First timer in need of advice with moving to live/work in US
Sep 9th 2007, 9:03 am
#1
Banned
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4
First timer in need of advice with moving to live/work in US
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,
Tom
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,
Tom
Sep 9th 2007, 11:26 am
#2
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Joined: May 2004
Location: Amherst Nova Scotia
Posts: 2,935
Re: First timer in need of advice with moving to live/work in US
http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Pulask...ork_in_the_USA
Unless you meet any of them criteria I think you will find it extremely hard and generally can not stay in the US whilst visa is being processed and you can not move over and then look for work. H1B visas are available in April but if successful you can't move over until October time. Sure someone will be along to give more advice but I think your chances are hard
Unless you meet any of them criteria I think you will find it extremely hard and generally can not stay in the US whilst visa is being processed and you can not move over and then look for work. H1B visas are available in April but if successful you can't move over until October time. Sure someone will be along to give more advice but I think your chances are hard
Sep 9th 2007, 12:57 pm
#3
my arm aches
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: the warm waters of Florida
Posts: 2,289
Re: First timer in need of advice with moving to live/work in US
Do the positions you are after normally require degree qualified applicants? This is a must for it to be considered an H-1B job, even with your equivalent experience. You then need to find a company willing to apply for you in April 08 for a start date of Oct 08. It's a bit of a lottery, as only 65000 visas are available and close to 120,000 applications for them last year. Going this route, it's going to take more than 6 months.
Sep 9th 2007, 2:06 pm
#4
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Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4
Re: First timer in need of advice with moving to live/work in US
Hi Thanks for the replies. No, in my industry one does not generally have to have a degree and if people do have degrees they are completely unrelated.
Looks like it is going to be tough to get out there then... Hopefully someone has some good news for me somewhere!!
Looks like it is going to be tough to get out there then... Hopefully someone has some good news for me somewhere!!
Sep 9th 2007, 2:25 pm
#5
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Re: First timer in need of advice with moving to live/work in US
Sep 9th 2007, 3:57 pm
#7
my arm aches
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: the warm waters of Florida
Posts: 2,289
Sep 9th 2007, 4:01 pm
#8
Banned
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4
Re: First timer in need of advice with moving to live/work in US
Ha, I had better have a shave, get over there and turn the charm on then...
Sep 9th 2007, 7:45 pm
#9
Arrogant ****
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 4,323
Re: First timer in need of advice with moving to live/work in US
Other than joining the Mexicans for a walk across the border, I guess.
Sep 10th 2007, 12:47 am
#10
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Posts: n/a
Re: First timer in need of advice with moving to live/work in US
On Sep 9, 10:03 am, tommymuldy <[email protected]>
wrote:
>
> 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).
About the only way you can achieve this is to marry a USA citizen, and
it's not clear you could be there within 6 months this way. About your
only other reasonably short term possibility is to get a job with a
company which has a branch in the USA and arrange for them to transfer
you to the USA later. You'll need to work for them for at least a year
outside the USA first.
> 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.
wrote:
>
> 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).
About the only way you can achieve this is to marry a USA citizen, and
it's not clear you could be there within 6 months this way. About your
only other reasonably short term possibility is to get a job with a
company which has a branch in the USA and arrange for them to transfer
you to the USA later. You'll need to work for them for at least a year
outside the USA first.
> 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.
Sep 10th 2007, 6:16 pm
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: First timer in need of advice with moving to live/work in US
Have you consider coming over here as a student? Why not get a BA in
something in media and also work part-time to gain some experience working in
the US. Working part time can sustain you while you study.
Killing 2 birds with on trip? Also you are not commited to such that if you
really don't like it here, you can make a U-turn. See?
Visiting as a tourist and staying and working as a foreigner is different. I
am speaking from experience.
Studying gives you the chance to satisfy that wonderlust and gets you that
education you need to get a more permanent visa and most like - meet a nice
gal ;-) . Right?
And student visa is eaiser to come by.
tommymuldy wrote:
>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,
>Tom
something in media and also work part-time to gain some experience working in
the US. Working part time can sustain you while you study.
Killing 2 birds with on trip? Also you are not commited to such that if you
really don't like it here, you can make a U-turn. See?
Visiting as a tourist and staying and working as a foreigner is different. I
am speaking from experience.
Studying gives you the chance to satisfy that wonderlust and gets you that
education you need to get a more permanent visa and most like - meet a nice
gal ;-) . Right?
And student visa is eaiser to come by.
tommymuldy wrote:
>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,
>Tom
Sep 10th 2007, 7:23 pm
#12
MODERATOR
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 58,679
Re: First timer in need of advice with moving to live/work in US
Rene
