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Finding it all too overwhelming

Finding it all too overwhelming

Old Sep 28th 2012, 12:16 am
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Default Finding it all too overwhelming

Hi guys I've been browsing these forums for the past few weeks but just decided tonight to join and make a thread myself. I'm finding everything to do with immigration all too overwhelming so I figured it'd just be best for me to explain my situation and ask for help.

My name is David and I am 19 years old. I have been visiting the United States (Florida) between one and three times a year for holiday. I graduated high school in England at 16 years old and during that summer (July, 2009) I moved over to Florida with my family. I think we moved over on a E2 visa and we ran a bar/restaurant. In florida I completed a year at a state college and then transferred over to a film school which I attended for 8 months before graduating. After 3 years of living there (July, 2012) my parents decided they wanted to move back and I had to come with them as I had no way to legally stay there.

Ever since I was younger I have not not liked living in England and always wanted to live in Florida. Once I got there I was having the time of my life and never wanted to move back. I have been back in England for about 2 and a half weeks and still hate being here and really want to move back. I've been searching for different ways to move back permanently but I am finding it difficult to find a way I can do on my own. I would greatly appreciate it if you guys on here could help me out and point me in direction to different things I should read and maybe some ideas of how I could get back there PERMANENTLY.

Thank you if you have read this far!

Dave

Last edited by TheDaveP93; Sep 28th 2012 at 1:02 am.
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Old Sep 28th 2012, 12:34 am
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Default Re: Finding it all too overwhelming

One would hope it was an E2 not a B2.
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Old Sep 28th 2012, 1:01 am
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Default Re: Finding it all too overwhelming

Originally Posted by sir_eccles
One would hope it was an E2 not a B2.
I think you are right thanks, I'll change it now.
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Old Sep 28th 2012, 1:18 am
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Default Re: Finding it all too overwhelming

Originally Posted by TheDaveP93
I think you are right thanks, I'll change it now.
Did you happen to have a USC girlfriend? That will be your best way in, otherwise look at it as a long-term goal...not gonna happen soon.

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Old Sep 28th 2012, 1:36 am
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Default Re: Finding it all too overwhelming

Originally Posted by Noorah101
Did you happen to have a USC girlfriend? That will be your best way in, otherwise look at it as a long-term goal...not gonna happen soon.

Rene
Yes I had one and things are still going but obviously had to slow down now that I can't be in the country. I wasn't sure if it was naive to assume I could get back that way, and also thought it may raise a little suspicion to whoever is questioning me. If I was to try move back over through her what would it involve?

Last edited by TheDaveP93; Sep 28th 2012 at 1:40 am.
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Old Sep 28th 2012, 2:21 am
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Default Re: Finding it all too overwhelming

Originally Posted by TheDaveP93
If I was to try move back over through her what would it involve?
Marriage - which you may not be ready for at 19.
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Old Sep 28th 2012, 2:53 am
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Default Re: Finding it all too overwhelming

Student visa in the meantime.
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Old Sep 28th 2012, 3:04 am
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Default Re: Finding it all too overwhelming

Unfortunately at such a young age your options are extremely limited.

1. Get married. Obviously.

2. Study in the US.

3. Study at a UK university and head to the US for summer breaks (June-October) on a J1 through BUNAC or similar.

4. Famous/supremely gifted at sports/arts

Unless you get married a university degree in an applied area (e.g. specialist engineer) is going to be the best option to get you there permanently.
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Old Sep 29th 2012, 12:59 am
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Default Re: Finding it all too overwhelming

Thanks for all the replies guys! I agree I am not ready for marriage yet. I was considering a student visa, but would I have to leave the country once I am done with schooling? I wouldn't want to deal with moving back to England all over again and finding a new way back. If I went over on a student visa is there any way I am able to move to a different visa or apply for citizenship?

EDIT: If I was to use a university degree in an applied area, I'm sure I can't do any job, right? Is there a list somewhere of the kinds of jobs I could look into if i chose this option?

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Old Sep 29th 2012, 1:16 am
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Default Re: Finding it all too overwhelming

Originally Posted by TheDaveP93
Thanks for all the replies guys! I agree I am not ready for marriage yet. I was considering a student visa, but would I have to leave the country once I am done with schooling? I wouldn't want to deal with moving back to England all over again and finding a new way back. If I went over on a student visa is there any way I am able to move to a different visa or apply for citizenship?
Yes. The F-1 student visa grants you a period of 12 - 18 months (depending on field of study) after you graduate in which you can look for a job. If you get a job, your employer can choose to sponsor you for an H-1B (work) visa. The H-1B work visa is a path to permanent residency, which is a path to citizenship. If you can't get a job in that time, you have to go home. No second chance unless you do an entirely new degree.

As for the kind of jobs you can get, you just have to prove to immigration that it relates to your degree field. This is usually easy unless you've graduated with a degree in, say, History, and now you're working as a ski instructor. If you had a degree in Sports Management, it would be an easier tie in.

Ideally, several years into this process, you marry your US partner and adjust your status so that you get a green card within a year or so. No work restrictions at all.

Last edited by Rose tea; Sep 29th 2012 at 1:19 am.
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Old Sep 29th 2012, 1:26 am
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Default Re: Finding it all too overwhelming

Thanks Rose I feel as if doing it that way would be the easiest for me. The reason I'm asking what kind of jobs I could do it through is because my parents keep telling me I could only get sponsored to work there if there is NO ONE over there capable of doing the job. Is that just them trying to discourage me? (they are not supportive of my desire to go back.) Are you saying I could be sponsored to come over for most jobs?
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Old Sep 29th 2012, 1:38 am
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Default Re: Finding it all too overwhelming

I'd say, first off, talk to your parents. They got the E2 visa, gave it a shot, yet went back. Lots of possible reasons, but their experience probably beats many people on here.

Second, exactly why do you want to do this? Because you saw the other side of the fence at 16 and it looks better? If it is for the love of the girl, that is good enough (that's why I am here) but that sounds incidental from what you wrote.

Your options are: Marriage, study, employment, investment or extraordinary talent. With many caveats.
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Old Sep 29th 2012, 1:50 am
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Default Re: Finding it all too overwhelming

No you're right it's not for the girl. The reason I want to be back there is because in them 3 years I lived there I had the best time I've ever had. I HATE the English weather, and waking up to a blue sky and sun in Florida made my day almost every day I woke up. When I lived there I did most of my growing up. I have a huge web of connects with lots of close friends. I also enjoy the fact that people are also so much nicer over there, alot of them are rude in England - some places you don't want to look people in the eyes because they'll most likely want to start trouble!

Short version - Happy weather, happy people and I loved the lifestyle over there, nothing in England suits me (and didn't even when I lived here before Florida)
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Old Sep 29th 2012, 3:20 am
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Default Re: Finding it all too overwhelming

Originally Posted by TheDaveP93
Are you saying I could be sponsored to come over for most jobs?
Not most jobs, no. Only the ones that qualify for a visa, and the ones you also qualify for. It doesn't necessarily mean the company has to prove NO USC can do the job, but they will have to be highly motivated to pay thousands of dollars to hire YOU, over hiring a USC who is already inside the USA and can work at no initial cost.

Rene
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Old Sep 30th 2012, 1:04 am
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Default Re: Finding it all too overwhelming

Originally Posted by TheDaveP93
Thanks Rose I feel as if doing it that way would be the easiest for me. The reason I'm asking what kind of jobs I could do it through is because my parents keep telling me I could only get sponsored to work there if there is NO ONE over there capable of doing the job. Is that just them trying to discourage me? (they are not supportive of my desire to go back.) Are you saying I could be sponsored to come over for most jobs?
Not sure you mean by "come over" for a job? You'd already be in the US. You graduate, then you stay where you are and look for a job for 12 - 18 mos. You don't leave the country during that time (well, you shouldn't). Being in the US already and looking for a job gives you a huge leg up over applying from overseas, which leads me into answering your next question...

What your parents say is true in the sense that US employers should, and generally want to, hire US workers over foreign workers. It's just easier. However, sometimes the best person for the job is a foreigner, and the employer has the right to hire the best person for the job. They are not supposed to hire the foreigner if they interviewed an American who was equally as good, and in most cases they won't, because the American is a far more convenient and low risk hire. In some places, if an employer sees an overseas address it discounts someone from the start - too much hassle. Plus in a bad economy, people want to avoid visa costs for bringing the foreigner over. There's very little incentive for the US employer to hire someone foreign, but it can, and does, happen all the time. You don't have to be exceptionally amazing or applying for an incredible job. There are foreigners working as secretaries, accountants, office managers, you name it.

Last edited by Rose tea; Sep 30th 2012 at 1:07 am.
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