[George_UK]

Hi all,

After another long vacation to the US and now being in the position where I am independent and free to do as I please I am looking more and more into the possibilities of moving to the US perminantly. Its a great country and can see very few downfalls over being in England but many plus points! Of the places i have been the west coast is where's standing out, outskirts of LA would be ideal.

I am 24years old, British and single with a degree in Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management with 6 years experiance with a top utilities company, owned by a large multinational (unfortunatly with no ties in the US though). I have a bit of money, enough for a house deposit in the UK.

I have had a read around the site and some other threads and it seems very difficult to obtain a visa to work and stay in the US. However i would like your views on my chances, the best ways of going about it and whether there is anything i can do to increase my chances, i am young and currently havce a decent job that i enjoy so i have time on my side.

I will not be looking to make any big moves such as quitting my job here and booking a one way ticket untill next summer at the absolute earliest due to family reasons so i have a while to look into my options.

Thanks in advance...

 

[mamasue]

Hi George,
The first thing you need to find out is if you qualify for any visas to live in the US.
The stickies at the top of the page are very helpful.

 

[Davis1]

Pick a visa


There are basically NINE 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. (H visas)applications next received on 1st April 2014

(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.(L visas)

(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)You must be a national of a qualifying Treaty countries. 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 (E-2 visas)

(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. (EB-5 visas)

(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.The R1 visa is available to foreign members of religious denominations, having bona fide non-profit religious organizations in the U.S., for entering the U.S. to carry on the activities of a minister or religious worker as a profession, occupation or vocation

(9)THE UNUSUAL 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.
The S visa issued to persons who assist US law enforcement to investigate and prosecute crimes and terrorist activities such as money laundering and organized crime


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 (World Education Services - International Education Intelligence) ..
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 $5k. 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 tere is no American who can do the job if the position is to be permanent ©
DO NOT USE VISA CONSULTANTS