Ok so we are just another family with the American dream. We have a lot of family in the US none that can sponsor us though. I have been looking for jobs in and around VA. I have the usual high school qualifications and NVQ's but also I have qualifications in the construction/demolition industry. of course these don't exist in US. I have been operating heavy plant machinery for about 8 years so have definitely got the experience. It's upsetting to be told after going to college working hard for the job I love that I am 10 a penny that I have no chance of giving my family a new life, in the same country that the rest of the family live in. can anyone tell me once and for all should we give up our dream of moving because I'm in the wrong profession??

Where were you born?

On the job front, what about the OH?

There's always the investment route.

Though what about the "dream" do you think you'll get?

Good luck though and welcome to BE

If you are in a profession that makes you happy, then you're not in the wrong profession.

Unfortunately, the USA is one of the hardest countries to immigrate to, and your chosen profession might not fit in with US immigration. How did the other family members make it over?

Rene

Writing only as an observer, the demolition business appears to be quite different in the US compared to the UK. The preferred demolition technique in the US typically involves dynamite, even in city center locations, followed by heavy machinery to clear up the mess created.

If you have experience with heavy machinery your best bet may be civil engineering projects, which appears to be a growing area, not least because of the poor state of much of the US road infrastructure. Also several major rail projects are being planned.

I'd try contacting recruitment specialists for plant and machinery operators to try to guage the state of the market, but as many of us can testify, there is typically no interest at all from companies or recruiters unless you are here today and ready to start work tomorrow.

If you have the money for it (upper six figures?) you could go down the investment route, starting a company in this field in the US - I'd imagine that's a very difficult one in this case though. If you're married, perhaps your wife has a job which fits better with immigration, which would then get you a visa too?

You should certainly give up the dream of moving to the US on the information so far given.

If you can answer yes to any of the questions here (http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Pulaski_Simplified), then come back with details.

True, .... what family do you have in the US? The don't need to "sponsor" you financially, but you do need to be able to prove you have relatives in the US. And only parents, siblings, and children count, AND the wait for visas based on family is years except for children bringing in their parents. ... I think the wait for siblings is 10-12 years!

No idea how this works, just a thought. Volunteer at a disaster area like Statten Island after Sandy - might lead somewhere...I believe there are international organisations that respond, who might use your skills?

For which he would need a work visa.....

I do have some knowledge of reclamation, it depends on the State, so you would need to look at which State you have in mind.