UK citizens currently living in Aus, but wanting to live in the U.S
Jun 2nd 2005, 1:57 pm
#1
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UK citizens currently living in Aus, but wanting to live in the U.S
We are currently into our second year on a permanent visa in Australia, however our first love is the United States, we have visited at least 10 different cities in America over the years, and loved them all. Could anyone point me in the right direction, of possible threads to view, about fulfilling our dreams of permanently migrating to the States. Dont get me wrong Australia is fantastic, but our first love is America.
Jun 2nd 2005, 4:19 pm
#2
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Re: UK citizens currently living in Aus, but wanting to live in the U.S
Errr....without marrying a yank, it'll be difficult...
here's the routes:
here's the routes:
There are basically EIGHT 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)
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.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.
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 $3k. 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 pos
(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)
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.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.
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 $3k. 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 pos
Jun 2nd 2005, 6:16 pm
#3
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Joined: Aug 2003
Location: Columbus, OH, US of A
Posts: 523
Re: UK citizens currently living in Aus, but wanting to live in the U.S
Originally Posted by Bob
Errr....without marrying a yank, it'll be difficult...
here's the routes:
here's the routes:
Jun 2nd 2005, 7:17 pm
#4
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Re: UK citizens currently living in Aus, but wanting to live in the U.S
Originally Posted by adeshell
I'd say even with marrying a yank, its difficult!
Jun 2nd 2005, 11:57 pm
#5
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Re: UK citizens currently living in Aus, but wanting to live in the U.S
OK, thanks for that, I am a very skilled person, having become a well respected dental technician, who has owned his own business since 1989. So perhaps there is hope after all.
Jun 3rd 2005, 2:28 am
#6
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Re: UK citizens currently living in Aus, but wanting to live in the U.S
Originally Posted by CadburysFingers
OK, thanks for that, I am a very skilled person, having become a well respected dental technician, who has owned his own business since 1989. So perhaps there is hope after all.
Jun 3rd 2005, 2:46 am
#7
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Joined: Jun 2002
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 11,061
Re: UK citizens currently living in Aus, but wanting to live in the U.S
Originally Posted by CadburysFingers
We are currently into our second year on a permanent visa in Australia, however our first love is the United States, we have visited at least 10 different cities in America over the years, and loved them all. Could anyone point me in the right direction, of possible threads to view, about fulfilling our dreams of permanently migrating to the States. Dont get me wrong Australia is fantastic, but our first love is America.
Perhaps entering the visa lottery as an Australian may be an additional route that could apply for you both. Of course, it's a lottery so there's no guarantee that you'll get a Green Card.
NC Penguin
Jun 3rd 2005, 3:23 am
#8
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Joined: Nov 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 5,008
Re: UK citizens currently living in Aus, but wanting to live in the U.S
Originally Posted by CadburysFingers
We are currently into our second year on a permanent visa in Australia, however our first love is the United States, we have visited at least 10 different cities in America over the years, and loved them all. Could anyone point me in the right direction, of possible threads to view, about fulfilling our dreams of permanently migrating to the States. Dont get me wrong Australia is fantastic, but our first love is America.
Jun 3rd 2005, 3:33 am
#9
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Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: UK citizens currently living in Aus, but wanting to live in the U.S
Originally Posted by NC Penguin
Have you checked to see if Australians are eligible for the "Diversity Visa" lottery? If so, would you and your spouse be eligible for Australian citizenship any time soon?
Jun 3rd 2005, 12:22 pm
#10
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,848
Re: UK citizens currently living in Aus, but wanting to live in the U.S
I guess you will be getting your Australian citizenship soon?
About 3 weeks ago there was an announcement that Australians can now apply for an E-3 visa:
http://www.americanaustralian.org/Ab...play.php?Id=55
on the other hand, here is some info about obtaining an E-2 visa:
http://www.britsinamerica.com/Brits%...ril2005/E2.htm
(I didn't realise how relatively easy it is to get an E-2 visa....now I can see why so many South Asians are operating the local petrol stations, Subway sandwich shops and small motels in my area and putting in very long hours....good luck to them).
About 3 weeks ago there was an announcement that Australians can now apply for an E-3 visa:
http://www.americanaustralian.org/Ab...play.php?Id=55
on the other hand, here is some info about obtaining an E-2 visa:
http://www.britsinamerica.com/Brits%...ril2005/E2.htm
(I didn't realise how relatively easy it is to get an E-2 visa....now I can see why so many South Asians are operating the local petrol stations, Subway sandwich shops and small motels in my area and putting in very long hours....good luck to them).
Jun 3rd 2005, 3:56 pm
#11
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Re: UK citizens currently living in Aus, but wanting to live in the U.S
Originally Posted by Englishmum
(I didn't realise how relatively easy it is to get an E-2 visa....now I can see why so many South Asians are operating the local petrol stations, Subway sandwich shops and small motels in my area and putting in very long hours....good luck to them).
Jun 19th 2005, 1:17 am
#12
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Posts: 34,649
Re: UK citizens currently living in Aus, but wanting to live in the U.S
Originally Posted by Bob
thing is, those visa's are shite...if you have kids at least, they'll have to get own visa's when 21, no direct route to greencard so if retire, go under, your out of the country etc...
Always worth having a good immigration attorney to deal with this.
From the original poster's point of view, it's best to get Australian citizenship first before even thinking about any options in the UK.
As then if things don't work out in the US, the option to go to Australia (or NZ) will be there. Otherwise, if Australian PR has expired, it might be a one-way ticket back to the UK.
Jeremy
