Manc

who's the mug here then?

the_wanderer

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

Manc

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.

Ray

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

the_wanderer

Really helpfull

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

Ray

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

the_wanderer

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?

the_wanderer

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.

Ray

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

Ray

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

Manc

Must mean the one in Miami.

Duncan Roberts

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?

the_wanderer

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

the_wanderer

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

Manc

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.