Popping in to say hi and make introductions

Hi Beth --

Are you Canadian? If so, do you have permission to work in the U.S.?

Beth,
If you're going to come to ST Thomas as a tourist no problem, no visa required. If you're gong to work full time there is a visa requirement, check with your consulate with the new laws that have been put into place. You can't work in the USA or territories without a work visa.

Hi - Yes, I'm aware of the Visa requirement to work full time. I have to look into that but thanks for the heads up! I will be certified to teach in both Ontario Canada, and NY state (US), but I'm thinking I still need a Visa, and my husband will for sure. Lots of research to do!

Good luck.

Hmmm.... Is that a "Good luck you're out of your mind" or a "good luck, I wish you all the best." ? 🙂

I sincerely wish you all the best. Definitely not out of your mind.

Oh good. LOL I thought for a minute maybe you thought I was some crazy canuck with unrealistic dreams.

My sister in law is a Newfoundlander. Those crazy Nufies. (tu) I love Canucks.

it takes a special "je ne sais quoi" to live up here. 😀 But...... GET ME THE HE77 OUTTA HERE!!!!! LOL

Come on down and enjoy the sunshine.

You don't have to ask me twice!!!! Shove a bum sweets, I'm on my way!

Seriously though, we're talking very seriously about it. Do you have any idea whether I'd need a Visa in order to get hired or get hired in order to get a Visa? So many questions.....

I think the requirements would be the same as in the states but I don't know for sure. Have you thought about the British Virgin Islands? I think that because you are Canadian citizens that it might be easier for you there. Not sure though.

I've looked into BVI, but there is a big shortage of information on the internet. I haven't been able to find anything very useful.

It seems that if you're Canadian, it's difficult to work anywhere besides Canada and Mexico. I wonder why no one wants us? 😀

Regardless, I'm not giving up. I know that in the next year or so I can easily have a job handed to me in Mexico, but my husband is a little uncomfortable with the language barrier. I speak English, French and passable Spanish, but he only speaks English. It would also be more difficult for him to get a job in Mexico - again, it's that pesky language thing. Also, school for my daughter would be more difficult in Mexico because of the language.

We're going to go somewhere.

I think you sort of have to be sponsored to get employment here, at least that's the way it was with a Canadian friend of mine who works at Scotiabank. The BVI is tough even for Brits or anyone not from the BVI.

Trade - do you mean sponsored by a citizen or sponsored by an employer?

Employer.

thanks! I'm not giving up hope! I have marketable skills, so we'll see what happens. Thanks for you help guys! Keep it coming!

It's no different trying to get a job here than it is anywhere else in the US for non-US citizens.

Right now I have a US student visa as I've been studying in NY state, so I've emailed the college to see if they have any advice to offer. From the immigration website I think I can apply to have that changed to a work visa quite easily.

From what I understand there is a need in USVI for teachers, so that's a point in my favour, I'd think. (Yes, that's our funky Canuck spelling right there, with the 'u' thrown in for absolutely no reason).

When you say, "I am just about finished teacher's college" do you mean you will have a master's degree? That is the minimum degree level that is now required of new hires in USVI public schools. Also, you will likely want to budget private school tuition for your daughter, as the public schools here are unlikely to meet your needs, especially as she gets older. Have you been here? If not you will want to check the place out before you commit to a move, especially because you have a school age daughter and are considering teaching in VI schools. I don't know what kind of work your husband does, but teacher pay is relatively low, and It is very expensive to live here.

Yes, I'll have a Master's.

Because we are bringing our daughter, we wouldn't do anything without first investigating thoroughly. That's part of what I'm doing here.

The requirements are exactly the same as any place else in the US. It recently took my daughter-in-law 6 months to obtain a work visa and she is married to a US citizen and waiting for her green card. Green card took another 2 months.

As far as being sponsored by an employer, being a teacher, that may be an option, but few employers here are interested in the hassle sponsorship entails.

And you definitely need to make a pre-move visit. Teachers don't make much here and tuition for private school can easily be $10,000 per year or more.

Bethh,
St. Croix didn't make the list?

St. Croix would definitely be on the list!

I found out that I can get a one year work Visa because I schooled in the US. However, 10k US for private school for our daughter is going to pose some problems. I don't think we could afford that. Because I'm a French teacher I won't have any problem getting a job here in Canada, but I think because of the private school fees on your beautiful islands, we're going to have to stick with the Mexico option.

I can definitely see us making a move to USVI in the future though. Thanks for all your comments and good wishes!