wilmylover

Hi Everyone! Im new here... I hope you can all help me.

My Fiancé and I are really hoping to relocate to Wilmington in North Carolina.. its somewhere we have fallen in love with. However the only way of us getting out there (that we are aware of) is through sponsorship, as we do not qualify for the green card lottery and we don't have $100,000 spare to invest in a US company. My questions are...

1. Is there any other way of getting out there to be a permanent resident that I don't know about?

2. My Fiancé has been offered a sponsorship to work for a company in Baltimore MD, but we aren't keen on this area. If he did take this offer, how easy is it to move to a different state/company once we are over here. Is it possible at all or would he have to remain at the same place for the entire time we are there?

3. We are not yet married. If it so happens that we pull this off before our wedding day, how easy would it be for me to go with him. Am I able to work over there too, or will I need sponsorship also?

4. If we do happen to be married, is it easier for me to go with him?

It isn't simple is it? I just don't understand why its so hard for British people to get out there when all we want to do is make a living, adapt to the American way of life and pay our taxes. We are America's biggest ally.... you would think it would be easier. Hey ho!!! lol

So any help is much appreciated. Many Thanks!!!

Ray

There are basically NINE ways that you can get a visa to live and work in the US:
(1) Marriage (or engagement in anticipation of marriage) to a US citizen.

(2) You have skills that are in short supply in the US e.g. scientific or medical training. A degree is normally a must. Or you have superior specialist skills with at least 12 years experience.

(3) 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 (2) above.

(4) You may get a Green card in the diversity lottery (UK citizens, except N.Ireland, are not generally eligible unless you, your spouse or parents were born abroad or held a different citizenship.

(5)You own or buy business (does not get you permanent resident status i.e. no green card)You must be a national of a qualifying Treaty countries
The business must have a minimum value of around $150k (more the better) bearing in mind you will need somewhere to live and with any startup business you will need at least 2 years living money as back up. So a figure of $350k would be a nearer minimum

(6)You are an "investor" i.e. you have at least US $1m in assets to bring with you. half of that in a few areas. And your background will be investigated to the hilt.

(7)You have a close relative (mother, father, brother, sister and no further) who is an US citizen who would sponsor you, approx time this take 2-12 years…

(8.The R1 visa is available to foreign members of religious denominations, having bona fide non-profit religious organizations in the U.S., for entering the U.S. to carry on the activities of a minister or religious worker as a profession, occupation or vocation

(9)THE UNUSUAL You are in a position to claim refugee status/political asylum. or You get a member of Congress to sponsor a private bill with legislation that applies just to you.
The S visa issued to persons who assist US law enforcement to investigate and prosecute crimes and terrorist activities such as money laundering and organized crime


Recruitment agent will not take you seriously if you are not already in the US. Writing for jobs is really a waste of time; likewise US employers have no idea what foreign qualification are or mean (except Degrees) it may pay you to get your qualification translated into a US equivalent, there are Companies that do this ..
But if you are getting a visa under (2) above then you need a job offer before you can get the visa. Your Employer will be your sponsor this will cost them upward of $5k. So you can see you have to be offering something really special to get considered They may also have to prove to the Dept of labor that there is no American who can do the job if the position is to be permanent
© Originator.. Pulaski
Updater.. Ray 7/23/05
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Visa available for number 2 ..have all gone for this year ...
next avaible application time April 2008 for an Oct 2008 strt ..

Duncan Roberts

Just to add and answer your 2nd/3rd questions. If he was offered a job and the company was willing to sponsor, assuming you have no masters degree from a US college they couldn't do that until April next year for an October 2008 start so that company will have to really really want you. You will have to do the same as him if you are not married. If you are married you would be able to move with him, but as far as I know it's quite a restrictive visa for you. The visa would be valid for the company who sponsored it so unless they had offices elsewhere, you would need to find another sponsor if you wanted to move. You could always work at the one company and then see about getting your green cards, but that takes time. That would enable you to live and work wherever you wanted.

ian-mstm

It's best not to confuse short-term actions with long-term goals. Nothing you've said indicates that you *must* move to Wilmington to the exclusion of anywhere else. Getting to the US should be your first order of business.


Don't take it personally. Today, the UK is an ally... 230 years ago, the UK was a mortal enemy. Alliances are transitory. Besides, it's hard for anyone to get to the US... not just the Brits.

Ian

Ray

Si Senor...