Where do I begin
Jun 28th 2005, 5:04 pm
#16
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,172
Re: Where do I begin
there are 8 rules now...*lol*
SOL if you can't fit into one of those.
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 position is to be permanent
© Pulaski..Ray 3/21/05
(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 position is to be permanent
© Pulaski..Ray 3/21/05
Jun 28th 2005, 5:07 pm
#17
Banned
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Santa Monica,CA from Birmingham, UK
Posts: 18,402
Re: Where do I begin
Originally Posted by sibsie
Or you could just be like the family of four I was stuck behind at Logan. They sold their house in the UK. Took the kids out of school, packed up all their worldy goods and got on a plane to the US to start a new life. Only hitch in the plans was that they'd forgotton the whole visa thing and were put on the next plane back to London. :scared:
..... my parents are Irish so that gives me carte blanche to crack Irish jokes.
Jun 28th 2005, 5:53 pm
#18
C.G.D.S
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Ireland--->London--->Spain--->Rockport, MA
Posts: 3,353
Re: Where do I begin
Originally Posted by Duncan Roberts
Will the dogs get over there okay?
They would probably get in easier than you would.
They would probably get in easier than you would.
Jun 28th 2005, 5:58 pm
#19
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2004
Location: Folkestone in Kent to Chicago
Posts: 147
Re: Where do I begin
Originally Posted by gottamove
Hi all,
My partner should have no trouble...IT expertise...although...
Constructive thoughts welcome.
My partner should have no trouble...IT expertise...although...
Constructive thoughts welcome.
I suppose during that time you can work hard to find yourself a sponsor to hire you in your field, who knows, you may be lucky.
If you just want OUT of the UK, I agree with some of the others, maybe Oz on Canada would be a quicker, and more likely of success.
Jun 28th 2005, 6:43 pm
#20
This board is shite
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 181
Re: Where do I begin
Originally Posted by HappyHammer
It seems you are VERY determined to leave the U.K. I think your wifes I.T. skills is your best ticket. She will need a degree, or the experience equivilant and most importantly "a willing sponsor". Trouble is most jobs I see advertised these days are looking require you to be US Citizens or at least Permanent Residents. Even if your wife does land "that" job and you do move, what are you going to do for the years it takes to get an employment based Green Card ?
I suppose during that time you can work hard to find yourself a sponsor to hire you in your field, who knows, you may be lucky.
If you just want OUT of the UK, I agree with some of the others, maybe Oz on Canada would be a quicker, and more likely of success.
I suppose during that time you can work hard to find yourself a sponsor to hire you in your field, who knows, you may be lucky.
If you just want OUT of the UK, I agree with some of the others, maybe Oz on Canada would be a quicker, and more likely of success.
There has been some mention of money, you really need to convince the authorities that you will not become a burden on the state. My wife had to get confirmation from her employer of how much she earns and we had to also submit all of our banking details, combined and individual savings and property the lot, as part of our application and she's American! Even after marriage to a US citizen if someone somewhere decides that there isn't enough to keep the two of you then really it's not going to happen!
Well you've heard all of the negative things and are aware now of most of the caves and pitfalls you will come up against, all you can do is write to the London Embassy and ask someone who can give you an idea of where you stand. Be sure to mention your qualifications and whether you believe you can support yourselves.
It is particularly hard for British people to come to the USA. It was the Clinton administration which did most of this damage. For instance British people were excluded from the Green Card Lottery. The Consulate in Edinburgh was down-sized to the point of being useless to a potential immigrant. A friend of mine claims this would work, I have no idea but he says that if someone was really determined and wanted to be here, then they should consider first becoming Irish citizens! Then after a year or two as an Irish citizen you would have the right to enter the lottery for a green card! Amazingly enough he claims he wouldn't even have to leave his home in the British mainland? He just has to declare himself Irish and like Spike Mulligan ask for an Irish passport. I have no idea if any of this is completely true, but I'm sure there's something in it.
Last edited by ScotsmanInTexas; Jun 28th 2005 at 6:46 pm.
Jun 28th 2005, 6:43 pm
#21
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Where do I begin
Originally Posted by sibsie
I wish I was. I actually felt really bad for them. They looked totally stunned when the nice immigration guy gently tried to explain that they couldn't just come in without asking first. Still. Staggering that people don't think ahead too much. Oh, and they were of course heading to Florida! 
WHY DOES EVERY STARRY EYED BRIT THATS BEEN TO DISNEY WANT TO MOVE TO FLORIDA? Jesus, parts of it are already over crowded with football shirts and lilly white legs clad in nought but sandals and white socks. ITS NOT ALL FLUFFY DISNEY SMILES (tm).
I've heard theres counties in North Dakota giving land out free if you promise to live there a while, so, please GO THE FUCK AWAY! Or go to the Costa Fucking Brava! Bah!
[/Rant]
(sorry, needed to vent that one)
Jun 28th 2005, 7:00 pm
#22
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 22,105
Re: Where do I begin
Originally Posted by ImHere
[Rant]
WHY DOES EVERY STARRY EYED BRIT THATS BEEN TO DISNEY WANT TO MOVE TO FLORIDA? Jesus, parts of it are already over crowded with football shirts and lilly white legs clad in nought but sandals and white socks. ITS NOT ALL FLUFFY DISNEY SMILES (tm).
I've heard theres counties in North Dakota giving land out free if you promise to live there a while, so, please GO THE FUCK AWAY! Or go to the Costa Fucking Brava! Bah!
[/Rant]
(sorry, needed to vent that one)
WHY DOES EVERY STARRY EYED BRIT THATS BEEN TO DISNEY WANT TO MOVE TO FLORIDA? Jesus, parts of it are already over crowded with football shirts and lilly white legs clad in nought but sandals and white socks. ITS NOT ALL FLUFFY DISNEY SMILES (tm).
I've heard theres counties in North Dakota giving land out free if you promise to live there a while, so, please GO THE FUCK AWAY! Or go to the Costa Fucking Brava! Bah!
[/Rant]
(sorry, needed to vent that one)
Jun 28th 2005, 7:02 pm
#23
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,172
Re: Where do I begin
Originally Posted by ScotsmanInTexas
....A friend of mine claims this would work, I have no idea but he says that if someone was really determined and wanted to be here, then they should consider first becoming Irish citizens! Then after a year or two as an Irish citizen you would have the right to enter the lottery for a green card! Amazingly enough he claims he wouldn't even have to leave his home in the British mainland? He just has to declare himself Irish and like Spike Mulligan ask for an Irish passport. I have no idea if any of this is completely true, but I'm sure there's something in it.
Jun 28th 2005, 7:16 pm
#24
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2004
Location: Folkestone in Kent to Chicago
Posts: 147
Re: Where do I begin
Originally Posted by AmerLisa
Behave donkey! Perhaps Florida should become a country in its own right? Disneyland....capital would be Orlando.
Jun 28th 2005, 7:21 pm
#25
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 22,105
Re: Where do I begin
Originally Posted by HappyHammer
Yeah, rather like Texas
Jun 28th 2005, 7:35 pm
#26
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 808
Re: Where do I begin
Originally Posted by sibsie
Or you could just be like the family of four I was stuck behind at Logan. They sold their house in the UK. Took the kids out of school, packed up all their worldy goods and got on a plane to the US to start a new life. Only hitch in the plans was that they'd forgotton the whole visa thing and were put on the next plane back to London. :scared:
Ok, now I've heard everything. These poor mixed up souls actually thought they could just walk right in here, no questions asked.
I scincerely hope that they have not completely ruined their lives by trying such a stunt. Florida huh. Have they banned Disney World adverstiments in the UK? If not then they probably need to.
Jun 28th 2005, 7:43 pm
#27
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 808
Re: Where do I begin
Originally Posted by HappyHammer
Yeah, rather like Texas
That's different! Texas really IS it's own country!
Jun 28th 2005, 7:45 pm
#28
This board is shite
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 181
Re: Where do I begin
Originally Posted by Jabba1
Ok, now I've heard everything. These poor mixed up souls actually thought they could just walk right in here, no questions asked.
I scincerely hope that they have not completely ruined their lives by trying such a stunt. Florida huh. Have they banned Disney World adverstiments in the UK? If not then they probably need to.
I scincerely hope that they have not completely ruined their lives by trying such a stunt. Florida huh. Have they banned Disney World adverstiments in the UK? If not then they probably need to.
Jun 28th 2005, 7:47 pm
#29
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Where do I begin
Originally Posted by AmerLisa
Behave donkey! Perhaps Florida should become a country in its own right? Disneyland....capital would be Orlando.
Oi Im an ass!
Unless you've been peeking when I got out the shower again We could cede from the Union but I think our official language would rapidly become Spanish. No, I think the best thing would be to surgically remove the Orlando Metro area and cast it adrift in the Atlantic...just means we'd have another big fresh water lake togo with Okeechobee.
I heard somewhere that Florida gets 41,000,000 visitors per year.
Jun 28th 2005, 7:47 pm
#30
This board is shite
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 181
Re: Where do I begin
Originally Posted by Jabba1
That's different! Texas really IS it's own country!