Help- I want to get my French boyfriend to the US

[cbringuez]

Hello,

I am a US citizen and currently live in NYC. My boyfriend lives in Paris, France. He is 28 years old, has a masters degree level of education in computer science and about 5 years experience in the web industry- mostly with smaller start-up companies. He speaks english well and reads the news about the US on a daily basis.

I would like to know where to begin with the process of getting him to live and work in NYC or any advice on what you may think the best option is for us.

He is going to apply for the green card lottery, but they do not take applications until October and the drawing would not be until the end of the year- he wants to be here sooner. His plan is to move here in August and stay for 3 months and job hunt, hoping to find a company to sponsor his visa. Should he do this job search through the web, or are there job agencies that specialize in placing foreign workers?

Another option he was considering (but we are not sure if it is possible) is becoming a freelance web developer/consultant and applying for the skilled worker visa(i think that is what it is called). Does he need a certain amount of money in the bank for that... and is that even an option for him? One other detail about this last option is his current company in Paris offered him the opportunity to work remotely from NYC. What type of visa would he need to get for that? And what type of documentation will he need?

Finally, a general estimation of how long the visa application process takes would be greatly appreciated along with any other advice you can offer.

Thank you so much in advance for helping out- I know it is a lot of questions. Let me know if you need further info about him to assess our situation better.

[twostep]

a) He cannot "move here" for three months. He can enter the US on a VWP up to 90 day but cannot work. No try-outs, nothing!
b) He can apply for jobs and hope to find an emnployer willing to sponsor an employment based visa. Entry deadline April 1, kind of a lottery, if visa is granted he can start work in October.
c) You can mary him which is the least troublesome solution.
d) He can try the investor route.
e) To work within the US he needs a visa. There is no visa for "remote work". Employers are unfortunately not always up to date in visa issues. The monkey is on the employee's back should there be problems.

[Fatbrit]

The obvious answer to your question is marry him. Know it's not the one you want to hear, but it has a way higher success rate in allowing an alien to work in the US than all the others put together.

Definitely enter the diversity visa "lottery". It's the best visa money can't buy! But lucky winners from the 2009 draw will not be announced until summer 2010.

Looking for a job on a tourist visa is okay. Make sure he leaves before his I-94 time's up. Even if he does find an interested company, it could be quite some time before they are able to bring him over to work for them.

Beyond that, the idea of working for his company from NY has some merit if they'll open a branch office here. They'll be expected to invest some money and eventually employ some people thoguh -- it can't be a one-man band.

[cbringuez]

b) He can apply for jobs and hope to find an emnployer willing to sponsor an employment based visa. Entry deadline April 1, kind of a lottery, if visa is granted he can start work in October.

Regarding "b" do you have a link or know the name for this visa? Thank you for all your help!!

[Fatbrit]

Originally Posted by cbringuez

b) He can apply for jobs and hope to find an emnployer willing to sponsor an employment based visa. Entry deadline April 1, kind of a lottery, if visa is granted he can start work in October.

Regarding "b" do you have a link or know the name for this visa? Thank you for all your help!!

H1b.
................

[cbringuez]

So he can only apply for that if he already has a job offer correct? Are there any other types he could apply for that do not require a job offer to submit an application besides the diversity lottery?

[Fatbrit]

Originally Posted by cbringuez

So he can only apply for that if he already has a job offer correct?

Yes

Originally Posted by cbringuez

Are there any other types he could apply for that do not require a job offer to submit an application besides the diversity lottery?

Self-sponsorship for an immigrant visa is certainly possible. But you need to be #1, and I mean #1. Tim Berners-Lee might make it whereas a humble web designer would not.

Surprisingly enough, you don't have to be #1 at anything specific, just #1. I've read of a guy who made doll houses who did it and a guy who was a prize-winning fish fryer.

[cbringuez]

Ok... while I have a lot of confidence in boyfriend, I do not think his industry really has a #1. So at this point he has 2 options... come for the 3 months and job search hoping to find a company that will hire him, or marry me (an option we really did not want to come to yet). Is it difficult for foreigners to get a visa sponsorship? My boyfriend has skills that are in high demand. Are there any companies that have a reputation for hiring foreigners or head hunters that specialize in foreign placement? Thank you for all your help... it is GREATLY appreciated.

[twostep]

Originally Posted by cbringuez

b) he can apply for jobs and hope to find an emnployer willing to sponsor an employment based visa. Entry deadline april 1, kind of a lottery, if visa is granted he can start work in october.

Regarding "b" do you have a link or know the name for this visa? Thank you for all your help!!

h1b usisc

[twostep]

Originally Posted by cbringuez

So he can only apply for that if he already has a job offer correct? Are there any other types he could apply for that do not require a job offer to submit an application besides the diversity lottery?

Only an employer can apply/sponsor an H1B.