Londonbased

My fiance and I are considering moving to the US. I work in finance (self employed) and all of my clients are based in the UK, my fiance is a school teacher.

We are looking for a lifestyle change from the UK where we have always lived. We have holidayed in the US a lot and enjoy the space etc.

The odd thing is I would keep my UK job looking after UK clients. I am not sure what the process is from a visa requirement or if this is even possible from a US immigration point. I am not looking to take away any US jobs, we are simply looking for a lifestyle change.

I understand the tax may be complicated however I wanted to see if this scenario is even a starter?

Thanks for your help.

SanDiegogirl

Sounds like you would need to create a business in the US to obtain a visa.

Whether that would be a work visa (such as an L-1 where you keep your UK business and transfer yourself to the US ) or an investment visa, I don't know.
Work visas are usually obtained where one is living and working in the US, and you say you would be working for clients in the UK.

Interested to hear what other forum members think.

Twinkle0927

Doesn't sound like it.

Even if you did somehow qualify for a visa, your fiancé would not qualify as a derivative. A spouse would. But not a fiancée. She would need to apply for her own separate visa. Some teachers have been successful with work visas through private schools. But it's not very likely that a tax-payer funded public school district (equivalent of an LEA in the U.K.) would shell out thousands of dollars to bring in a teacher from overseas who probably has no knowledge of the local curriculum when they don't even have enough money to fit seat belts in many of the school buses here. That's the reality.

Your job doesn't sound like you are needed in the USA. Immigration is based on the need of the country and its own citizens, not the wants of foreigners who liked what they saw on their hols. Immigration officials are not interested at all in what you want.

Depending on how much money you have, you may qualify for an investment visa. But the other two avenues - work and immediate family - are closed to you unless you have immediate family here that you haven't mentioned (parents, siblings, adult children).

It was a nice new year resolution to have but it is unlikely to come to fruition - but nothing to stop you coming on your holidays.

Londonbased

Thanks for your help, appreciate the feedback.

SanDiegogirl

With regard your fiance you get over the problem of her visa by getting married

scrubbedexpat099

EB5, buy a Green Card.

civilservant

For the OPs benefit (I know you know ) that requires approx $500k.

expatdoc

change yr field to medicine they literally throw the GC offer at you fast track!

Ray

Pick a visa


There are basically NINE ways that you can get a visa to live and work in theUS:

(1) Marriage (or engagement in anticipation of marriage) to a US citizen.

(2) You have skills that are in short supply in the US e.g. scientific ormedical training. A degree is normally a must. Or you have superior specialistskills with at least 12 years experience. (H visas)applications next receivedon 1st April in this current year

(3) You have an Employer who is willing to transfer you - but even the employerhas to make a good case for you - so you have to be a manager unless you fallunder category (2) above.(L visas)

(4) You may get a Green card in the diversity lottery (UK citizens, exceptN.Ireland, are not generally eligible unless you, your spouse or parents wereborn abroad or held a different citizenship.

(5)You own or buy business (does not get you permanent resident status i.e. nogreen card)You must be a national of a qualifying Treaty countries. Thebusiness must have a minimum value of around $150k (more the better) bearing inmind you will need somewhere to live and with any startup business you willneed at least 2 years living money as back up. So a figure of $350k would be anearer minimum (E-2 visas)

(6)You are an "investor" i.e. you have at least US $1m in assets tobring with you. half of that in a few areas. And your background will beinvestigated to the hilt. (EB-5 visas)

(7)You have a close relative (mother, father, brother, sister and no further)who is an US citizen who would sponsor you, approx time this take 2-25 years?

(8.The R1 visa is available to foreign members of religious denominations,having bona fide non-profit religious organizations in the U.S., for enteringthe U.S. to carry on the activities of a minister or religious worker as aprofession, occupation or vocation

(9)THE UNUSUAL You are in a position to claim refugee status/political asylum.or You get a member of Congress to sponsor a private bill with legislation thatapplies just to you.
The S visa issued to persons who assist US law enforcement to investigate andprosecute crimes and terrorist activities such as money laundering andorganized crime


Recruitment agent will not take you seriously if you are not already in the US.Writing for jobs is really a waste of time; likewise US employers have no ideawhat foreign qualification are or mean (except Degrees) it may pay you to getyour qualification translated into a US equivalent, there are Companies that dothis (World Education Services - International Credential Evaluation Expertise)..
But if you are getting a visa under (2) above then you need a job offer beforeyou can get the visa. Your Employer will be your sponsor this will cost themupward of $5k. So you can see you have to be offering something really specialto get considered They may also have to prove to the Dept of labor that thereis no American who can do the job if the position is to be permanent ©
DO NOT USE VISA CONSULTANTS

The regulations define a "specialty occupation" as requiringtheoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledgein a field of human endeavor including but not limited to biotechnology,chemistry, architecture, engineering, mathematics, physical sciences, socialsciences, medicine and health, education, law, accounting, businessspecialties, theology, and the arts, and requiring the attainment of abachelor’s degree or its equivalent as a minimum

steveq

Did you miss the O series ? That would be 10

Ray

you can add what you wish ... I stick to the basic ...