Carry_on_Girl

Also posted in Marriage-based visas....

Am I doing the right thing?

I currently have a B1 visa (tourist) which expires in 10 years but it also means I can't stay in the US for more than 6 months at a time. My intention is to move to the US permanently. I know that the likelihood of me being sponsored by a company is low - ie I'm not in IT or medicine or any job which a US citizen cannot do. However, I don't plan on working right away - I have enough money to live there at least a year (approx $75k) without working and also have a place to live (with friends).

So - my problem is this...IF I meet someone and fall in love etc etc can I apply for a fiance visa and apply (without leaving US) to change my status? Or is there a better way around the whole visa which enables me to work issue?

Also - when I first get there I will buy a car - can I get a car without an SSN number? Can I get insurance? What about opening a US bank account?

So many questions!

darrenb

I saw your post on Marriage-based visas....

The information you have been given so far is correct. You can go to the US and change status while there. However there are some considerations. If the Immigration Officer at your POE has any idea that you maybe over there to stay (regardless of reason or motivation) he will no doubt put you on the next plane home. Also, do you really think its wise to go to the US looking for love - in order to get a visa? You would have to find a very stupid man or lie to him, neither which is really cool.

On the whole Bank account, ssn, insurance issue. You wont be able to do very much of anything. $75k is a lot of money but without the right visa its not going to help you very much.

As per the other respondent in Marriage-based visas you are doing this all wrong. There are 1000's of people out there who genuinely love each other and are sepearted due to immigration restrictions. Trying to do things your way is just abusing the system and hurting everyone elses cause. Ifts situations like this that have made the INS visa procedures so tough for all of us.

Carry_on_Girl

maybe i didn't make myself clear on my previous post - apologies for that. I don't plan on fooling anyone or lying to a man just so I can get a visa. I was just wondering IF I actually DID fall in love, get engaged etc what the process would be for applying for AOS.
I also asked if there was another way around (ie different kind of visa) the whole not being able to work issue.

Sorry for the confusion.

darrenb

If that’s the case then I would suggest that its critical that you decide on a path before you enter the US rather than after you get there. As Rete (the Mother of these forums) informed you there are various options.

There are a few things that its also worthwhile thinking about.

1. People who think getting to the US is easy end up very disappointed. I have done the visa thing both ways. I went through all the effort to get my wife from the USA to the UK on a fiancée visa and have just been through months of hell getting my I-130 approved so we can move back to the US.

In order to get any worthwhile visa there is an awful lot to learn. Most people on this newsgroup have gone from being completely in the dark to absolute subject matter experts by the time their applications are approved. There's more information to absorb than one would think possible. Personally I’m beginning to think the application procedure is actually just an intelligence test.

2. People who are impatient and need to get to the US yesterday, ASAP, NOW NOW NOW end up very disappointed. None of these visas are issued quickly. Some people have waited a few months and some are bordering on years. Get ready to wait!

I hope you like road trips because there's a bloody huge road ahead. Having said that if you are really serious about doing this then here is the place to ask questions and get advice.

Good Luck

D

Carry_on_Girl

thank you. I guess that's why I'm here - to get advice on which path to take. The only option I THOUGHT there was for me was to do the whole fiance thing - obviously I'm wrong. Rete said that there are a whole lot of different visas so I guess I'll do more research into those. I'm not in any great rush but I'd like to go this year if possible.

darrenb

You say that you are educated etc. What is your line of work? Although H1-b has traditionally been to bring in foreign IT workers there may some scope. I know for a fact that you have to have a bachelors degree to meet the criterior. As far as you being able to do something that other Americans cant it all depends on what you do and where you intend living in the US. For instance Silicon Valley is saturated at the moment and there are many lay offs in the IT sector. This of course means the H1-B's candidates are having big problems finding sponsorship. Other ideas.... There is the L class visa which is used for inter-company transfers. In order to go for this you have to find a company in the UK (I’m assuming that’s where you live) which is either American owned or has a good portion of their business and offices in the US. You would then have to work for them for at least a year at management level or have specialised knowledge. The definitions of management and specialised knowledge are not always clearly defined (If I’m wrong I’m sure somebody out there will correct me). After the year your company would apply for a transfer visa on your behalf. This is something we are looking at doing with one of consultants in my office who is looking to move from Surrey to California. As far as I know both the H1-b and the L Visas can lead to adjustment to permanent resident when they expire but that’s a whole different ball game.

My advice would be to look at your work options here in the UK and also see what’s happening in the US. I doesn’t hurt to make contacts over there be it recruitment agencies, HR departments of companies etc. If you haven’t already got one get yourself an international calling account. Calls to the US should cost around 2-4p rather than the 24p BT charge. Alpha Telecom is popular and I use Quip (www.quip.co.uk) You need to look at this like a formal business project and be very methodical and of course patient. At the end of the day you have to sell your skills and experience and in the US job market that’s even tougher than it is here in the UK.

Let us know what you end up doing.

D

Carry_on_Girl

Hi again

my line of work is well...I've work in politics most of my life - for high-profile politicians - and that's what I have most knowledge of. I currently work for a private company which represents a sector of professionals in the UK - I manage the Chief Exec's department and do a lot of project management etc. I have a BA(Hons) in Business Studies.

The L class isn't an option for me - I really don't want to leave this job unless it's to move to the US and my company doesn't have an american arm.

And yup, I've got an alpha telcom account - I'd be bankrupt without it!

I'm patient and determined enough so I guess I'll get what I want. Eventually.

RogerUSA

Good for you! I'm glad for you! stay in UK then, you are not needed nor welcome here in the USA

Carry_on_Girl

I suggest you either get a life or think of something more meaningful to post on here.

chicagobrit

Another thing, get your own attorney. If a company hires you
and sponsors you, and you apply for Green Card they will
try everything in the book to slow your process down. They
will lie and cheat, whilst telling you, you are the best thing
since sliced bread. Bottom line, get your own attorney, even
if it means paying the bills. Make sure you have around 10-15K
to spare.
Why to companies lie and cheat. Because they know as soon as you get a Green Card you're free. Under visa you are literally handcuffed.
For 5 years I was lied to and patronized by my employer (and their attorney). Now I have my own attorney, and we have got further in one year, than the previous 5 years.
The very best of luck to you... you're gonna need it !

BrigieDarling

Hi Darren... I'm from Portsmouth too... I grew up in Bedhampton!

Liquid

I have wanted to live/work in the US for as long as I have thought about working. I looked at all ways to get here and finally I was offered a transfer within the company I worked for in London so I think the proper way is better! I can't really comment on the marriage thing... but...

I moved to Dallas 2 weeks ago on an L1B visa. The company I work for paid for *all* the relocation costs under their transfer policy. They will apply for a green card for me after 2 years (at which point I think then they will start draggging their heals!).

I have had so much to sort out. I have discovered, however, that it is impossible to do *anything* without a SSN. I have had to pay deposits on electricity, phone and cable. A mobile phone on contract is possible to obtain but AT&T wanted an $800 deposit from me (no credit history!), and I have subsequently decided not to go with them! I have worked a way round this!

I came over here with limited funds as my life has been short and therefore my life savings are few!

In order for me to buy a car I need finance, insurance and driving licence (currently on a UK one) and for all these I understand (apart from being kind of linked) I need an SSN. Before you drive the car off the forecourt you have to show proof of insurance which you can't get without a driving licence (don't know if this is state-to-state or not).

Unfortunately the INS didn't put me on their system as being eligible to work (what else is an L1 visa for?!!!) and have to wait a further 6 weeks for my SSN so am a bit stuck....

I managed to open a Bank of America bank account without a SSN. But if you are used to banking on-line at home don't expect their service to be up there with Barclays!

A quick question to those in Tx - Driving test: Will I have to take both theory and practical?