[embwbam]

My girlfriend is Canadian, and an AMGA Rock Guide (American Mountain Guide Association: the US certifying body). She would like to be able to work for gyms and guiding companies in the US. What's the best way to make that happen? (short of marriage... fool me once!)

Should we hire an immigration attorney?

Do you know if it would be easier for her to get permission to work in Europe?

[proberts]

You definitely should get fact-specific advice from an immigration attorney. Is she looking to live in the U.S. permanently or just work here when there's work?

[embwbam]

Great, thanks!

She wants to work as a first priority, but staying in the US longer than 6 months would be convenient.

[proberts]

It's going to be tough for her to get a work visa on her own doing what she does. A far-fetched option would be an O-1 through her own company or an E-2 through her own company; the former would require evidence of extraordinary ability in her field and the latter requires an investment by her of $75-100k USD.