Restless, unfocused but want the USA
 

Hi,

First time poster here, but been a lurker for a while I've been browsing many expat forums, immigration sites looking for any possible way of moving to America.

First off my background. I'm soon turning 21 years old, I left school at 1, didn't go to university and instead got a job. Job market as it is it didn't go as planned and I am now a technician in a mobile phone repair company nothing fancy at all. Very low end.

Since I was 12 I've wanted to move to America, sort of as something in the future, a distant dream, never really thought it would be this difficult. I realise the reality of a holiday in the US is very different to that of everyday life over there. I have read up on a lot of experiences from people I guess nothing but actually doing it will give you a true reflection of what it is like, but my sense of adventure is willing to take the plunge if I can ever get there.

Career wise I'm clueless as to what I want to do. I'm a jack of all trades master of none if you like. I'm competent in most anything you can throw at me but never quite sure where my interests lie and have kept almost everything open up to now.

My main question is is if I wanted to move to America, what do I have to do from now? Im an open book! Go back and get a university placement? Apprenticeship? How can I take this dream and make it reality, its the one thing which has stuck by me over a long period of time and its been growing a lot over the past year. I'm willing to do near any legal path to move and work there just need a way of doing it :)

Appreciate any advice :)

Re: Restless, unfocused but want the USA
 

Option 1 - 10 year plan, go to University, get a degree then a job with a company that has a base in the US. Work your way up and see if they'll transfer you to the US.
Option 2 - marry a USC.

Re: Restless, unfocused but want the USA
 

PhD in an -ology. Biotechnology or nanotechnology if you want suggestions.

Re: Restless, unfocused but want the USA
 

Read the article in the Wiki here called "Pulaski's Ways...". That will give you an idea of all the various ways into the USA.

At first glance, here are my ideas for your options:

1. Get a university degree (preferably masters) and then job hunt in the USA. Perhaps by that time, the US economy will have improved, and your degree will be useful.

2. Get a job with a company in the UK that has a branch in the USA. Work your way up the ladder to a point where you've been with the company for more than a year in a managerial position, and put in for a transfer to the USA.

3. Save enough money to attend university in the USA, come as a student, and hope that you can find an employer to sponsor you after you graduate.

4. Meet a USC of the opposite sex, start a relationship, and hope he/she becomes the love of your life.

Rene

Re: Restless, unfocused but want the USA
 

Read this: http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Pulaski_Simplified

If you don't see yourself on that list, then it's unlikely your dream is going to come true.

Re: Restless, unfocused but want the USA
 

What is it that you think will be so great about America and can this be duplicated elsewhere?

Re: Restless, unfocused but want the USA
 

Since you're an open book, you have a few choices: 1) go to school in the US (F-1 visa) - feasibile but expensive; 2) work in the UK for a company with a US office and get a transfer (L-1A/B visa) to the US office - feasible but the company has to be willing to cooperate; 3) look for a job in the US and hope you find a US company willing to shell out many thousands of $$ to sponsor you (H-1B visa); 4) work hard, makes lots of money, and then invest in or buy a US business (E visa); or 5) marry a US citizen of the opposite sex!

Ian

Re: Restless, unfocused but want the USA
 

Thank you everyone for the replies!

I like the idea of the 10 year plan, but theres so much risk at the end, I can do it all, for nothing, I guess I'd get a fair bit out of it for here money wise etc, but at the same time it is very expensive. The fact a company may fund me? to move there though would be nice!

And marry a USC would be the dream! But with limited time in the US each time I go... Lot of pressure on a man, lot of pressure!

Thank you, I shall look into both of these, any way you look at it, a degree seems to be the way forward for someone to move there. May be a stupid question but do degrees from the open university count?

Number 1, I guess what happens in the future regarding job markets is unknown, the US job market improving is a big hope :fingerscrossed:, but I'd love to have some control over my own destiny if you see what I mean?

A student in the US I would absolutely love, but by the time I could ascertain anywhere close to the sums of money needed I would be an old man!


Thank you very much! I read the article by? Pulaski a few weeks ago brilliant insight into just every way in, but I found very in depth an can be overwhelming even after a few reads. I've read through this list twice and a few things stand out specifically especially, 'Are you a potential intern/trainee for an organization such as a hotel?' have to research into this branch a bit more.


If I could come to terms with loving England I would, honestly! If anyone could point out a better country easier to get into I'd love it! So in answer to your question, some of these may sound stupid but here goes, I think the sheer size of everything first off is very appealing. The UK has tiny little roads, houses, cars it is all scaled down over here compared to the US its all that bit bigger from super markets to schools, then there are the cities. I grew up in London and still visit there a fair bit and I travel to Liverpool to see family every so often they are all fascinating in terms of architecture, museums (Art hobby) but I don't find them impressive as such. 3-400 years ago, yes maybe but nowadays, not as much, but that could just be on the account of the amount of times I've been there :) but I do now find near anywhere in England more underwhelming than anything.

A little while back I was looking at relocating within England just for a change because it is what I really want, a proper change in my life. I looked within a 30 mile radius of where I live, a 60 mile radius, moving back to London or somewhere new. I went through estate agents, everything but just couldn't find anything to satisfy. More recently there was the piece in the news about the filming in Glasgow, they turned parts of it into American streets with the aids of props and actors, I thought brilliant, that sounds awesome if it is that similar! I started looking around it genuinely would be a lot easier than emigrating, but the streets just don't have it, when you look at it, it small in comparison and rather underwhelming.

I guess I can't lay my finger on it exactly, I've always been terrible for learning languages but I have looked at French and France, but without avail. I also look at some of the eastern countries, Taiwan, Japan, but an English teaching job is probably one of the few jobs I'd be reluctant to do however if you could suggest anything alternative to, or deflate this dream I wouldn't mind in the slightest. Its frustrating more than anything!

Thank you :) I would love an L-1 visa but it seems to come round more by chance than anything? Or is there a job market for these sorts of things? With the H1-B visa as I understand it, it won't be issued without having a degree or extensive experience, correct?

If it came to it 10 years down the line if I saved, I guess I could buy a US business!

Sorry for the wall of text but I wanted to reply to all of your posts, thank you very much everyone for taking the time :)

Re: Restless, unfocused but want the USA
 

I think it's just that it's easy to get fixated on one aspect of another country that one 'must' have to be happy, but it's the whole package that makes a happy life.

If it's purely the larger scale that you're after, Canada and Australia are a little easier to get into than the US.

Re: Restless, unfocused but want the USA
 

Play online games.....2nd Life, Yahoo....I know of a few people that met their spouses this way (unplanned though).

Re: Restless, unfocused but want the USA
 

That's impressive...most don't even start till they're a few years old :)

But best advice, figure out what you find interesting, either get a degree and some experience about it, or go straight into it, but really a degree will help speed things up and you might be able to wing a student exchange for a year or so and experience life here with minimal fuss to see if you really like it. Quite a few friends did that when I was at uni.

That way, you might actually fall in love with a local and have a easier time of it. Happened to a mate of mine, though admittedly he got himself a H1B to get here after uni to see if things would work out with the OH and the country.

Re: Restless, unfocused but want the USA
 

Stick a pin in a map, where ever it lands, that country will be easier to get into than the US.

What will be a better country really is down to what you prefer.

The stuff you listed, it's all very superficial, won't make a tits of a difference to your quality of life or how you'd enjoy the location.

Moving to a non-English speaking country will probably be easier to fit into than the US, the culture shock will probably be less and certainly far more expected.

It's basically same shit, different bucket.

Life is life in that regards, the spot of dirt below your feet doesn't really change that, you've still got to get up in the morning, work your nads off and pay the bills.

Re: Restless, unfocused but want the USA
 

Emigrate to Canada, naturalize, and then get a TN visa?

Re: Restless, unfocused but want the USA
 

I can tell you from personal experience that moving to the USA doesn't bring you automatic happiness. If you are unhappy in the UK then that isn't going to change if you come here. Life will still be full of the same grind and irritations as before, just with different scenery. And believe me the novelty will soon wear off.

In the UK you are blessed (or cursed, depending on your point of view) with an enormous safety net if things go wrong. The NHS, unemployment benefits, the legal right to housing etc simply do not exist here.

You seem like a very intelligent guy, and you are clearly passionate about your future, can I suggest you travel the world a bit, go backpacking in Oz, tour Europe, see something more of the world other than the US, then make up your mind.

Re: Restless, unfocused but want the USA
 

Canada has caught my eye once or twice, especially as it is just a short bit away from the US, I've been poking around too and I think I could be able to get in too! Totally understand what you're saying about needing the whole package, emigrating anywhere short of the US will cause me to stop and think again is this what I really want?

Haha I would if I had the time to be able to :) I live a stupid distance from work where I am right now so when I'm not working, I'm sleeping, exercising or traveling!

Lol, my bad, 18 :thumbsup:

I've never been able to find the elusive thing I'm interested in, inherit that from my dad, he got lucky eventually and landed an ok job, he knuckled down and worked for it but it was never really what he wanted to do. Unfortunately it doesn't look like the same can happen for me especially with the job market as it is. A degree seems to be helping a lot of people out though anywhere you are it is definitely something I'm looking at, but it would mean a LOT of debt as the new uni fees have come into place this year meaning in tuition alone you can be looking at spending £27k just for your course fees :(.


I hear ya. I think it is just partly change I am after and as 'Sally Redux' said I've probably fixated on the US too much in the past 2 years. I'm doing nothing with my life here, I could go to university but while I'm there I completely disagree with the ethos of student life, again I could keep myself just away from the hustle and bustle of it but for me it seems half of going to uni is for the experience.

My job here is on a week on week contract basis. I have zero job satisfaction or stability and I keep looking for stuff closer to home but can't find anything short of McDonalds which I refuse to return to unless sacked. I have applied for so many places, so many jobs all with no avail. I don't mean to whine just saying I don't think I've got an awful lot to loose here personally.

I like the life is life comment too. Anywhere I am in the world I'll have to work, can just only hope one day I can look back and be able to say 'I did that!' and point to some really big defining moment in my life where I did something big. I work with people who after 2 years have been offered a contract and gone on to stay with the same company for 10 plus years on virtually minimum wage. Shudder. I'd hate to be them!

Go to canada as a temporary worker, get my 1 year temporary work permit extended to 2 and then after 2 years apply to be a permanent resident. Once I'm a permanent resident carry on for another year in Canada and then apply to be a canadian citizen. When/if I finally get that apply for a tn visa which means Canadians can work in the US? Get that under my belt after 5 years with my green card I can apply to be a citizen of the USA!

Would this actually work? Is it legal? Would it be frowned upon? Seriously considering it!

Thanks very much :) I see what you're saying completely. I think for the first few months a new country would be very daunting, scary and lonely. Way out of my comfort zone. But out of my comfort zone is where I am, in a weird way, happy. Right now I live a comfortable life, if I were to loose my job as you say I have benefits to fall back on and I'll always have a place to crash if everything went horribly wrong, at one of my parents. I left fast food work 3 months ago and got a new job, changed my diet, started exercising and just trying reaching for something better. The problem is, is I can do this all I like till I'm 30 it'll get me nowhere except fitter and healthier.

I continuously apply for new jobs but can't really find anything, I do understand this will happen worldwide. The problem with traveling is the expense in all honesty, I'm saving right now to go to America but progress is so slow with the cost of everyday living my biggest drain being my bike which I use to get to work, insurance and petrol. I won't be buying my own transport if I emigrate!

Wherever I go I will always keep my UK citizenship, I know that in itself is a very valuable thing but it is also a very safe thing. I'm young and I feel like a caged chicken, safety net after safety net protects me and in all honesty it make me feel way too comfortable with my situation right now. I know I could still afford to live if I had no job and sat at home playing video games all day, I wouldn't have much change but I could still survive, not that I'd ever do that mind! A break out of my comfort zone, into a complete unknown excites me and maybe it isn't the picture it paints itself in my head to be, but if in 5 years time I was back here again after giving it a go I'd be able to say I tried and gave it my best shot rather than sticking where I am or jumping into another job here which will almost undoubtedly lead to nothing again.

Sorry in a way it feels like I'm ranting, I'm not, you see the documentaries on tv and the news of people in Lybia etc, and the fact I can live in a country without having to fear for my life is a sobering thought. But the thought of breaking all of the home comforts and building a new life for yourself elsewhere is a thought which Is very very hard to shift.

Thanks again for the brilliant and thought provoking replies

Re: Restless, unfocused but want the USA
 

Consider it a small investment in life. That could easily be one years tuition at a decent uni in the US.

Getting a degree is much more than the course of study though, which you need to realise. It's a opportunity to study and do lots of other things that you might not consider, it's a great chance to network and this will be the biggest benefit, but it opens so many doors for visa's, not just the US, but for anywhere and these days, sadly it's becoming the minimum to tick that box so your job application isn't binned.

The other thing about uni, you might be able to far more likely get a student exchange. I did product design at uni, Brunel has an exchange program with San Fran State, so you don't have to pay tuition on the exchange year, just the visa and living expenses. The work was a piece of piss and didn't reflect on their home grades anyway as it was in place of doing a work internship, so a great way to experience life in the US as a spring board to going to other places and doing new things.

You're young, you've got the world as your oyster, seriously consider the Workers Holiday Visa, you can't use that in the US, but it essentially gives you the chance to doss around and do casual work for a year or two in various countries, Canada, NZ, Oz, etc, etc...even if you only do it for a summer, it's a great experience of getting out of your rut for minimal costs and it's something nice on the CV.

A mate did that in NZ and OZ for 2 years, didn't work at all, he literally shagged his way across both countries as a bit of a gigolo pretending to be a builder or fitness trainer, even got one old dear to pay for his flight back to England at the end of it :lol:

Having long term plans are great, aiming for the US is great and living abroad is an amazing experience whether it works out for you or not. Don't waste your life away faffing around with the intent if you can't see a likely path to get you on to that road. Instead look at the alternatives, and there are many out there that can certainly be attainable.

Either way, good luck with it! :)

Re: Restless, unfocused but want the USA
 

Just a few flaws in it from a Canadian immigration point of view - you can't extend a Working Holiday Visa (although you could reapply for a new one), what method would you use to apply for PR after 2 years, and you wouldn't be able to apply for Canadian citizenship after carrying 'on for another year in Canada' (you wouldn't be eligible that early).

Realistically, you'd be around 8 years away from Canadian citizenship just so you are aware - if you go on a one year WHV, then apply for a second one, then try and get PR (allow a year or two for the application), then once you've been a PR for 3 years apply for citizenship, then citizenship takes around 18 months to get (going on current timescales). Only then could you think about a TN visa, and of course that's only if you are in one of the eligible occupations. And there is no direct route from a TN visa to a green card is there?

I wish you the best of luck with it all, you do seem very mature and determined, so hope you manage it one day. FWIW, I agree with the pp's and think that a degree is going to be pretty much essential, even for Canada - you're just not likely to get a Skilled job (an unskilled would be unlikely to qualify for PR) without one.

:)

Re: Restless, unfocused but want the USA
 

No there isn't and you can't have immigrant intent if you came time for a TN renewal...but it gives you a chance to get married to a local and then go through that palaver I guess. I know a few Canadians who came to the US that route, but obviously it wasn't their intent when they got their US jobs :lol:

Re: Restless, unfocused but want the USA
 

I am going to say the way it is. It's not going to happen based on what you have told us. So someone else pointed out here

1. Marry a USC
2. Think about long term plan. And further to be honest, long term I am thinking 8-10 years.

That's just the way it is.

Re: Restless, unfocused but want the USA
 

I guess so, I'm very very reluctant to go to university as it has never been anything I've been keen to do at all really. However I've been looking at jobs over here for a few years now and the fact I haven't got a degree is the major setback for me, and it seems to be anywhere.

The idea of a student exchange is nice too, and definitely something I will look at again it can only help a future application if I can put lived and studied in the US for a year in my experience.

The working holiday visa I've been looking into a lot. I highly doubt moving countries is anything I'll be doing with anyone else except maybe on a business level, therefore to see if I am cut out for it before spending who knows how much on a degree by the means of a WHV would be good! If it worked out, finish a year abroad and come back to start university. I know you do need money to do it, but its LOT less money than tuition fees and living expenses all without a full time job. At the same time I would be faced with the reality I am now thousands of miles from family and friends and have to start a new chapter in my life.

I've spent a couple of years trying to reach a career that will 'make me' you can remain as optimistic as you like and apply for everything suitable that comes up. But if the right jobs aren't coming up, optimism is only a means of getting by, for who knows how long! It'd nice to be able to finally do something I realise could really make something of me, Thank you!

Sorry I was very vague with what I posted, I was trying to make it as brief as possible. I assumed you could keep on reapplying for WHV's? Looking into what method I would be applying for PR after 2 years, unless I hit the jackpot there is no real opportunity of using WHV experience for it. I misread the Canada situation horribly, however as an experience I don't think it would hurt even if I did end it after 1 year. Thank you both though, looking at every immigration system and trying to work out a pathway through them is horribly confusing!

Fairplay. I see, right now my current situation in no way qualifies for anything, which from the US immigration authorities would be of any use to them, and nothing in the short term either. I guess the long game it is. I know there are many people who would say this, thousands, but if there were a sure fire way I could be guaranteed a place just with a job over there with the view to be coming a citizen I would work my nads off for it. The problem I have throughout my life is remaining unfocused, and thats exaggerated with the fact I don't even have a fixed goal. Nothing certain, and in all honesty being realistic I could end up a 28 year old unemployed graduate with a ton of debt. But back to being optimistic because thats what gets you places, I guess a degree opens up a job for an L1? visa, a H1b visa, or a job where I can afford loads of time off in the States to meet a USC :D.

I don't know this is the right place to ask, but if I rack up 30-40k in student debt what happens when I move to the US? Do I just keep paying it on my earnings out there or do the terms change a bit? Thanks everyone!

Re: Restless, unfocused but want the USA
 

Which one of the US visas is the working holiday one? You mean like J-1 for summer camp type of thing?


If you mean the J-1, yes, you can get more than one J-1 in your lifetime.

Please use the actual visa name instead of WHV. I have been on this board for a very long time, and have never seen a WHV to the USA. If you mean a certain visa type, please say it (example, J-1). There is no direct route to a green card via a J-1.

If you rack up any debt in the UK, you just continue paying on it after you move to the USA.

Rene

Re: Restless, unfocused but want the USA
 

Sorry I really wasn't clear on that, looking at a Canadian, Australian or NZ Working holiday visa as a means of getting experience into moving away, living completely alone and emigrating if only for a while. I have looked at the summer camp ones and the US national parks one but they are quite short and expensive!

Thanks for the heads up on the debt question :)

Re: Restless, unfocused but want the USA
 

Student loans become a bit of a hassle as you won't have the PAYE system taking care of it and at the moment the earning threshold before you have to pay it back is lower in the US than for the UK, but it's essentially the same idea, you pay a percentage back of your salary above the earning threshold, either monthly or quarterly, however you set it up.

Re: Restless, unfocused but want the USA
 

Thanks! A hassle but its not like you have to pay it off all at once or anything! :)

Looking more into the degree route too there is a degree in American studies, would this just be scoffed at abroad or is it worthwhile looking at? I could do it combined with another subject as well, or would a more subject focused degree be better?

Re: Restless, unfocused but want the USA
 

Have a think about it....

How will a degree help you get a job? What do you fancy doing with your time?

Something like this would be marginal better than a degree in surfing.

You can do something fairly general that'll have modules covering a lot of other topics. But you need to have a look at the list of job titles and companies that have petitioned H1B's to see the theme of jobs and realise they're fairly specialised, tech, science, finance....very little in the way of liberal arts. That's not to say you might not be able to wing an opportunity, but if you're hedging your bets you will be limiting your chances.

http://www.myvisajobs.com/Reports/H1B_Visa_Reports.aspx
http://www.myvisajobs.com/Top_Visa_Sponsors.aspx
http://www.flcdatacenter.com/CaseH1B.aspx

Re: Restless, unfocused but want the USA
 

What job do you see yourself doing with this degree? Would a company in the USA be more inclined to hire you to do that job rather than a USC already in the USA? These are the things you need to think about.

In general, in life, you should follow what interests you, as you'll end up being good at it. What would that 2nd subject be? What subject are you interested in studying?

Rene

Re: Restless, unfocused but want the USA
 

Thank you very much! I honestly thought, yes there would be a fair few people who were recruited on the IT side of things but not that many! With that in mind I've found a place on a course, very last minute, for a BSc in IT, looks a brilliant course, at the very top of my credits level too. I've spent all night working on the application for it, literally, and when I manage to get hold of someone I can use as a reference I shall be applying straight away!

I've been told I may be made redundant in a week or sos time anyway so if this worked out for me it'd be perfect. I'm not in a strong position, but holding out hope :)

A very good point, Americans have already Studied American studies, aka life for them, I wondered if it was anything more, but obviously not :) As I said to Bob above I've applied for a degree, well am in the process of in computing, looks all very good in all honesty, and it is something I have an interest in.

I'll get back to you on how it goes, but if this doesn't work out then I guess its another year at work, and an application for next years courses, at a much higher cost :(.

Re: Restless, unfocused but want the USA
 

Do a bit more research on IT jobs and the future outlook for the industry. Particularly look at the skills that have a growing demand and can't be "off-shored" to India etc.. There are many areas of IT that are stagnating or reducing. You'll also find that there are many USCs in IT that are unemployed or looking for jobs.
You need to be aiming at something that gives you a USP and will have big demand when you're ready to move. If you're just another support analyst etc you'll likely never get a role in the US and probably not in the UK. The fall in demand for some roles is not about the recession it's much more about those skills no longer being needed.
If you're not already then join linkedin.com, that will enable you to join specialist IT groups and start some networking.
Having said all that I got my H1b because of specialist skills in IT BUT the skills I have are combined with many years of experience in the Pharma Industry giving a combination that was impossible to find in the US.
Good luck.

Re: Restless, unfocused but want the USA
 

Thanks very much!

I've definitely got onto this course now, its starts of pretty broad and then you have the option to specialize in a specific area, or still keep a broader overview. I'll be doing a lot more research in my spare time and I try and get some relevant work experience which could result in a strong work placement in this country for when I leave :).

Also I will join linkedin, since I'm actually going to have a 'skill' finally so to speak!

I've set myself an aim of at the very least being in the process of moving over there by the time I hit 30, give me a little 9 years to work at it ideally before though!

Going to spend the next 3 years giving everything to this course and maybe take it too the next level aka masters? Come out with a top result and then get job which will either transfer me there or a job from where I can apply for another one in the US which will get me an H1B :)

Thanks to all the help everyones given in the past few weeks!