Hi

I was wondering whether anyonce can give me some advice.

I'm currently staying in the U.S. with my fiance, she is a Doctor and has a J1 visa working at a local University. I am originally from Britain, am degree educated and have 6 years European experience relevent to my industry. I have just been offered a great job with a local company who have offered to sponsor me for a H1-B visa. After speaking to a number of immigration lawyers i have just discovered the 2004 quota reached its limit a number of weeks ago.

We've discussed the possibilities of getting married so I can become J2 dependent. Does anyone out there have experience of this? I've been told that it takes approx. 1 week for this process, in which i would then have to return to London for a meeting with the embassy. Apparently I would then be okay to apply for a work permit?

Presuming that you entered the US without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) , you indeed will have to leave the country to get a J-2 visa. One of the restrictions of the VWP is that you cannot change your visa status in the US.

With a J-2 visa you can apply for a work permit, referred to as an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), as long as the income that you’ll earn is not necessary to financially support your wife.