Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

Hiya,

Basically my Dad lives in Stuart Florida and has permanent resident satus, I am looking at moving out there (can stay with him for a few weeks until I sort things out). But looks like the waiting time is 15-20 months!!

12 months is ok because if i'm right I can get six month temp work visa, and if apllication went in next month then Feb wound be about five months away. Leaving a one month break in between..

Extra three months (plus) is a long time to not be able to work..

Thing is, if i'm going to do this it has to be before mid-late Feb next year.. otherwise i'm stuck for three years min! Thanks largely to a couple of ex-mates running up debts in my name I am paying out 45% of my salary to credit agencies, as of Feb i have to double the payment or go bankrupt. If that happens most countries will turn me down anyway, besides which i'd be legally bound to stay.

Solicitor advised there is no solid evidence that i didn't run up the debts and that leaving the country was a good idea because after six years from the last payment I make the debts are nulled because they are unsecured.

Don't get me wrong, this isn't my only reason for wanting to move, i've wanted to for a long time but never seemed the right time. But with the auctioning of some of my old stuff and collectables I have three options:

1) Pay off a chunk of the debt and try to pursuade the creditors to reduce the payment.
2) Put the money in a close family members account, go bankrupt in Feb, and use the money as a backup fund whilst bankrupt.
3) Emmigrate, with the money, and have the debts cleared after six years.

You can guess which has the most appeal :)

I was an IT consultant for almost 5 years and worked on some of the largest projects undertaken in the UK. Including the first and still largest Windows 2000 rollout in Europe finished off with 750 installations accross a call centre in one night. Anyhow, I have a fairly impressive CV.

There seem to be a fairly high number of tech jobs, but was wondering if anyone had taken the company sponsorship route etc? If so any tips or info would be greatly appreciated!!

Any other general info, eg basic living costs in relation to areas, would also be appreciated. There are websites with some of this info but most assumes you already live in the US.. quite frankly i'm not sure what the hell to do at the moment!!

Thanks in advance :D

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

This might be better to ask in the immigration section.

I'm no expert, but it seems from what you say that you are the unmarried son of a permanent resident. That puts you in the preference group 2B. They are currently processing applications for that group from May 1995. So you are looking at 9 years minimum. That's if you are unmarried. If you are married then you are completely SOL.

Even if your dad gets US citizenship, the wait is 4 years. I'm not sure on what basis you think you could get a six month temporary work visa.

If I were you I wouldn't start packing just yet.

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

I am Single, from what my Dads wife (US Citizen) has found out from the local office it shouldnt be longer than 20 months..

So far found 58 companies in Florida with vacancies that would be willing to sponsor immigration, surely a firm offer once i'm out there must count for something?? :confused:

Will try posting in immigration section, new to this :)

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

You will find that g1ant is correct.. see this site for correct info: http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/child.htm

Six month temp work permit ...no chance unless your fruit picking

As your father is resident in the US.. It is most likely you will be refused a B-2 tourist visa... your best chance is just to arrive on a visa waiver for 90 days.
I hope you did not get the info about 58 companies willing to sponsor visas from a job site.. these are always grossly over exagerated.. If you wish to get a H-1B visa for a OCT 2004 start you really should get a job offer before that date.. that is the date when all the available H-1B will be doled out..there is only 65k for this year ..I doubt if there will be many available after the initial surge.. you will then have to wait for the following Oct..for the next batch to be available..good luck

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

Where did you find 58 companies that you think are willing to sponsor immigration?!?

You will be lucky if you find ONE company willing to sponsor immigration for an IT specialist. That's a profession with massive unemployment over here right now, and you'd have to be pretty special in IT to provide a compelling argument for H1B sponsorship.

And then there's the problem of there only being 65k H1B visas this year, and them all being taken within 4-6 weeks of their start date, as Ray says.

Whilst you stand a slightly better chance of getting an H1B than the average hopeful brickie who appears on these boards every week or so dreaming of emigrating to Florida (and always Florida), you need to realize that H1Bs are hard as hell to get right now, and that as a result employer sponsorship is going to be a real struggle.

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

To get sponsorship that really has any chance of going through you really will need a degree pertaining to your field of expertise and employment. I hope you have that as H1b's are a pain without it. Labor certification right now is really slow, so it would be a while before you could start.

As far as the debt you mention. Leaving debt in the UK is not a guarantee you will be let off. With international collection agencies there is a very high probability they will find you. The 6 year limit only applies if they haven't found you. If any of the debts are credit cards or major loans, as soon as you start building a credit rating in the US eg. a visa card.... Your details are out there...... Sometimes situations suck, but the past will catch up eventually in most cases....

Here's an example..... man left UK to work in USA leaving credit card debt of £2500. Four years later he recieved a phone call from a collection agency asking for the debt to be repaid.... In this time with charges and penalties the debt had more than doubled. When transferred into $ it was over $10,000. Now thats got to hurt.........

Sorry to be the bearer of this news.

On a positive side... If you have the necessary qualifications to get sponsorship to work in the US, and enough skills to get a good job with great pay. It may just give you enough to pay off the debt sooner.

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

Thanks for the info, looks like i need to get a firm offer before OCT 2004 really then :)

The 58 (now actually 46 cos i've eliminated a few I got from websites!) companies are mainly companies that use out-sourcing, I worked with Microsoft, IBM, TUI/SHG consultants / senior management that would be willing to help from here by reccomendation. I'm calling in any favours owed on this one!

My solicitor has given me a lot of advise on the financial side, for example only using a bank account that doesn't require a social security number. I don't use credit etc anyway i prefer to wait and pay for things in cash, if I can't afford it I don't have it!
In my case though is that these are not even debts I ran up myself (complicated).. Were not talking loans and credit cards it's store cards & catalogues used in my name. From his experience, they will give up within two years at most in many cases because of the relative expenses, even if the person is still based in the UK.. Six years is just a legal point of view.

It also now seems I can raise more cash than first thought, probably enough to live quite happily for 2 years plus in the US without working if it came to it.

Anyhow, time I got to confirming available positions me thinks.. Thanks again for the advice. :D

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

You don't need labor certification before starting an H1B - the visa is either granted or it isn't. The application for the visa can take a few months (<3 months if the sponsor pays the $1000 expedited application fee).

The endless wait for Labor Certification (up to 3 years right now in Texas) is part of the GC application process.

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

Yes you do need the labour cert for the H1b.

http://www.ows.doleta.gov/foreign/h-1b.asp

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

Hmm. Doesn't outsourcing mean that they aren't the direct employer of the person to whom they are outsourcing work? That would mean that they couldn't sponsor an H1B visa because you'd effectively be an independent contractor. To sponsor an H1B the company needs to make a case that the sponsored foreign worker has skills which cannot be readily found in the local or national workforce, and that they have immidiate need for those skills as part of their ongoing business. If they can outsource the work anywhere within the US then there's no case for an H1B.

You certainly need more than a firm offer of employment by October. You need your prospective employer to have started the application for an H1B by then. My employer hired a top Immmigration Lawyer for my visa, paid all additional fees to expedite the application, and it still took nearly 5 months from the job offer (following interview and advertising the job in the local press and interviewing all local candidates) to the visa being issued.

...which is just to say that you need to have your job offer soon. By Friday would just about bee soon enough! :D

On the subject of bank accounts - as far as I know, the Patriot Act requires banks to only open an account for someone with a Social Security number. If you're trying to hide from your creditors in the UK, the chances are you're tryin to hide in general, and the Patriot Act specifically targets foreign nationals trying to hide their presence in the US.

I know I'm painting a very negative picture here, but you need to be realistic...

...and it still pisses me off that we get endless "hey, I need to emigrate to hide from my creditors" posts. Your story may be different (your "mates" ran up the debts?) but you have no idea how many people decide that the easiest way to deal with running up debts is to skip the country, and see emigrating to the US as some kind of quick fix. Rather than trying to hide over here, perhaps you should be grown-up enough to come to an arrangement with your creditors to pay the debt off slowly while you're abroad? Hell, if you can actually get an H1B then, as Honey says, you'll be making quite enough money to pay off what you owe.

And finally, if you can raise enough money to live here (illegally) for two years without working, then why are you running out on your debts?

Bollocks. As I type this long message it dawns on me that you're just another standard troll on this board. Running out on debts... staying in the US for two years illegaly without working... assuming it's easy to get a visa... all the standard troll lines. What a waste of time!

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

LCA = Labor Condition Application

Not Labor Certificaiton.

There's a huge difference between the two. The LCA is part of the H1B application and simply indicates that the employer knows of the conditions that must be met as part of their sponsoring of the H1B applicant. Labor Certification requires that the employer prove that there is no US worker in the job market who can do the job being done by the foreign worker. It requires that the job be advertised in the press and that reasons be given for the rejection of any and all US applicants. It then goes to the Department of Labor where it takes around 2 years to get certified or rejected.

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

Not true. I opened a bank account with Wells Fargo without one last August. At the time you couldn't have on-line banking without a SS number. I never could work that one out, but they relaxed that in May this year.

I have to agree with you on the OP. The chances of him getting to live and work legally in the US are zilch.

We should start an Immigration 101 sticky topic with the answers to the same old questions. It's a fact though that most people in the UK think that all you need to come and live is the US is a plane ticket.

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

OK you got me on a technicality :D It's still part of the process though, and has to be applied for before sending the petition to the USCIS.

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

Labor Certification is part of the Green Card application process, but certainly not part of the H1B process.

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

Yes it does mean that.

There is a huge difference between contracting and out-sourcing, basically I would be employed by the company providing the out-sourced staff, such as IBM, Compaq, or possibly Dell. So effectiviley they would be able to apply.

To cut a long story short was letting a house to a couple (old school friend & fiance), whilst I was working away in Glasgow for two years. I got back to find unpaid utility bills, council tax, catalogues etc all in my name. At present totals best part of $70,000!

IF i had that option do you not think i'd take it? I've been trying to deal with them for over a year without luck, more than half my salary is currently taken and because of the interest it doesn't even make a scratch! Add to this that they expect the payments to double in Feb of next year, otherwise I face bankrupcy, and lets face it they would never let me in then!

Two years basic living costs in Florida is nowhere near as much as my total debts, in fact way less than a third. Not enough to prevent bankrupcy if that's the route they force upon me. Besides who said anything about staying illegally, there are always other options :)

FYI It's not like this is the only reason i'm doing this, if i'd done it when i originally thought about it two years ago it would be a different story.
It's no quick fix, believe me, there is a lot i'd miss out on back here, my brothers 21st for example. But in all honesty i've lost a lot these part two years (and no i'm not just talking money and crap), and a big part of this is wanting to get away from bad memories and getting to know a Dad I have hardly seen in 11 years.


If you have helpful advice then it's appreciated, but please don't judge me personally when you don't know the full extent of my circumstances.

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

who's the mug here then?

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

Awaiting confirmation on the hb1 details, turns out my dads wife is involved with a US immigration advice site so is confirming the inns and outs of things.

It seems unlikely i'll make the Oct 2004 deadline, so going by what's been confirmed so far it's a 15 month wait. My Dad seems to think I could sort it out once out there!?

What are the rules with maximum stays? Info on sites seem to differ!
As far as I can tell, it's six months, but I read somewhere that it could be extended to nine :confused:

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

Single guys, rarely get B1 visa's (6 months) and your chances are slimmer cos you have relly's in the USA which could arouse immigrant intent.

The Visa Waiver for 3 months is your best bet for the short 3 month term.

These can only be extended if you are on life support machine at the local hospital.

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

Its actually a max of 90 days ..those pesky 31 day months can drop you right in it ..

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

Really helpfull :rolleyes:

Tried to help out a friend with a pregnant fiancee stuck living with his parents, had no idea they would turn into junkies while I was away.
Hindsight is a wonderfull thing, but then I was only supposed to be away for three months originally! Contract kept getting extended, and relied on letting agency to make sure all was well :mad:

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

If this is where the initial advice you stated came from ..I would be really worried ..

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

Thanks for that.. 90 days.. out of curiosity how long to do have to be outside the US before you can then get another 90 days?

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

No most of the advise so far has come from my solicitor, government web sites, and the Fort Lauderdale immigration office.
It's just that she knows people who have experience with this, things don't always work exactly how the official sources say, so good to hear different points of view.

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

There is no official time but to be safe 90 days in 90 days out ..

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

There is no Fort Lauderdale immigration office to my knowledge..
and its unlikely a UK solictor would know anything about US immmigration.

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

Must mean the one in Miami.

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

In the real world, your chances are slim to none. You wont get a work visa this year and it's doubtful if you would get it next year, even if you had a sponsor lined up. You may also find it difficult as you need to provide financial records, this could get you into trouble. The fact that you know people here but they can't sponsor you for a visa hurts you even more. Immigration don't give the benifit of the doubt, if they are even slightly unsure about your motives, you will be on the next plane home.

Quite simply, looking for IT jobs that you could be sponsored for right now is a waste of time, unless you have decades of experience. There are far to many skilled people that are able to start work immediately. Put yourself in their possition, would you hire somebody who at the earliest would start work next year, probably more like 2, and who would cost you $1000's to sponsor?

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

All I know is it's listed as Fort Lauderdale on USCIS website which is where i got the contact info from :) I'm not that hot on geography but isn't Fort Lauderdale right near Miami anyway!?

From what I understand he gets most of his information from a colleague who specialises in immigration law, it's becoming a common thing here. I know people he has helped to emmigrate to other countries such as NZ in a matter of days. All above board of course. US seems to be most complex.

Quite funny really, increasing numbers of immigrants into UK and increasing numbers of UK born citizens leaving :)

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

Do you really think it would take 2 years + ? That doesn't seem to be wht i'm hearing from other sources!?

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

maybe we're wrong then


It's bloody hard to get here dude, If you can get here then great, free cake all round, but don't think it's a piece of piss.

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

Why don't you try the immigration board? I think you will get more recent experiences from people there. My impression is that it's only getting tougher. You have to bear in mind that experiences of people who came here 10 years ago (or even 3 years ago) might be a lot different than now.

I hope you are persistent and patient - you'll need it.

I suggest you also search the site for previous posts about leaving debt responsibilities in the UK and coming to the US. It makes for interesting reading.

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

I know it's gonna be hard, but still hopefull that I can pull it off :)


One way or another i'm determined to do this.. and above board :)

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

Been checking out the Immigration and debt threads, given me lots of excellent pointers thanks for pointing me in the right direction there :)

The big decision now is whether I intend moving back to the UK at any point!
I'm 99% percent sure that's a no.

At least it seems I may be able to get more time here to prepare and wait for paperwork to go through than first thought. Maybe the 15-20 months it looks as though it will take is manageable after all :D

Job prospects looking good, and pretty sure I could get EAD to enable me to work whilst my residency application is being processed.

Thanks to those who contributed positively to this thread :D

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

I still think you're on a hiding to nothing. But good luck.

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

Good luck. Downside to everything is that you haven't started to deal with USCIS yet. When you do, you will realise that it is not going to be easy.

As far as I'm aware, there is no possible way to do that. I'm sure somebody else will know for sure.

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

Information on this definately varies from source to source.
I've now heard many 1st hand stories of similar and indeed less promising cases than this and am extremely confident living & working in the US is possible within 12 months, and entirely above board.
For anyone reading this at a later date looking for information, speak to a specialist immigation lawyer. It may cost you initially but will pay off in the long run. If nothing else it gives you your options accurately.
I'll hold off on posting details until the balls rolling and things are set so I can be as accurate as possible.
In agreement with some other comments here, this is not a simple process, and should not be taken lightly. Patience is definantly required!

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

How about taking the tenants to court over the money?

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

I smell a troll. However i will waste my breath just in case.

On the debts front after 6 years they dont just dissappear. Creditors may or may not keep a record for over 6 yeasr, big debts they will. If you want rid of them fully you need to bankrupt yourself, or Insolvency arrangement, or repay it. This is not relevant to your immigration status at all. In your case sounds like fraud to me, the police should arrest your previous houseguests and you should get the debts discharged as fraud. Your solicitors a dick, if you even have one. You shouldnt have paid crap all for debts you didnt enter into yourself(or by agent acting with your authority).

On the overseas collection agencies thing. Most of them have **** all authority they buy the debts to try to hassle the money out of you sometimes it works. Recovering a debt across borders can be done but is both difficult and expensive so i really doubt they will bother for $70,000. however they will just wait for you to come back and as you dont seem to qualify for PR status they will get you eventually so if you want rid of them and dont mind the credit knock i suggest an Individual Voluntary Insolvency Arrangement (IVA) ask your fake solicitor about it. On the other hand your a dick paying those debts back when they are the result of criminal fraud. Get a better lawyer.

Alternatively get a girlfriend and stop sucking up the time and good will of people on this board who want to help others with their advice.

F-u-c-king trolls. :mad:

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

You'd be more successful if you tried the oldest trick in the book; Come to the US for a few weeks, sweep a local girl off her feet, propose before you leave and get married the next time you come over.

Not that this would actually work, I'm sure US immigration is trained to pick up on this, so you'd be rejected anyway and probably wouldn't be allowed back for a year or two.

If you're running from debts, you'd have a better chance going to Outer Mongolia.

-tom

Re: Immigration quandry.. please help!!
 

So do I, and I'm amazed the thread has continued as long as it has despite it.