mrszippy

Hello and Merry Christmas from the UK I'm new here so please be kind to me! My family and I are looking to relocate to the USA. We have a business here in the UK and our plan is to keep this running and open the same business in the USA so we would apply for the L1 visa which we've already looked into. Originally we were looking at Daniel Island in South Carolina (living there and opening business in Charleston) however after much research we're not quite sure. I would love your opinions/ideas of other areas? Before you ask - NO we have never been to the USA but are planning on coming over very soon . Thank You

sir_eccles

Really? You want to open a business here and you've never even visited? Why did you pick the US? and what sort of business is it?

Scouse Express

And you think you stand a chance in the USA

Think again!

mrszippy

yes why not? We have a successful business here and are planning moving away. To be honest I'm a bit defensive on here because I've looked at this forum a lot and found that when any new person posts they get slaughtered! I thought that the ex pat community on here would be supportive?

Scouse Express

Money
You own or buy business as a national of a qualifying Treaty country. The business must have a minimum value of around $150k (the 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 a nearer minimum. Your dependent spouse may work. Non-immigrant visa with a difficult pathway to a green card. Search for: E2.

You are an "investor" i.e. you have at least US $1m in assets to invest, or half that in certain areas (plus whatever you will need to live). Your background will be investigated. This is also known as 'investor for alien entrepreneur'. This will give you a 2 year conditional green card, After a 2 year conditional green card you can apply to USCIS to have your conditions removed to be an unconditional permanent resident. Search for EB-5.

Nutmegger

It's a little hard to understand why anyone would want to up sticks and move to a place that they've never even visited! It's difficult enough to move to a new country even if you've spent vacation time there. However, if you are thinking of living in an expensive place like Daniel Island you must have a big bankroll to ease your way.

mrszippy

yes I know and understand. But I want advice of a good place to live. We have lived abroad before and understand what we are doing. The visa situation isnt an issue x

mrszippy

can I ask how all you came to live in the US? jobs, family ...?

Nutmegger

Usually the place of residence is governed by the location of the business. Think business first, where to live second.

mrszippy

thank you thats what we're doing x

Scouse Express

Do you meet the requirements of an L1-A Visa?

You say you and your family. How many and how old?

mrszippy

why is everyone so defensive on here? my children are 2, 8 and 10 xx

sir_eccles

Defensive? No, we're just asking the obvious questions.

mrszippy

hope that quote worked lol! really dont know what 'm doing! Its just that whenever I've looked on this site it always seems a bit nasty to the new people> Yes I am here in the uk and never been to to USA but I still want to move there! tell me your story!

sir_eccles

People are trying to help but we can't help if you don't provide enough details to give a coherent answer. Getting short with those who try to help you will get you nowhere.

- The US is a big place, knowing what sort of business you are intending on running will help suggest where it is likely to work or not.

- The age of children can be a significant factor in planning visa and greencard applications.