FlashBeliever

Hi all, Im new here, and as you've guessed from the title, I am looking to have a fresh start in the US. I'm currently in the UK as a single mother with two kids (16 and 13). I have a rough idea on the immigration process and have had a brief conversation with an immigration lawyer to find out a little more about what I was unsure about, However there are a few things have come up since and I was wondering if anybody could possibly be so kind as to help me out a little bit.

I am a Human resources and development professional with a Masters degree and 10+ years experience working for U.S companies such as G.E in the past and now working for TYCS Managed Services. Which is an international company with office's in the US, as far as im aware, i know a guy at my work is originally from the UK but now lives in the US and comes back here once every two weeks, so im aware of some type of transfer plan. As my 1 year probation is almost up at TYCS' Im wondering if its possible to ask for a transfer? or if you have to be selected?

I apologize if this is long, I really do, Iv'e just spent so many hours on the internet with so little results, anyway thank you.

Pulaski

Well I'd recommend digging through the innumerable threads on family relocations, cost of living, health care and education, as you could fill a book with all the advice and information.

But firstly, and in my opinion, most importantly, you should be aware how little of a social safety net there is, and think how you are going to manage your children's needs if you have a full time job and don't have your own network of relatives and trusted friends to help out? Employers are not always particularly accommodating of parents who need to attend school meetings and parent-teacher conferences (which IME are always during the regular work day), or to take your children to the doctor or dentist, so such time will come out of your annual holiday entitlement, which might be only ten days in your first year. Many people think 15 days holiday is pretty good, and most would consider 20 days to be "generous".

Sally Redux

What is the pull of the US? How familiar are you with the part you might be transferred to? Do your kids want to go (difficult ages to move)? Would you need permission from the father?

FlashBeliever

Thanks for the reply Pulaski, Yes don't worry I am aware of this, and this is one of the reasons that it is a BIG move you know, its just us and nobody else. I have actually filled a black book called "The journey" with information such as that which I keep adding to as I find more things out, such as types of visa's, cost of living etc. As for Dentist and doctors and other issues will have to be thought out carefully, however I know my kids are older so I definitely don't think it would be as hard as it would be if they were alot younger.

Hi Sally, well with out going into to much detail, Basically a few reasons as to why im looking to move, things haven't been so good for a long time now to do with Ex Husband, Familly and other issues, That aside, I do wish to better my kids futures as well as expand.I'm not 100% but like I say I think its possible but Im unsure if I would have to ask for a transfer or if I would have to be selected?. My kids are totally On-board and are desperate for a change aswell, but the age issue with school would be another question which i need to research. No, Im very confident he would be alright with it, He hasn't been difficult to much since the seperation and is moving on now anyway, obviously i would never take the kids away and he has always been welcome to see them whenever, He might be a little upset but, He wouldn't get in the way of the kids lives as he (Like me) just want the best for them.

MidAtlantic

[QUOTE=FlashBeliever;10969266]

I am a Human resources and development professional with a Masters degree and 10+ years experience working for U.S companies such as G.E in the past and now working for TYCS Managed Services. Which is an international company with office's in the US, as far as im aware, i know a guy at my work is originally from the UK but now lives in the US and comes back here once every two weeks, so im aware of some type of transfer plan. As my 1 year probation is almost up at TYCS' Im wondering if its possible to ask for a transfer? or if you have to be selected?
QUOTE]

That is a matter of policy/practice within TYCS. As a HR specialist you should have better access to that information than most!

Nutmegger

In actual fact, most people find that young children adapt and settle a great deal better than teenagers, who have already formed friendships and are on a familiar educational course towards college.

Sally Redux

Whereabouts in the US though?

The school system is totally different. Also jobs are not any easier to come by for them. In fact on L1, I think spouses but not kids can work (not sure about that though).

We usually advise that moves for the pull of the new country, in specific and realistic terms, work better than those which are mainly to get away from the old country.

My son was 12 when we came and he found the transition hard. I know someone who came with a 16-year-old, and that was even harder.

I would suggest really checking out the options sand how it all works with the relevant department at your workplace before getting too far ahead of yourself.

FlashBeliever

[/QUOTE]That is a matter of policy/practice within TYCS. As a HR specialist you should have better access to that information than most![/QUOTE]

You would think so! and Yes to Nutmegger they do indeed and I would never do anything they were uncomfortable with or didn't want to do, but they both agree its needed and are totaly aware of the big changes, such as school, friends and where their Dad is concerded.

Well anywhere would be great sally, but idealy NewYork. I dont mean I want to move because of the UK, thats not the case at all, Its one reason, the rest are very long, boring and quite deep, over all alot has happened here. I totaly understand it will be hard, and Im prepared. Im going to find out more about a transfer. I appreciate the comments, However i need to be clear I dont mean for it to sound like a whim, About the kids and their feelings, the financial side.. I have looked well into that, It was my first concern, now with it all taken care of, Im at the more physicall stage of How do I get there. I dont know how to go about applying for US jobs either? i hope you dont mind me asking but when you say you went, did you apply for a US job? if so, How?

Pulaski

Cost of living is a huge variable, from the insanity of Manhattan and San Francisco which are as expensive as London, or even more so, to the rural backwaters, notably of the south east from Virginia to Texas where life can be a whole lot cheaper, but culturally very different from both the UK and the major urban centers in the US.

Nutmegger

Do you mean New York City? I wish you the best in attaining your objective of a move to the US, but NYC is the last place I would think of moving to with teenage children. It is a pretty overwhelming place for many newcomers, incredibly expensive, and in many areas the public schools are less than ideal. If you were alone and in your twenties, I would say go for it, but for a family . . .

Sally Redux

I am getting a little confused here about how you are planning to come. You mentioned a transfer with your company, but then also ask about applying for US jobs. If you want a different job in the US, you would need to be sponsored for a visa by that company. I don't think you can have the financial side sorted out without the job and visa.

My husband was offered a job here by a university who sponsored his H1-b visa. He had already been collaborating with them on research work for a number of years.

FlashBeliever

I apologize, I haven't been making myself clear. Im at the stage now where i need to know how I can actually make the move. For example, I know i would need to be sponsored by a US company for a visa, What I am unsure of is how I can get the attention of that company. How do I apply? I have sent my CV with a covering letter to numerous job applications for a while now and heard nothing back. As for the transfer, that is just another route as to how I can move.

Pulaski

.... For that matter, not just, NYC, or even New York state, but across the whole of the US, from the urban centers of major cities, to the most rural areas, inadequate schools are scattered across the length and breadth of the country.

Anyone arriving in the US with children needs to think very carefully about where they live with respect to the schools their children will attend, because school allocation is almost always (except for charter and magnet schools where competition for places is typically fierce) a strict function of your address.

Bluegrass Lass

Be aware you will need documentation, possibly from a court, saying you have the right to remove your kids from the country. What if your ex says no to that?

Sally Redux

I would say ask about the transfer at work, and have a good look at 'Pulaski's Ways':

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Pulask...ork_in_the_USA

US companies won't be interested in your UK CV at this point.