Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

Hey there, thanks for getting in. We're a young couple from London (mid-twenties), and I'd be really grateful if you could assess, based on our situation, which visa should we opt for whilst trying to migrate to the U.S.

Basically, my partner is a Master's educated Lobbyist, working for an independent company with no branches abroad (and unfortunately - definitely not in the U.S). He's been doing it for two years. I've got an undergraduate degree and am working as a freelance journalist/editor, full time though. We're both desperate to start a new life in the U.S, but we don't seem to fit to any visa type from what I've seen.

I know it's an extremely general question - and I am aware of all the visa types out there - but precisely because of how narrow (to none-existing) our path is, I was wondering if you have any suggestions, based on this information, which visa type should we go for (is it worth trying to apply for jobs from London and hope for the best/to get a sponsor?)

Many thanks and kind regards

Amelie

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Pulask...ork_in_the_USA :)

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

other than giving up, it's your only hope.

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

Poppy girl - cheers, that's brilliant, I will look into it.

Manc - thank you, I guess.

By the way, does it change things if we've both got Irish passports? Because we do, and we're currently undergoing the whole lottery green card program for diversity (I am not holding my breath, obviously, but still). And last time I've been to Ireland there was a lot of discussion about special programs for Irish people, but when I searched for it online nothing really materialised.

Thanks

Amelie

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

where were you born?

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

We were both born in Ireland. I was born in Dublin and he was born in Belfast.

(Unfortunately we've both graduated two years ago and so cannot apply to the Irish scheme of recent graduates/ Irish students).

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

fingers crossed on the lottery then

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

I notice you said "partner". Are you married to each other or just "together"? I think if you're not married then you both have to hope for visa lottery success... I'm sure someone can clarify though.

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

You're both eligible to apply for the Diversity Visa... and you are also both able to apply based on cross-chargeability to a spouse. Ergo - you get to submit 4 applications for the DV. Only 1 needs to be successful to cover you both!



Ian

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

Assuming they're married of course!

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

Assuming they are not a same sex couple that is.

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

unless amelie has become a boys name all of a sudden then I doubt it

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

Ian - great stuff. I'll definitely opt for the 4 applications option next time I apply.

Thanks a lot.

And I'm afraid we're just a straight couple, husband and wife, nothing too interesting.

So...H-1B visa anyone? Heard anything about it?

and thanks again for all the help. If you're ever thinking of coming back to Britain I'd love to assist (but realistically, the chances are quite slim, huh?)

Amelie

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

you'd be surprised.

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

Sometimes it takes a move to another country to appreciate what a great country the UK is....seriously. The grass isn't always greener on the other side.

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

Jerseygirl -

I understand nowhere is perfect, but you are based in Jersey at the moment, so I suppose you understand where I'm coming from. Please don't forget that whilst I've studied in the UK and am married to a Northern-Irish/British citizen...I am still very much Irish and this is not my homeland.

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

You can only use cross-chargeability if you are not eligible in your own right, I thought ... that means each spouse can still only make one application, 2 in total. Never 4.

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

I believe that's correct, each person can only submit one application, but can include spouse, so that's 2 applications total (One for the OP and one for the husband). If you're eligible to enter under 2 different countries, I think people usually choose the one with the higher odds of winning.

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

I believe that you're referring to the J-1 Intern Program for Irish: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/ty...es_1267.html#1
It sounds like it's only for University Students or recent graduates.

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

You could come over as students. Get an advanced degree in something and from there, take practical work training for a year to find someone willing to sponsor you for an H1 (though both of your careers are not really what most H1s goto).

Other option is to change jobs, find someplace that might post him to a US office. Move into government relations with a large multinational, or into public affairs/press relations for a large company.

As a journo, you have very very little chance right now given the massive layoffs that have happened in the US media industry and the number of applicants who will a) work for peanuts and b) not require sponsorship. Lobbyist is only slightly better off (but not by much). If was to get a law degree he might have a marginally easier time (but again, not by much).

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

I think you will find England & Ireland have a lot more in common with each other than Ireland/England and the US.

Also it is a lot easier to go back to Ireland (from England) when your home sick... even if it is only a long weekend. There are many expats here that go years between trips back because they have no choice (money/work).

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

Yep. For a start Ireland/England are both pretty much bankrupt and have very poor growth prospects for the next five years.

Maybe the OP should consider Australia or Canada. Lots of very helpful resources here for those two.

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

Hi there

Thanks a lot for all the messages posted here, I'll take the suggestions on board. I suppose I will need to look into the whole studying thing. If I can take on courses rather than Masters, that should be fine and not too expensive. I could try for a J-1 and I'll definitely look into it, thanks.

As for staying in England/Ireland...I don't think it's really an option anyway. I'm really keen on the U.S but should it not work, we're still going to move to Canada. We're just not particularly interested in staying in Ireland/England in general.

Thanks

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

Look to a move within the EU where you dont' have to worry about a visa, get more experience, find a company that could lead to a transfer...

Also have the option of workers holiday visa if you went to Canada/Aus etc for a couple of years.

As far as sticking to your careers and hoping for a H1, chances are slim to none, certainly for the next few years, it's hard enough when there's a demand and the job is a shoe in for the visa, when the work isn't a shoe in, makes it much harder.

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

Good luck with your move! Please post your future immigration questions in the immigration forum.
http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=34

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

Apart from the lottery, I would focus on getting an H1 visa for your husband. I'm not really sure what a lobbyist is, but the key to getting the H1 visa is to get a job here. Your husband's potential employer has to prove there aren't any US people who can do the job instead of you, and then they have to get you the visa. With a Masters your husband should qualify for the visa IF the employer makes a good case for him, and the job market has enough openings.

I would really try and network. Often you need that little bit extra to get something like this moving... talk to people (in the US) your husband has met in his work, at conferences, people he knows who have moved to the US and are in similar fields... A potential employer is going to have to really want you/your husband and having someone they know putting in a good word for you really helps. It's almost vital. If you're thinking of moving to the NE maybe even networking through the Irish connection might be possible... there are plenty of Irish communities who might be open to being kind of penpals, and then you never know what connection you might make.

IF your husband can get in on his Masters you would be able to accompany him to the US but you would not be able to work here unless you then went through the process of obtaining your own H1 visa (or until the day you were granted a green card). I think getting your own H1 would be tricky, not because you're not skilled, as you clearly are, but because the job market for journalism is too packed. You'd probably have a 3+ years' wait before you could get a greencard and work, and you'd need to be prepared, emotionally and financially, for that.

Good luck!

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

Lobbists, mostly spin and influence local,state or Federal legislators. you have to be in insider. Or an insiders-insider. Most lobbists have been, or are, connected to local,state or federal government in more ways than one can imagine :)

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

If you have any close relatives living and working in USA even if they are only green card holders they may well be able to sponsor you.
I would also suggest before emigrating to USA you at least vacation here are a couple of weeks.
In recent years it seems to me that immigration from Europe has slowed to a trickle and even reversed to a certain extent with many Europeans moving back home. Immigration from Mexico/South America, India and China really seems to have increased. Living in the Chicago area I hear as much Spanish being spoken as I do English.

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

The lottery system is not random, not picking paper out of a hat. I'd suggest making inquiries of good immigration attorneys who know how it works and where to intervene to get you through. I did, it worked for me. Absolutely worth it.

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

Have you seen the US debt and deficit?

You might be able to get into Australia or Canada (they don't have the structural economic problems of the US, for a start), but don't count on it. They both have pretty rigorous points systems and Australia at least has drastically cut back on the jobs in demand list. I don't think lobbyist or journalist are on it, so you probably stand a greater chance of getting into the US, frankly.

Which is just as well because that's where you want to go!

Good luck.

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

Sounds pretty dodgy. Care to enlighten the OP?

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

Just to add to that, Canada's 'point system' is unlikely to be relevant for the OP. It only applies to Skilled Worker visas, and as lobbyists or journalists are not on the list of 38 occupations in demand that qualify for Skilled Worker visas without a job offer, the OP would need to look at other visa options if they do want to go to Canada.

:)

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

...which is massive, it's true; you wouldn't want to say it's a rosy picture!.

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/2473/graphku.png

http://zfacts.com/p/318.html

However the USA can fund it's debt at very low interest rates and it's AAA credit rating is very secure; for now. The important thing with a deficit is whether you can afford it and whether you have the economic growth prospects to be able to service it. So for example, the national debt of Great Britain in 1816 was a dizzying 237 percent of GDP - far higher than the current US debt- but thanks to growth in the 19th century we got it down to 25% in 1914; by 1945 it was back up to 238 percent of GDP. The risk of a double dip seems to have passed while it's an ever-present threat here once the cuts begin at the next budget. Growth is slow in the U.S but it's worse here (pre cuts) and it isn't happening in Ireland which isn't projected to recover for 14 years (Ernst and Young).

Interesting times ahead and we haven't even got to the pensions crisis yet.

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

Just found these figures and I was shocked!

http://www.cnbc.com/id/30308959?slide=2

http://www.cnbc.com/id/33506526/Coun...aded_With_Debt - What it's measuring

On the debt countdown:


Ireland - 1,312%
External debt (as % of GDP): 1,312%
Gross external debt: $2.32 trillion
2009 GDP (est): $176.9 billion

United Kingdom - 425.9%
External debt (as % of GDP): 425.9%
Gross external debt: $9.15 trillion
2009 GDP (est): $2.15 trillion

United States - 96.5%
External debt (as % of GDP): 96.5%
Gross external debt: $13.77 trillion (2009 Q3)
2009 GDP (est): $14.26 trillion

I have no idea how the heck Ireland is going to pay that money back. Oz is in at 124.3% of GDP debt so I guess it will have to Canada eh?

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

No, they can't. An LPR (read = green card) can ONLY sponsor a spouse or unmarried child/son/daughter. End of story.

Ian

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

On January 1, 2011, the sunset clause written in to Bush's tax cuts kicks in. Watch what happens then.

Re: Young (highly skilled?) couple looking to migrate to the U.S
 

What utter nonsense ...A lawyer can give you nothing but a bill in relations the DV lottery