CallumTW

Hi, I'm Callum and I'm 17. I currently live in the UK, I completed high school and got C and B's in my GCSE's. It's been my dream to move to America since I was a kid, I've been to la, Florida and New York. I'm smart, but not very academical, so a levels and uni isn't really for me. I currently go to college and I'm doing an electrician course. What options do I have to move to America? I've done some research and it seems my chances of extremely low, I'm willing to work hard and change my occupation if necessary. Thanks.

christmasoompa

Hi, welcome to BE.

The good news is that you're young enough to absolutely make it happen if you look at it as a long term plan. The bad news is that you may need to rethink your career choice and lack of degree. A degree is needed for the majority of jobs and visas in the US. The US wants highly educated people in more specialist jobs (think company executives, engineers, doctors etc), trade occupations don't qualify for a visa usually and even if they do, finding an employer prepared to sponsor (at a cost to them of thousands) when they can hire a US citizen to do the same job is unlikely. Have a look here and read about all of the visas available and their criteria - https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Pulas...ork_in_the_USA

It's good that you're looking in to this now when you can make yourself eligible for a visa, it's tough for those that are older that decide they want to move and then discover there's no chance. It won't happen 'asap' for you, but if you're prepared to put the work in, it's feasible.

You could look at shorter term options such as Camp America, but it won't get you there permanently. Alternatively, have a look at Canada if you want North American lifestyle? That does offer visas for trade occupations so if you decide a degree/masters/different occupation isn't for you, that could be an option?

Best of luck.

Pulaski

Your current qualifications and career path won't lead to a work visa for the US, barring considerable luck and sponsorship by your employer - and I am sceptical that there is an employer who would move a bread-and-butter electrician to the US, no matter how competant, the costs are just too high, and there would be little or no benefit to doing so for the employer.

Then there is the matter that US electrical codes are entirely different from the UK, it's a lot more than just a different voltage - US electrical instalation are totally different, so qualifications as an electrician in the UK are worthless in the US.

To get a work visa for the US you invariably need a degree, and so the prospects of you being able to secure a job in the US directly, are as near to zero as makes no difference.

CallumTW

What’s your opinion on me trying to study there and get my degree there? I could do two years of community college then move to a uni? What would be the chance of me securing a job/sponsorship after I finished education there?

Noorah101

If you can afford it, the F-1 student visa would be the way to go. Chances are better of getting a US sponsor for a job after graduating if you are already in the USA and can make those personal connections. It also gives you 4 years to perhaps find the love of your life in the USA.

Rene

christmasoompa

That's a great idea, if you can afford it.

CallumTW

How much do you think we are talking? Would it be possible just to go to community college?

Pulaski

Doable? Possibly, but it'd be an expensive punt if you're not academically inclined, and you would still have to find an employer willing to sponsor a visa after you graduate, and you would have to do so within 12 months of graduation, and that is the biggest unknown. I fact I would argue that it is "unknowable", and it centers around the question "What do you offer an employer that a US-born/ US citizen recruit doesn't when they don't need $7k-$10k of visa application and legal fees in order for the to start work?"

CallumTW

Not sure how true this is, but I read somewhere online, that companies help find you a job, and in-return they take around 25% of your first yearly salary to pay for the visa. I’ll try and find the post, not sure how true that is.

Pulaski

Hmmm, AFAIK that isn't legal - employers are not (legally) allowed to reduce salary of recruits to pay for the work visa.

CallumTW

He said, you can find local recruiters who set you up with a bunch of job opportunities that are in your field. If you get a job with the company, he will charge a fee or something around 25% of your yearly salary. In return the recruiter will sponsor a H1B so he will become your employer and the company your working for become your CLIENT.

andyrebell

It sounds like you have been on google to me. There are companies on google whom I shall not name who claim to be able to secure H1B jobs and have very impressive websites. I would be very dubious of such things to be fair.

Your best bet is probably the F1 Student visa as has been discussed with the option for work placement upon graduating which could lead to the sponsor the H1B and the employee green card route. That is a number of years away yet. My best advice in the short term would be to get some money behind you to start off with and take it from there. And would doing A levels really be out of the question? Because if you get a decent A level grades you should be able to pursue an F1 visa at any number of schools in the USA and receive offers for admission based upon your grades as you would if you went through the UCAS english Uni system.

CallumTW

Even if I got AAA at a levels doesn’t mean I could go, don’t they make you do American qualifications such as SAT’s etc. I’d get a C’s at a level at best. The best option for me would be to go to community college and transition to a uni there

SanDiegogirl

The local community college in my area is typically around $5k per annum for tuition and books etc.
However, there are living expenses to take into account: accommodation, food, transport. That could easily set you back an additional $10K a year.
As you would not be allowed to work, you would need to have this money prior to moving.

CallumTW

My parents would possibly help. This is quite far-fetched but what’s the chances of me getting a scholarship for having a medical condition? I’ve got chrons disease, I lost a lot of time at school, over 3 years, and that’s why I didn’t do so well. I’ve found a few scholarships online that offer them to people who have this condition. Would it be likely they would give it to an international student?