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Advice needed!

1097 Views 2 Replies 3 Participants Last post by  DinaM, 
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Hey everyone.

I'm hoping to move from the UK to Texas in the future and was hoping to get some advice so I know what I need to do and what routes I can take to get there. I'm 22, single and I just graduated from university a few months ago and am currently looking for work. I had no luck in my uni city of Chester (which is really small) so I'm moving down to Essex to look there and around London for anything so I can get some paid work experience.

I'm hoping to move to either Houston, Dallas, or Austin. I haven't decided yet. Of course, I have no idea how I can get a visa to work there. I lived in the US for a year before on a J1 exchange visa during a study abroad course. I have a couple of uncles and aunts who live and work in Georgia and Massachusetts, but it's only parents and children that count for family sponsorship right? I've considered working on gaining TEFL certification to teach, but I heard that it's still pretty much expected that people already have the right to live and work in the US even with that. Eventually I intend to continue my education and get a Masters and PhD and get a job in Physical Anthropology in a museum or university, but for now I just want to work in anything really.

I grew up in the middle east with my expat parents, and I am really unhappy in the UK, so I am really hoping to find the fastest way of moving. I just want to know what my options are as I'm really confused about the whole process, or maybe if there are any multinational companies in London that have offices in Texas that I could transfer to in a year? I'm pretty desperate if you couldn't tell, and although I know it's not gonna happen for a while, I'm grateful for any advice anyone could give me so I can plan ahead and be prepared. Thanks! :)
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Bevdeforges
To get a work visa, you pretty much have to find a job first and then let your employer handle getting you the visa. But it's not free for an employer to sponsor a visa, so you need to provide the employer with a reason for transferring you to the US - special experience or skills that will justify the $$ and efforts involved in arranging a visa for you.

Having a masters or PhD already would be a plus.
Cheers,
Bev
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EllieP said:
Hey everyone.

I'm hoping to move from the UK to Texas in the future and was hoping to get some advice so I know what I need to do and what routes I can take to get there. I'm 22, single and I just graduated from university a few months ago and am currently looking for work. I had no luck in my uni city of Chester (which is really small) so I'm moving down to Essex to look there and around London for anything so I can get some paid work experience.

I'm hoping to move to either Houston, Dallas, or Austin. I haven't decided yet. Of course, I have no idea how I can get a visa to work there. I lived in the US for a year before on a J1 exchange visa during a study abroad course. I have a couple of uncles and aunts who live and work in Georgia and Massachusetts, but it's only parents and children that count for family sponsorship right? I've considered working on gaining TEFL certification to teach, but I heard that it's still pretty much expected that people already have the right to live and work in the US even with that. Eventually I intend to continue my education and get a Masters and PhD and get a job in Physical Anthropology in a museum or university, but for now I just want to work in anything really.

I grew up in the middle east with my expat parents, and I am really unhappy in the UK, so I am really hoping to find the fastest way of moving. I just want to know what my options are as I'm really confused about the whole process, or maybe if there are any multinational companies in London that have offices in Texas that I could transfer to in a year? I'm pretty desperate if you couldn't tell, and although I know it's not gonna happen for a while, I'm grateful for any advice anyone could give me so I can plan ahead and be prepared. Thanks! :)
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Hello Ellie,

If you are 22, I would say that Austin would be your best bet for living. It is a really fun city, lots of stuff to do. I would not recommend Houston to anyone, but that's just my personal experience. I went to Houston a few years ago and there wasn't anything to do, I was bored out of my mind. If you like very low-key for a city, then I would go, otherwise, I would say Austin would be your best bet given your age.

The job market is another story. I have a friend of mine that lives in Texas and I know that is one area of the country that has been harder hit by the economy than others. I know that there were very little jobs available and he was out of work for over a year and he lives in the Houston area. I can double check with him though and find out how it is now, to see if it's getting any better.

As far as the immigration question goes, you are right. It's only parents that can apply for children or vice versa. Siblings can also apply, but aunts and uncles are unable to apply for nieces or nephews.

Another option, which you may or may not have considered is a student visa. I have known quite a few people who have come over with that. You said you wanted to get your Master's or PhD, that may just be your ticket in! I don't know how many hours you can work with that, but I bet you could find out on the US state department website.

If there's anything else I can help you with, let me know!
Dina
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