British Expatriate Network

Hello everyone

I would really like to hear people's advice on this as you guys really seem to know about visas.

Ok well i'm planning on doing a work exchange on a J1 visa for at least a year. Then after any possible extensions, what are my other options? I don't have a degree so I suppose an H1B is out of the question...but what else can I apply for after a J1? Maybe in the future I would like to apply for a Green card. Please if you have any info...do let me know I would like to know my options.

Also how has everyone else here managed to get Green cards without family or marriage?

Thanks for the help smile

Sorry can't help much, but we came here on a company transfer and the company is looking after the greencard for us.

Welcome to Britnet.

All I know is that all visa with my husbands company(No2 software in the USA) have been suspended due to the economy!
Good luck, and welcome . . .Ameriscot is the person for this question!
Julie

I came here on a J1. Before my 18 months were up my boss sponsored me for an H1-B. I did have a degree in PR though, and it is a PR job so it was not difficult to convince them of my suitability...

If you don't have a degree but have lots of relevant experience in your field, you still might get a H1-B.

I would suggest you get the 18 month J1 and then see what happens. If you are from the UK (are you??) that's the maximum you can get. If your visa is sponsored in any way by the government or if you are from another country, your stay may be shorter.

If you've never lived or worked in the US before I would hold off for a bit on trying to get a permanent foot in the door. You may waste time, money and effort for no reason.

Better to make sure you like the country and the job market before you make a long term committment.

Coming over here on a J1 will give you loads of opportunities to scope out employers and make contacts that could help you get a green card.

Good luck.
Stel.

I'm interested to know - how are you going to get the J1??

Hi thanks for the help! I am from the UK live near the dreaded Nottingham in fact...lol!

Yes I have been to the states before so I do know what it is like over there. The problem is my career is not what you call 'typical'. I will be doing animal care related work...hardly 'highly skilled' with an exchange program who find a job for me and help with the J1! I am quite young still so I don't have the relevent work experience to get the H1B. Hmmm its tricky I know there is a H3 and a H2 visa but none of them offer long time solutions like a H1B.

Also I have another question.....my partner is in America on a H1B and also plays the Green Card Lottery (he is from a low admission country. What would happen if he gets the Green card through H1B or Lottery and then we get married? Would I get a Green card too? or is different? Just wondering if anyone had any experience with this...thanks!

Forgot to mention that I am studying for an HNC at the moment! I saw this mentioned on another post! and I have about 3 years work expereience, almost 5 years after i've finished with the J1!!! Can work experience be like from childhood too? Because I had a lot of work experience in my field from a young age.....

Hmmm, if you had a position with a company/organization that wanted to keep you it might not be too difficult for them to make all your previous experience mean enough to the INS...

Obviously, having a HND will also help. I'm not sure what would happen if your boyfriend won a green card.. I think you would still have to apply for one for yourself as his wife? It would not automatically become your right to work in the US...Someone correct me if this is wrong.

Sorry that I can't help more, but this is the opposite side of the scale to what I experienced.

Stel.