Paid charity work - immigration issues ?

09-27-2003, 08:40 PM

Hey all,

I'm a Brit currently working in the telecommunications sector in the
UK. I'm 30 years of age, married with 2 kids, and work as a Project
Manager with about 7 years experience in this area. However, i left
school at 18 and have no university degreee.

I've recently had some life changing experiences and have decided to
look for a position where i can help others rather than just playing
at the rat race and earning the big money. I've been offered a paid
position with a Christian charity providing care to orphans of warfare
around the world.

I have the option of working in Europe or the US, but i am wondering
if i would be accepted into the US with permission to work, or whether
i would be refused due to lack of a degree. I have some capital -
around $100,000, but nothing else.

I assume i could not go for full immigration, but i am wondering if i
could work there for 2 years maybe, then apply for citizenship if i
decide to stay (not sure at this point whether i would wish to ) ?

Any advice gratefully received.

Jammin.

09-29-2003, 12:51 AM

Jimbo wrote:
    >
    > Hey all,
    >
    > I'm a Brit currently working in the telecommunications sector in the
    > UK. I'm 30 years of age, married with 2 kids, and work as a Project
    > Manager with about 7 years experience in this area. However, i left
    > school at 18 and have no university degreee.
    >
    > I've recently had some life changing experiences and have decided to
    > look for a position where i can help others rather than just playing
    > at the rat race and earning the big money. I've been offered a paid
    > position with a Christian charity providing care to orphans of warfare
    > around the world.
    >
    > I have the option of working in Europe or the US, but i am wondering
    > if i would be accepted into the US with permission to work, or whether
    > i would be refused due to lack of a degree. I have some capital -
    > around $100,000, but nothing else.
    >
    > I assume i could not go for full immigration, but i am wondering if i
    > could work there for 2 years maybe, then apply for citizenship if i
    > decide to stay (not sure at this point whether i would wish to ) ?
    >
    > Any advice gratefully received.
    >
    > Jammin.

You should look at R visas.

09-29-2003, 02:05 AM

You can perform religious missionary work under an R visa. However,
the BCIS really scrutinizes this category. This is because many
people use this type of visa fraudulently.

You definitely can't apply for citizenship after only 2 years, and an
R visa generally isn't usable for permanent immigration purposes,
unless you get a family member to sponsor you.

Jimbo <> wrote in message news:<>...
    > Hey all,
    >
    > I'm a Brit currently working in the telecommunications sector in the
    > UK. I'm 30 years of age, married with 2 kids, and work as a Project
    > Manager with about 7 years experience in this area. However, i left
    > school at 18 and have no university degreee.
    >
    > I've recently had some life changing experiences and have decided to
    > look for a position where i can help others rather than just playing
    > at the rat race and earning the big money. I've been offered a paid
    > position with a Christian charity providing care to orphans of warfare
    > around the world.
    >
    > I have the option of working in Europe or the US, but i am wondering
    > if i would be accepted into the US with permission to work, or whether
    > i would be refused due to lack of a degree. I have some capital -
    > around $100,000, but nothing else.
    >
    > I assume i could not go for full immigration, but i am wondering if i
    > could work there for 2 years maybe, then apply for citizenship if i
    > decide to stay (not sure at this point whether i would wish to ) ?
    >
    > Any advice gratefully received.
    >
    > Jammin.