Looking at moving to the USA
#1
Just Joined
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7
Looking at moving to the USA
Hi, so I've been searching round this forum, countless uscis.gov and all sorts of other resources and I'm struggling to see which category I would fall under or find my best options.
I'm currently in University in the UK studying for a BSc, I met a girl there who is Canadian but her family live in the US (Washington state) all of them on green cards. She's currently looking to apply for her citizenship (shes eligible etc). I'm wanting to go move to the USA when my degree is complete with the support of her and her family, I'll be finished studying in spring 2014.
I'm just wondering what my best option would be, would I be able to apply for a H1B with just my degree? Do I need a job offer? Is it likely I would get a job offer from just my degree (obviously I'm going to have no real working experience). What other options do I have? Would I be able to enter the country on a tourist visa and job search there then let the employer know I need to be sponsored for a visa (is this legal?).
Another option we thought about was the girl I met was going to move to Vancouver, BC to go to study for a BSc, I was wondering if it would be a better option for me to try and get into Canada and work in Vancouver, then once I have the required experience apply for a H1B visa. Would it be easier to get in through Canada (I know this is kinda in the wrong forum, sorry) from the UK?
Can someone help me out and outline my options please. Thank you all!
I'm currently in University in the UK studying for a BSc, I met a girl there who is Canadian but her family live in the US (Washington state) all of them on green cards. She's currently looking to apply for her citizenship (shes eligible etc). I'm wanting to go move to the USA when my degree is complete with the support of her and her family, I'll be finished studying in spring 2014.
I'm just wondering what my best option would be, would I be able to apply for a H1B with just my degree? Do I need a job offer? Is it likely I would get a job offer from just my degree (obviously I'm going to have no real working experience). What other options do I have? Would I be able to enter the country on a tourist visa and job search there then let the employer know I need to be sponsored for a visa (is this legal?).
Another option we thought about was the girl I met was going to move to Vancouver, BC to go to study for a BSc, I was wondering if it would be a better option for me to try and get into Canada and work in Vancouver, then once I have the required experience apply for a H1B visa. Would it be easier to get in through Canada (I know this is kinda in the wrong forum, sorry) from the UK?
Can someone help me out and outline my options please. Thank you all!
#2
Re: Looking at moving to the USA
Easiest way is to turn girlfriend into wife (once she has citizenship!).
Next question?
Next question?
#4
Re: Looking at moving to the USA
If you enter on a K1 fiance visa, IIRC, it's 90 days to get married.
#5
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7
Re: Looking at moving to the USA
Hmm that's not very ideal then.. Seems like it's going to be easiest but isn't the way we planned.
#6
Re: Looking at moving to the USA
Do I need a job offer?
Is it likely I would get a job offer from just my degree (obviously I'm going to have no real working experience).
What other options do I have?
Would I be able to enter the country on a tourist visa and job search there then let the employer know I need to be sponsored for a visa (is this legal?).
Rene
#7
Re: Looking at moving to the USA
K-1 fiance visa (get the visa first, then you have 90 days after arrival in the USA to get married, then apply for your green card), or
CR-1 Immigrant Visa (get married first, then apply for the Immigrant Visa from the UK...you become a US Permanent Resident the day you enter the USA using your Immigrant Visa).
It's only late 2012. You're not looking to move to the USA until after you graduate in 2014 anyway. So perhaps by that time the relationship will be further along, and marriage will be a better option.
Rene
#8
Re: Looking at moving to the USA
She gets US citizenship, you get married, that would be the easiest way into the US.
You could also look to do a exchange year at uni, that would be easy enough to arrange to get a taste of the US, or look for a J1 internship after you graduate, but that might be tougher to arrange and would depend on what you're studying.
You could also look to do a exchange year at uni, that would be easy enough to arrange to get a taste of the US, or look for a J1 internship after you graduate, but that might be tougher to arrange and would depend on what you're studying.
#9
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Joined: Sep 2012
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Re: Looking at moving to the USA
I figured being engaged wouldn't be enough to get me in. Her dad does work at IBM, currently holding Canadian and British citizenship but he's living in the US on a green card. He holds quite a high up position and they said he'd do what he could to help me get a job (I'm studying Computer Science). However I'm still unsure whether they would be willing to sponsor me and pay the fees (however much they are) to get my visa pushed through based on my degree alone.
Studying i'm not sure is a great option as I'd plan on living with her when I move over, I have money saved, probably enough for a year or so, or even possibily a deposit on a house (with help from my parents), however living costs + masters degree with no chance of getting a student loan, idk if thats the best option.. Marriage may be but we'll both be in our early twenties. I'll be 23 and she will be 21..
Studying i'm not sure is a great option as I'd plan on living with her when I move over, I have money saved, probably enough for a year or so, or even possibily a deposit on a house (with help from my parents), however living costs + masters degree with no chance of getting a student loan, idk if thats the best option.. Marriage may be but we'll both be in our early twenties. I'll be 23 and she will be 21..
#10
Re: Looking at moving to the USA
The chances of getting in any other way are slim to none unless you get VERY lucky - and I'm talking about the kind of luck needed to win the lottery!
We see posts like yours at least two or three times a week and the answer is always the same. Most go away and don't come back because they don't like the truth.
I'm sorry if you think I'm being negative, but it's best to know the reality of what you are trying to do than to embellish it and give you false hope.
Most of the people on this board came here one of two ways. One, being/getting married to a USC and two, being sponsored by a UK company with offices in the US. Some have been lucky enough to get a US company to sponsor them, but the costs involved are considerable and the skills needed go WAY beyond just graduating with a BSc!
It can also take a long time to get all the paperwork in order and get responses from the respective people involved, so be ready for it to not happen overnight.
We see posts like yours at least two or three times a week and the answer is always the same. Most go away and don't come back because they don't like the truth.
I'm sorry if you think I'm being negative, but it's best to know the reality of what you are trying to do than to embellish it and give you false hope.
Most of the people on this board came here one of two ways. One, being/getting married to a USC and two, being sponsored by a UK company with offices in the US. Some have been lucky enough to get a US company to sponsor them, but the costs involved are considerable and the skills needed go WAY beyond just graduating with a BSc!
It can also take a long time to get all the paperwork in order and get responses from the respective people involved, so be ready for it to not happen overnight.
#11
Re: Looking at moving to the USA
We don't yet know when the lucky lady might attain US citizenship in order to sponsor the OP. Not that this would prevent the marriage.
#12
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 157
Re: Looking at moving to the USA
Does she also have British citizenship like her father? If she does she could move to the UK once her US citizenship is sorted and then when you feel ready to marry you can both move to the US.
#13
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,157
Re: Looking at moving to the USA
Another option we thought about was the girl I met was going to move to Vancouver, BC to go to study for a BSc, I was wondering if it would be a better option for me to try and get into Canada and work in Vancouver, then once I have the required experience apply for a H1B visa. Would it be easier to get in through Canada (I know this is kinda in the wrong forum, sorry) from the UK?
#14
Just Joined
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7
Re: Looking at moving to the USA
Would I be able to job hunt on this visa?
#15
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 157
Re: Looking at moving to the USA
You could also look at J1 visas for the US - when you graduate you can take up a training placement for 18 months and they're relatively easy to get, possibly even easier if your girlfriend's father can make a few enquiries where he works.
After 18 months you'll be in a better position to know if you're ready to get married.
It's more or less my route to the US.
After 18 months you'll be in a better position to know if you're ready to get married.
It's more or less my route to the US.