US) and that site was totally priceless!

I wish I could give you more advice, but my situation was different and it was so stressful that I've banished it all from my brain anyway :p
 
Judging on what the OP has posted so far, its unlikely she falls within the criteria for an O visa, but you never know...she may well have had been an actress in a BBC drama a couple of years ago, which would help her heavily!

I fall within the Arts category, for that of Music, for my work within it, and im fortunate enough to have my name published in enough areas that this all went towards my applications. Although the quote you gave above is a standard quote given, it isnt nearly that tough a criteria to meet. I am by no means extraordinary in my field! However, if you manage to tick the boxes they require then its fine...but its by no means an easy process, it was a year long procedure and was filled with troubles along the way, but I managed to demonstrate one, enough of the areas they require you to fulfil, such as published material within my field, proof that my position can generate an income to that which is above average, and that I demonstrated enough reason to come back to the UK, as in regular monthly events I have to be at in the UK, as well as my company here. A long with this was a length list of references from various US companies, persons of interest, and those held in regard.

So all in all, its no impossible. Before I applied for mine, I thought there was no chance I could obtain one, due to the words extraordinary and the like. After speaking with my lawyer, and getting a more accurate representation of what was actually required, I was able to apply and was accepted.
 
To be fair he hasn't responded since asking the question :p

I have gone through several immigration processes over the years and never used an immigration lawyer, the information you need is in black and white on the website. HOWEVER this relates to my application process, I'm sure if you went a different route (i.e. business related) you may need one.
My dad has a visa I never knew of, basically he can stay here for 51wks of the year for no longer than 6months at a time, kind of like self sponsored :) love it as now get to hang with my dad loads!
 
It only took 1 month for my greencard to arrive. They give you a letter saying your able to work when you apply for your social security number when you get your greencard.
 
Just pop the the registry office and marry the girl, much easier and the recomended approach for such companies as Shell and BP.
 
NutterzUK said:
Hey,

I'm posting with the hope that someone can help me with this one, given the huge range of information on the internet that I have already seen I just feel that each time I try to find more information out I am taking backwards steps.

Here is the situation:
- I am living in the UK, working for a company in the USA. I'm a student in my second year wanting a year in industry to gain experience. My dream job, literally... dream job has offered me a year with them in California ( I study computer science and management ).
- I have been with my girlfriend for 4 years, also a student. I have lived with her for 2 of those 4 years, and wouldn't be able to go without her. She is also a student, studying Genetics.

So, I need to get hold of two visas for the year. One for myself, one for her. My boss is totally supporting us but doesn't have the time for researching into it all.

I've looked at the H2b, the J1, the B1, B2 and all sorts of other strangely coded visas, and really.. it's just stressing me so much.

I believe I should be able to get a J1 visa. That means though that without marrying my girlfriend she can't get the J2 visa. So, she would have to apply to a B2 visa ( I think, is that the best one.. I'm hoping she can get it for the year ).

I am unsure of the steps to obtain these visas, but looked on the internet and saw all sorts of confusing stuff that almost seems like it's there to be in the way on purpose ( I'm not stupid, this stuff is confusing, or at least I tell myself that ).

Do you think we can do that with the J1 and B2 visa? What do you think the success chances are? I'm rapidly coming to the point where I need to get a house for next year of university if not, also exams are coming up :S.

Someone.... please help!
Click to expand...

Can't you visit the US embassy? Suppose it's easier for me since I live in the capital.
 
jas72 said:
Can't you visit the US embassy? Suppose it's easier for me since I live in the capital.
Click to expand...

Not unless he wants to be ushered away by a machine gun toting policeman. You can't even get through the front gate without a visa appointment letter.

You can call their visa helpline which costs £1.50 a minute, although be prepared for a large phone bill as strangely enough they like to slow down the call as much as possible e.g. spelling out your entire name and address in phonetics. I called to ask a simple question once and it lasted 10 minutes.
 
Thankyou so much all of you for your time helping me and thinking on this one! It's really helpful.

So.. It's looking like I need to see an immigration lawyer!
Here is some more information about us, mainly my partner, Stacey.

She studies Genetics and Nottingham University. Previously she worked doing web design for a company in the UK, but only for a year. For work experience or particular expertise it's not that straight forwards as neither of us will have finished our degrees.
She's 20, I'm 21, and to be honest the idea of visiting any sort of lawyer, or paying for tuition fees in USA seems expensive. It may be something I can speak to the company about though and they may sort that. Either way, as students we're not exactly rich and would struggle with any large fees ( The company is paying for flights, the petition if needed and my visa ).

Are there any immigration lawyers that you would recommend? Preferably near Nottingham? I actually sent out some e-mails and received a few responses informing me it's £200+ just for any kind of consultation, before we even really start.

Once again, thanks so much - your help is very much appreciated, I will look into that link. Thanks!!
 
It's never cheap with immigration lawyers, mine was the most straightforward case they'll ever handle and it cost over £1000, luckily it wasn't me paying the bill.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom