Need ALOT of advice!!
 

Hi my names Scott and I am considering a move to the USA and need some advice.

firstly abit about me
I'm 28 and live in Nortahmpton England I have a partner and 3 dogs (2huskies and a malamute)
I run several uk based companies and am seriously considering starting one of my companies (oven, carpet, patio and other specialist cleaning) in the USA.

Now I have no idea what to do or where to go.

We would like to live somewhere where the weather is just abit warmer than England as our jobs are very hands on meaning we don't want it to be stinking and as water tanks are used we don't want somewhere with freezing temperatures.

We ideally would like somewhere with a decent population (not crammed like new York tho) so our business has a good chance of working.

I know this all may seem fussy but we just really want it all to work out. I have lots more questions but will ask them one at a time.

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions you can offer

Re: Need ALOT of advice!!
 

Hi, have a look in the immigration subforum, specifically this thread, to see if you qualify for a visa. Without a visa you won't be working in the US, so this is your first question.

Re: Need ALOT of advice!!
 

Visa. Look into that, anything else is a waste of time at this point.

Basically, have you got a shit load of cash to invest in a company and personal start up costs?

Also, partner, unless you're married and of the opposite sex, the OH won't be getting a visa on the back of yours.

Would those cleaning businesses be even viable in the US? Pretty different work considerations, probably liability issues and state certifications.

If you've got a large wedge of cash, could always look at something like a franchise of Stanley Cleaner.

Good luck though.

Re: Need ALOT of advice!!
 

Thanks for the answers have been reading up on visas and have managed to confuse myself even more lol.
Ok so my companies in the uk would go on without me (making me a wage without working).
I have about 75000 us dollars but that is to move and start renting as well.
My original plan was to start a new branch of my cleaning company in the USA and employ an American citizen to work for me but am no longer sure I'm allowed to do that.

My partner and I are looking to get married anyway have been engaged for quite some time and were are of opposite sex.

From reading so many other threads it seems as tho the USA rant interested in helping their economy by allowing people to start businesses there for making more jobs. Seems odd as the whole country is made up of immigrants and the only true Americans (native) are few and far between.

I really appreciate all the help

Re: Need ALOT of advice!!
 

Then you could look at the L1 visa.

They want people who are likely to succeed - after all, most businesses fold within the first year, so you need to show some sort of success in running businesses in the past - which could mean a nice chunk of money to invest or expanding an existing business overseas, for example.

Re: Need ALOT of advice!!
 

Ok so the L1 is worth looking into.

I already know my business works as it works here and things get dirty in all countries but I understand the reasoning. My hope was to semi retire and just run the companies both in the us and uk but I really want to get out of the uk.

The USA seems to have so much going on for people who want to travel and that's really what got me interested.

Just wish the process was easier.

Thanks for the info

Re: Need ALOT of advice!!
 

Plenty of threads on people self sponsoring after setting up a US branch of company to get a L1 visa. Getting the visa is fairly doable, but like the E2, it's the renewing a year later that is the major stumbling block.

The US does want investors to come and create jobs, unfortunately they want people to bring in $150K minimum, though realistically closer to $250K or more, to show you're less likely to fail on a flaky franchise.

You do need large somes of money, not just in setting up the business, but the personal capital on the side to set yourselves up that can't be included in the visa business costs and those are not entirely insignificant either, especially for people with zero US credit history, driving history and no established job to jump into for medical insurance.

Re: Need ALOT of advice!!
 

You'll find you'll work harder and longer in the US if you're running a business.

And sure, things get dirty here, but it's a completely different ball game.

People don't get windows cleaned, people that get carpets done usually use Stanley Cleaner or if landlords, already have a contract with local people. Plus state regs can be different from one area to another, so it won't exactly be the same as running a business in the UK...

For a start, medical insurance will be a huge pain in the arse.

You really need to do the research and run the numbers to see how viable this is and how likely you'll be able to get visa, then research the locations you'd want to set up in.

With your requirements of not wanting cold, that rules out the north east, most of the middle and parts of the north west. Not wanting it to be too hot rules out most of the south east, south and west. And that's not even getting into cost of living considerations.

Re: Need ALOT of advice!!
 

Looks I've I have a lot of reading to do. Thanks for the info

Re: Need ALOT of advice!!
 

Perhaps so, but many of those people who want to travel get less than two weeks holiday per year and don't currently have the money to fly to distant places. Have you considered Canada or Australia? Both are easier for UK citizens to move to than the US is.

Re: Need ALOT of advice!!
 

Already mentioned but worth repeating, what are your plans for access to healthcare?

If your primary objective is to move from the UK, rather than to the US, there are numerous other countries where this can done with comparative ease.

Re: Need ALOT of advice!!
 

Don't rely on because it works there it will work here. Most cleaning services use illegal immigrants because it is cheap labour. By employing an American you are probably pricing yourself out of the market before you begin.

Re: Need ALOT of advice!!
 

Yes I have considered other countries but I really have my heart set on the USA. I may even be able to move to the USA but not work at all although this would add a few years wait.

Re: Need ALOT of advice!!
 

I am aware there is a big illegal immigrant problem in the USA it's a massive problem in my trade in the uk as well.

I did want to start my company which offers a large variety of cleaning services including a home maid service but I am now thinking it may be abit more difficult than I first expected.

Re: Need ALOT of advice!!
 

Why? What is it about the US (and I'm guessing Florida, as that fits your criteria) that makes you want to live and work here?