I really need some advice

[MattS]

Hi all,I decided to sign up after reading some of the threads over the last few days.That and the fact that I'm hoping someone can please offer some sage advice.

Ok, I met my girlfriend she's a USC in January of 2007.Met in August of 2007 and have been in each others company as recently as Late December/early January 2008.

I'm trying to get out there to be closer to her.Currently I'm thinking my options may be the H1B/H2B/J1 Visa route.I work in a hotel,have done for the past two years and recently sent off my CV to an online school that grants degrees.Long story short I was told with my experience I qualify for a BS in Hotel management.I was just wonderimg does anyone know if this (online & accredited degree) would be acceptable to the US Embassy?

There are a few other factors that may cloud the issue.I'm a aware of the K-1 I believe?The fiance visa?However,my girlfriend and her family have huge expectations that when she marries it'll be done properly,you know the big day etc.Add those factors to the fact that I do have a criminal background.When I went across in August I had a visa for a one time visit.When I went back across in December I was granted a visa,valid for 1 year with multiple entries.My conviction was for fighting.I know it was wrong and if I could turn the clock back I would.That offence happened in 2001.

My main question is about the online degree,would that be valid?If anyone else has any other suggestions/advice then I'd bevery grateful.It is so hard to be away from the woman you love.

Thank you.

[Bevdeforges]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

I'm a little confused about what it is you want to do with the online degree. It technically counts as a "university degree" if you're aiming for one of those visas that requires you to have one - but the H1 and H2 visas have very low caps these days, and once you find a job you may well find yourself subject to a lottery for the limited number of visas available. Whether your online degree will be accepted by potential employers is up to the employers themselves, though there is no shortage of hotel management majors in the US, and you'd need to have something to offer them in terms of "unique" experience to justify them going through the expense of petitioning on your behalf.

You may have to be content with the multiple entry visa (which is a great thing to have, BTW) and making periodic visits while your girlfriend is finishing school. Or maybe someone else will have some other ideas.
Cheers,
Bev

[MattS]

Hi Bev.

Thanks for the reply.

My girlfriend has finished school.Graduated from mercer with honours.

To be honest though,I would have a problem with my girlfriend moving to be with me.There are some very good reasons why I don't think it would be in her best interests to leave the States.She's now an only child which happened recently and is something that is hard to come to terms with.

I'm probably asking questions that you can't answer,but do you think that's all I'll ever be able to qualify for,the multiple entries visa?

I see what you mean about trying to have something unique to offer.

Thank you.

[Bevdeforges]

Whoops - I really misread your post - to me "USC" is the University of Southern California... if you mean US citizen, that changes things.

Honestly, the K-1 fiancé visa is going to be your best bet for getting over there permanently. There is a process for having the Consulate and Immigration service "officially" deal with your criminal record. (Don't have the reference to hand just now, but do a bit of research on the website for the US Consulate in London under the Visas section.)

It will probably be far easier to find a job in hotel management once you're over there with a valid immigration status and a work permit - which you can get reasonably soon after entering on a fiancé visa.
Cheers,
Bev

[twostep]

What are the young lady's plans as far as her education and professional future is concerned?

Unless things have changed drastically Mercer is a traditional playground for "Southern Belles". That means families and ties and no problem of finding a job for a son-in-law.

There will hardly be a way around a propper wedding. Brace yourself! Preperations take from six months to a year. Is she open to K1 and a white wedding months later?

Your first concern should be the conviction. Have all paperwork together and contact the US Embassy to find out if and how it affects the approval of a K1.

[synthia]

One of my cousins got married in a civil service by a justice of the peace so that when he got out of the army his wife and all her goods would be moved cross country at the army's expense. They then had the big deal church wedding six months later. The government only cares about the legal formalities, the parents about the big show. Maybe you can do the same.