Going home with foreign DH?

elenetxu

Happy weekend to all!

I have a question. I saw a Spanish teaching position that I'm considering applying for. If I got the job, how difficult would it be/how long would the process take to have DH come with me? Would be be able to work or would it be a long wait?

MrsBini10

You would want to apply for his green card from the US embassy there. I'm not sure what the timeline is for something like that but at least 3 months I'd guess. 

If they gave him a GC, which they almost definitely would (but it'll cost $1000+), he could work immediately upon arrival in the US.

Doesn't your H speak no English though? That would make it very hard to find a job. My H speaks fluent English and couldn't even get a job at McDonald's for several months. Even now he's working a minimum wage job as a cashier despite having a bachelors and 3 years accounting experience.  

elenetxu

MrsBini10:

You would want to apply for his green card from the US embassy there. I'm not sure what the timeline is for something like that but at least 3 months I'd guess. 

If they gave him a GC, which they almost definitely would (but it'll cost $1000+), he could work immediately upon arrival in the US.

Doesn't your H speak no English though? That would make it very hard to find a job. My H speaks fluent English and couldn't even get a job at McDonald's for several months. Even now he's working a minimum wage job as a cashier despite having a bachelors and 3 years accounting experience.  

His English is crap, but he's able to communicate. That's the main reason I'm holding back from applying. It'd be a "flip flop" in frustrations. I'm getting seriously frustrated with Spain at the moment and he's been suggesting that we go to the US. It'd be a boarding school job and I imagine we'd both have dorm duty so at least he'd be integrated into the community that way. 

Thank you for the GC information, that was one thing I needed to know before talking to him about the idea of applying.

 

MrsBini10

Does he drive? It sounds stupid but one of our biggest stresses when we got here was that DH couldn't drive and I had to chauffeur him everywhere. 

Double check with Allibally, she got her DH's GC this way, but I'm almost positive he can work as soon as he arrives. He might need a couple weeks to get a SSN or something though.  

allibally

I don't know if you can file directly at an embassy in Spain. It's called direct consular filing (DCF) You used to be able to do DCF at all the embassies but last year they stopped that. Now it's only US Embassies that have a visa processing department (?). DH and I filed for his green card in the US because we didn't meet the requirements for DCF. I had to send all the paperwork from CH to my mom who would forward it to visa services. Then vice versa. It took us 10 months from start until he had a interview. He could work as soon as he entered the US. But there are some that don't so if you ever do this make sure you double check. The paperwork process was about $1000 and then the little expenses like shots and doctor check up. Which was $600 for us because Switzerland knows the best ways to overcharge you. I pretty much followed what visajourney.com said for the whole process. I would look there so you could inform yourself. They also link to all the information on the government websites.

frlcb

We did DCF through the Embassy in London and dh was able to work as soon as h got approved for the green card. It took 5 months from start to finish. I would think bringing your dh who doesn't speak any English would be very difficult in terms of job opportunities.

dulcemariamar1

Good Luck! We were really thinking about going back to the States but the whole idea scares me. I told my DH if he found a job there I would go but it is so hard. Allibally is really brave. I dont think I could move there without a job lined up.

dulcemariamar1

Have you thought about moving to a bigger city in Spain?

allibally

dulcemariamar1:

Good Luck! We were really thinking about going back to the States but the whole idea scares me. I told my DH if he found a job there I would go but it is so hard. Allibally is really brave. I dont think I could move there without a job lined up.

I will tell you it's very scary to move back to the US when both of you don't have jobs. We had been saving like crazy when we lived in Switzerland because we knew we needed that cushion. Plus we had my family's support with somewhere to stay. We were really lucky that DH got a job 3 weeks after we arrived.

allibally

Spain does not have a USCIS Field Office so you would not be able to file for DCF. www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=1ac900c262197210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=1ac900c262197210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD You would have to send all visa applications to the US which could take a lot longer then DCF. Visa journey had rough processing times. I'm not sure what they are guessing these days.

elenetxu

dulcemariamar1:

Good Luck! We were really thinking about going back to the States but the whole idea scares me. I told my DH if he found a job there I would go but it is so hard. Allibally is really brave. I dont think I could move there without a job lined up.

 

DH was really positive about it when I brought it up this morning as we had coffee. He said "There's always work at Wal-Mart!" 

As for moving to a bigger city, I think the issue is he's still on the substitutions list here in Cantabria and goodness knows when the government is going to have teaching tests for primary school again. We worked all year two years ago,  3/4 of the year last year, and he's worked six weeks so far this year. His unemployment pay has run out and, as I imagine you might know, if he goes and gets another job and rejects a teaching placement he can be taken off the list and he'd have to start all over again. Things are bad and I'm thankful I got the Visiting Teachers grant last year - otherwise we would be in very bad shape. I'm personally having a very difficult time getting into a Master in Secondary Ed program here since I don't have an undergrad degree here in Spain. I finally found a university that would let me in and let me do student teaching wherever. The catch? I can't do the degree with a specialization in English as a Foreign Language - I'd have to specialize in Spanish Language and Literature since that was my major as an undergrad in Canada! I can't quite see myself teaching Spanish to natives. Sure, I can opositar for an English teaching position but I'll have done the degree (5K down the drain) and the student teaching in Spanish.

Oh, Spain. 

elenetxu

allibally:

Spain does not have a USCIS Field Office so you would not be able to file for DCF. www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=1ac900c262197210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=1ac900c262197210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD You would have to send all visa applications to the US which could take a lot longer then DCF. Visa journey had rough processing times. I'm not sure what they are guessing these days.

 

 

Thank you so much for getting me this information. 

MrsBini10

Unfortunately there is not always work at Walmart. DH applied there too. I'm not saying don't move (it sounds like you guys don't have a great employment situation there either) but I definitely thought DH would have no problem getting a crappy retail job if necessary, and I was wrong. 

Where is the job you're applying to? It might be easier on him if you guys went somewhere with a substantial Spanish-speaking population. Where I live, for instance, you can find Spanish signs, brochures, employees etc almost everywhere.  

NCV2

allibally:

 The paperwork process was about $1000 and then the little expenses like shots and doctor check up.

Hold up.  Dr. appts and shots?  For real?  

NCV2

dulcemariamar1:

Good Luck! We were really thinking about going back to the States but the whole idea scares me. I told my DH if he found a job there I would go but it is so hard. Allibally is really brave. I dont think I could move there without a job lined up.

 

Me too!  I read all the stuff the girls on the Philadelphia knot about their healthcare issues and I'm glad I don't have to deal with that crap.  Someone lost their job now doesn't have healthcare, has to buy it themselves etc.  Scares me, a lot. 

elenetxu

MrsBini10:

Unfortunately there is not always work at Walmart. DH applied there too. I'm not saying don't move (it sounds like you guys don't have a great employment situation there either) but I definitely thought DH would have no problem getting a crappy retail job if necessary, and I was wrong. 

Where is the job you're applying to? It might be easier on him if you guys went somewhere with a substantial Spanish-speaking population. Where I live, for instance, you can find Spanish signs, brochures, employees etc almost everywhere.  

He said Wal-Mart because when we were there back home he heard the employees speaking Spanish - and I'm from southwest NH. The job would be in western Mass.

Things suck here in Spain right now. Even here where we have one of the lowest levels of unemployment, the rate is currently at 14.1% 

I understand where you're coming from since you've been through this process very recently. Thank you for your "reality check." 

MrsBini10

NCV2:

allibally:

 The paperwork process was about $1000 and then the little expenses like shots and doctor check up.

Hold up.  Dr. appts and shots?  For real?  

oh yes...DH needed a physical, shots and a TB test for his GC app. Then the TB test was positive so he needed a chest X-ray to verify he didn't actually have TB, and another doctor appointment to evaluate the X-ray or something. None of that was covered by insurance either. Ugh. 

MrsBini10

Western MA might be good for Spanish, especially close to Springfield. He will certainly learn English while you guys are here but I know my H misses being able to communicate in Amharic even though his English is pretty good. 

NCV2

MrsBini10:

NCV2:

allibally:

 The paperwork process was about $1000 and then the little expenses like shots and doctor check up.

Hold up.  Dr. appts and shots?  For real?  

oh yes...DH needed a physical, shots and a TB test for his GC app. Then the TB test was positive so he needed a chest X-ray to verify he didn't actually have TB, and another doctor appointment to evaluate the X-ray or something. None of that was covered by insurance either. Ugh. 

Ok well I can get behind TB.  I had to get tested for TB to teach in PA.  I guess the thinking is it still is common in some countries.  I'm just really surprised.  I didn't need anything for my visa, just cash money.   

How much does the DCF or what ever it's called cost?  Then you need another one?

If you are married more than x years do you need to get the second one?  

If so what is the x?

We dont' plan on going back for awhile. 

dulcemariamar1

Of course, you should do what is best for your family. If things are not working out right now then it is only natural to consider all of your options.

I think living in the States is more expensive than living in Spain. (Food, insurance, housing, transporation) The economy is probably better there but there are a lot of people still looking for work in the States and they will probably prefer to fill them with people who have a good speaking knowledge of English. (I am not trying to be snarky. I hope it doesnt come out this way)

Spain is going through a lot of changes. I dont know what it is going to like in the next few years. I know that some places are having problems paying their gov. workers and they are going to "freeze" their salaries this year. Maybe, it wouldnt be a bad idea to look outside of the public sector.

MrsBini10

NCV, how about this: DH had to get an HIV test in order to obtain an Ethiopian passport.  

I lost track of how much all this GC stuff cost. It was well over $1000 when all was said and done, probably closer to $2000. That's not including the lawyer fees of course.  

frlcb

NCV2:

MrsBini10:

NCV2:

allibally:

 The paperwork process was about $1000 and then the little expenses like shots and doctor check up.

Hold up.  Dr. appts and shots?  For real?  

oh yes...DH needed a physical, shots and a TB test for his GC app. Then the TB test was positive so he needed a chest X-ray to verify he didn't actually have TB, and another doctor appointment to evaluate the X-ray or something. None of that was covered by insurance either. Ugh. 

Ok well I can get behind TB.  I had to get tested for TB to teach in PA.  I guess the thinking is it still is common in some countries.  I'm just really surprised.  I didn't need anything for my visa, just cash money.   

How much does the DCF or what ever it's called cost?  Then you need another one?

If you are married more than x years do you need to get the second one?  

If so what is the x?

We dont' plan on going back for awhile. 

 

If you do DCF through the UK you will have to have a medical exam through a doctor they have. You also have to have a police background check. And up to date vaccines, and if he doesn't have them he has to get them, dh did. It was about $1000. If you have been married over 2 years you don't have to do it twice. We did it with dh through the UK and I am running out the door but I can answer any questions you have. 

allibally

NVC --- DCF is around the $1000 mark. It would be very unlikely you would need a lawyer. DH had to have a normal medical exam, a chest X-ray, blood work, plus the blood test to make sure he had chicken pox ( ridiculously expensive in Switzerland), then he needed to get a tetnis shot. The same medical exam would of been half the price in Germany.

elenetxu

MrsBini10:

Western MA might be good for Spanish, especially close to Springfield. He will certainly learn English while you guys are here but I know my H misses being able to communicate in Amharic even though his English is pretty good. 

That's what I was thinking too. The other thing is there's at least one "bilingual" center in which the Spanish Education Ministry is involved in around there so that could be an option too.

NCV2

MrsBini10:

NCV, how about this: DH had to get an HIV test in order to obtain an Ethiopian passport.   

So if you have HIV you can't leave the country? 

MrsBini10

NCV2:

MrsBini10:

NCV, how about this: DH had to get an HIV test in order to obtain an Ethiopian passport.   

So if you have HIV you can't leave the country? 

I guess not? It might also be the govt's way of forcing people who would not want to be tested to do it. It's very prevalent there and there's a huge stigma attached to even getting tested (regardless of the result, if you're even seen going to certain places to get tested it can make people want to avoid you). So maybe they figured they can at least make people get tested before giving them passports and it might catch some cases? 

NCV2

MrsBini10:

NCV2:

MrsBini10:

NCV, how about this: DH had to get an HIV test in order to obtain an Ethiopian passport.   

So if you have HIV you can't leave the country? 

I guess not? It might also be the govt's way of forcing people who would not want to be tested to do it. It's very prevalent there and there's a huge stigma attached to even getting tested (regardless of the result, if you're even seen going to certain places to get tested it can make people want to avoid you). So maybe they figured they can at least make people get tested before giving them passports and it might catch some cases? 

Oh interesting.  Can't they make it mandatory for school then if it's that much of an issue.  then they can get the kids the help they need. 

MrsBini10

NCV2:

MrsBini10:

NCV2:

MrsBini10:

NCV, how about this: DH had to get an HIV test in order to obtain an Ethiopian passport.   

So if you have HIV you can't leave the country? 

I guess not? It might also be the govt's way of forcing people who would not want to be tested to do it. It's very prevalent there and there's a huge stigma attached to even getting tested (regardless of the result, if you're even seen going to certain places to get tested it can make people want to avoid you). So maybe they figured they can at least make people get tested before giving them passports and it might catch some cases? 

Oh interesting.  Can't they make it mandatory for school then if it's that much of an issue.  then they can get the kids the help they need. 

This is all just idle speculation because I haven't a clue; but I suspect the govt can't afford to test everyone and many cannot afford to pay for the test. People who can afford international travel might be some of the only people that can muster up however much money it costs. Also, if they required it for school a lot of people might just not send their kids. I'm not actually sure school is legally required there in the first place. 

azure_azure

For my Vietnamese work permit I had to get tested for HIV and TB.

For my French residency card they did the TB chest x-ray - that was awkward - I had to undress from the top up in one part of the room then walk across the room to the x-ray booth topless, I was breastfeeding at the time and my boobs leaked on the thing I had to press my chest up against to get the x-ray.

ebartzen

MrsBini10:

Western MA might be good for Spanish, especially close to Springfield. He will certainly learn English while you guys are here but I know my H misses being able to communicate in Amharic even though his English is pretty good. 

Is he at least speaking Amharic to Mini? I know it's not the same as having a conversation, but soon enough! Also, I don't know about the east coast, but I know there are some Ethiopian communities in the Minneapolis/Wisconsin area. I wonder if he could get in contact with some of the communities in order to find others. 

MrsBini10

ebartzen:

MrsBini10:

Western MA might be good for Spanish, especially close to Springfield. He will certainly learn English while you guys are here but I know my H misses being able to communicate in Amharic even though his English is pretty good. 

Is he at least speaking Amharic to Mini? I know it's not the same as having a conversation, but soon enough! Also, I don't know about the east coast, but I know there are some Ethiopian communities in the Minneapolis/Wisconsin area. I wonder if he could get in contact with some of the communities in order to find others. 

He does. In a few years he and Mini will have their own secret language from me, lol. Actually Boston has a small Ethiopian community and that is how he found his job. Quite a few of the airport employees are Ethiopian for whatever reason, so when he went to apply for the job (which he heard about through an Ethiopian friend) his interviewer was Ethiopian and that I guess gave him an edge in getting the job his coworkers are largely Ethiopian as well. But it's not quite the same as the way Spanish is around most of the US--as you probably know, you can go into many stores, restaurants etc and find Spanish speakers and info in Spanish. There are definitely times when I wish an Amharic speaker were available to him, ya know?