Having children in the US?

[MarieH]

Hi all

Hopefully one of the experts out there will know the answer to this??? Myself and my partner are currently looking into moving to Florida, we will be going down the 'buying a business' route.

Someone has said to me that only one of you has to officially buy the business and the other can then come in as a dependant of someone with a business visa? Does anyone know if this is correct? If this is correct does this mean the dependant is free to apply for jobs once there or do they need to be supported by the business aswell?

Also if we are successful and manage to get in (and stay in) then we would be looking at having children in a few years time, if they are born in the US do they automatically become US citizens therefore saving them the hassles of having to try and find a way of staying when they get to 21. Not sure if this is affected by having 2 English parents or whether they are classed as American because they would be born there? Would this also give us any rights as parents of US citizens?

I have hunted around for info on the above subjects but can't find much.

Anything you know on the above would be appreciated.

Many thanks

Marie

[blott]

Well, this might answer your question about children. http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/topic_17175.asp

With regard to a business you can either be partners in the business together or the business can be in one person's name only with the other person on a dependant's visa. In order for the dependant visa person to be able to work, you'd need to apply for permission to do this which takes, I understand, around six months. And yes, therefore the business must be able to support the whole family.

[chrizzy100]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by MarieH
Hi all

Hopefully one of the experts out there will know the answer to this??? Myself and my partner are currently looking into moving to Florida, we will be going down the 'buying a business' route.

Someone has said to me that only one of you has to officially buy the business and the other can then come in as a dependant of someone with a business visa? Does anyone know if this is correct? If this is correct does this mean the dependant is free to apply for jobs once there or do they need to be supported by the business aswell?

Also if we are successful and manage to get in (and stay in) then we would be looking at having children in a few years time, if they are born in the US do they automatically become US citizens therefore saving them the hassles of having to try and find a way of staying when they get to 21. Not sure if this is affected by having 2 English parents or whether they are classed as American because they would be born there? Would this also give us any rights as parents of US citizens?

I have hunted around for info on the above subjects but can't find much.

Anything you know on the above would be appreciated.

Many thanks

Marie
[/quote]

If they are born here...they would have rights to a US passport.....but that gives you no extra rights to stay....I've had a lot of friends on different visas that had to take back US born kids to a country they don't know......

If the business is in one of your names....your husband or wife can get a work visa.....if you are unmarried...then both of you would need to be on the business visa....as far as I know.......someone else could help you more on that subject..or I could send to a link to a forum with tons of info about moving over to FL on it......

[MarieH]

Thanks for the link Blott, that definitely answers my questions on children. Looks like they wouldn't have to go through the hassle of trying to stay when they get to 21 and as we are both British they would be able to get a UK passport if they ever wanted to. Looks like we had better get a move on then and get ourselves over there and settled before we start thinking about children!

With regards to the business question, do you know if it is usually granted for the dependant to be able to work or is it sometimes refused? To be honest, we will probably be partners in the business but just trying to look at all the options available to us.

Thnaks for your advice, much appreciated!

[MarieH]

Hi Chrizzy

Thanks for your help, if you could send me the link you mentioned that would be great.

Thanks

[chrizzy100]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by MarieH
Hi Chrizzy

Thanks for your help, if you could send me the link you mentioned that would be great.

Thanks
[/quote]

Most of the time Julie ...'esprit' is one of the main people to help and give advice on this forum about visas.....she is a mind of info...having been there done it...and got the t-shirt...but she has guests visiting.....so may be busy for a while...you could do a search here for advice she had given in the past.....always well worth a read....[msnsmile2]

[gromit]

There is a really good website that will help answer your questions [website link edited]

[Theresa]

I have friends that have bought a business and now living in Florida. They have found out that their medical insurance doesn't cover them for maternity for the first year. Without the insurance they said it will cost them around $5,000 and that is for a straight forward birth with no complications.

[MarieH]

Thanks for the tips everyone. I have a feeling we will be too busy in our first year with the business to even think about babies! Something to be aware of though so thanks for that, will ensure we check our medical insurance.

[steph_goodrum]

As regards the business I think I@m right in saying that you can both be named as partners in the business but it you have a 50/50 split then neither can do anything else but if one parter has 51% and the other 49% you can apply after a while for the right to work, which in some cases might work out better to give at least one regular income if you can find a job.