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chouky
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An Mba ? and my girlfriend ? 07 Oct 2010, 01:53
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hey guys

I just have a question about this :

I am currently thinking about doing an MBA in the US (or at least abroad)

I would like my girlfriend to come with me in this experience

Is that possible (she won't do an mba) ? can she come with me ? how does this work for her visa in the US ?

I'm a bit lost right now cuz' I don't know if it's possible that she come with me...

thanks !!
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An Mba ? and my girlfriend ? 07 Oct 2010, 07:44
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Short answer - No. You cannot get her a visa, so she has to sort out a visa on her own merit. Which is not particularly easy.

If she is on a visa waiver program she can visit and fly back-and-forth to canada every three months. She would not be able to work though, so this is only viable if you have way to much money.
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An Mba ? and my girlfriend ? 07 Oct 2010, 11:18
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or you can get married and bring her over on your visa.
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chouky
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An Mba ? and my girlfriend ? 08 Oct 2010, 00:40
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Thanks DrSatisfaction, that was exactly what I was going to ask !

So if I get married she could come with me right ? and can she have a job in the US for example if she is under my visa ?
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An Mba ? and my girlfriend ? 08 Oct 2010, 03:11
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chouky
So if I get married she could come with me right ?
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Yes, she will receive a F2 or J2 visa (depending on which you receive)

chouky
and can she have a job in the US for example if she is under my visa ?
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No way :(. She can study under some circumstances but she cannot work.
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An Mba ? and my girlfriend ? 08 Oct 2010, 03:22
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no she won't be able to work on your visa.

however, if you apply to a UK based school it'll be different. spouses are allowed to work here full time on a dependent student visa.
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Jeanette
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An Mba ? and my girlfriend ? 09 Oct 2010, 10:37
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Time to propose!
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whiplash2411
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An Mba ? and my girlfriend ? 09 Oct 2010, 10:52
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She could be considered a dependent on a student if you were to get an F1 or a J1, in which case she'd be an F2/J2 visa holder. However, she would NOT be able to work here.

Getting work here with a work-authorized visa is hard enough. If she works here, it'd be illegal. To work you either need to be on OPT/CPT on an F1/J1 or have a H1B visa or equivalent (L/T or something)
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An Mba ? and my girlfriend ? 09 Oct 2010, 20:50
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Jeanette
Time to propose!
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Now that would be unique. Imagine this line - "I think we should get married to resolve visa issues" :D
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Jeanette
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An Mba ? and my girlfriend ? 13 Oct 2010, 11:13
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sanlitun
Jeanette
Time to propose!

Now that would be unique. Imagine this line - "I think we should get married to resolve visa issues" :D
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Sadly, I'm not sure that it is unique. Marriage for immigration reasons is not unheard of. Anyone watch Parks and Recreation?
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An Mba ? and my girlfriend ? 13 Oct 2010, 15:55
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I've known several couples who got married for immigration reasons. Of course, most still observed that they're loving each other (most, not all).
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An Mba ? and my girlfriend ? 13 Oct 2010, 21:25
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Depends on the school ! some schools allow foreign couples to work. But she has to be on a valid Visa (not b2) I agree with whiplash2411!
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An Mba ? and my girlfriend ? 14 Oct 2010, 06:36
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Getting married before an MBA so your girlfriend can come with you while you attend a course that probably ranks amongst the top 3 studies resulting in relationships breaking up... not a great idea.
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An Mba ? and my girlfriend ? 14 Oct 2010, 18:17
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sanlitun
Jeanette
Time to propose!

Now that would be unique. Imagine this line - "I think we should get married to resolve visa issues" :D
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Oh, man, not funny at all. It's sad enough that people attribute genuine relationships to visa problems/naturalization, but thinking that people would actually do that is just ... gah. I guess it does happen, though. Whatever happened to old school romance and marriage for the sake of love. Meh.
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An Mba ? and my girlfriend ? 11 Nov 2010, 12:58
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I'm planning on attending IE Business School in Spain next year. My wife will be studying as well (finishing her B.A. as an exchange student). Nevertheless, she will finish her B.A. way before I finish the MBA program. Anyone know if there's anyway she can get a working permit (or visa) after she finishes studying and while I finish my program?
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An Mba ? and my girlfriend ? 12 Nov 2010, 14:59
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whiplash2411
Whatever happened to old school romance and marriage for the sake of love. Meh.
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That's what the second marriage is for.

In all seriousness I'm with underscore on this one. I've seen plenty of marriages that were initiated for the "right" reasons break up because of bschool. Get married if you're ready to get married. Don't do it just for the visa.
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An Mba ? and my girlfriend ? 12 Nov 2010, 21:47
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single = epic win in this, and every situation :-)
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An Mba ? and my girlfriend ? 05 Dec 2010, 23:58
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One of the primary reasons I did not do my MBA in the USA. Knowing that wife would not be able to work, and the change in lifestyle this entails meant it was not a suitable option when you are making so many changes at once.

Result was i moved to a country which allowed for my wife to work and also had affordable childcare which helped when I went to the US for exchange for few months
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An Mba ? and my girlfriend ? 06 Dec 2010, 06:08
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hmm... it must be difficult to get accepted to a top US BS and have to refuse for that... they should do some 2 years visa for such situations...
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whiplash2411
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An Mba ? and my girlfriend ? 06 Dec 2010, 07:50
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Lol, easier said than done - the 2 year visa. With the new administration cutting down on H1Bs and making things more expensive to apply for and the new rules and regulations converting from F1 to H1B and back and forth is just a nightmare. You've gotta make sure that every ink spot is under check on your application - it's very tedious. But. IMO, USA's visa system was still easier than UK's. That, my friends, is a rollercoaster.
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