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Topic: Move to US: Spouse Visa vs. Work Visa for UKC/USC couple if UKC moves for work?  (Read 1366 times)

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Just posting this out of curiosity.  I don't plan on leaving the UK until at least 2015, after I've gotten ILR and citizenship (for the cost/simplicity of the whole visa process-- making it easier for me to come back if/when the time's right).  But then again, plans can change...

Anyway,  my OH (UKC) was offered a job at the US office of his company...pretty much whenever he wants it.   He said it would be through the UK office as a secondment, and housing/the move/etc would be paid for, with a significant change in job title and accordingly increased wage.  We'd probably go for a few years and then reassess where to live from there.

As he is married to a USC, which would be the better route for him/us to take-- some form of spousal visa (I-130?), or a work visa (quick glance indicates an L-visa?).  Can anybody here briefly point out the implications of each?  (Or would I be better off asking this question at britishexpats?)  How long could he stay under each one? What sort of tax requirements are there?  Is there anything we'd need to be aware of? Are there any changes to US immigration in the works? 

Thanks in advance for any input into this somewhat vague question.  I've just never looked into thinks from the UK-->US perspective.
2007-Short Term Student;   2010-T4;   2011-T1 PSW;   2013-FLR(M);    2015-ILR;    2016 - Citizenship (approved!)


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Looking into this more, there's a lot of information floating around, and I see some similarities with the UK Process:

If the spousal route is most appropriate,

I know we'll need  to show 3 x 125% above the poverty line.  Will the UKC's job count towards this? I (USC) would probably not have an offer at the time of the move.  Therefore, will we need to show any savings to support the application?

The process looks like it's split up into various segments, so How long would he/we be without our passports (this is a somewhat sore topic after waiting for FLR(M)...)?

One thing i've noticed is- if we've been married at least 2 years, he'll be eligible for a 10-year green card versus a 2-year green card if <2 years.  How much of a hassle (time/money?) is it to renew his green card if we ended up with just the 2-year one?
« Last Edit: March 10, 2013, 08:40:14 PM by PickledSakura »
2007-Short Term Student;   2010-T4;   2011-T1 PSW;   2013-FLR(M);    2015-ILR;    2016 - Citizenship (approved!)


Once you have UK citizenship the quickest way for your OH to work in the US would be if the US company sponsors him for an L1A/B visa (whichever is most applicable).

The process for this is much quicker than the US spouse visa, the company would pay for the visa, and then your OH would be free to adjust status once in the USA.

If the company does not wish to sponsor him then you will have to go through the spouse visa process which takes 8-10 months. I'm sorry but I don't know the cost.


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