steppeghost

Hi there,

I've been having a read around the website and my head is swirling with all the types of visas and whatnot...

I'd like to have the chance to move to the USA in the future, mostly for the work opportunities in media, particularly film and TV, which seem very limited here and not a very rewarding job, unless you're at the level of someone like Steven Moffat. Now, I'm kind of stuck because I don't want to work for some multi-national company in a job I don't enjoy for the slim possibility of a transfer, because that would just defeat the purpose of moving to the US in the first place. I've had a look at writing fellowships (for tv and screenwriting - my main interests) but from what I've seen they don't accept people who aren't already eligible to work in the US. Is there any way to make this dream possible? Aside from marrying an American? What can I do to increase my chances?

I've looked at the diversity visa as, although I live and was born in the UK, both my parents were born in Mauritius, which is eligible. However, as they were residents here when I was born, I don't think it counts? Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Other than that, the only things I can think to do are an exchange to an American uni for a semester as part of my degree (starting a BA in september), getting a J-1 visa for a summer working in America, plus it would be nice to spend another summer working in a camp there. I don't know how beneficial these things would be though, in terms of working towards getting a job there. There's always a masters, but again how useful would it be if I want to go into TV? Plus, the price.

The best thing I can think of is trying to get a job with a company like Warner Brothers over here, then transferring but the chances of both those things happening are slim.

Basically, since I'm still young, I'd like to know how to increase my chances for the future as much as possible and any other advice you might have. Both writing and TV are passions of mine and I feel very constrained here...

Also: my uncle emigrated to NY (through work) and has since married an American and had 3 children there. I don't think there's any way this could help me hugely, but if you can think of anything, please let me know. We also have good friends who live near LA.

ian-mstm

In a nutshell, there are 3 ways to get to the US: an employment-based visa, a family-based visa, and an investment-based visa. Have a read here. If you can answer "yes" to any of the questions, you may have a chance at a visa... if not, you won't be coming to the US as anything other than a visitor.

Ian

steppeghost

Yep, I've read that. I can answer yes to:

But like I said, I'm not sure it counts. I will also have a degree in 3 years. I don't know what counts as "specialist skills". I don't have them now, but it could be something to work towards?

I'm just looking for practical things I can do. I've emailed a tv writer who made the move from the UK to the US so I'll see what he says...

ian-mstm

I'm not sure why you think it won't count... if you meet the eligibility requirements, you meet them. There's no "I meet the requirements but what am I missing?" If you meet the requirements, go ahead and apply for the DV. You are allowed to have multiple visa applications pending simultaneously... that's quite common, in fact.


I submit that you're on the right track. If you approach a move to the US as a long-term project (= 8 to 10 years), it's quite doable. At that point you'll have the education and, hopefully, skills that will put you in a superior position to those who are already in the US.

Ianf

Orangepants

Didn't Warner Bros just spend $100m on a rebuild of the Studios in Hertfordshire, paving the way for more film and TV activity in the UK? A friend told me they have also just bought a mixing and post-production studio as well, somewhere in London. If I were you I'd get a job there in the summers and see where it might lead. You may bump into one of the big Hollywood guys there.

steppeghost

Thank you. I am viewing this as a long-term endeavour and not setting my heart on it for obvious reasons.

I doubt the DV thing because it says this in the guidelines on the official website:

I was hopeful with what I saw in the guide you posted but unless I've interpreted this wrong, I don't think I count.

ian-mstm

Sorry... my bad. I just now noticed that you did say your parents were resident when you were born.

Ian

Bob

Get the degree, it'll help you no end in the future. While you're doing it, you can do a student exchange, the uni should help out as part of a sandwich year, or organise it yourself. This is the cheapest way as usually you then don't have to pay uni fee's as it's reciprocal, it is with Brunel and the exchange program with San Fran at least, so makes it easier getting the student visa.

Then you've got yourself the chance to network and make contacts and work towards a J1 afterwards.

Also depending on what kind of media work you're into in the UK, there is a shit load of work being done by smaller outfits over there, who also have a presence in the US, NY at least.

Advertising might be the easier way to crack a track for a transfer route.

scrubbedexpat099

Do the Degree in the US, it will open more post degree opportunities.

steppeghost

Sadly, I have nowhere near enough money to be able to do my undergrad in the US (I'd love to). If I decide to do a masters, it might be an option as I'll have more time to drum up funds.

scrubbedexpat099

That sounds like a plan.

Steve_

Get a job in Vancouver, easier to get a work permit for Canada, then get O-1 for the US if you still want to go there later on.

steppeghost

I was thinking about that, as a lot of stuff is filmed there. I also have family in Canada so maybe that would help. Not quite sure how this would all work but it's definitely something to think about. Thanks!

Uncle_Bob

Definitely do the degree. Try and find work during or after the degree in a specialist or niche field that you think may be desirable for an American employer. You may need to volunteer if you have to.
Having generic or common skills in general means its going to harder to find employment as US companies can only hire immigrants if they can prove they can't find a USA citizen to do the job. Also bear in mind that any employer is going to have spend thousands of dollars on immigration efforts in order to legally employee you.
If they decide to go through the effort then its likely 2.5 years on temporary visas, one renew of that visa and then the additional cost and effort of the green card process. At any time during the temporary visa, if the company lets you go then you have to find the same kind of job in the same field or you have to leave the US.

I am not familiar with the area of media. But you might want to start looking around US based job boards and professional networking sites such as linkedIn. Also as your graduation approaches it would not hurt to post your resume (CV) on job search sites such as monster.com etc. Also i see that all the major media companies have there own job boards. You need to be all over these job postings, looking at the job desriptions and the skills they are asking for in each of the job types.

You mentioned that you want to move to the US for better job opportunity. Have you been the US before? There is more to life than your job. You may move here only to discover you don't like it.

If you are starting a degree to you may want to look into visiting the US with an organization such as BUNAC or camp America on a Work/Travel J-1 visa. 4 months working/travelling the US will give you a better idea than a two week holiday or what you see in the movies. For example you could get a job working as an instructor at a kids media camp e.g http://www.digitalmediaacademy.org

I know i make it sound difficult and unlikely to happen, but thats how it is. But it can be done, I did it. But once you have your degree (which satisfies the immigration requirements). You desperately need to have the experience and skills the make you stand out.