Work visa after work visa after work visa. That's the story of our trying to stay together. We're both in education and Charles will be on his 4th work visa to continue working as a teacher here in upstate NY. He's "in between" visas at the moment, which is the one-year hiatus that an H1B visa requires. That means, he can't work here or live here--he can only be a visitor--for a year before getting another H1B. We're fortunate when compared to some other people's situations because we don't have to take a plane to see each other and Charles can still come here as a "visitor." But we're always in fear of exactly how much "visiting" he can do without jeopardizing the required time outside of the U.S. In addition, he's ALWAYS interrogated at the U.S. border when coming from Canada, regardless of whether he has the visa or not.

Another annoying note: New York State teacher certification law requires citizenship or permanent residence in order to keep one's teacher certification. Charles' certification expired without the possibility of renewal because he lacks permanent residence. As a result, he's now had to take more courses and sit for more tests and will have to reapply for a NEW certification once he's completed these additional requirements. Always such a hurdle! The alternative, which is not being together, just isn't an option for us. (photo; personal; Ron and Charles; "Our civil marriage day, June 29, 2006, in Montreal, Quebec.")

Tags: USA, Canada