moving to america/canda etc
 

Hi,

I am new here, I have been wantnig to move to USA Since I was 13 years of age I have been attracted to the USA for a long time. I have not done anything about it I am now 25 old enough to try and sort out my life etc I would like to do it before I am 30 years old.

Thing is i am currently unemployed in the UK, and looking for work daily as well as looking for work in the states. or jobs over here that I can move to the states with if that makes sense.

I no the process is long to move out over there but it is something I wish to do(& Expensive). I would like to no how to go about trying to sort it out to move over there & I would like a rough idea how much I would need to earn/save before going over there I no I am going to try and save to have a holiday over there before making my mind up about moving there. Would I be able to apply for jobs while I am on holiday out there?.

Thanks for your help in advance.

Re: moving to america/canda etc
 

Before you can even think about the move, what sort of visa do you think you can get? Are you a US citizen?

Re: moving to america/canda etc
 

That's good. So presumably after planning it for a dozen years you've got a PhD in a suitable ology to wow US companies with? Or perhaps you're not the academic type and have half a million bucks lying spare from your entrepreneurial skills to buy your way in?

Re: moving to america/canda etc
 

Nope, I only have qualifications in ICT, not to a degree level but I am thinking of going to do my level 3 ICT Course so i can think about going to UNI before moving over there because with out a degree I don't think I would be able to get a job over there.

Or is there any other way?. the visa I would be applying for is 90 day visa & no I am a UK citizen. Yeah I have been wanting to do this for a few years but not actually gone ahead with anything.

I also have quite extensive work experience till my previous job which I got made redundant from.

Would like a bit of advice what is best to get a job here or over there or what? to actually get a green card etc? I have no family over there but i no people over there.

Re: moving to america/canda etc
 

etc? Where else would you consider?

Re: moving to america/canda etc
 

I'd consider canada and the states, id rather move some where like this because I don't think id be happy any where else. As it is something I have always wanted to do.

Re: moving to america/canda etc
 

There is no "90 day visa" for the US if you're a UK citizen. What you're thinking of is the VWP (Visa Waiver Program) that allows you to enter the country for up to 90 days for business or holiday purposes, but not to live here and especially not to work over here.

Here's a good starting point to understand what options you have:

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Pulask...ork_in_the_USA

BTW, have you actually been to the US before? Even just as a tourist? As a two-times expat (first emigrated to the UK, then to the US) I can tell you that emigrating somewhere is not a decision one should take lightly.

Re: moving to america/canda etc
 

Now we are getting somewhere. A very friendly, single, working, male US Citizen perhaps?

Re: moving to america/canda etc
 

I am taken :). so that's a no go area.

Re: moving to america/canda etc
 

You're not authorized to work over there. So here would be your only solution.

Re: moving to america/canda etc
 

So that's about it. We've covered family, money and skills. The pot's pretty well dry.

Re: moving to america/canda etc
 

What about when I finally get a job in the UK, what do i do then?. just save up as much as I can? and go from there?.

Re: moving to america/canda etc
 

Did you read Tim's post (#7)?

Re: moving to america/canda etc
 

If you can save half a million dollars at your job, you can buy a green card.

Re: moving to america/canda etc
 

Thanks slow internet at the moment will read it now.

Re: moving to america/canda etc
 

No but I am saving to go there as a tourist I have already planned that bit. I am new to all of this stuff. I will try and work out what options they are.

thanks for your help.

Re: moving to america/canda etc
 

How does your other half figure in your plans?

Re: moving to america/canda etc
 

Hi

Sadly, you don't have many options. The US has an abundance of people who want to move here and a large number of voters who would be more than happy to put up barbed wire at the borders. The rules for visas to live and work here are incredibly strict, and basically fall into two categories: family, or essential workers.

Since you aren't married to a US citizen and likely not the son or daughter or sibling of one, the family route seems to be a non-starter.

Your certifications will hold little weight over here. Work experience, if in an essential field (think engineering, science, medicine) can make up for the lack of a university degree, but you'll need 12 years of experience in one of those fields.

If you are still willing to go to university, you could apply to study in the US. This is actually a pretty easy way to get in IF-IF-IF you can afford it. Basically you'll need to show the resources to support yourself during your studies. There is no set number for this but think probably about £25000-30000 per year of study. Maybe a bit less depending on the schools, but it is a significant amount.

You are, barring any arrests in your past, probably likely for a Visa Waiver to come to the US for a 90 day holiday. Perhaps you should look at a long term visit, like a month or so, to get a flavor of what life is really like over here (hint: better/worse and different from what you expect). Might be a good investment before you spend money on uni here or trying to enhance your credentials there for the purpose of coming over later. Quite frankly, you might not like it once you experience it up close.

Good luck with your quest.

Re: moving to america/canda etc
 

Thanks for your advice that might be something to look into rather than studying over here to move over there etc. My other half knows of my plans but not yet decided as we have only been together 3 years.

So my best plan would be to get a job here and save up to go to uni over there?.

Re: moving to america/canda etc
 

As others have mentioned, Uni is very very expensive over here. A degree course will take 4 years to complete.
You might consider studying in the UK, getting a degree and then a job with a company that has offices in the US and after working for them for at least a year, see if you can get transferred. Long term plan, but probably the cheaper option and would give you and your partner longer to work out what you want to do.

Re: moving to america/canda etc
 

Thanks guys I will start to look into it I would have to get my A Levels first then get my Uni degree. As I don't have any A Levels. Will be a long process will be worth it.

Re: moving to america/canda etc
 

You can get a University degree in the UK and then consider coming to the US for a "Masters" degree, which is a one or two year course of study. After it is over you can get "practical work training" which gives you a work visa for basically a year. If you impress and our in the right field, you can push your employer to sponsor you for an H-1 (6 year visa) and eventually a green card (permanent resident).

I know, this is a long term plan, 6-8 years for so. But at the end of 8 years you'll at least have more of a choice than you have right now.

Good luck.

Re: moving to america/canda etc
 

Why do you KNOW it will be worth it? What is it about USA/Canada that is attracting you? USA is not Hollywood. If it's the weather go to spain! (or somewhere)
It is a massive place and very diverse. Where exactly do you think you will go?
Even jobs that had healthcare covered quite well (think teacher) have constantly increasing personal contributions. When we left ours was coming towards $500 a month! That's $6000 a year. And our scheme was GOOD!
Go on an extended holiday (if you can save for it) and have in you mind what about living here? Look at estate agent pages. local craigslist for rentals and cars.
Then look at local job ads and see how they marry up (or not!)

Re: moving to america/canda etc
 

look, we can dance around it all we like, but given the info at hand, you're not moving to america.

Re: moving to america/canda etc
 

OK, let's face some harsh realities here.

1. You don't even have A levels, but you want to get a degree? Not easy. Even if you do, the chances of a US company sponsoring you are slim to none.

2. You have no family here, so that route is closed.

3. You're unemployed, and even if you had a job, the chances of saving at least half a million dollars are slim to none, so THAT route is most likely closed!

4. You've never even VISITED the States or Canada, but you're sure it's for you! That's just about insane. It's not all 90210 or Disney, you know?

5. Let's just say all the stars align and you're able to come over. What makes you think that the grass is greener here? It's a LOT different living somewhere than it is going there on holiday.


Bottom line, and I'm sorry if this comes off harsh, unless you're prepared to ditch your other half and look for a USC to fall in love with and marry, forget it and concentrate on with building yourself a life in the UK!

Re: moving to america/canda etc
 

I understand how much you want to move to America, but in all honesty I think you are much better off in the UK. I have lived over here for years. Things are tough unless you have a college education. I have no health or dental insurance and times are actually pretty grim. It looks great on t.v but to actually live here is a different story.

Re: moving to america/canda etc
 

Canada and US have many superficial similarities, (as does the UK) and many differences, why do you link them together other than they both speak English (mostly) and are neighbours?

Re: moving to america/canda etc
 

If you want a change of scenery, why not some where else in the EU, where you won't need a visa?

What exactly is it about the US do you think is better/different?

Re: moving to america/canda etc
 

Shame you're not single or I would have snapped you up. You sound like a catch :-)

Re: moving to america/canda etc
 

Morayeel is telling you the absolute truth, even educated Americans are having a hard time finding work here.

I doubt you could come here and live without someone officially supporting you, the American Government doesn't want you coming here and living off our welfare system.

I see many Americans pushing shopping carts and begging for money where I live, they are Homeless, This place is not exactly as people think, its a slave driven country for many people, our minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, thats lower than the UK's and you certainly cant exist on it.

The average vacation a person gets here is 10 days per year, did any of your friends tell you about that???, you may get 3-4-5 weeks off with a good job and a long time served with a company.

In the UK you have healthcare available to you everyday of your life, in the USA it costs real money, its very expensive and even then it only covers a portion for most of us, we have to make up the difference, even with medical insurance people go medically bankrupt, many jobs Don't come with medical insurance don't assume they do, 50 Million people have no health insurance here.

There are lots of pitfalls to our medical insurance system, too many for me to mention here...

Things that you take for granted in the UK cant be taken for granted here, assume Nothing, always ask questions no matter how stupid they sound....

Many people will tell you the good about America, but the truth is you need an education and a Great job in order to have a decent life here, Keep asking questions, and don't give up on the UK.

You didn't mention family, from what I see that's what people miss most, many people return to the UK for that reason, then again some are stuck here.

If you want to enjoy the USA, live in the UK and come here for 2-3 weeks vacation per year, it could be the best of both worlds.

Re: moving to america/canda etc
 

I see everyone is giving you the usual response based on their jaded experience of the US immigration system and your shocking naivety about it. :lol:

Really by far your best option is the Canadian International Experience Class visa, also known as the Working Holiday visa, which allows you to live and work in Canada for up to a year before you are thirty.

If you can actually get a decent job, the employer might then be willing to sponsor you for a work permit and you go from there.

More information here.

Re: moving to america/canda etc
 

There are UK university courses that allow you to study in the US on a J-1 or sometimes M-1 visa. E.g. some of the culinary courses. But I think the Canadian IEC probably makes more sense in your situation.