BootsnAll Travel Community

Guys and girls...i NEED YOUR HELP! Yep, you guessed it, ive fallen in love with a damn American girl here in New Zealand and there lies the problem...
OK, the 'run-down' before the questions!
This beautiful lady is a Doctor from New York and im a good old 'kiwi-boy' (new zealander) whoes fallen for her. Luckily for me she feels the same way (often helps huh?!). The problem i have, is that when she leaves, i really want to go with her. In my heart, its a definite, its a no-brainer. You love someone, you do what it takes to be with them!
BUT....apparently, from what im reading...its not that easy! Im a 32 year old assistant manager of a camping and outdoors store and from what ive gathered, one needs to either have alot of assets OR high qualifications to move there. Otherwise you dont even get looked at!
Am i right in saying that? Guys, Is this an easy process, because im getting the feeling its very difficult! And im getting worried. I dont want to get all 'mopey' or bring you guys to tears (??) but i dont want to be without her..

So, whats my plan and where do i start?
ANY help is greatly appreciated...

dude i feel your pain, i'm going through the same thing and i tell you it's not going to be simple. the main problem i've had is that a lot of regular jobs aren't willing to sponsor your visa to work in the US. Internships who would sponsor you, require you to be enrolled in a course.
I've searched for months with little success. I would suggest looking at companies where you have unique quality e.g. NZ/US companies. alternatively get a flight out there on a tourist visa and start searching away.
don't give up though, i'm sure persistence is the key!!!!

mate, i appreciate the feedback..theres got to be someone out there that would give soomeone like me a shot! Whats an internship? Who and what is that? Sorry for the stupid questions, im just new at this.

Internship is a short term job mainly for students. Normally for one year or for a summer.
http://www.mountbatten.org/mipweb2.nsf/pages/index_nyc_00

this is an example.
Good luck in the search

Get married! That's the surest way ...

...to end the romance.

I am guessing that doctors are pretty well welcomed in kiwi-land. You said this was mutual right?

Yeah, wouldn't it be alot easier to get her a long term stay in New Zealand? Ratguy has been there for a couple years and I think was talking about possible residency there. He's American and not so special. Kidding but seriously if he can figure it out, so can you and your lady. I think that would be alot easier than you trying to be legit in the US. If you really want to be here then you may listen to jv and get hitched. I hope you REALLY like her.

HI again guys...and again, thank you so much for the replies and the help. I really appreciate it. She is a pediatric consultant which is different to a standard pediatric and from what she has told me, there are not alot of jobs here in that field...but plenty abroad. So we thought the obvious thing to do would be for me to pack up and go with her. EASY! Well, so i thought!
I would marry her tomorrow if i had my way but if she thought it was just for this it would kinda take the shine off it. Is it actually to get in through marriage though?
I wont give up though, even if ive gotta kayak my butt all the way to the U.S!!!

sorry...ill try that again... Is it actually EASIER to get in through marriage?

Im beginning to wonder if it is easier for her to just stay here! I love this place, however, i do love her more. And she is worth the fuss and effort.

Again, i appreciate your guys help...

How about Australia? Probably more job opportunities for her and you both should be able to get in.

Well, you can surely get in eventually if you marry her.

The job thing is a diffrent case, retail management jobs being rarer than some. I feel for you, but if you have extensive outdoor experience, heres a chain that might comply.

REI. They have stores in most major retail areas in the NE of the country. The pay scale will not make you cry for joy considering the number of hours you'll work, but thats life.

Yes, you might even get a lower position. If you marry, teh doctors salary will make yours look like a childs allowance.

Overseas MIGHT be a better choice if she can get a good position, and you can get a job, at all. The disparity in job positions and the fact you are in retail does not look very optimistic, but possible.

It will be easier for you to get in if you are married, but it won't be easy. It usually involves a significant amount of separation time while you are waiting for your visa or green card to come through. If you decide you want to go this route, check out www.visajourney.com.
I just got engaged to an English man and before we decided to get married we were struggling with how he could be in the US with me too and honestly didn't come up with any good options.

If you are interested in going to University though, that would be one way to get a pretty long-term visa...

Good luck,
Jillian

I have no idea how to go about obtaining work visas here..but i am a damn american girl who lives in the NY area so here's my advice if you decide to come here and wing it.

Whilst the idea of trotting off to a foreign land with a new love sounds romantic, my advice is to try to stick with your interests as much as you can. Pediatricians can work m long hours and you dont want to be stuck in a job you hate (unless it is a temporary step to something better).

Where in New York do you plan to move? NYC? upstate? suburbs? Is there any flexibility in location? Some areas are going to have more opportunity for outdoor experience than others. As suggested, REI is a retail chain with locations in the area. Another excellent outdoor store that is smaller, but comparable to REI is called Campmor. It's corporate headquarters & flagship store are in Paramus, NJ which is basically a suburb of NYC. I always have great experiences with a well traveled open minded staff of people. Seems like a fun place to work. There are other assorted outdoor stores located around the burbs too.

good luck!

quote:

It will be easier for you to get in if you are married,

Short of that, vodka usually does the trick.

She can get you into the US on something called the "fiance visa" which is for 3 months. To prove that you need emails, letters etc etc basically proving that you are two people in love and want to get married etc.

After 3 months you do have to get married and that is when the process of Green card starts. You get one for 2 years which is a temporary card and then you get the permanent one.

Along with that comes the work permits etc.

quote:

Originally posted by surfing_kayaker:
sorry...ill try that again... Is it actually EASIER to get in through marriage?

Im beginning to wonder if it is easier for her to just stay here! I love this place, however, i do love her more. And she is worth the fuss and effort.

Again, i appreciate your guys help...

Yes, it's definitely easier. But as Jillian said above, you'll still need some patience. Or try the fiance visa route, as Madhu suggests.

But even easier still, it seems, is staying in New Zealand. I'm far from an expert on the subject, but from what I hear, it sounds like you guys are desperate for new blood! There's more Kiwis abroad than at home, right?

Hi guys again and you may get sick of hearing this but thank you again for all of your help. OK, there are more jobs abroad for her specialty and since ive been in New Zealand all my life, i thought it would have been a nice change of pace to go somewhere different as i havent done alot of travelling. And it would be nice to see a part of 'her world' and then eventually come back here maybe ....who knows.
I used to take people kayak fishing and kayak surfing, loved it, then got into the outdoor camping side of things. Im just unsure of the steps to take to be able to work in aplce like REI. She has been offered jobs in hawaii but doesnt want to take them if i cant go. Im beginning to think australia is an easier bet. I think im too under-qualified to get to the U.S.

If you have experience in Kayaking, then you have a much better chance of getting a job, and the salary disparity will mean little if you love your job. Look into kayakingin Hawaii. Outdoor adventure outfits are a lot more easygoing that retail firms, though I'm guessing that REI would love a Kiwi with retail management experience, since Retail is retail, and displays are displays, and the language is English. You can sweat the small stuff.ç

Hawaii, now. Wow!!! Now thats a climate to a Kiwi's liking and you'll have the money to live well. Sounds great to me!!!

http://www.rei.com/webservices/rei/DisplayHome?siteId=c...589-_-88x31+REI+Logo

This is the website for REI, and they have a location or locations in Hawaii. Give them a call or email message.
Investigations can't hurt. Look to the bright side of life, and all will be well.

Cool Change – One of the best ways to understand the diversity of Hawai`i’s Big Island is to get off the island and observe it from the ocean or the air. A fleet of charter boats – ranging from Hawaiian sailing catamarans, sleek powerboats and a real submarine – transport adventurous passengers to pristine bays for snorkeling and scuba diving, out to the world famous deep-sea fishing grounds off the Kona Coast, or even 100 feet beneath the surface to witness a kaleidoscope of Hawaiian marine life. Kayak excursions and outrigger canoe paddling – Hawaii’s #1 competitive sport – put the thrill of oceanic adventure into travelers’ hands. Surfing (he`e nalu) was invented by Hawaiians, and the Big Island surf breaks are so treasured that songs have been written about them. Surf lessons are a perfect way to learn where to go and what to do.


http://media.bigisland.org/press-kit/60/from-chill-to-s...g-outdoor-adventures

Well, apparently Hawaii is big on Kayaking and outrigger adventures!!! Sounds like your cue, especially if you loved it!!!

http://www.outfitterskauai.com/

http://hawaii.uscity.net/Camping/Equipment/

Apparently Kaui is an adventure center.

Lots of adventure shops on Hawaii, including Kayak shops, II'm sure. They would probably love to hire an ex-kayaker.

Buck up, you do have opportunities.