VISA?

[Matt2323]

Hi

I have beem on the US immigration website, but it confuses me to be honest.

I am British, i want to move to Miami, but to do that, i need to work full time when im out there, i cant do that on the 3 month waiver can i?

Living in England, can i stay there 3 months, fly to England and straight back again? Every 3 months?

Can i get a years VSIA, or just 6 months?

How long will it take to be granted, if i apply now? How much is it?

Thanks

Matt

[steph_goodrum]

Matt

Depends on your age/status. If you wanted a short working holiday and fit the criteria you may be able to go with someone who organises such trips, someone like www.bunac.org (mainly for students or gap year). Living and working permanently is a whole different ball game and to be honest there are so many things to consider that you need to do more reading of the immigration website etc and will see it is near on impossible to just decide you want to move and pack up and go without a large investment or job offer (after of course proving that no US citizen could do the job).

At the end of the day the US is not concerned with what you want or how it can affect your lifestyle, they want to know what you have to offer them and their citizens.

Sounds a bit negative I know but it's better to have realistic expectations than be led along thinking all you do is book a ticket, get a Visa from the Embassy and move over and get a job.
It can be done but only really if you have specialist skills or talents.

[Matt2323]

Hi Steph

I know its not that easy, thats why im doing my home work 6 months prior to going.

Yes, i want to live there permentaly, in that way, but 6 months will be fine for me, i just want the 6 month VISA.

There is a shortage of Class A drivers in Miami, so i could do that.

What do you suggest i do to get this in motion?

Its hard to get a job offer before i go, as i cant have the interview?

Thanks

Matt

[steph_goodrum]

The six month I assume you mean B class VIsa is designed for business trips and extended tourist holidays not just working "on the cards" as we would think it. My daughter went for the summer last year on a cultural exchange visa and worked for the summer but had to prove she was coming back to England to a recognised study course.

If you do not have sufficient ties to this country eg permanent job, residence, relations etc. they are very suspicious that you might just disappear into the night once in the country.

whilst it may be true that they are short of Class A truck drivers (just as they are nurses nationwide) first of all you have to make sure any qualifications are recognised (nurses have to pass certain exams before they can go into work in US).
As you will presumably have a UK license then you can only dirve on that for something like 30 days before you need to take the State license test, so it's another complication for any potential employer to consider.

[Matt2323]

Oh my god, i didnt know that!!!

That could be a huge complication, im stunned!

This seems so confusing. [msnsad]

[steph_goodrum]

That's wehy I said I wasn't tryin to put you off or be too negative Matt but as suggested elsewhere there are much better informed people on other immigration forums who may have either tried what you wish to do or have succeeded and can point you in the right direction.
If you search on Google you will probably find some dedicated websites, one word of advice thoguh if you find any immigration ones offering to find you a job or get a visa and ask you to pay upfront for it, it's best to try and ask around and make sure it is all legit before you part with any money.

Good luck to you though whatever you decide to try and do, it's bette rto have a plan and try and aim for it than regret that you didn't try and go for it.

I know several people who have made the move over (but they were software engineers in early silicon valley days, and they have never regretted it).

[ellie]

My daughter, like Steph's, went out to work in Florida for the summer but she had already worked in the US for a year previously. She had to have a visa in order to apply for jobs. You cannot just go out on a visa waiver and work. She also had a social security number etc. which made things easier.

[esprit]

It is going to be really difficult to achieve what you wish. It is hard enough even for kids educated in the US of your age to stay here never mind moving out there. If there is a shortage of class A drivers and if you are qualified to do this in the US and dont assume you are as they have their own qualification for most things, then you would need to find a US firm to apply for labor certification for you and then if successful sponsor you through 1-140/485 as soon as there is a visa number available. The biggies here are are you qualified and is there a sufficient shortage to get an employer to go through all the hassles of sponsorring you?? And no you cant work on visa waiver, if you do you will get a ban from the US. Sorry to sound negative but I am going to say to you what I say to my 20 year old US educated son and that is, the easiest way for you would be to marry an American.

[Cruella DeVilla]

Matt as I said in my other thread you need to look at the immigration forums there are loads on the net and there is tons of information on these forums that might help you understand more.

[Ray9]

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.

(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.

(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

(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.

(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 ..
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 there is no American who can do the job if the position is to be permanent
© Originator.. Pulaski
Updater.. Ray 7/23/05

[chrizzy100]

Recruitment agents will not take you seriously if you are not in their State a lot of the time..so no hope if you're out the country ....we found them useless when we were going to move a few years ago...