Gap Year in America

ptdurk_2

Hello, First of all sorry if this is in the wrong thread, I wasn't sure where to put this.
Anyway, I am currently studyin English and American Studies and with this course I am given the opportunity to study in America for one year. I think this would be a great experience, one I don't want to miss out on.
However, I have been with my girlfriend for 5 years so we would be going together. She is also a student but at a different univeristy so would be taking a year out.
As you can imagine my student loan would not cover the cost of both of us living there so both of us would probably need to get a job.

I was therefore wondering how easy it would be for her to; a) Qualify for a visa? and b) How easy it would be for her to get a job?

I have looked in to it and it looks like she would only be able to get a job for approximately 4 months.

Sorry this post is so long, and thanks in advance for any help. :j

Pssst

I know someone who went to the USA studying exactly the same thing. She never came back because she met and married someone. this could be a lifechanging experience for one or both of you ! Is there any enlightenment to be had on the US immigration website? Presumably,as your GF wont officially be a student,she would only be allowed entry on the 6 month visa waiver program?

Voyager2002

The best advice is for the two of you to spend the year apart.

Otherwise, explore the US embassy's web site and see if she would be allowed in as a 'de facto' spouse, or consider getting married so that she would have the status of a student's spouse.

vatic

If you have trouble navigating the US immigration site or don't get the specific answer you were looking for, I would definitely recommend posting here: http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php

It's a site for UK and US expats and the people there have been brilliant and have helped me immensely when I had tons of questions about moving to the UK permanently.

Also, good luck in whatever you decide. I can definitely relate with the frustrations of immigration and visas!

ptdurk_2

Thanks a lot for all the responses they've been very helpful I'll have a look at that website and consider the de facto spouse thing.

If anyone else has any other ideas keep them coming

Thanks

lavandergirl_2

have at look at these
http://www.bunac.org/uk/workamerica/
http://www.ccusa.com/programs/cc/default.aspx

both of you would probably need J1 visa

mark1234567890

Your girlfriend could go with you on the Visa Waiver program howeve that would be for a maximum of 90 days. She would not be aloud to work and would need medical insurance (expensive!)

She would not alound to do multiple entries on the Visa Waiver either. If she went with you she would need to go home for 90 days again before she could go back out to the US.

The best option is the summer programs via the link's that has been posted.

I have been with BUNAC and it was great! :j You can do most jobs in most places on this program.

However this isn't so flexible with the camp councellors - you go to a camp where they send you.

These programs only run during the summer!

Also you can't combine the summer programs followed by the Visa Waiver - she would need to return home for the 90 days again.

The best way for your GF to go would be via the employment route - who does she work for? Do they have a US base? Could she get an internship? Could she go out there to study with you?

It may seem complicated but it is do-able.

Good luck

:money:

Voyager2002

I'm not at all sure that this is do-able, unless the couple in question get married. She is a student, so there is no chance of her being sponsored/transferred by her present employer. And since they are at different universities I imagine they live in separate places, and so are unlikely to qualify as 'de facto' spouses.

ptdurk_2

mark1234567890... Unfortunately we are both students so she does not have a current employer to sponsor her out there.

So have I understood you correctly...She could come out with me for up to 90 days, and then go back to England for 90 days and the come back to America for another 90 days? This would be a possibility. Would she experience any problems doing it this way?
Alternatively, could she come out for the 90 days then come back home and then get a J1 visa and then work for the 4 months that you are aloud on that visa? Or would this be a problem as she has already been out to see my quite recently.

The Bunac thing and Camp America thing do look good fun, but unfortunatly as thios is during the Summer they can't help the situation. Thanks though.

If anyone has any ideas they will be much appreciated.

Thanks again for all the help so far guys

Voyager2002

ptdurk wrote: »

So have I understood you correctly...She could come out with me for up to 90 days, and then go back to England for 90 days and the come back to America for another 90 days? This would be a possibility. Would she experience any problems doing it this way?

The main problem with this would be money: air tickets are not usually free, and not many employers would let her take a 90-day holiday.

mark1234567890

I often find this forum a good place for USA related questions:

http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=57

Try posting a question in the "Immigration and Visas" section.

However please be warned - these guys know what they are talking about. They therefore know that the USA is not a soft touch like the UK.

Please don't be offended if they put it bluntly and tell you that you have no chance.

Good Luck