Job Discussion Forums

[naturegirl321]

I've been married to a Peruvian for a year and lived here for 2.5 years. We got married here in Peru.

Both of us admit that we don't plan on staying in Peru for a long time, maybe three years or so and then would like to go to Europe and eventually to China.

However, getting visas would be difficult for my husband, been rejected three times by the USA and New Zealand twice, all of this happened about four years ago.

Knowing that it's very easy for USA citizens to get visas, we could go to the USA for three years so he could get citizenship. But, he doesn't have a degree, but has 7.5 years of uni, lost credits when he transfered. I guess he could finish it there, but his English is Pre-Intermediate, so he'd have to study a bit first.

We would like him to finish his degree, I think it might be easier here. Especially money wise if I work and he studied.

So I don't really know what to do. Moving to the USA scares me, it's expensive and I know that I would have to pay for the visa and the flights. And then starting up is always difficult.

Anyone have advice?

[John Hall]

Have you thought about going to a country where you could teach English and he could teach Spanish? He might have to finish uni in Peru first though...

[MikeySaid]

Naturegirl...

I've followed your posts in the past because it seems we've looked for the same things. You're already abroad and have your man, while I'm in the states trying to get my girl back.

I know you've looked at teaching English while he teaches Spanish possibly in China. I talked with a woman at a Berlitz in (Shanghai? Beijing?) China and she said it could be done. But... it sounded like it would be a difficult thing... in all likelihood your husband would need a dependent Visa to work in most of Asia... anyone feel free to correct me...

You talk of getting him his degree there in Peru... but I'd caution you on taking that route. An old neighbor of mine came to the states and brought several family members over a few years, many of whom had the equivalent of a BA/BS, each had to return to school and attain a degree in the States... as did a former classmate of mine. She was a Spanish professor in Argentina, arrived to the United States and had to get a BA from an American university.

Your husband may be best off working really hard on his English, getting a high TOEFL score, and then using financial aid (You're a married couple with what should be low income over the last couple years, since you've been in Peru. That should qualify him for grants and other such perks.) I'd suggest finding him a program, and starting the process of getting citizenship. Since you were married in Peru, you could perhaps bring him in on a Fiancee Visa? Get married there (why not?) establish his residency and right to work, even go back to Peru and let him work on an American degree through a distance program.

Yes, starting up here is expensive... but it might be your best immediate option.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

[naturegirl321]

HI,
AS of right now it looks like we-ll be in peru for a bit. Posssibly coming to the USA on a CR-1 visa, but we-ll probably wait until we-ve been married at least another year to make the paperwork easier.