Probably been asked a million times before....

J

jennyifer

New Member
...but here goes...

I'm hoping to find out if I could qualify for a visa. What kind of visa, you ask? Honestly, it doesn't matter.

I am currently in a relationship, albeit a long distance one, with a US citizen. ( I am Canadian) Is marriage on the horizon? Yes, one day. But I'd like to spend some time living together in the US before we took that leap.

From what I've read, I don't think my chances of getting a visa (aside from a fiancee one) are that great. But who knows, I'm new to this.

A little about me, I'm a Canadian citizen, and Early Childhood Educator, no children and no US family. My license to practice as an ECE is based on two years of post secondary....so no bachelor's degree. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get a visa, no matter how temporary it is.

Is there anyone out there who can shed any light on this situation or even point me in the right direction? ANY help at all would be greatly appreciated.
 
> I am currently in a relationship, albeit a long distance one, with a US citizen.

Whatever you do NEVER EVER MENTION THIS FACT TO A US CONSULAR OR IMMIGRATION OFFICER (unless you are applying for a fiancee visa or a green-card)

> My license to practice as an ECE is based on two years of post >
> secondary....so no bachelor's degree.

Well, there goes the H1b.

There are a couple of options for you:

F1 if you enroll in college (this can be a community college or a state university at reasonable tuition, you might be able to get your bachelors that way)

J1 if you come for some sort or work-related exchange program. This is interpreted in a very liberal way, often people doing some sort of internships or working as camp counselors have J1. It has a catch: If your stay is funded by goverment money or if your job description is on the 'skills list' you might have to return to canada for 2 years.

TN Now, the TNs are more for trade related and technical jobs, I don't know a whole lot about it. Depending on what job you are going to do, a TN might be an option.

> I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get a visa, no matter how
> temporary it is.

As a canadian citizen you can of course enter the US without a visa and keep your forays to stays a couple of months at a time. You couldn't work of course.

Your best option is probably to have your friend file for a fiancee visa or green-card. An uncontested divorce after 2 years if things don't work out between the two of you is far cheaper than the visa and attorneys fees you are going to spend otherwise. And with a conditional green-card you are able to work without limitations, attend school and the like. Really, think about it. If you go into it knowing that it might not be forever, it can be a worthwhile thing to do. Just don't do the whole wedding in white with 300 guests thing. You can allways do that 2-3 years down the line.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
hadron said:
Whatever you do NEVER EVER MENTION THIS FACT TO A US CONSULAR OR IMMIGRATION OFFICER (unless you are applying for a fiancee visa or a green-card)
Click to expand...

From the stories I've heard I figured keeping that part quiet was in my best interest.

After spending many hours reading and talking about my situation, I've decided to contact an immigration lawyer and discuss my sitation in finer detail.

Thank you for your help!
 
> After spending many hours reading and talking about my situation,
> I've decided to contact an immigration lawyer and discuss my sitation
> in finer detail.

Good idea.

Give marriage a thought, nothing wrong with getting divorced after a year or two.
 
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