Confussedman

Hi, I am very new to this kind of thing and from what I have read in the past few weeks I have no hope in hell on gaining access to the US. Well I will explain my situation and feedback will be greatly appreciated.

I am 18 years old with a bit of money saved up (Around a 5 figure digit) I have good grades in my GCSE's and I got AAC in my A-Levels. My course was "National Diploma in Sport". I started university this year at my local university however I did not enjoy it so left.

The love of my life (Yes it may seem obsurred at such a young age but she is) lives in the US and I would like to move there and seek employment so I can be with her and move in together in the near future. I have searched through the local college/universities and have not found any courses which I am interested in. My interests are mainly sport based however I would gladly take any job if it meant I was able to live close to her. She lives in the Bronx NY and I would like to be based as close to her as possible.

We have spoken about the 'marriage' route but her mother simply will not allow that so that isn't a possibility. I have never worked apart from work experience and local schools and community centres. I also have no family who live anywhere in America which means I am not liable for a green card in that way.

I planned to move out there after the new year and would really appreciate any help anybody could give me.

E3only

Did you read the Wiki? If wedding is out of question then you stand next to no chance or making it there.... Sorry not being rude but realistic.

With unemployment there 10+% and heaps of green card holders on the street looking for jobs, it will be impossible to get close to finding anything.

Read the Wiki - you need degree, experience or work for an international company with the hope of being transferred. Best route is marriage of course! Hold up though, there might be other avenues experts might point out something like a J1 or whatever which I dont know much about...

All the best.

meauxna

First of all, I hope you're clear that you are NOT moving here 'after the new year' (which means Jan/Feb to me, apology if you meant some time in the distant new year).
Even if you were qualified, the process takes much longer than that.

You have no work experience, and you didn't like your university, and you don't see a single university course in the US that appeals to you. I have to ask.. what do you plan on doing with the rest of your life? What sort of unskilled job will let you afford to live in NYC? (check out rents on craigslist.org)
The good news is, your timing is perfect for making a plan. Several people have posted thoughtful answers here with a multi-year plan for moving to the US; try searching on 'university'.

The fastest option for you may be to re-enroll in school in the UK and come here on a summer exchange program: http://www.bunac.org/uk/workamerica/default.aspx

Otherwise, there just are not any casual labor types of visas, even if there were any casual jobs going at the moment (you practically need a degree to pull espresso shots in Starbucks anyway).

How old is the love of your life?

Confussedman

I understand it will take much longer than after the new year. I meant I plan to make my next move then, i.e. look at what options I have then decide what is next.

She is 19. However she has only lived in the US for 5 years, her and her family moved there from the Dominican Republic.

meauxna

If she is not a US citizen, then the marriage option doesn't do you much good anyway.
Not assuming she is not, btw.

PS: you missed the meaty questions in there.

E3only

mate, you need to have a degree and work up some experience. Or F1 route or degree and work international organisation.

Did you read the WIKI?

Confussedman

I plan on doing something in the area of sports coaching or sports development.
At university (In England) I took Sport Coaching expecting to actually be coaching. However the entire 3 year course was theory based on anatomy/physiology etc which doesn't interest me. I did look at the universities in the US for coaching courses however couldn't find any.

I looked at the Wiki and now realise that my chances are pretty much 0. Which is very depressing.

meauxna

My mouth is hanging open a little bit.. if those things don't interest you, then .. I just don't know what to say. Of course that's going to be a big part of it. Why would I want you to be my trainer/coach if you don't know physiology?

The most simple google search told me this much:
Course in degree programs include the following: exercise and sports science, physiology, kinesiology, nutrition and fitness, physical education, and sports medicine.
http://www.careeroverview.com/athletics-careers.html

I'm afraid you are in dream land.

E3only

Also, no disrespect but when I was 18 - I already had and gotten over 3-4 'love of my life' situations.

Believe me - you need to give it time and start planning. SOme amount of certainty in possible immigration is if you get a decent degree.....

Duncan Roberts

I think first you need to figure out what you want to do with your life, get moving on that and then figure out where you can do it and how. You're not Alex Ferguson, to coach as a living you will need to start at the bottom which means having the basics, including everything that doesn't interest you. They teach it for a reason not just to stretch out a degree.

ian-mstm

Perhaps, but not without a visa. Getting a job offer is easy compared to getting the visa. Quite simply, you do *not* qualify with your current education and experience.

I regret that probably isn't what you want to hear, but that is the reality of the situation... to be frank, the US doesn't need you and currently, you have nothing to offer the US.


Marriage is probably your easiest route to the US... but if your g/f doesn't even have a green card, then getting to the US via marriage is also out of the question. If she does have a GC, then even if you were to marry, it'd still be 5 years or so before you get a visa.

Ian

avanutria

If you seriously want to come to the US then you should seriously look at degree programmes. When I wanted to try living in the UK I joined a degree course in Linguistics. It sounded interesting, though had nothing to do with my background in engineering. I loved it, and it gave me 12 months in the country by which point other opportunities in life had developed.

Ray

Pick a visa


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

(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 or medical training. A degree is normally a must. Or you have superior specialist skills with at least 12 years experience. (H visas)

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

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

(5)You own or buy business (does not get you permanent resident status i.e. no green card)You must be a national of a qualifying Treaty countries. The business must have a minimum value of around $150k (more the better) bearing in mind you will need somewhere to live and with any startup business you will need at least 2 years living money as back up. So a figure of $350k would be a nearer minimum (E-2 visas)

(6)You are an "investor" i.e. you have at least US $1m in assets to bring with you. half of that in a few areas. And your background will be investigated 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 2-12 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 entering the U.S. to carry on the activities of a minister or religious worker as a profession, 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 that applies just to you.
The S visa issued to persons who assist US law enforcement to investigate and prosecute crimes and terrorist activities such as money laundering and organized 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 idea what foreign qualification are or mean (except Degrees) it may pay you to get your qualification translated into a US equivalent, there are Companies that do this (www.wes.org) ..
But if you are getting a visa under (2) above then you need a job offer before you can get the visa. Your Employer will be your sponsor this will cost them upward of $5k. So you can see you have to be offering something really special to get considered They may also have to prove to the Dept of labor that there is no American who can do the job if the position is to be permanent ©