is it just a random pipedream?
 

A quick brief.

Hubby and I are brits living in south west england,
he is currently studying a degree in finance so at the end of it will be a qualified accountant.

im a stay at home mum to 3 (under 3 1/2) children now. (no degree)

We would really like to live in the US - not sure where but California seems lke a nice place to start!
been on holiday there and liked it although very different to living I'm sure!

I'm not even sure if we'd be allowed to as I can see immigration is tight but what do you guys think?!

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

Read the wiki and see if you are eligible under the various types of visa's available.

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

It wouldn't hurt to provide the link ...

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=585898

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

I've had a look and it looks almost impossible!
Dh being an accountant isn't a Skill in demand althoughI had started my midwifery and am now thinking about taking it back up as it's a demanded job!

I read though that even if I say got a job as a midwife under the sponsership programme my hubby wouldn't be able to work!

If we go we;d both want the chance to work and stay there

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

You'd normally need to qualify independently for work authorization, I believe. Some visas (e.g., H-1B) do not allow the spouse to work (they just get permission to live in the US), and there are plenty of threads on here from spouse who go out of their minds being stuck in the house with no job to go to.

I think some visas allow spouses to work, but am not sure.

There is a forum for asking about immigration - this general USA forum is more for general US-related posts (What is Phoenix like? What is the best cable company? Please explain health insurance ... etc.)

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

The common scenario of a visa that allows the spouse to work is the L-1 (intra-company transferee). That is to say, OP's hubby gets a job as an accountant in a multi-national firm but in their UK office and then they transfer him to their US office. This scenario hinges around the company having a good business reason to take this expensive step, so it's not the kind of thing you'd expect them to do with a junior or newer employee.

It's really tough-to-impossible for most to be able to move to the US. Sorry to put a dampener on your ambitions. Feel free to ask any other questions you have and we'll do our best to answer. We're a nice, cuddly helpful bunch on here! :)

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

Thanks for the clarification - I hesitate to respond where I'm not sure of the exact answer (sometimes trying to be helpful isn't much help if your advice is incorrect).

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

He'd need to be a CPA to make any headway in the US. An MBA wouldn't hurt either.


Sadly, I'm afraid, not in the US - where it's still largely looked on as being an unnecessary skill. I'm quite thankful for midwives - as my mum had one when I was born! :)


As dunroving suggested, that would depend on the visa. The H-4 derivative visa (of an H-1B) does not allow the spouse to work. Ever. Full stop. In immigration circles, it's known as the "visa from hell". Other visas allow the spouse to apply for permission to work... but you'd still need a US company to sponsor you.

At any rate, you're looking at an uphill climb. It's not impossible for someone who is highly motivated and has useful qualifications.

Ian

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

oh dear - it really is looking like a pipe dream :-(

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

As long as you're being cuddly and helpful that's the main thing. Those are the qualities that unite us on BE.

Edit: If sprouts were a quality then they would unite us too...

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

Unfortunately Lou. You can still have lovely holidays in CA though.

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

Or a longer-term goal (see my post on L-1). Another route would be to amass some serious cash and start (or buy) a business over here - that's fraught with a lot more hurdles but people do manage it.

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

i know! we're just trying to do the best we can for the kids,... give them the best chances as we see them etc and sadly I don't think the UK is it!
I've never wanted to stay here - dunno why just don't and hubby is of a similar mind set!

hmmmm

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

Of course, if I was being evil minded I could say that almost a guaranteed route there would be marriage to a US Citizen, but as you are already married with kids, your hubby might not appreciate it, hehe. :o

I like the OP's attitude. None of this bs about well I want to go so I must be allowed and nothing will stop me. Makes a refreshing change.

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

If that's your motivation then you might want to browse the many threads in BE on US lifestyle and such. Yes there are advantages that some people enjoy, but there are plenty of disadvantages too that make the US a very challenging country to live in for some (healthcare, education costs, vacation and sick time, taxes, employee rights, consumer rights, crime and more).

You may even find from a bit more research that you wouldn't want to move over here, which might save you some heartache and give you a new focus or goal.

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

excuse my ignorance... what's OP!

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

Have you considered Canada (many parts are quite nice - even in winter... not quite the frozen wasteland that the media portrays)? It's culturally similar to both the UK and the US, is a bit easier to get into from an immigration POV, and is a heck of a lot closer to the US for holidays! :)

I've always recommended Canada as a "stepping stone" to the US for those who have the US in mind as a long-term goal. If/when you become Canadian citizens (which does not jeapordize your UK citizenship) then other visa options become available to you.


OP = original poster = you! :)

Ian

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

Improving your children's lot in life might be more easily achieved by changing your situation in the UK. I wouldn't assume that moving to the US is necessarily going to improve their future.

I'm currently trying to get back to the US, but would certainly stick up for the fact that the UK has a lot going for it ... depending on what part you live in.

From years of reading threads on BE, emigrating can be the best thing in the world for some families, but can also make life hell for your kids, depending on their ages, personalities, and where you emigrate to.

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

That's you. You are the original poster aka OP. ( the person who starts the topic)

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

hahaha - thanks for that!

If we do it - it will be done properly, I wouldn't risk anything that would put my family status in jeopardy!

my children are young now and to be honest we are thinking more 5 years down the line but need to think about it as it's not just us involved (i mean not just me and hubby)

i understand why it's so difficult

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

Have you asked in the Australia and Canada forums? I don't whether you could get there as an accountant but they would be able to tell you.

An outside possibility *might* be for your husband to work for a large company that has offices in the USA, (that might involve working in London though) and biding your time so that he could get a transfer down the line.

if he's still a student then that's going to be some years away, if it happens at all.

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

Thought about Aus? or somewhere else in Europe??:)

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

Lou,

I agree with The Horticulturalist, I looked at Australia out of curiosity and I believe midwives are on their 'in demand' list. Similar strict visa conditions apply like the US but there are sites where you can do a points test to see if you have at least a chance of getting in :).
No guarantees but got to be worth a look? ;)

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

Anywhere by the UK by the sounds of.

Cant blame her.

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

Hear hear :thumbdown:

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

don't get me wrong I love the UK but I don't want this to be it and our final destination!

who knows what will happen.....

but I'm keeping my options open

as for timescales we have set this goal to happwn within 7 years so it's not like I'm saying today!

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

Fair enough.

I don't know how old you are (and I certainly wouldn't ask a lady to reveal her age:)) but there seems to be an age limit for Aus if you were to go that way. I'm not sure how strict it is but they state 18-45yrs as the criteria (with appropriate points associated I guess?).

Just a thought ;).

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

hahaha!

I'm 29 and hubby is 27!

so still VERY VERY VERY young ;)

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

Get a good job in the UK and come to California for nice holidays. Seriously.

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

NIce thread guys, karma to you all :)

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

:thumbsup:

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

Hi,

Frankly - he needs to do MBA & or CPA to stand any chance. After that it's about networking.Company transfer does sound good too. Have you been to CA? Any idea how the lifestyle there is? factor in that you would be away from family? etc etc

Being young is a huge positive. If you invest a further 2 years in MBA/CPA then you can atleast start thinking...

its too competitive, not even mentioning GFC yet...

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

Congrats and well done.

With just your second post you demonstrate a grasp of the realities of your chances that's better than 99.9% of all folks who come on here asking the same question you did.

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

California really isn't the place if you are trying to give 3 kids the best chance. The constant government cuts here mean education is taking a huge hit. It was already around the 48th worse state for education spend per kid. They are now on about doing away with text books and class sizes increasing to around 60:frown:.

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

One thing to consider with the kids, if you get a visa, time frame to then getting greencards because if you take to long to be eligible to get here, your kids could well age out and your looking at that kind of time frame.

Could always consider doing a MBA in the US for a couple of years on a student visa. Wouldn't be a long term solution unless you managed to get a intern placement afterwards and it's probably not ideal in that it'll cost a small fortune in fees, but I think the F2 derivative does allow work, though might want to double check on that one.

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

Can you tell me when this will happen:)

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

Being introduced now. Classes are merging at my son's high school. Arnie is keen on the online textbooks.

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

Saving trees, eh...... :sneaky:

Seriously, I'm so glad ours are no longer in school.

Though what is happening in the universities is just as scary...

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

Tell me about it.

Re: is it just a random pipedream?
 

Hi Sally
I'm sorry to OP for hijacking this thread, btw
What county are you? We have been looking at irvine/tustin for our kids to do their schooling, I take it your kids are in public schools, we are going to be putting ours in public school, just trying to figure out best unified area, have been reading up and irvine seems pretty good??