Migration for British Subject
 

I am stuck here in Switzerland. Can anyone help me get info on a British Subject wanting to migrate to US or names of any good lawyers please?

I can tell you which one NOT to use..


Earl S David, Wall Street, NYC
their website is www.usavisanow.com but as I said I wouldn't use him if I were you...

I paid him $800 for his 'services' on my visa application. All he did was fill in the forms for me based on answers I gave him over the phone. Then he posted it all to me to sign and I sent it on to the INS.

I made sure to ask him whether the fact that I came in on an I94-W (which I subsequently lost), got married while I was here and stayed was going to be a problem. He assured me it wasn't, so I went ahead as usual only to find that what I did was breaking was the law. I nearly got thrown in jail for falsification of documents and intent to marry without the proper authorisation!

He also told me that it didn't matter if I didn't have a job here, because my assets of $15,000 in the UK would mean I could support myself. When I had my INS interview they told me that in fact I would $50,000 worth of assets, or a job, else they wouldn't let me stay.

I tried to call him on numerous occasions to get answers to my questions, but each time he was unavailable, or didn't return my messages.

Next time I think I'll just use the $800 as bog roll then flush it down the carzy. At least that way I might be illegal but my arse will be clean for 'Bubba' when I do get thrown in jail!

Best
GJB

If you are a British subject, are you therefore a citizen of another country?

if so try the diversity lottey visa thingimibob.

I am British Citizen living in Switzerland as resident, therefore no lottery

oh, just a thought.

Earl S David, Wall Street, NYC
also uses www.marriagegreencard.com/

Claims to be a member of Aila ..may be worth checking

OK for the first time in 2004 ...... :D

There are basically six ways (seven if you have a close relative who is a USC and is willing to sponsor you) that you can get a visa to live and work in the US:

(i) Marriage (or engagement in anticipation of marriage) to a US citizen.
(ii) You have skills that are in short supply in the US e.g. IT, scientific or medical training. (The list of qualifying occupations is actually quite long, but visas are very limited for 2004 going forward, making it a difficult route to follow, and you have to have the backing of an employer, which isn't easy as employers are likely to take a local employee before going to the trouble and not inconsiderable expense of helping an immigrant obtain a visa.)
(iii) You have an employer who is willing to transfer you - but even the employer has to make a good case for you - so you have to be a manager unless you fall under category (ii), above.
(iv) get a green card in the diversity lottery (UK citizens, except N.Ireland are not eligible)
(v) You own a business (does not get you permanent resident status i.e. no green card, likely minimum investment $100,000)
(vi) You are an "investor" i.e. you have at least US$1m in assets to bring with you.

If you want to come to live in the US then, as a British citizen, the only realistic options you have are (ii) or (iii) in my list above.

If you are contemplating (v) above then you should be aware that you will never get permanent resident or citizenship rights (unless you later qualify for a visa under one of the other headings), and this means that if the business fails, you sell-up, or retire then you must leave the country. You should not consider option (v) unless you have a plan to deal with this not inconsiderable problem, unless you are only planning to stay in the US for a few years. From what other people have reported on this board, you would also be well advised to consult an immigration lawyer as you are looking at a visa type that is difficult to obtain.

I hope this helps.

Well thx a lot for all the info but unfortunately the problem is that I am highly skilled in what I do but we do not get Diplomas here in Switzerland for that, only references. I have no family already in US and nothing in the pipeline to marry an american as there are practically none here :)

So, how did you end up in Switzerland? What made you decide to move to the US?

My mother came here to study further on medicine and took us with her of course :( That's how I landed here. I want to move to the states because with a British mentality I am used to "people with wit", people that know how to live and friends that spontaneously go with you to the cinema. None of that here, plus my son needs a warmer climate.

Don't come here then.....................Been here 3 years and still my only mate is a lad I met from Nottingham.

so are you saying you are British and can't find friends in US? Do you regret moving to the US? Nevertheless, the warmer climate is more important to me for my son than going to the cinema.

The whole social culture is different. If you have a single beer you appear to be deemed by society as a habitual alky.


True warmer climes are a great appeal, I can vouch for that right now.

Ummm... Don't go to Michigan in January then...

OT: Evidence of Academic Qualifications
 

Does this mean Switzerland does not issue documents (diplomas, certificates, etc.) for any academic qualifications?

How does one prove that one has the qualifications one says he/she has?





NC Penguin