Libby75

If it is merely a case of proving he's disappeared, this is very easy - I have numerous government body documents etc. confirming this.

Going to court, however, is extremely expensive, exhausting and time consuming. I know from experience.

Hence, the first would be fully just, the second yet another draining and exhaustive process on an already very hard working single parent.

Jerseygirl

Libby...as FatBrit has already said the above is moot because you have zero chance of legally moving to the US. So there is no point in getting stressed out about your ex.

Sally Redux

The reason I re-quoted Fatbrit's points was that I get the impression Libby is not taking the situation in.

And even if by some miracle this was a goer, the US has to be one of the last places suitable for a single mother with a precarious income stream and no contacts.

Ray

There are only 2 investment visa the other start at $500k
it may pay to have a consult wth Kehrela at
http://www.investorvisausa.com/index.html

Libby75

It's not really a case of having an issue with the entire UK re making friends at all, more the knoweldge that there are significant cultural differences in different areas of the world.

The Brits are great people, but culturally keep themselves to themselves. Friends exist but it is superficial and there is certainly no obvious culture of warm communities.

Libby75

I'm taking everything in, please don't worry. This is why all the questions and responses - a desire to research.

At this stage, it is merely curiousity and a wish to learn, I'm not intending on moving there tomorrow.

Libby75

Ah yes, I was aware of the $500k-1000k one, but sadly don't have that amount.

Thank you for the suggested link, I will look into this.

Libby75

I don't believe in "zero" chance re anything until I've fully researched it - which writing on this board is part of.

Not stressing about my ex, merely researching.

Noorah101

You can't. The ConOff who does your interview will want to see proof of permission from the father, OR a court order. If you can't locate the father, you have to show proof that you've at least tried your best to locate him, and that might involve a solicitor who can try to find him, and if he can't be found, who can work on getting a court order in the father's absence.

Unfortunately, the US embassy doesn't see it that way. They will want to see proof of what I described above.

You will need to take action before the ex takes action, because you won't get the visa without the proof I described above.

I understand you're just now looking into things. I just wanted you to be aware of what's required.

Rene

Noorah101

Probably won't work for real estate business, but if you have a UK business that you can keep up and running without you there, you can transfer yourself to the USA and create a US branch of the company. The UK side MUST remain up and running, and must have employees (it can't be you running it from the USA).

Rene

Libby75

Thank you. Would it help if I could prove, to the interviewer, that:

a) The child support agency (a government body) has attempted to find him but failed?

b) I hired an investigator - she failed too?

Or do you believe I must still go through the horrendous court process?

Noorah101

Yes, as long as it was fairly recent.

Yes, as long as it was fairly recent.

You will still need a court order. The above documents will help your court order case.

Rene

Libby75

Arrrgh! But thank you for info

Phoodilicious

Just pitching in my humble opinion since moving to the US 2 years ago (L1A visa, intra company transfer), my company relocated me, my husband and household, pets etc first to Fort Worth in Texas. The southerners are known for their warmth and hospitality and we did find it relatively easy to make friends BUT this was not the neighbours but the fact we went to a local bar regularly and there was a Brit contingent already there! We made some friends with Americans too and people were very friendly on the surface but no more so than going to a friendly country pub in many parts of the UK. I also made friends at work but for you working on your own and probably not being so freely able to go out in the evenings with your child care requirements etc I am not sure how you would go about making "bosom pals" rather than friendly acquaintances.

We then were moved again 14 months later to southern California and the folks here we have met have been friendly but again not so much neighbours but going to a local bar, joining the clubhouse at our HOA, putting ourselves "out there". People are welcoming, friendly on a fairly superficial level for the most part with few "real" friends so far. I am not convinced you will find things much different in terms of the ability to make friends here than it would be in various parts of the UK. Not trying to be a damper just giving our own realistic view from the past 2 years. Good luck whatever you decide to do.

worldtrekker

Hi Libby,

Going back to your initial question about friendly places to move to in the States, a good way to connect socially is often through existing family or friends. Do you know anyone in the States and, if you do, could you spend a bit of time over there within the 3-month tourist visa, checking things out for yourself (perhaps in the summer vacation with your daughter, if you were able to sort her visa)? It might help you find some answers and, as some of the other respondents have said and I’m sure you already know, living in a place is very different to being there on vacation.

Visiting for a bit longer might help you judge better whether you’d like it long term. And who knows, if you’re *really* lucky or have some in-demand skills, you might even meet someone through contacts who offers you a job, though of course they’d also have to be willing to sort out an employment visa for you. (This used to mean they also have to prove that they’ve tried and failed to recruit a US citizen for the position, though I’m not sure what the current situation is).

Another option, if you’re willing to travel and have particular skills, might be the British Foreign Office; see what that might involve at https://www.gov.uk/government/organi...ut/recruitment (I’m not sure whether that would work with your daughter).

There’s also a good website that focuses on US immigration that you might find useful at http://www.immihelp.com/.

Myself, I’m a dual citizen and have lived for several years in the UK and the States, as well as many other continents and countries. As a character, I’m very friendly and used to bonding quickly with all sorts of people; however, it still took me many years to make real friends in Boston MA, and easily as much time as in the UK – it’s not called New England for nothing! And as in any place, all too often the people who were quickest to be friendly ended up being either insincere or the people I ended up wanting to get away from fastest!

It sounds like you’ve been through a pretty rough time with your marriage and might be quite vulnerable just now. I don’t mean to patronise you there; as you’ve pointed out, these are just your initial investigations and you’re being careful to research as much as you can.

I haven’t been to Kentucky but I do have US friends who’ve lived and worked there, recently and for years, who say the people are really genuine and friendly. It’s a relatively poor state, but that means it’s also pretty cheap to live.

Apologies for such a long posting, but I hope some of what I’ve said here is useful. And best of luck, whatever you decide.