robertjao

Hello All,

Great site and I have really enjoyed having a look around trying to get information on my proposed move to the US.

I currently work in Media Sales running an advertising team and have just got back from a 3,700 mile road trip across the States, during which I have decided I want to up sticks and move over there. Many reasons for this which I won't bore everyone with. but I have set myself a deadline of my 31st birthday to get over there (which gives me about 6 months).

My plan is to carry on working in media, which means my best bet for employment is in either New York or Chicago, both of which I absolutely loved while travelling round.

The problem I have is obviously the Visa situation (I don't have a degree but have been working in my industry from 12 years which I think is the timeperiod considered to be the equivalent). I have no direct relations who are American, although my father has worked for the US Government for some 25 years which I hope will count for me but this isn't a "gimme".

What I need help with (and I hope someone can help me who reads this) is how to execute my plan. I have contacted a few employment agents in the US who have told me that it is possible to line a job up while I am still in the UK but that I would have more chance moving over, setting up and then job hunting then. Do people think this is a good idea? I have money to keep me going for 3 months so that isn'ttoo much of a problem.

The second question I have is would I be able to sort out a Visa (obviously with the assistance of the employer) while I am in the States, or do I have to leave the country and go back? The recruitment agents seemed to think I can but I am conscious they are not immigration experts so any help and advice from you guys would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks and all the best,
robertjao

Sue

Hi robertjao,

Welcome to BE. I would suggest that if you haven't done so already, your first port of call should be our wiki. This is a good page to start with. Read through it and see if any of them apply to you.

Sue

Noorah101

You cannot move to the USA unless you have the proper visa to do so. The best you could do with that idea is to visit on the VWP for 90 days and make some contacts who will hopefully pan out and sponsor you for whatever work visa you qualify for.

You cannot get a visa from inside the USA. By definition, a visa is a document that allows you to come to the USA border and seek permission to enter the USA. In order to obtain a visa, you need to visit a US Consulate outside the USA.

Rene

fatbrit

I love the smell of napalm early in the morning!

Your goals are totally unrealistic.

Don't get immigration advice off recruitment agents. It's like Intel calling the butcher for handy hints on microprocessor design. Also, don't pay them any money.

Lissbovavd

With all due respect, I find it rather amazing (and amusing) how many people out there seem to be blissfully oblivious to what it actually takes to visit the United States for more than the average tourist trip, let alone legally work and live there.
Another thing which strikes me over and over again is how many posters here give the impression of having a very rose-tinted view of what life in the US is actually like. It is at times almost touching to notice how much greener the grass seems to be on the other side of the fence for so very many people!
I guess that Hollywood might be to blame to some extent...

MsElui

you can hunt for a job and make contacts with employers/network whilst on the visa waiver program for up to 90 days BUT cannot accept or sign a contract for a job and you MUST leave before the 90 days is up. If you dont leave in time you are inviting difficulty when you do try and apply for a visa or something.

If you are lucky enough to find a job the employer must be willing to wait for you to return to the UK and make and pay for a visa application for you to come back in due course with visa in hand. Most likely visa in that scenario would be an H1B. You will be competing against a large glut of currently unemployed people (many of whom are fully trained/qualified/educated/ etc) ready to start immediately without any of the attached visa expense - so this will be a difficult prospect.

meauxna

My .02: Be more flexible.

You might have noticed, it's not a real good time to be looking for a job, as a greenhorn. Your father working for the USG won't help.

Read, study, get busy. There's always possibilities, but even if you had a bona fide job offer in your hand today, or better yet (in terms of immigration priority) a US citizen spouse, you would not be moving in 6 months.
No visas move that quickly, so taking that out of the equation first will make more things possible.

Orangepants

I've been trying for 4 years and I have the education, professional qualifications and 10 years experience and some pretty good contacts.
My first shot was through an L1- got a job in a US bank in London, moved there and worked for 2 years to be eligible for the visa (took me almost 2 years to do the 365 days) - that fell through with the global recession in early 2009 and since have had 2 firm offers but many companies are prohibited from offering sponsorship to overseas candidates due to the huge no. of ready, able, cheaper and willing candidates already on the ground. As Gordon Brown said "British jobs for British workers" - the same sentiment prevails in the US.
I enjoy a happy medium now of working in Caribbean in a job that takes to me to the US every month (OH and house in the US) until the the time is right.
Its all about networking, specialising in a unique area and being pretty lucky.

christmasoompa

Thought this rung a bell..............http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=479977

You might want to take a note of the site rules regarding multiple usernames. Not to mention giving us all your secret of eternal youth, as you were nearly 31 several years ago and according to this thread, haven't aged at all.

Lissbovavd

Thanks for this info - hilarious! Made me laugh...

avanutria

ian-mstm

Indeed, he CAN accept a job offer, but he can't sign a contract. Signing a contract makes him a de facto employee... but anything up to that point is perfectly okay.

Ian

ian-mstm

Ah geez... just another troll.

Ian