Gap Year Hopes.. Help much appreciated.

[NapoleonDreamer]

Hi, I'm hoping to move to America and live there for my gap year. I realise there are many restrictions to taking up residence and securing work over there, and to be honest, I'm fairly confused by all the boundaries and categories people fall into. My sister will be coming with me who will also need to work and we were hoping to rent/buy an appartment, or something similar.
Writing to the American Embassy in London to find out more information on applying for a visa/green card has been suggested to me, but I was hoping to hear any information from fellow forum members on anything you may know, and past experiences, etc.

Thanks.

[Bevdeforges]

To be honest, you're more or less wasting your time to write to the American Embassy in London. You can find out the same information by checking their website Visa Services U.S. Embassy London - in fact what they are likely to send you in reply is simply the printed up version of what is on their website.

If you're only looking to go to America for your gap year (i.e. not permanently), don't waste your time trying for a green card. You'll do better (and get faster results) if you can find an exchange program like CIEE (CIEE - a world of opportunity ) or something similar. That way, the exchange program will help you get the necessary visa and may be able to help you with the job search.
Cheers,
Bev

[NapoleonDreamer]

Thank you for your help. =]
I have a lot of questions to ask the embassy though, and was quite confused by all the different bits of information they had on there, as I didn't know if I was within certain requirements, kind of thing.

Thanks again, and I'll look into that suggestion you offered.

[Bevdeforges]

I probably should have mentioned that short-term visas with working privileges are getting more and more difficult to get. The number issued is limited and the last couple of years, the year's compliment seems to get snapped up within a few days of them coming available.

Your chances are better with an organized programme of some sort. CIEE is probably the best known of the international exchange programmes, but there are others. There are also opportunities to work as a camp counselor (though room and board are usually part of the deal) or some other "recreational" worker - again, the organization gets you the visa.

Or you or your sister could go for an au pair visa - though I'd be extremely careful will that option. The Americans use the terms "au pair" and "nanny" interchangeably and there are no legal distinctions made, as in most European countries, limiting the duties and hours of an "au pair" and requiring that they are enrolled in courses during their stay.
Cheers,
Bev