ls2012

I am not sure if I want to live there permanently, however I would like stay there for at least 2 years to network with others and look for ways to get my work out.
I already went to New York to talk to employers, schools, and relatives who moved there from different countries and I found that the easiest way would be a F1 Student Visa and look for opportunities to obtain a work permit whilst in the country.
My cousin told me she entered as a medical student but was then recruited into the army as a medic after completing her course.
What would be the best way for me to go about this?
I currently have £10,000 ($15,000) saved up.

Hotscot

Marriage
Transfer with existing job
Find a new job in the US.
Study for advanced Degree. (Or any, but can be costly.) Also check J1 visa.
Invest in a US Business.

First two are easiest. America is very difficult to emigrate to generally but you do mention you're not specifically looking for a permanent move so the pursuit of something student related may be of interest. However $15,000 won't go far.

Read this thoroughly
Pulaski's Ways: How to Live and Work in the USA : British Expat Wiki

What do you mean a career in music? It's a highly competitive area.
What qualifications and experience do you already have?
(You mentioned getting your work out...have you already produced material of your own?)

You can also check out
http://www.fullsail.edu/
http://calarts.edu/

You'll have LinkedIn, Facebook, a website or all of those?


Come back with specific questions.

sir_eccles

Do you have an agent? I think there is a way for a US based agent to sponsor you for an O visa, not easy though.

ls2012

I have worked for various companies as a composer in the UK, I have also worked for an LA based company composing royalty free music for their website, however they paid me through Paypal and it was an online job so I couldn't get a sponsorship to actually live in the US.
I have not yet attended University and I'm not sure if I'm going to go down that path. I have completed 2 different apprenticeships in the UK.
I heard that $15,000 is around the average cost for a semester in a US educational facility for an international student and I also read that after 6 months I can work for 20 hours a week.
I would like to be able to study a course specifically to do with music as it would be easier for me to make connections that way, however the problem is that a lot of the schools I have looked into are big name universities (such as Yale school of music, or NYU music school) which obviously require more money and qualifications than I have.
One of my options is to find a school that is willing to accept me and just take any course there so I can get the Visa. However my desired goal is to study music with other aspiring musicians and create more contacts for myself.

Shirtback

I know 2 musicians who successfully navigated the O visa route. IIRC, it took quite some time, & lots of hard work, especially from the US-side (agents, lawyers, peer references...).

(Wasn't there a thread here last year by/about a composer getting an O visa? My search powers seem to be failing me today)

ian-mstm

I'll let someone else find the thread - but yes, you're absolutely right. There was a thread last year by a composer trying to get to the US.

Ian

ls2012

Do you recall how he actually entered the country? Did he come in as a visitor or something else?

Shirtback

(Thanks, my brain retains all sorts of odd trivia, but not always *where* I read/learnt it !)

Lily77 appears to be the poster I was thinking of; she had several threads touching on the O subject, unfortunately copying & pasting links is beyond me & my dumb phone ).

[Ls2012, looks like we cross posted; try searching the board for Lily77]

Shirtback

One of them 1st went to the U.S. on tour. I do not know the specific details, but do know that immigration formalities went right down to the wire (I.e. He got visa less than 24 hours before flying out). Once he started getting regular & frequent gigs, he went for the O and moved to NYC, with advice & support from his agent.

The 2nd messed about for a few years with a B1, until he got pulled up & told to get his act (no pun intended!) in order.

Neither are "names", but both are primarily performers. I have no idea about composers.

RICH

This one?

composer

Hotscot

Sounds like the best bet is as some sort of student.

Check out those educational links I sent, see if there's any way in by that route.

However a more sensible approach might be to find work in the UK/Europe so you can build up some recognition. With the internet you can still build up a profile. That way you might not be blowing you hard earned money on a course that may not lead to anything substantial. Or you can still do this later when you are more financially stable.

Hotscot

Interesting.

ian-mstm

Yup - that's it. Thanks!

Ian

ls2012

Thanks everyone, from what I read that guy was also offered a job in LA while he was visiting which is why he was allegeable for the visa. What requirements would I need to fulfil my goal using this visa?
My dad is actually an immigration lawyer but he only takes cases for people entering the UK. However he told me he is going to get in contact with some lawyers he knows in the states and ask about my case and he told me the whole legal side of it won't be any trouble financially.
So aside from legal fees what else would I need?

ian-mstm

With respect, nothing you have written so far indicates that you're eligible for any sort of visa. F-1 visas have specific requirements, and there are restrictions on working (hint = Google is your friend); O-1 visas have specific requirements, one of which is ability (repeat hint); all visas have specific requirements (repeat hint). You have a computer... I suggest you use it to do some real research. Did you bother to read the Pulaski link you received back in post #2? If not, I suggest you read it. Most people in the world will never come to the US as anything other than a visitor.


Sufficient talent or ability. You may have it... you may not. You're the only one who can make that determination.

Ian