At the beginning ...
Jul 17th 2020, 12:00 pm
#1
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Joined: Feb 2012
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At the beginning ...
Hello, sorry to ask such basic questions. I have looked through previous posts but can’t find any that match my queries.
My wife and I have decided that we’d like to move to Florida, US. We’re both British.
I am a Registered Paramedic here in the UK and my wife is a Project Manager.
From what I have seen; Paramedic is not on the list of needed skills, meaning that this will not help me in gaining a visa. Although I am enquiring about potential conversion courses that might allow me to register as a Paramedic in the US (this is likely to take 1-2 years at least to achieve).
This has led me to thinking that our best chance of gaining entry to US would be via the Green Card Lottery. Which is still a shot in the dark from what I can as see.
As an added complication, I was refused a Holiday Visa (?) around 11 years ago as I made an error on my application. I have since visited US on holiday on an ESTA without problem.
Are you able to offer any advice as to the best way to go about immigrating or are our chances so minimal that we’re better off not getting our hopes up?
Thanks for your time
My wife and I have decided that we’d like to move to Florida, US. We’re both British.
I am a Registered Paramedic here in the UK and my wife is a Project Manager.
From what I have seen; Paramedic is not on the list of needed skills, meaning that this will not help me in gaining a visa. Although I am enquiring about potential conversion courses that might allow me to register as a Paramedic in the US (this is likely to take 1-2 years at least to achieve).
This has led me to thinking that our best chance of gaining entry to US would be via the Green Card Lottery. Which is still a shot in the dark from what I can as see.
As an added complication, I was refused a Holiday Visa (?) around 11 years ago as I made an error on my application. I have since visited US on holiday on an ESTA without problem.
Are you able to offer any advice as to the best way to go about immigrating or are our chances so minimal that we’re better off not getting our hopes up?
Thanks for your time
Jul 17th 2020, 12:35 pm
#2
Professional Cat herder
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: TORONTO- yay!!!
Posts: 5,707
Re: At the beginning ...
Normally British people are not eligible for the Lottery (unless they are from Northern Ireland, or born elsewhere than the UK, or probably some other obscure reason I'm forgetting) so first of all are you sure you are even eligible?
Secondly we have a sticky link at the top marked Pulaski's ways , which basically lays out your options.
If you don't meet one of those limited categories then basically you don't have a chance, the US is very hard to immigrate to.
Secondly we have a sticky link at the top marked Pulaski's ways , which basically lays out your options.
If you don't meet one of those limited categories then basically you don't have a chance, the US is very hard to immigrate to.
Jul 17th 2020, 12:55 pm
#3
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: At the beginning ...
I am not aware of a list of needed skills.
Not sure an Employer would sponsor a Paramedic, would check that before looking at conversion courses.
Not sure an Employer would sponsor a Paramedic, would check that before looking at conversion courses.
Jul 17th 2020, 2:47 pm
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,903
Re: At the beginning ...
<<<SNIP>>>
OK, some simple questions back at you...
1. Why Florida? Because of a holiday at the House of Mouse? The US is VASTLY different and there are another 49 states that each have something to offer, many preferential to the sweatbox that is Fla.
2. If you were born in the UK, other than NI, you do no qualify for the GC lottery, if it will even exist when the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions are lifted. In fact, ALL foreign work visas are on hold at least until the end of this year, so the likelihood of getting into the country that way is slim to none.
3. Have you experienced life in the US apart from a fortnight visiting the theme parks? Life here is VERY different to what you think it is. When you rely on earning a living and suddenly have to pay out for rent or a mortgage, insurance for home, car and health, car payments, utilities (A/C all year round, etc), other utilities, etc., it becomes a difficult and expensive proposition.
Bottom line, your chances are slim to none. Read Pulaski's Ways and come back with any questions, but remember that this was written before the extra restrictions imposed by the current administration.
OK, some simple questions back at you...
1. Why Florida? Because of a holiday at the House of Mouse? The US is VASTLY different and there are another 49 states that each have something to offer, many preferential to the sweatbox that is Fla.
2. If you were born in the UK, other than NI, you do no qualify for the GC lottery, if it will even exist when the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions are lifted. In fact, ALL foreign work visas are on hold at least until the end of this year, so the likelihood of getting into the country that way is slim to none.
3. Have you experienced life in the US apart from a fortnight visiting the theme parks? Life here is VERY different to what you think it is. When you rely on earning a living and suddenly have to pay out for rent or a mortgage, insurance for home, car and health, car payments, utilities (A/C all year round, etc), other utilities, etc., it becomes a difficult and expensive proposition.
Bottom line, your chances are slim to none. Read Pulaski's Ways and come back with any questions, but remember that this was written before the extra restrictions imposed by the current administration.
Last edited by Jerseygirl; Aug 9th 2020 at 8:46 pm. Reason: Plse stop these sort of comments to new members
Jul 17th 2020, 3:32 pm
#5
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,445
Re: At the beginning ...
That said there is nothing you have told us so far that suggests that you have anything more than a vanishingly small chance of immigrating to the US, but take heart, typically Americans only get around 15 days vacation each year, and many get less than that, and/or only get 15 days after a numbers of years service, so you can probably enjoy more holiday time in the US as a visitor than you would have if you lived here.
Last edited by Pulaski; Jul 17th 2020 at 3:34 pm.
Jul 17th 2020, 3:42 pm
#6
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,020
Re: At the beginning ...
Waited 6mths-24 mths. ...... Having a visa refused is not the same as being denied entry at the port, the former ceaeses to be an issue in most cases, sometimes in as little as six months, whereas being denied entry, overstaying, or deported can have permanent consequences.
Jul 17th 2020, 4:24 pm
#7
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 226
Re: At the beginning ...
Does your wife work for a company with offices in the US? That sounds like it could be your only option (but not until at least next year).
Jul 17th 2020, 6:30 pm
#8
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 13
Re: At the beginning ...
Must be the start of silly season! Second one this week.
OK, some simple questions back at you...
1. Why Florida? Because of a holiday at the House of Mouse? The US is VASTLY different and there are another 49 states that each have something to offer, many preferential to the sweatbox that is Fla.
2. If you were born in the UK, other than NI, you do no qualify for the GC lottery, if it will even exist when the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions are lifted. In fact, ALL foreign work visas are on hold at least until the end of this year, so the likelihood of getting into the country that way is slim to none.
3. Have you experienced life in the US apart from a fortnight visiting the theme parks? Life here is VERY different to what you think it is. When you rely on earning a living and suddenly have to pay out for rent or a mortgage, insurance for home, car and health, car payments, utilities (A/C all year round, etc), other utilities, etc., it becomes a difficult and expensive proposition.
Bottom line, your chances are slim to none. Read Pulaski's Ways and come back with any questions, but remember that this was written before the extra restrictions imposed by the current administration.
OK, some simple questions back at you...
1. Why Florida? Because of a holiday at the House of Mouse? The US is VASTLY different and there are another 49 states that each have something to offer, many preferential to the sweatbox that is Fla.
2. If you were born in the UK, other than NI, you do no qualify for the GC lottery, if it will even exist when the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions are lifted. In fact, ALL foreign work visas are on hold at least until the end of this year, so the likelihood of getting into the country that way is slim to none.
3. Have you experienced life in the US apart from a fortnight visiting the theme parks? Life here is VERY different to what you think it is. When you rely on earning a living and suddenly have to pay out for rent or a mortgage, insurance for home, car and health, car payments, utilities (A/C all year round, etc), other utilities, etc., it becomes a difficult and expensive proposition.
Bottom line, your chances are slim to none. Read Pulaski's Ways and come back with any questions, but remember that this was written before the extra restrictions imposed by the current administration.
I apologised in my initial post for the question evidently being a simple one.
No, we don’t want to live in Florida because of Disney, in fact I’m not a fan of Disney. Have you ever visited Florida other than visiting the ‘House of Mouse’? Doesn’t sound like it! Have you ever had human contact with someone and not offended them?
Fantastic awareness of the fact there many many other states. In fact I’ve travelled across most of the US, but my wife and I very much like the way and quality of life in Florida.
Thank you for your one bit of constructive advice surrounding GC Lottery, it’s much appreciated.
I was under the impression that this was a forum to support and advise other users, not to berate, belittle and patronise people.
Where are you currently living in the US? I’ll make sure I never visit anywhere remotely close to you!
Jul 17th 2020, 6:33 pm
#9
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 13
Re: At the beginning ...
Normally British people are not eligible for the Lottery (unless they are from Northern Ireland, or born elsewhere than the UK, or probably some other obscure reason I'm forgetting) so first of all are you sure you are even eligible?
Secondly we have a sticky link at the top marked Pulaski's ways , which basically lays out your options.
If you don't meet one of those limited categories then basically you don't have a chance, the US is very hard to immigrate to.
Secondly we have a sticky link at the top marked Pulaski's ways , which basically lays out your options.
If you don't meet one of those limited categories then basically you don't have a chance, the US is very hard to immigrate to.
Thank you for your reply. I think I’d mis-read something somewhere when reading up about the Green Card Lottery! Seems pretty simple bulky the sounds of it.
Thanks for direction to Pulaski’s ways, have a good look and there may be one or two ways to explore!
Thanks again
Jul 17th 2020, 6:38 pm
#10
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 13
Re: At the beginning ...
Take a look here, and here (the link also provided by Guindalf, above) to read up on the ways it is possible to immigrate to the US.
That said there is nothing you have told us so far that suggests that you have anything more than a vanishingly small chance of immigrating to the US, but take heart, typically Americans only get around 15 days vacation each year, and many get less than that, and/or only get 15 days after a numbers of years service, so you can probably enjoy more holiday time in the US as a visitor than you would have if you lived here.
That said there is nothing you have told us so far that suggests that you have anything more than a vanishingly small chance of immigrating to the US, but take heart, typically Americans only get around 15 days vacation each year, and many get less than that, and/or only get 15 days after a numbers of years service, so you can probably enjoy more holiday time in the US as a visitor than you would have if you lived here.
There are a couple possible things on the list that we could explore further.
thanks again
Jul 17th 2020, 6:41 pm
#11
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Joined: Feb 2012
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Re: At the beginning ...
We’ll explore the list that others have given and see what we come up with.
thanks
Jul 17th 2020, 6:53 pm
#12
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,445
Re: At the beginning ...
But please take it from me, and pretty much anyone else here on BE who has made the move to the US, that living here is a totally different game from visiting on holiday. Not least because as a holidaymaker, especially in Florida, you get to enjoy and experience all the things that are cheap, the cheap hotels, the cheap restaurants, the cheap rental cars, and of course the cheap petrol, which is fun, but when you get to live here, you find that many things, are nowhere near as cheap as you might expect. Contrary to the popular belief, the US is not a cheap place to live. Sure, many Americans "get by" on pretty low income, but it isn't fun, in fact it is down right miserable for them. IMO the threshold for someone in employment to transition from "having to carefully watch their money", to being able to enjoy things a little (eat out more often than occasionally, buy new cars, not used ones, afford a vacation in a hotel or resort, etc.), is around $100k household annual gross income, and that's in a low cost state. IMO it would be more than twice that for somewhere such as NYC, DC, Boston, SF, etc.
We usually see 2-3 people come here to BE, each year looking for advice because they have been "offered a job", and then been told something along the lines of "let us know when you have your vise sorted", only for them to discover that [1] there is no way for the prospective employee to apply for a work visa for themself, and [2] there isn't even a visa category that covers the type of work that they would be doing.
Last edited by Pulaski; Jul 17th 2020 at 7:36 pm.
Jul 17th 2020, 7:08 pm
#13
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Joined: Feb 2012
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Re: At the beginning ...
thanks again
Jul 17th 2020, 7:13 pm
#14
Often not so civil...
Joined: Apr 2010
Location: The Boonies, GA
Posts: 9,561
Re: At the beginning ...
Thing is OP, he's right.
You don't get to determine who other people respond to you on a public forum. If your skin is that thin, I can assure you you'll last about 2 minutes in the US before running away.
Luckily, it sounds like your chances of moving to the US are very slim, so hopefully you won't have to worry about it.
I'm not even going to comment on the 'quality of life in Florida' as Pulaski has pointed out how you really don't have a clue unless you've lived there.
US paramedics are, in very great proportion, ex military. That's because they are usually employed at local county level and they pretty much all have pro-military veteran hiring policies similiar to Police Departments. A good number of paramedics are biding time until they can come before full fledged (read: full time) firefighters.
They are not well paid at all.
As I am sure you are aware, there is no State or Federal Ambulance service like is provided by the NHS.
Have you ever had human contact with someone and not offended them?
Fantastic awareness of the fact there many many other states. In fact I’ve travelled across most of the US, but my wife and I very much like the way and quality of life in Florida.
I was under the impression that this was a forum to support and advise other users, not to berate, belittle and patronise people.
Fantastic awareness of the fact there many many other states. In fact I’ve travelled across most of the US, but my wife and I very much like the way and quality of life in Florida.
I was under the impression that this was a forum to support and advise other users, not to berate, belittle and patronise people.
Luckily, it sounds like your chances of moving to the US are very slim, so hopefully you won't have to worry about it.
I'm not even going to comment on the 'quality of life in Florida' as Pulaski has pointed out how you really don't have a clue unless you've lived there.
thanks for your time. I was referring to ‘specialised skills’ as is also listed on Pulaski’s ways. But Paramedics aren’t not treated as such, which is fair. There is a Company who is working with the US-Emergency Medical Technician society to accredits a programme and offer sponsorship, but covert early days and I’m not holding my breath.
They are not well paid at all.
As I am sure you are aware, there is no State or Federal Ambulance service like is provided by the NHS.
Last edited by civilservant; Jul 17th 2020 at 7:18 pm.
Jul 17th 2020, 7:23 pm
#15
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Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 226
Re: At the beginning ...
Thank you for help. Hahah yes, that has certainly been an interesting find when we’ve looked into employment over there. We got the impression that to get any more than 15 days you’d need an understanding employer to allow you to take unpaid leave! Seems crazy.
There are a couple possible things on the list that we could explore further.
thanks again
There are a couple possible things on the list that we could explore further.
thanks again