Verified answer

In order for you guys to come over on a work visa, first you need to find an employer who would be interested in hiring one or both of you. And right now that is like looking for the proverbial needle in a hay stack. As for your girl friend goes, we do not have a shortage of childcare workers. Here in the states that is a relatively easy position to fill. I can not comment on your profession as I do not have enough knowledge in that area.

Your next issue is going to be that you are not married. Unless you guys get married, she would not be able to come to the states with you if you got the work visa, and vice verse. The US does not recognize 'partnerships' for immigration purposes.

I suggest you start looking online at various places for your kind of job. Google anything that may be a reference. Get numbers, and start calling (if you get vonage you can make free calls to the US) Maybe even place an ad in papers, advertising you skill and you are looking for work. Just start being creative.

I wish you guys the best of luck. And if I may be so bold, I believe you are British (sorry if I am wrong) and I don't want to be the wet blanket, but the US is not what you think it is. My husband is British and he went into shock when he came here. (if you would like more info on this subject please just email me)

Belle

Pick a visa

There are basically NINE ways that you can get a visa to live and work in the US:

(1) Marriage (or engagement in anticipation of marriage) to a US citizen.

(2) You have skills that are in short supply in the US e.g. scientific or medical training. A degree is normally a must. Or you have superior specialist skills with at least 12 years experience. (H visas)

(3) You have an Employer who is willing to transfer you - but even the employer has to make a good case for you - so you have to be a manager unless you fall under category (2) above.(L visas)

(4) You may get a Green card in the diversity lottery (UK citizens, except N.Ireland, are not generally eligible unless you, your spouse or parents were born abroad or held a different citizenship.

(5)You own or buy business (does not get you permanent resident status i.e. no green card)You must be a national of a qualifying Treaty countries. The business must have a minimum value of around $150k (more the better) bearing in mind you will need somewhere to live and with any startup business you will need at least 2 years living money as back up. So a figure of $350k would be a nearer minimum (E-2 visas)

(6)You are an "investor" i.e. you have at least US $1m in assets to bring with you. half of that in a few areas. And your background will be investigated to the hilt. (EB-5 visas)

(7)You have a close relative (mother, father, brother, sister and no further) who is an US citizen who would sponsor you, approx time this take 2-12 years?

(8.The R1 visa is available to foreign members of religious denominations, having bona fide non-profit religious organizations in the U.S., for entering the U.S. to carry on the activities of a minister or religious worker as a profession, occupation or vocation

(9)THE UNUSUAL You are in a position to claim refugee status/political asylum. or You get a member of Congress to sponsor a private bill with legislation that applies just to you.

The S visa issued to persons who assist US law enforcement to investigate and prosecute crimes and terrorist activities such as money laundering and organized crime

Recruitment agent will not take you seriously if you are not already in the US. Writing for jobs is really a waste of time; likewise US employers have no idea what foreign qualification are or mean (except Degrees) it may pay you to get your qualification translated into a US equivalent, there are Companies that do this (www.wes.org) ..

But if you are getting a visa under (2) above then you need a job offer before you can get the visa. Your Employer will be your sponsor this will cost them upward of $5k. So you can see you have to be offering something really special to get considered They may also have to prove to the Dept of labor that there is no American who can do the job if the position is to be permanent ©

try to start the ball rolling now and apply for a work visa its not cheap and takes a little time or better still try to get a Sponsor ive just come back i was married to a us citizen who passed away and IM having trouble getting a visa at the moment there,s not alot off work out there so you will have to prove you have a income good luck