The likelihood of actually being granted a Visa
#1
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 4
The likelihood of actually being granted a Visa
Hi all,
I've dreamt of moving to America for many years, and even more so recently.
I'm 25 and am finally getting my life together (Got a decent job and started saving) after a few hiccups and have finally started looking into making the move a reality but I was provided some information by a website not long ago, I forget what site now, but it basically said if you don't have at least a PHD or equivalent, to forget any hope of emigrating to the USA.
Is this the reality? I don't have a PHD, not even close, the best qualification I have will soon be an MCSE which is a Microsoft qualification to prove I have specialised knowledge of specific IT systems. I currently work in a private company that is contacted by the NHS to provide IT support to over 500 GP surgeries and a handful of hospitals. The job varies from as much as doing the entire set up and installation of a new surgeries IT system, including the network infrastructure, installing a server, setting backups to run and liaising with with clinical system providers to get them set up and running to small jobs such as resetting a Doctors NHS Mail password.
My plan was to hopefully save up a wad of cash, go to Texas a few times and do a bit of exploring to see if it is really what I wanted, progress my career somewhat and then move to Texas.
As you can imagine hearing the majority of people requesting a permanent work visa are declined based on the fact they don't have a PHD was somewhat disheartening.
I've dreamt of moving to America for many years, and even more so recently.
I'm 25 and am finally getting my life together (Got a decent job and started saving) after a few hiccups and have finally started looking into making the move a reality but I was provided some information by a website not long ago, I forget what site now, but it basically said if you don't have at least a PHD or equivalent, to forget any hope of emigrating to the USA.
Is this the reality? I don't have a PHD, not even close, the best qualification I have will soon be an MCSE which is a Microsoft qualification to prove I have specialised knowledge of specific IT systems. I currently work in a private company that is contacted by the NHS to provide IT support to over 500 GP surgeries and a handful of hospitals. The job varies from as much as doing the entire set up and installation of a new surgeries IT system, including the network infrastructure, installing a server, setting backups to run and liaising with with clinical system providers to get them set up and running to small jobs such as resetting a Doctors NHS Mail password.
My plan was to hopefully save up a wad of cash, go to Texas a few times and do a bit of exploring to see if it is really what I wanted, progress my career somewhat and then move to Texas.
As you can imagine hearing the majority of people requesting a permanent work visa are declined based on the fact they don't have a PHD was somewhat disheartening.
#2
Re: The likelihood of actually being granted a Visa
Hi all,
I've dreamt of moving to America for many years, and even more so recently.
I'm 25 and am finally getting my life together (Got a decent job and started saving) after a few hiccups and have finally started looking into making the move a reality but I was provided some information by a website not long ago, I forget what site now, but it basically said if you don't have at least a PHD or equivalent, to forget any hope of emigrating to the USA.
Is this the reality? I don't have a PHD, not even close, the best qualification I have will soon be an MCSE which is a Microsoft qualification to prove I have specialised knowledge of specific IT systems. I currently work in a private company that is contacted by the NHS to provide IT support to over 500 GP surgeries and a handful of hospitals. The job varies from as much as doing the entire set up and installation of a new surgeries IT system, including the network infrastructure, installing a server, setting backups to run and liaising with with clinical system providers to get them set up and running to small jobs such as resetting a Doctors NHS Mail password.
My plan was to hopefully save up a wad of cash, go to Texas a few times and do a bit of exploring to see if it is really what I wanted, progress my career somewhat and then move to Texas.
As you can imagine hearing the majority of people requesting a permanent work visa are declined based on the fact they don't have a PHD was somewhat disheartening.
I've dreamt of moving to America for many years, and even more so recently.
I'm 25 and am finally getting my life together (Got a decent job and started saving) after a few hiccups and have finally started looking into making the move a reality but I was provided some information by a website not long ago, I forget what site now, but it basically said if you don't have at least a PHD or equivalent, to forget any hope of emigrating to the USA.
Is this the reality? I don't have a PHD, not even close, the best qualification I have will soon be an MCSE which is a Microsoft qualification to prove I have specialised knowledge of specific IT systems. I currently work in a private company that is contacted by the NHS to provide IT support to over 500 GP surgeries and a handful of hospitals. The job varies from as much as doing the entire set up and installation of a new surgeries IT system, including the network infrastructure, installing a server, setting backups to run and liaising with with clinical system providers to get them set up and running to small jobs such as resetting a Doctors NHS Mail password.
My plan was to hopefully save up a wad of cash, go to Texas a few times and do a bit of exploring to see if it is really what I wanted, progress my career somewhat and then move to Texas.
As you can imagine hearing the majority of people requesting a permanent work visa are declined based on the fact they don't have a PHD was somewhat disheartening.
Pulaski's Ways: How to Live and Work in the USA : British Expat Wiki
#3
Just Joined
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 4
Re: The likelihood of actually being granted a Visa
Thanks, so it looks like I need 12 years of experience as well to apply for a job in Texas that no one in America can do? That second part seems kinda crazy.
#4
Re: The likelihood of actually being granted a Visa
..... I've dreamt of moving to America for many years, ..... if you don't have at least a PHD or equivalent, ....Is this the reality? I don't have a PHD, not even close, ...... As you can imagine hearing the majority of people requesting a permanent work visa are declined based on the fact they don't have a PHD was somewhat disheartening.
Are you single and open to online dating? No, I am not joking.
#5
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2009
Location: DC Metro Area
Posts: 305
Re: The likelihood of actually being granted a Visa
Marriage to a USC is one option (if you're single), another is via an intracompany transfer visa (L-1A or L-1B). The L-1 visa does not require a degree, nor does it require 12 years of experience in lieu of a degree. You would need to work for the company for 1 year in the UK and obviously meet the requirements of the visa (specialist skills or management experience).
#6
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2014
Location: London -> New York
Posts: 216
Re: The likelihood of actually being granted a Visa
- Marry an American.
- Save $500k to 'invest'.
- Get yourself working for an international company, be great at your job, wait for a chance to move (may take some time - took us 8 years).
- Save $500k to 'invest'.
- Get yourself working for an international company, be great at your job, wait for a chance to move (may take some time - took us 8 years).
#7
Just Joined
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 4
Re: The likelihood of actually being granted a Visa
Haha, I'll admit it crossed my mind but it seems so out there. I'd either be tricking some woman into a loveless marriage, or have to get someone to agree to a sham marriage. And then there's the whole ordeal of having to actually find someone online, from Texas, who would marry me. Just seems unethical, immoral or unrealistic unfortunately.
#8
Re: The likelihood of actually being granted a Visa
Haha, I'll admit it crossed my mind but it seems so out there. I'd either be tricking some woman into a loveless marriage, or have to get someone to agree to a sham marriage. And then there's the whole ordeal of having to actually find someone online, from Texas, who would marry me. Just seems unethical, immoral or unrealistic unfortunately.
#9
Re: The likelihood of actually being granted a Visa
Haha, I'll admit it crossed my mind but it seems so out there. I'd either be tricking some woman into a loveless marriage, or have to get someone to agree to a sham marriage. And then there's the whole ordeal of having to actually find someone online, from Texas, who would marry me. Just seems unethical, immoral or unrealistic unfortunately.
#10
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2014
Location: London -> New York
Posts: 216
Re: The likelihood of actually being granted a Visa
Haha, I'll admit it crossed my mind but it seems so out there. I'd either be tricking some woman into a loveless marriage, or have to get someone to agree to a sham marriage. And then there's the whole ordeal of having to actually find someone online, from Texas, who would marry me. Just seems unethical, immoral or unrealistic unfortunately.
No difference between the area you enter into the search being where you want to live vs where you actually live now.
Unless of course by your comment you are suggesting you have no interest in meeting someone and marriage!
#11
Re: The likelihood of actually being granted a Visa
Haha, I'll admit it crossed my mind but it seems so out there. I'd either be tricking some woman into a loveless marriage, or have to get someone to agree to a sham marriage. And then there's the whole ordeal of having to actually find someone online, from Texas, who would marry me. Just seems unethical, immoral or unrealistic unfortunately.
Last edited by Pulaski; Jun 19th 2014 at 1:00 pm.
#12
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 4
Re: The likelihood of actually being granted a Visa
Nah, I'm totally open to it. I just find it odd that anyone in Texas would consider internet dating someone in the UK. You'd only be able to see each other once every few months or so until you're married and the visa was sorted. Maybe I'm just being pessimistic. :P
#13
Banned
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,154
Re: The likelihood of actually being granted a Visa
Is this the reality? I don't have a PHD, not even close, the best qualification I have will soon be an MCSE which is a Microsoft qualification to prove I have specialised knowledge of specific IT systems
My plan was to hopefully save up a wad of cash, go to Texas a few times and do a bit of exploring to see if it is really what I wanted, progress my career somewhat and then move to Texas.
#14
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2009
Location: DC Metro Area
Posts: 305
Re: The likelihood of actually being granted a Visa
You'd be surprised how many Texans there are in the UK (particularly in London). You could try going to some of the US expat meetups in London for starters.