My husband (an american) passed away 7yrs ago. I had never bothered myself in getting an american citizenship, and I still feel the same way. I'm fine with my own citizenship. The thing is: my under-aged daughter is now thinking of finishing high school in america. I don't oppose her at all but we don't know anyone there and I don't want to dump her at some bording school and leave her in a foreign land all by herself. She feels the same.
So we've decided to move to the U.S as soon as my contract ends (which will be quite soon). The problem is I would obviously need to get a job to support the two of us. But, like I said, I'm not an american. My husband didn't know his family cause he was an orphan.
I'd like to know, is there a way I can get a work permit being the only parent of an under-aged american citizen?
Please help. I'm really desperate.
2006-08-21 23:20:33 · 8 answers · asked by Au Naturelle 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
No obnoxious answers thank you!
2006-08-21 23:36:17 · update #1
Contact the immigration service. Generally your child would have to be 21 and petition for you. However, your husband was American and COULD have petitioned for you while he was alive. I am not sure if that will make any difference. However, if you find a job in advance and apply for a work visa, it might help. You need to apply for next year if it is a skilled visa, though, since I think those have run out for this year.
I am really sorry this is so hard since you are the precise sort of person the 'family' laws were created to help. It is just that we have literally millions of people illegally here now who came to have a baby here expressly to get a foothold in immigration, and the immigration service has gotten pretty strict.
Good luck.
You want to put 'United States' and 'Immigration' in your browser and go directly to the agency. They have a ton of information on their web page and you can contact them directly, as well.
2006-08-22 03:42:54 · answer #1 · answered by DAR 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm sorry, but being the parent of an American citizen child does not entitle you to any special immigrant category that would allow you to live in the US. She can petition for you when she turns 21, but until then, there is nothing further you can do.
While your husband had no family in the US, did he have adoptive or foster parents or any long-term friends who could be relied upon to give your daughter a safe home?
2006-08-22 07:26:44 · answer #2 · answered by dognhorsemom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your most immediate options to get a working visa are to get an employer who'd sponsor you for an H1-B, or join a company that has operations in US, and ask to be transferred to us on the L1 visa (for inter-company transfer).
If you are Canadian, depending on your occupation, you may also qualify for TN visa, which entitles you to work in US.
One other working visa category is given to students, but there are limits on how many hours and how long that type of visa can be given.
US does not have "temporary working visas".
So, those are your working visa options in a nutshell, though US consulate/embassy, or an immigration lawyer with knowledge of the US system, are your best source of definitive info.
Best wishes...
2006-08-22 10:55:00 · answer #3 · answered by Silvana 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yeah, I would advise you not to "go to Canada and walk through the fields", it's not that easy, and working illegally is very tough in the US, you'll wonder why you even bothered leaving a comfortable job and home to struggle with two illegal jobs for money, it's a very harsh life.
What you CAN and SHOULD do is simply go to the nearest US consulate and tell them your situation, your daughter has every right to go to school in the US if that is what she wishes and while it is true that you are not put in any special immigrant category because of her, the consulate should be able to give you plenty of options and facilitate whatever you are eligible for in terms of coming to the US.
2006-08-22 10:10:27 · answer #4 · answered by corpsnerd09 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
not gonna happen. America is good enough for education and money but not citizenship? Too bad no work permit for you.
2006-08-22 09:15:38 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
yes she has to be 21...
but u can stay illegaly and work illegaly. as long u dont comit a crime, u dont have toi worry.
just go to canada, walk throuh the fileds and eneter in the USA. so noone know u are in the USA.
and if u are caught, take a lawer who will say u to stay in the USA, and it will take years before to be deported...they are so slow at the DHS, that u dont have really to worry...
2006-08-22 09:44:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
contacts the immigration board, they can supply the details. good luck i hope you suceed.
2006-08-22 09:54:40 · answer #7 · answered by robug 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
omg...
2006-08-22 13:25:08 · answer #8 · answered by bllnickie 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋