southern_winter

Hey guys,

I need some real help and major advice right now. It's hard for me to find out what my chances are with getting a US visa as my experiences are really different to most peoples.

I am 25 and I have a degree in social science and I am desperate to move to Los Angeles. I am British and was born here in the UK, but I spent the first 10 yrs of my life in Saudi Arabia, next 2 in UK, then 6 in Bahrain before coming back to the UK for university. I spent my second year of uni on a full year exchange programme in NY state on a J1 visa. And last year I spent some time living in Canada on the BUNAC Work Canada programme, but now I'm stuck back in the UK. My mother is from Philippines and I could become dual nationality if I wanted, but I highly doubt that would help right? Also I have 2 uncles living in the US in Boston and Hawaii, the wife of one is a US citizen, but since they're not direct relatives like parents or siblings I guess that doesn't help me either..It's so frustrating.

My major problem right now is I don't have a lot of work experience. I have done years of volunteer work, but I pretty much only have about 6 months of paid work as a Volunteer coordinator in a council volunteer center. What I was thinking of doing is finding a job at an multinational company and getting enough experience and eventually hopefully being able to transfer. I also thought about getting more experience and then applying for internships in the US. I thought about getting a masters degree too and I applied but it took so long for them to respond that now I feel it's getting to be late in the year to be applying for more and I'm not sure I want to spend at least £8K if it's not going to help me much. I was looking into Marketing careers, but I am pretty much open to almost anything!

I don't want to offend anyone, but I hate living in the UK and just so badly want to get out, but I've read so much different stuff that I'm really confused about what to do. What's my best options?

fatbrit

You've not written anything that would suggest you currently have a realistic chance of living and working in the USA.

Try Canada/OZ/NZ.

Noorah101

This is probably your best bet. Research the L visa and see what you'll need to start doing in the UK, to make a transfer to the USA possible within 2 years.

Getting your Masters degree in the USA would be another way forward, if you can afford it.

Do the work you enjoy doing. Don't do something you hate, just to get you into the USA.

Rene

fatbrit

In social science? Never say never and all that, but it's a $100k gamble with pretty dire odds. Were he studying bioengineering or some such, it may be worthwhile.

411

When I was 25 a very long time ago I got a J1 visa for work experience. it is a short term solution and I dont see the J1 addressed much on this site but it got me out there and I did not need to go to the embassy. I wander if you could get a J1 and then adjust to something different, H1B if you get a job offer or even k1 if you are so nice and find someone to marry

Noorah101

Nowadays there is an embassy interview for the J-1 visa.

Rene

scrubbedexpat099

Marriage sounds the most realistic option.

www.match.com

ian-mstm

When people are desperate, they tend to make bad decisions.

Ian

411

the link wont work, I already tried...they set it up so that you can only connect with people in your own country. I used to be able to configure my computer IP address to register as if it was in the US to watch abc.com, hulu etc but even that stopped working.

scrubbedexpat099

works fine for me, if you tell me what you are looking for I would be happy to complete your details.

411

Tall Handsome and Rich!
and willing to sign a prenup

southern_winter

I'm a she but if I did go the masters route it would be in Marketing. Social Sciences and Business degrees are actually related so it wouldn't be a stretch, but like I said, I don't want to spend so much time and money on another degree if just working and earning money for a few years would do it. I'm looking at a professional certificate and diploma in marketing right now too.

I know I don't have a chance right now (besides marriage), but that's what I'm trying to find out right now, how to actually get a chance.

I've already had a J1 visa when I was an exchange student so not sure if I'd be allowed another one..

I admit I am pretty desperate but I'm being careful with decisions now because I moved to Canada for all the wrong reasons and made some bad spontaneous decisions. It didn't end well, so I'm thinking this one through!

Noorah101

Get your marketing certificate and research what it takes to get an L visa (intercompany transfer). Know what your goals are, and then get a job with a UK company that has offices in the USA. After 1 year working for the UK side, ask for a transfer to the USA branch.

Yes, you can have multiple J visas in your lifetime.

Rene

caleyjag

Whether you choose the L1 or H1b route you are going to have to put some work (several years) in the UK into building up your career, expertise and reputation.

A masters in the US is a short term plan but it will cost you an enormous amount of money (far, far more than in the UK) and in the social sciences it's not likely to pay off quickly, unfortunately.

Why Los Angeles specifically?

In the meantime, Canada is a great option. Vancouver is fantastic, and similar to California in many ways (well, Northern California at least).

calliope

He hasn't written anything that suggests he has a realistic chance of living or working in Australia, outside of one of the vegetable-pickers visas they give to under 30s for 12 months.