Tallaran Kouros
Caldari
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Posted - 2010.01.28 11:41:00 -
[1]
 Originally by: Cutter Isaacson
Edited by: Cutter Isaacson on 28/01/2010 00:06:15
Or indeed any decent place in the USA. So here's the thing, I'm fed up with living in the UK after 31 years and I want to move to the US, the problem is I'm not sure how easy it would be nor what requirements there are for entry and citizenship.
Without going into details, I have some experience with the US immigration process and it is neither simple nor straightforward.
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Now I know that having good qualifications in priority employment sectors is an advantage, and I have a degree in teaching and a degree in English literature (any spelling errors are due to the tiny keypad on my Ipod and my dyslexia).
To be truly honest, you are barking up the wrong tree.
If you want to move there as a skilled immigrant you need to have a job offer and the prospective employer would need to file a petition to sponsor you for your visa BEFORE you start work and BEFORE you enter the US.
The visa is valid for that employer ONLY and it is NOT a general work permit. If you want to change jobs you will need to find another employer willing to sponsor you for your visa beforehand.
Understandably this is a lot of work for an employer and they don't like doing this.
Additionally, they MUST give priority to US Citizens/PRs and before filing a petition to employ a skilled foreigner, they need to demonstrate to the immigration authorities that they are unable to find a suitably qualified US Citizen/PR.
You might be qualified for the job, but there are a great deal many teachers already in the US that I doubt there is a sufficient shortage.
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However, if at all possible I would like to do something other than teach as this isn't an area I want to get "stuck" in, so what other options do I have?
Very few.
You can obtain a visa as a business investor but you need significant amounts of capital, you need to start up a new business and you need to employ a specified number of US Citizens. I forget the exact figures, but $250,000 and 5 US employees probably isn't too far off the ballpark.
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On a slightly less legal,and possibly morally objectionable note, there is also the "marriage for greenvard" issue, one which I'm not seriously entertaining though I would like to cover all possible avenues.
Again, not as straightforward as you think.
The US Citizen would need to petition the immigration authorities for your visa and then you are interviewed by the nearest US Embassy. You need to prove to them that the relationship is genuine and IF they believe you and IF they grant the visa, you cannot claim permanent residency until you have been in the US and living together as man and wife for a number of years.
When you file for your PR you need to again satisfy the authorities that the relationship is genuine and ongoing and not a sham marriage.
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Bearing all that in mind I need some serious suggestions as to how I might achieve my goal.
Give up?
Seriously - it's more hassle than it's worth to emigrate to the US and there are far, far better countries to move to.
Some of the suggestions in the thread are good and I know for a fact that you can apply as a skilled immigrant to Canada and get a work permit without needing a sponsor or a job offer, assuming you have enough points to qualify (your age may go against you slightly).
Australia is also good and I think you can likewise apply as a skilled immigrant.
Ever considered elsewhere within the EU? You can live and work in any member state without restriction as a British Citizen.
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