Ok, here's the situation. I live in London at the moment and my girlfriend lives in California. We both want me to get there as soon as possible but this seems to require me to either marry her or get sponsored by an employer there. Ideally, we were thinking about getting me there for early April as the contract on my flat finishes then. Neither of us have much money, so the marriage idea isn't looking so good. What I would like is some advice on how I would go about applying for jobs and any other information that you think is relevant would be appreciated. I have a BSc (hons) Business Infromation Technology degree, but only about 9 months work experience. It's a pretty stressful time at the moment as I'm the only one able to travel and have very little money to do so. Any help you guys can give would be appreciated and hopefully reasure us both.

Thanx

Welcome to the site.
Well firstly I'd suggest posting in the US immigration forum for more info on moving over here. But marriage is one of the "easiest" ways of getting here, as it certainly aint' easy, H1B based employment visa's, you won't be able to apply till April next year, and if you got it, they won't be handed out till Oct. So that probably doesn't help you out to much.
Considered her moving over? possibly a lot easier?

She's afraid to fly and I would rather go there anyway. Not particularly fond of London. Anyway. will check out the forum you suggested now. Thanx alot for your help Bob.

No probs. And suggested Blighty because it is easier to get there, well quicker at least.
Other avenues would be to come as a student and do a masters or somin', but you'd need to show funds that would support you while over here etc for that too. If you got a job for a research type uni you could avoid the cap quota on the H1B, but i'm not exactly sure what's not under the cap, but most things are, and getting that visa ain't easy either as the company has to show why they can't employ a local etc, and it's expensive, costs a few grand.

Have a look through www.uscis.gov for the visa options that are around.

Another reason for him moving here being the better option is I am currently waiting to be processed for a job that if I get it I will be set.
This job my grandfather and mother both did. It's a bit different but it's good money and benefits. So *crosses fingers*.

Hm, guess we're stuck with the getting married and living with my family for a while bit. (Guess I need to see if I Can con them into paying for the wedding)
They really like him alot, my mom was just never into the whole marriage thing. And she's crap at money management :P *nervous*

Bob do you know if it's easier for him to get employed once here as a permanent resident?

Any chance you can explain a bit about the H1B based employment visa's? I'm completely in the dark about all this and what I have seen confuses me more. Also, is this process going to cost anything?

All park figure, it's gonna be a couple grand whatever you do.
The H1B visa, read the FAQ's about it, but a company would sponsor you for it, it's a hassle for them as they have to show why they can't get a local to do the task etc, and you have to have a degree in that field or experience in that field of 12 years to make up for no degree. At the mo, you won't be able to get one as the cap has long since been reached.

As for fiancee visa, K1,in a gist, she applies for the petition, once recieved, gets sent to embassy, they send you stuff, you send back, and have your medical and interview, takes around 6-9 months, but can be quicker. Each stage you pay for. After that, you come over, got 90 days to get married, get a SSN before you do, and then, once married apply for EAD and AOS, and if you want to travel abroad, AP as well, each costs money. Once have EAD, you can then work. The AOS, depending on where you are is taking around 6 months to a couple years.

Should check peoples timelines for this for a bit more of an idea.
Also, would need to provide info of financial sponsorship, so would need to have salary I think of around $15K, can't remember, but somin' like that based on 2 person family, if don't have salary, assets that are x5 that some, if don't have that, would need a co-sponsor that could make up the short fall. Now that's a simplified explanation, but it'll get you thinking about things

Goodluck.

Ok, what about the student option? I wouldn't mind doing a masters if it would help out. I'm sure my parents would help with any other money that I would need to support myself. Would it have to be a certain type of university, or could it any old place? How easy would it be to get married if I was a student anyway?

Getting a student visa might not be a problem, you have to show funds that you can pay for it and live there, so a few grand in the bank would help
Any old uni really, get in contact with ones you might be interested in, they should be able to help out on that front, but the only problem might be, that they are more expensive because you'd be a foreign student, that's the F visa, don't know if that's dual intent or not, but I'm sure if you did marry, that you would be able to file for K3 marriage visa after, not sure if you can AOS from student visa, might be, I don't know, have to read that up, and ask in the marriage based visa section.

AOS? (Sorry if that is a dumb question)

Need to read the FAQ to get to know the meaning of things.

AOS- Adjustment of status (I-485 to get GC)
EAD-Employment Authorisation Document (work permit)
GC-Greencard
LPR-Legal Permanent Resident (sometimes with a C for conditional-what you would be for first 2 years)
NOA-Notice of Action
AP-Advance Parole (Travel abroad while being processed)

etc etc.

The U.S. is not a good place to be right now - especially for foreigners. The people have recently lost control to a republican oil nazi regime who cheated their way into power. They've heightened the fear level with propaganda to justify removal of the fourth amendment. They've also started doing random drug searches.

BTW- if you do come, leave your camera at home. Foreigners are constantly being harrassed and some have even been falsely imprisoned (without being charged) because taking photos justifies suspicion of terrorist activity. I know the brits are in the same 'fear terrorism' bandwagon, so I don't know what to suggest. Canada, Holland, and New Zealand are probably good choices if you like freedom.