steandras

hi ! I am desperate to move my family out to wisconsin from the north east of England but hubby is waivering. Can some of you out there that have achieved this sum up the pros and cons of living the us?? Plus, let us know how easy ( or hard ) it was to actually do the move!! Cheers!

anotherlimey

I live on my own and have no one to support so the situation is immeasurably (sp?) different. But there have been lots of pros/cons threads in the last few months so it may be worth searching the forums.

franc111s

Hey, hi there. First, on what basis would you be moving - would you be coming in on Visa's - what kind? Will you be able to work etc.,?

Second, the 2 countries are so different. We lucked out because we get to travel so much back to the UK which means we don't miss it.

My wife did NOT want to come 10 years ago but she made a huge sacrifice based upon what I felt we needed to do. She hasn't regretted it one bit and loves it here and see's our life here permanently.

Why don't you compromise and ask he give you one year here (or two) on the promise that if he hates it, you'd go back and grow old together back home.

Most blokes are up for a compromise if they see a time-line - I've seen that work for most.

Good luck and God bless your decision process. Whatever it is, life is short and enjoy every bit of life we have been given.

AdobePinon

Why Wisconsin, and what will be the legal basis for your move (e.g., new job, investment, one of you is a US citizen, etc.)?

bromleygirl

Why do you want to move to Wisconsin?? It can get really cold there during the winter. Do you have an idea of what town you want to move to? Job? etc. If I ever moved back to the States it would probably be to North Carolina or Colorado. Incidently, I have just spent 3 years in Minnesota and could not hack the cold, cold winters!

Manc

maybe they just like cheese?

AdobePinon

Which again begs the question, "Why Wisconsin?"

anotherlimey

Is there a Hooters in Wisconsin? If so just show him that website... they do great chicken wings.

steandras

yes...I was a mouse in a past life.....

steandras

wisconsin coz my sister lives there and we have visited loads and really like it ....not too touristy etc. However, although we could apply on the basis of sis being a citizen it is reported to take far too long so were thinking of going out with cash to survive on till find jobs and take it from there....it seems some employers will fill the paperwork out for you? I have a law degree but don't know how that will fare in america ... hasn't got me much here.

NC Penguin

Do you have your visas? If not, do any of the following apply to you?

There are basically EIGHT 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.

(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.

(4) You may get a Green Card in the Diversity Lottery (UK citizens, except those born in 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)
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 more realistic.

(6) You are an "investor" i.e. you have at least US $1m in assets to bring with you. Should half of that be spread across a few sources and your background will be investigated to the hilt.

(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) 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.

Recruitment agencies/employers will not take you seriously if you are not in the US and have the appropriate status to work. 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 ..
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 $3k. 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

© Pulaski..Ray...NC Penguin 3/21/05





NC Penguin

AdobePinon

#1 - Currently processing applications filed in May 1993.
#2 - Bad move. You'll run out of cash before you can get anything achieved. I think you underestimate the bureaucracy involved.
#3 - Best bet, but it will be a while. The employer has to fill out the paperwork - you can't, and there is an annual cap on work visas. It has to be a field 'in demand' in the US, and, sad for you, they have plenty of lawyers. I'm not sure that your law degree will be worth too much here - although US law is founded in part on English common law, it is rather different and US experience is essential. FYI, the average starting salary here with a law degree is a $40k - 50k. Most of them thought that they'd be earning double that, so competition will be fierce.

Duncan Roberts

At least it's not Florida.

fatbrit

Alternatively, take an E-2 a move over while you're waiting for your number to come up from sis. Would remove the main downer for an E-2 -- there would be light at the end of the tunnel.

steandras

not a clue what you're talking about ......can you elaborate...in english?