Thinking about moving to the states...

Elliot6267 · 25 Nov 2011 at 01:52

I recently have been trying to decide what to do with my life. I graduated uni the year before last and have been stuck in a part time job. I have friends heading off in all directions of the globe, and I've decided I want in. I have a lot of friends from uni who have gone to work in Australia. They keep telling me that they are crying out for people to come over, so this is an option I could pursue. However, recently I have been craving New York! I went there on a holiday several years back and loved it. I would love to go back.

My question is:

How easy would it be to Move to New York without a job sponsor?? and Does the states do like other countries, a working tourist visa.

Thanks

NinetyOne · 25 Nov 2011 at 02:05

If I were to move away from the UK, the states would be last on my list.

Windle · 25 Nov 2011 at 02:06

Nearly impossible and no respectively. Without a company to sponsor you or an American girl to marry you aint getting in. Even with a sponsor company it's difficult.

Rroff · 25 Nov 2011 at 02:10

As Windle said, if you have a highly in demand and somewhat specialised skillset, or a LOT of money, you may get in, otherwise its gonna be very hard.

I can't say the US is where I'd choose to settledown tho granted most of my experience of it is the upper/mid east coast and michigan.

Scuzi · 25 Nov 2011 at 02:11

The only way you could realistically do it is to "miss" your return flight and do it illegally or marry an American. Otherwise, it's frankly impossible unless you have a lot of money.

Rich_L · 25 Nov 2011 at 03:14

Or you're Mexican

Tephnos · 25 Nov 2011 at 03:21

As far as I understand, the US is pretty much IMPOSSIBLE to get in unless you have/are:

Married an American Citizen
Have a lot of money (over a million I think)
Have a skilled degree that a company would be willing to sponsor you for $10k
Have close relations in the country who are citizens (parents, etc.)

Other than that, you're screwed.

Clipsey · 25 Nov 2011 at 03:34

It is almost mission impossible.....almost

I've lived over here for about 5yrs now and love it

Puppetmaster · 25 Nov 2011 at 03:47

Celestial Nostos said:
As far as I understand, the US is pretty much IMPOSSIBLE to get in unless you have/are:

Married an American Citizen
Have a lot of money (over a million I think)
Have a skilled degree that a company would be willing to sponsor you for $10k
Have close relations in the country who are citizens (parents, etc.)

Other than that, you're screwed.

I think you need $1 million to invest into a company. From when I read it takes around 6 months and I think you get your investment back after 3 years

Aleksandrs · 25 Nov 2011 at 03:48

Only realistic way in is to get a student visa and hope you meet your future wife in the process.

Vanilla · 25 Nov 2011 at 03:53

Everyone has already covered off the obvious - you're not going to America unless it's on holiday.

I've lived in the US and I currently live in Australia. Australia is a far far far far (x10) better place than the states right now and in general.

Australia is very friendly around working visa - you can work for two years over here on a visa. My advice is to come here and do your 3 months rural work first and then go off and spend the rest of the time doing whatever.

panthro · 25 Nov 2011 at 03:58

I'm confused; there are so many different nationalities working in the USA, millions of immigrants, aside from those who are illegal, how to the rest of these people manage to get jobs and stay there?

Simon · 25 Nov 2011 at 04:07

The UK is nice

Tephnos · 25 Nov 2011 at 04:47

panthro said:
I'm confused; there are so many different nationalities working in the USA, millions of immigrants, aside from those who are illegal, how to the rest of these people manage to get jobs and stay there?

Through the ways I listed, or the green card lottery.

UK is exempt from that, of course.

panthro · 25 Nov 2011 at 07:58

Why is the UK exempt from the green card lottery?

Scuzi · 25 Nov 2011 at 08:02

panthro said:
Why is the UK exempt from the green card lottery?

Because there are already a high number of immigrants from the UK through the various other channels. The Diversity Visa lottery is in place to increase diversity, so countries with a relatively low number of immigrants will likely qualify.

Scuzi · 25 Nov 2011 at 08:05

panthro said:
I'm confused; there are so many different nationalities working in the USA, millions of immigrants, aside from those who are illegal, how to the rest of these people manage to get jobs and stay there?

Sham marriages and family visas. Once one family member has been there long enough to qualify for citizenship, they can request to bring immediate family members over. One thing I never understood is how some of them can bring their cousins over - especially the Indians who seem to each have 700 cousins.

It's difficult enough even when you are married to an American. We will be starting my visa application some time next year and fully expect it to take up to 18 months.

Banzai_Joe · 25 Nov 2011 at 08:10

Scuzi said:
especially the Indians who seem to each have 700 cousins..

LMAO....so totally un-pc....... but i love it!

Elliot6267 · 25 Nov 2011 at 12:46

Clipsey said:
It is almost mission impossible.....almost
I've lived over here for about 5yrs now and love it

How have you done it? where are you living??

thanks for all the help though. :/

qqg3 · 25 Nov 2011 at 12:49

Aleksandrs said:
Only realistic way in is to get a student visa and hope you meet your future wife in the process.

Hey how did you find out my secret!