Relocating to USA
 

Hi all. My name is Paul and I live with my wife in the Black Country area.

We are thinking of moving to america within the next few years. I am all for it

but my wife is unsure.

I am a Design Engineer so I have checked out all the areas which would support

my job and one area we both liked was Portland, Oregon.

It has a wealth of engineering work for me and perhaps work for my wife as she

works in retail.

We like the surrounding areas of Portland; including Gresham, Vancouver, Saint

Helens, Longview,

Tillamook and Astoria. So those would be nice places to live as we have looked

at houses in those areas via the web.

We are saving up to go next year for two weeks so we can look at the area and

perhaps some of the houses aswell.

What do you think? Is it a good idea or bad idea.

Would it be better if I applied for a job and let them sponsor me or..... ?

I have always liked liked the american culture and don't want to think when I am

92 sitting in my rocking chair and thinking I wish I should have done this and

that.

Also I think it would be a great place to start a family.

Any info would be most appreciated.

Thanks

cliffhanger79 :D

Re: Relocating to USA
 

What is your visa eligibility? :confused:

A visa for work purposes can only be applied for by an employer, and if you're not an existing employee, the visas are limited in number and restricted in timing. A capped H-1A/B can't be applied for until next April for an October 2015 start. The numbers this year were three times oversubscribed, with a lottery used to decide who was successful.

Being transferred by your existing employer is a much more certain route, though still very difficult to line up and see to successful completion.

Honestly, your chances don't look good.

Re: Relocating to USA
 

So I cant apply for a visa based on my engineering capabilities?

Re: Relocating to USA
 

"Also I think it would be a great place to start a family."

Maybe, or maybe not.
Depends if you have a lot of money.

And your wife working in retail? You'd force her to work a thankless job for crap pay and benefits?

Re: Relocating to USA
 

No.
Practically you have to find a company that will offer you a job and they apply for the visa.
Do you have any specific skills that perhaps an American company would have difficulty finding in applicants who live here?

Or transfer over from an existing employer with a presence in the U.S.

Re: Relocating to USA
 

Like hotscot said, "no", and with absolutely no exceptions! ...... Unless you have $$$$$$$ and want to be a business owner, when there are some options. Practically you'd need a minimum $200k-$300k, to get started; there are more options if you have $500k to invest burn. :unsure:

Re: Relocating to USA
 

You are putting the cart before the horse by looking at houses in areas that look nice on the web before checking out how you would get a visa to live and work in the USA.

You 'like the American culture' but how familiar are you with what day-to-day life is like here?

Re: Relocating to USA
 

I was worried about appling for a job as I read somewhere that if your employer gets rid of you then you would have to return to the UK with 30 days.

If I got a job and moved there with the job type visa, would I be able to apply for a full USA resident visa after then.

Also I wouldn't expect my wife to work at all.

Re: Relocating to USA
 

IF you obtained a work visa you could then apply for a Green card which would give you permanent residency.
Your employer applies for the Green card for you, so dependent on how soon they would do this for you and then how long it would take for the Green card to come through (depends on what type of work visa you have) you could expect to wait a few years before obtaining the Green card.

If you enter the US with an H1 visa your wife will get an H4 and she won't be able to work.

Re: Relocating to USA
 

You would hope you'd have a great job and wonderful new life but for example you could also move over to a job, be in the job 8 months, and then let go with absolutely no warning, and yes, generally you'd have to leave soon after. There are very few protections in the U.S.

There is of course a process to become a Permanent Resident, which would take years. There are faq's at the top of the forum list.

It's just a different shade of green over here. It can be far better or far worse than the life you currently have. Again, a lot would depend on having a lot of money.

It's a terrible place to be poor.

First things first though...do you have any special skills that would be hard to find over here and for which an American employer would be willing to expend thousands of dollars in order to get in you?

Re: Relocating to USA
 

You may not be able to find a sponsoring employer in your ideal location, though. Keep that in mind.

....or? What is the other option you are considering by saying "or?"

For more info, go to the BE Wiki Guide and find the article called "Pulaski's Ways...". That lists all the available visas to the USA. When you find one or two that might fit you, come on back and let us know, so we can discuss in more detail.

If you are only considering a work visa, you must find a US employer willing to sponsor your H1B visa. You must have a degree or years of experience, and the job must require a degree. You must bring something special to the table to make the US employer choose to spend $$$ to bring you to the USA, rather than hiring someone who is already inside the USA.

If you currently work for an employer who has offices in the USA, an inter-company transfer (L visa) is the best way to go.

If you are thinking of settling in the USA long-term, make sure the US employer puts it in writing that they will sponsor you for permanent residency (green card), BEFORE you accept employment.

Rene

Re: Relocating to USA
 

You can, but only after a US employer has submitted a petition to USCIS. The first available date they can do this is April 2015, for a start date in October 2015.

Rene

Re: Relocating to USA
 

And your employer is under absolutely NO obligation to apply for a green card for you, unless you push to get it documented in your employment terms. As soon as you have a green card you are free to "jump ship", whereas so long as you're on an L1 you are absolutely tied to your employer, and switching jobs on an H1 is highly improbable.

Re: Relocating to USA
 

Hi

One thing I think you should consider if you have not already, that being on holidays or temporary living in the USA, is no way close to living here and there are plenty of adjustments required more than I ever thought I would have to consider. I have now lived in the USA for ten years and I am still adjusting.

If you feel it is time to move, then go for it but I must warn you that if you are coming with your wife I would do some serious homework on what will make it feel like second home to her, this is such a vital point in making the move.

Some of us feel that we can adapt to any environment, and most of the times that is true but you have to be prepared for so many changes to your way of live and how one adjusts to the different cultures between the USA vs UK.

Just the English language alone can be difficult at work when trying to communicate a problem, the sense of humour and the different meanings of the same words (USA:Pissed vs UK:Pissed).

Re: Relocating to USA
 

Not exactly sure what a design engineer does, but if it is a profession that would qualify for a H1b visa or maybe even an EB3 visa, think about finding a job in a part of the US where there won't be many people already in that profession, or where people in that profession wouldn't normally want to move to (i.e. a town considered somewhat undesirable by most). That way you're more likely to get sponsored for the visa and be successful in getting it) if the employer can't find someone available locally. I think that's pretty much the way it worked out for me. Once you're in, you could always move to Portland or wherever later on if things worked out.

Re: Relocating to USA
 

That's a shame, as one of the best ways of settling in is having a visa that permits one to go to work and meet people, rather than sitting home alone brooding and getting homesick.

Re: Relocating to USA
 

Thats sounds good, I'll have a look at what type of visa we would apply for let you lot know.
I work for a company that has american customers in Milwaukee and Chilhowie and some in Australia. Be nice to work for some of those as I speak to them pretty often. As for my job I am Design Engineer that works for a forging company, something I know is a major thing in the Detroit area.

We make parts for mining companies to scrape coal from the coal face, I design the forgings and then design the tools and fixtures to make these parts. Although I have no degree I have over 15 years in general engineering knowledge and 7 years in 3D design. I am apprentice trained so all of my experience has been since I started work at 18 with a few bits of college work
on the way to support it.

Cliffhanger79:):)

Re: Relocating to USA
 

Just had a look at the H-1B visa and the EB-3 (skilled worker) visa.

The EB-3 would so suit more as the H-1B states I have to re-apply to stay
longer in the country.

Would I have to apply for one of these visa's, then look for a job.

Or is something that the employer would apply for once the job is in place.

cliffhanger79:confused:

Re: Relocating to USA
 

As advised above, you cannot apply for a work based visa yourself. Ever!

Re: Relocating to USA
 

Ok thanks.

I'll have a good read of the visa types and let you guys/gals know.

Thanks for the info it is much appreciated.

cliffhanger79:)

Re: Relocating to USA
 

Just be aware that EB3 has a wait list of a few years or more depending where you was born. Look up visa bulletin for the US for actual waiting times. This is after employer has filed and application approved

Re: Relocating to USA
 

This one: something that the employer would apply for once the job is in place.

Rene

Re: Relocating to USA
 

Not sure how long the wait is now, but I had to wait over 2 1/2 years from end of 1999. I was already in the US on a J1 visa and managed to get an employer interested in sponsoring me for an H1B. I went back to the UK thinking I would be back in the US in 6 months or so, but for some reason the employer switched to applying for EB3. At the time, I thought there was no way that would get approved as they had to go through labor certification - basically they had to advertise "my" job and see if anyone suitable applied. Somehow that didn't happen, so the labor certification went through, probably because there aren't a lot of people in my profession in Boise, and also Boise is viewed as not such a great place to live by much of the US (most people think its just a big potato field) so probably nobody from outside of Idaho applied. It was still a long time before I finally got the visa, during which time I had a good job in England (better than the potential job in USA) and was settled back in the UK. So when the visa did get approved, it was kind of "I'll always wonder what would have happened" if I didn't make use of it and return to the US.

You could say I got ridiculously lucky in finding an employer who would sponsor me for the visa, that the labor cert went through, and that the employer waited so long. On the last point, I think they stuck it out due to pure obstinacy after spending so much time and effort on the application. So that's your challenge in getting an EB3 visa. Of course, these days I'd rather be back in Blighty, but have a few too many roots here now that it makes me tired to think about moving.

Re: Relocating to USA
 

:goodpost:

Re: Relocating to USA
 

Not much in the way of work out there....so you'd really need niche skills for a company to want to spend several thousand bucks on a visa to import you, when there is much opportunity with people able to work in country already....though it is Detroit, so maybe not willingly :D

Anyway, good luck.

If you do get some one willing to do the H1, as you don't have a degree, you'll need to chart your career progression over the last 12 years, so needing letters from boss/managers etc saying what your job title was, duties and how you progressed etc.

Re: Relocating to USA
 

Given the challenges the OP faces in achieving his objective, he should be happy if he can find a job anywhere in the US. Later he might look into relocating to another state where he'd prefer to live. Deciding where he'd like to live and looking at houses isn't just putting the cart before the horse, the cart isn't even in the same county as the horse. :unsure:

Re: Relocating to USA
 

Everyone has an ideal place they would like to live. We looked at all the places in america that supported engineering type work and Portland seemed to be the nicest place, my wife likes the idea of Astoria from programs we had seen on the tv and reviews about the area on the web.

Its taken three houses for us to move into the perfect house we have now.... Sometimes you do need to run before you walk. Otherwise you don't want to waste your time when you know about things upfront.

I would work anywhere in the US, they maybe later we can settle into the perfect home. It may take a few houses in between, but thats life.

I'll try my best to apply for what I can, it would be nice within the next few years.

Thanks for the info and I'll keep trying..... its only early days.

cliffhanger79:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Re: Relocating to USA
 

Yep key point, niche skills, if its one thing i had it was niche skills :D Good job really because i'm far too ugly for an american to want to marry me, even with money changing hands :o

Re: Relocating to USA
 

Just to find out.

Are there any companies that sort out american relocation employers out or is it a case of finding out manually on the web via companies like indeed or monster jobs etc....

Cos I found a company called Evans Wallace, that from their website deal in Visas, this was their reply.

"Thank you for your email. We are not able to assist in finding a US employer. In practice, very few companies sponsor non-US nationals for visas."

So what chance do I have with this sort of reply.

??????

cliffhanger79:confused::confused::confused::(

Re: Relocating to USA
 

As said by everybody above, it's not going to be easy - it'll cost an employer thousands in legal fees to get you over, plus several months of waiting and generally they won't do that unless you have very specialist skills. But all you can do is apply for jobs, network, and try your best.

Best of luck.

Re: Relocating to USA
 

Either that or f..... it and move to Australia... I've got a bit a family over there
but its convincing the wife.... she don't do hot weather.....


cliffhanger79

Re: Relocating to USA
 

Canada it is then! :thumbsup:

Re: Relocating to USA
 

I had the chance of emigrating to australia with my brother about 10 years ago.

He never went though and is happily married here in the uk earning a £100k a year.

I still think about the place though as I have cousins and aunties there.

My wife like the idea of America though, shes never been though and I have only been twice. Both for business. Once to Detroit and the other to Milwaukee.

I have agreed with America but it it just seem a lengthy process... not giving up though, just have to have a good look.

Got to think about everything else though.... current house, cars, money, savings, kids.......

I am thinking a bit far ahead hear.... Say I have been offered a job, do I have a limited amount of time before that offer ends.

As I would have to sell our current house, cars etc... before I commit to the big move?

cliffhanger79:confused:

Re: Relocating to USA
 

Not all of Australia is hot all the time :) It is easier to migrate to here than to the US but you still have criteria to meet

www.immi.gov.au

Re: Relocating to USA
 

I'll say it before someone else does: living here is different from visiting, and if you've never even visited it is hard to say how accurate your (wife's) "idea of America" might be, because though many things are familiar or expected, some things are quite different. For starters just about everything seems be one giant bureaucratic cluster ***k, from taxes, drivers licenses, and vehicle registrations to house purchases, schools, and education.
There is a default end date for a visa, but the limiting factor for an employment visa is going to be what the employer wants, which is invariably "as soon as possible" after the visa is issued. Depending on the visa type from offer to visa it could be six weeks (L-1) to six months (H-1). Getting everything in order after a job offer but before you move is going to be chaotic, especially if you intend to sell your house (I, and others, would recommend renting it for a couple or years in case things don't work out, beyond three years and you may face a capital gains tax bill). If you are serious about emigrating you might want to work on decluttering your life, or at least taking stock, filing and organizing things.

Re: Relocating to USA
 

Without sounding too daft how are

taxes, drivers licenses, and vehicle registrations to house purchases, schools, and education different to the UK.


cliffhanger79:confused:

Re: Relocating to USA
 

I have a feeling if you are not sure how taxes are different to the UK you have a lot to learn about the prospect of moving to USA.

The wiki pages will answer your queries!

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Category:USA

Re: Relocating to USA
 

Paper and forms. ..... For starters when I bought a house in the UK I visited my solicitor, signed a couple of forms, and a couple of days later collected the house keys from the estate agent. When you buy a house in the US prepare to spend 45 minutes to an hour, sitting in a conference room with your lawyer, and realtor, the sellers, and their realtor, working your way through an inch high stack of paper (forms, schedules of financing and disbursements, disclosures, reports, contracts, etc.) which needs to be signed or initialled (documents which are signed at the end are initialled on every page, by you AND your wife). It is quite an ordeal I can assure you. :rolleyes:

Drivers licenses are renewed every few years, which means a visit to the DL office during office hours, a mini test of your knowledge of road signs, and a rudimentary test of your vision, ..... and, of course, a cheque!

Schools just demand a lot of parents' time, frequent visits for this and that, and incessant fund raisers for spurious reasons, as well as provision of all manner of supplies (every thing from pens and paper to glue and scissors) that are provided "free" by schools in the UK.

You haven't heard about US tax returns? :scaredhair: Many Americans with simple/ basic tax returns pay $50-$100 for a "tax prep". Those with more complex tax situations pay $1,000 or more annually for a tax accountant to complete their return for them, and I'm not talking about millionaires. :blink:

Just about everything connected to the US government, whether federal, state or local, requires time and money, and a LOT of patience! :rolleyes:

Re: Relocating to USA
 

Again, not really worth worrying about if you have no clear path to get here.

You didn't even mention healthcare, guns and religion.

Re: Relocating to USA
 

Cliffhanger

It is very, very difficult to be hired direct by a US employer unless there is a compelling reason that they need your specific skills that are difficult to find locally.

And the job market here is extremely tough, there are tons of qualified Americans already living here looking for jobs, and the situation may only get worse and not any better.

Can you indicate if you have any skills that would be very difficult for an American company to find in America?

(Imagine you had a business in the UK and needed to hire staff...would you look to the U.S?)