Moving in with someone from Germany (Seattle: apartments, to rent, employment)

[Reno_Rob]

I currently live near Seattle, and I'm looking to start renting an apartment with a friend from Germany that I've known online for a couple of years. My friend won't be able to pay as much rent as I will in the beginning, but we're also planning to live with a third person to make things easier, and so it should be pretty affordable. However, when looking at apartment applications, I noticed they tend to ask for a lot of information like current landlord, current employer, social security number, etc., and I got the impression that they likely wouldn't allow someone from another country. Should I expect most apartments in the area to accept my friend coming to rent, assuming her intention is to seek employment and become a citizen? Is there a quick way to tell which apartments will and won't allow her? What are some options I have for bringing my friend to the area?

[flyingsaucermom]

Country of origin won't matter. In fact, it would be discrimination and illegal.

That said, there are all sorts of variables associated to her legal status that could disqualify her.

Is she here legally? What is her legal status.. does she have a green card or what kind of visa is she here under?
Can she work here legally? (If she can she will have a specific kind of SS card)
Is she employed? (if she's not, she's going to have a much harder time qualifying)
Does she make enough money to afford the rent?

As you can see, this isn't about the fact that she's from another country, it's about her ability to have and keep a job (or have a reliable and sufficient source of income) and to pay rent consistently.

[Reno_Rob]

I'm not sure about her visa details but she will be staying here legally and rent will not be an issue, though I'll be covering slightly more of it than her at first. She'll be getting money from her parents initially but plans to seek work once she's in the country.

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by Reno_Rob

I'm not sure about her visa details but she will be staying here legally and rent will not be an issue, though I'll be covering slightly more of it than her at first. She'll be getting money from her parents initially but plans to seek work once she's in the country.

If she comes in on a tourist visa, she won't be able to legally work here. If she overstays her visa, she'll be an illegal immigrant.

[Seacove]

Originally Posted by CrazyDonkey

If she comes in on a tourist visa, she won't be able to legally work here. If she overstays her visa, she'll be an illegal immigrant.

And that's likely what the landlord will say.

[CrazyDonkey]

Now, she could come in on a K-1 visa - problem is, you'll have to get married within 90 days.

[flyingsaucermom]

Originally Posted by CrazyDonkey

Now, she could come in on a K-1 visa - problem is, you'll have to get married within 90 days.

Mazel tov!