Help Pleeeeeeeeeaassseee
Apr 5th 2004 | 1:27 am
#16
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 49
From: gandia
Originally posted by muttymutt
can i just say thanks to suzieque and tracy in texas, great info!!
as far as all the other replies, you all seem as though you are cross with me for asking these questions!!!!! like a said before this is just something we are CONSIDERING at the moment and we just needed a few general questions answered. If i am perfectly honest we haven't looked into the visa issue yet (stupid i know) but i just wanted some honest views from you people living stateside so that i can build up a small picture.I ahven't even the first idea what we need to do as far as a visa goes! no i am not ill-educated nor an idiot, i just don't know where to begin in my quest for a better life! i just want to make some comparasons between th US, Spain and the Uk before i get too deep into the paperwork side of things. so please keep the info comin, anything is a great help (especially visas)
I'll explain our situation to you then you maybe able to offer extra advice.
I am a housewife with basic high school grades. we have 2 children aged 8 and 10. my husband works for an american oil company in the middle east on rotating shifts, and is paid in $'s. we all hold uk passports but are currently residing in Spain. the only ties we have with the US are a bank account and my husbands employer. we hold uk driving licenses. hope that helps you to throw some more advice this way??????
regards again,
jane
can i just say thanks to suzieque and tracy in texas, great info!!
as far as all the other replies, you all seem as though you are cross with me for asking these questions!!!!! like a said before this is just something we are CONSIDERING at the moment and we just needed a few general questions answered. If i am perfectly honest we haven't looked into the visa issue yet (stupid i know) but i just wanted some honest views from you people living stateside so that i can build up a small picture.I ahven't even the first idea what we need to do as far as a visa goes! no i am not ill-educated nor an idiot, i just don't know where to begin in my quest for a better life! i just want to make some comparasons between th US, Spain and the Uk before i get too deep into the paperwork side of things. so please keep the info comin, anything is a great help (especially visas)
I'll explain our situation to you then you maybe able to offer extra advice.
I am a housewife with basic high school grades. we have 2 children aged 8 and 10. my husband works for an american oil company in the middle east on rotating shifts, and is paid in $'s. we all hold uk passports but are currently residing in Spain. the only ties we have with the US are a bank account and my husbands employer. we hold uk driving licenses. hope that helps you to throw some more advice this way??????
regards again,
jane
Apr 5th 2004 | 4:16 am
#17
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
A good summary, not mine:
There are basically SEVEN 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. My really ugly sister-in Law is available and very desperate..Returns are not accepted.
(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 N.Ireland are not eligible)
(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 $100k (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 $250k would be a nearer minimum
(6)You are an "investor" i.e. you have at least US$1m in assets to bring with you. And your background will be investigatedto 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…
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 ..
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 also have to prove to the Dept of labor that there is no American who can do the job.
There are a few other Specialist Visa available that I have not mentioned: but the above applies to most of us.
Visa's
There are about 80 visa's available all told
These are the common ones
B-1Temporary visitor for business
B-2 Temporary visitor for pleasure
E-1 Treaty Trader, spouse and children
E-2 Treaty Investor, spouse and children
F-1 Academic Student
H-1B Specialty Occupations,IT workers,fashion models Bridge designers
H-1C Nurses going to work for up to three years in health professional shortage areas
H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker
H-2B Temporary worker: skilled and unskilled
H-4 Spouse or child of H-1, H-2, H-3
J-1 Visas for exchange visitors
K-1 Fiance(e)
K-3 Spouse of a U.S. Citizen (LIFE Act)
L-1A Executive, managerial
L-1B Specialized knowledge
M-1 Vocational student or other nonacademic student
O-1 Extraordinary ability in Sciences, Arts, Education, Business, or Athletics
P-1 Entertainment groups
R-1 Religious workers
S-6 Informant of terrorism information
There are basically SEVEN 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. My really ugly sister-in Law is available and very desperate..Returns are not accepted.
(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 N.Ireland are not eligible)
(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 $100k (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 $250k would be a nearer minimum
(6)You are an "investor" i.e. you have at least US$1m in assets to bring with you. And your background will be investigatedto 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…
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 ..
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 also have to prove to the Dept of labor that there is no American who can do the job.
There are a few other Specialist Visa available that I have not mentioned: but the above applies to most of us.
Visa's
There are about 80 visa's available all told
These are the common ones
B-1Temporary visitor for business
B-2 Temporary visitor for pleasure
E-1 Treaty Trader, spouse and children
E-2 Treaty Investor, spouse and children
F-1 Academic Student
H-1B Specialty Occupations,IT workers,fashion models Bridge designers
H-1C Nurses going to work for up to three years in health professional shortage areas
H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker
H-2B Temporary worker: skilled and unskilled
H-4 Spouse or child of H-1, H-2, H-3
J-1 Visas for exchange visitors
K-1 Fiance(e)
K-3 Spouse of a U.S. Citizen (LIFE Act)
L-1A Executive, managerial
L-1B Specialized knowledge
M-1 Vocational student or other nonacademic student
O-1 Extraordinary ability in Sciences, Arts, Education, Business, or Athletics
P-1 Entertainment groups
R-1 Religious workers
S-6 Informant of terrorism information
Apr 5th 2004 | 11:02 am
#18
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 160
From: Panhandle Florida
[i]
Visa's
There are about 80 visa's available all told
These are the common ones
B-1Temporary visitor for business
B-2 Temporary visitor for pleasure
E-1 Treaty Trader, spouse and children
E-2 Treaty Investor, spouse and children
F-1 Academic Student
H-1B Specialty Occupations,IT workers,fashion models Bridge designers
H-1C Nurses going to work for up to three years in health professional shortage areas
H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker
H-2B Temporary worker: skilled and unskilled
H-4 Spouse or child of H-1, H-2, H-3
J-1 Visas for exchange visitors
K-1 Fiance(e)
K-3 Spouse of a U.S. Citizen (LIFE Act)
L-1A Executive, managerial
L-1B Specialized knowledge
M-1 Vocational student or other nonacademic student
O-1 Extraordinary ability in Sciences, Arts, Education, Business, or Athletics
P-1 Entertainment groups
R-1 Religious workers
S-6 Informant of terrorism information
Visa's
There are about 80 visa's available all told
These are the common ones
B-1Temporary visitor for business
B-2 Temporary visitor for pleasure
E-1 Treaty Trader, spouse and children
E-2 Treaty Investor, spouse and children
F-1 Academic Student
H-1B Specialty Occupations,IT workers,fashion models Bridge designers
H-1C Nurses going to work for up to three years in health professional shortage areas
H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker
H-2B Temporary worker: skilled and unskilled
H-4 Spouse or child of H-1, H-2, H-3
J-1 Visas for exchange visitors
K-1 Fiance(e)
K-3 Spouse of a U.S. Citizen (LIFE Act)
L-1A Executive, managerial
L-1B Specialized knowledge
M-1 Vocational student or other nonacademic student
O-1 Extraordinary ability in Sciences, Arts, Education, Business, or Athletics
P-1 Entertainment groups
R-1 Religious workers
S-6 Informant of terrorism information
That is a get summary for people to understand, even though I don't actually need it thanks for posting it is interesting.
Suzieque
Apr 5th 2004 | 11:14 am
#19
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,082
Originally posted by suzieque
Very interesting, I married a US citizen 12 yrs ago Suzieque
Very interesting, I married a US citizen 12 yrs ago Suzieque
Wow! So did I!
Apr 5th 2004 | 12:47 pm
#20
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,356
From: Dixie, ex UK
Originally posted by Boiler
A good summary, not mine: ....
A good summary, not mine: ....
Apr 5th 2004 | 12:52 pm
#21
Arrogant ****
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,323
From: Plano, TX
Originally posted by muttymutt ...as far as all the other replies, you all seem as though you are cross with me for asking these questions!!!!!... no i am not ill-educated nor an idiot...
I pointed out that your questions were very broad. I can and will happily answer your questions from the Texan point of view, but I doubt that would do you much good.
As for visas, the "seven ways" post gives a perfect summary of the situation. It's my impression that until you've found out if you have any way of getting a US visa, it's pretty academic asking what the social life will be like when you get here.
(that's a smiley - it's there to indicate that I'm not calling you stupid and I'm not cross)
Apr 5th 2004 | 3:53 pm
#22
Cuppa tea and a biccie !!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 248
From: Austin TX
Anytime Jane.
My pleasure.
If you need any more detailed info (not visa stuff though - I have no clue about that ) let me know and I'll try to help you out.
I know what it's like to be in your situation, so I can fully understand. I left the UK, lived in the Middle East for 3 years, then moved to the US. Now I'm pondering Australia !!!
You said you would consider moving back to the UK?
I don't think I could ever live there again - especially as property is so expensive there now. Property in the US is very reasonable in comparison (apart from maybe California and the New York area)
Oh, I just thought - this website is VERY good for immigration info - www.uscis.gov It's the new government immingration website.
Have fun reading it !!
You may also get your hubby to ask his company about visa info, being that they will be the ones to sponsor your family.
Take care, and good luck.
Tracy
My pleasure.
If you need any more detailed info (not visa stuff though - I have no clue about that ) let me know and I'll try to help you out.
I know what it's like to be in your situation, so I can fully understand. I left the UK, lived in the Middle East for 3 years, then moved to the US. Now I'm pondering Australia !!!
You said you would consider moving back to the UK?
I don't think I could ever live there again - especially as property is so expensive there now. Property in the US is very reasonable in comparison (apart from maybe California and the New York area)
Oh, I just thought - this website is VERY good for immigration info - www.uscis.gov It's the new government immingration website.
Have fun reading it !!
You may also get your hubby to ask his company about visa info, being that they will be the ones to sponsor your family.
Take care, and good luck.
Tracy
Apr 5th 2004 | 4:00 pm
#23
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 68,280
Originally posted by Pulaski
No, it's mine!
No, it's mine!
Apr 5th 2004 | 5:08 pm
#24
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
I was trying to remember where I got it, had something to do with Florida so sounds like Pulaski via Ray6.
Perhaps one of them could get it 'stuck', would really help those who believe that the 'Move to the Sun' style TV programmes includes the US.
Perhaps one of them could get it 'stuck', would really help those who believe that the 'Move to the Sun' style TV programmes includes the US.
Apr 5th 2004 | 5:20 pm
#25
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 68,280
Originally posted by Boiler
I was trying to remember where I got it, had something to do with Florida so sounds like Pulaski via Ray6.
I was trying to remember where I got it, had something to do with Florida so sounds like Pulaski via Ray6.
Apr 6th 2004 | 1:37 am
#26
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 49
From: gandia
Originally posted by ray6
You got it from my florida days forum...and anybody is free to use it....But it was from an original idea of Pulaski...
You got it from my florida days forum...and anybody is free to use it....But it was from an original idea of Pulaski...
W have had some news today about the company visa thing. My husband works in Syria, and at some point this year there are going to be US sanctions imposed on the country. This has caused rather a large problem. With the sanctions in place, according to other employees, US citizens will not be able to continue working there??? How true all this is i don't know, (if anyone understands it and has the time to explain it to me that would be great, i'm not overly keen on politics!!)but my husbands contract runs out in Dec. this year anyway, but there is a good chance of a a new contract, if not then a new posting in another country. But this has kinda turned our plans upside down, atleast until Dec. when things will hopefully become clearer.
With that all said though we will still be gathering info on the states, with a hope of moving one day SOON!!!!!
Thank you dbj for making me feel better i'm a little tempremental (or just mental)
I am so grateful for all your replies and would still love to hear of anymore good info websites and also personal experiences of living over there, especially if you have lived eslewhere and can make some good comparasons or advantages to living over there.
I know every state is different and changes happen but ALL knowledge and experiences gratefully received (without a complex!!!!)
Cheers you lot
:
Apr 6th 2004 | 1:42 am
#27
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 49
From: gandia
Originally posted by muttymutt
Well thank you one and all!!! especially for the visa info ( although don't know where its made me more confused?!)
W have had some news today about the company visa thing. My husband works in Syria, and at some point this year there are going to be US sanctions imposed on the country. This has caused rather a large problem. With the sanctions in place, according to other employees, US citizens will not be able to continue working there??? How true all this is i don't know, (if anyone understands it and has the time to explain it to me that would be great, i'm not overly keen on politics!!)but my husbands contract runs out in Dec. this year anyway, but there is a good chance of a a new contract, if not then a new posting in another country. But this has kinda turned our plans upside down, atleast until Dec. when things will hopefully become clearer.
With that all said though we will still be gathering info on the states, with a hope of moving one day SOON!!!!!
Thank you dbj for making me feel better i'm a little tempremental (or just mental)
I am so grateful for all your replies and would still love to hear of anymore good info websites and also personal experiences of living over there, especially if you have lived eslewhere and can make some good comparasons or advantages to living over there.
I know every state is different and changes happen but ALL knowledge and experiences gratefully received (without a complex!!!!)
Cheers you lot:
Well thank you one and all!!! especially for the visa info ( although don't know where its made me more confused?!)
W have had some news today about the company visa thing. My husband works in Syria, and at some point this year there are going to be US sanctions imposed on the country. This has caused rather a large problem. With the sanctions in place, according to other employees, US citizens will not be able to continue working there??? How true all this is i don't know, (if anyone understands it and has the time to explain it to me that would be great, i'm not overly keen on politics!!)but my husbands contract runs out in Dec. this year anyway, but there is a good chance of a a new contract, if not then a new posting in another country. But this has kinda turned our plans upside down, atleast until Dec. when things will hopefully become clearer.
With that all said though we will still be gathering info on the states, with a hope of moving one day SOON!!!!!
Thank you dbj for making me feel better i'm a little tempremental (or just mental)
I am so grateful for all your replies and would still love to hear of anymore good info websites and also personal experiences of living over there, especially if you have lived eslewhere and can make some good comparasons or advantages to living over there.
I know every state is different and changes happen but ALL knowledge and experiences gratefully received (without a complex!!!!)
Cheers you lot
:
bye
Apr 6th 2004 | 1:56 am
#28
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 68,280
Originally posted by muttymutt
W have had some news today about the company visa thing. My husband works in Syria, and at some point this year there are going to be US sanctions imposed on the country.
W have had some news today about the company visa thing. My husband works in Syria, and at some point this year there are going to be US sanctions imposed on the country.
Apr 6th 2004 | 2:23 am
#29
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Well neither of you are not US citizens so that should not be an issue in itself.
Working in Syria if things get dodgy is another thing.
I was talking to a lady yesterday about Cuba, she mentioned that the US authorities are cracking down on USC's going to Cuba.
She has a Canadian passport as well so she uses that.
Somebody will tell me if I am wrong, but you will only qualify for a US Visa if your husband's company moves him to work in the US, just working for a US company elsehwere is no use.
Working in Syria if things get dodgy is another thing.
I was talking to a lady yesterday about Cuba, she mentioned that the US authorities are cracking down on USC's going to Cuba.
She has a Canadian passport as well so she uses that.
Somebody will tell me if I am wrong, but you will only qualify for a US Visa if your husband's company moves him to work in the US, just working for a US company elsehwere is no use.
Apr 6th 2004 | 5:33 am
#30
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
On our Mortgage Brokers personal page there is a cost of living comparator which might help, probably some of the other tools could be of use as well.
http://www.firsthorizonusa.com/carolpitnerjurisch
http://www.firsthorizonusa.com/carolpitnerjurisch
