> Hi all, i am thinking of relocating to the US, thanks to a change in
> job which allows to live pretty much anywhere on the planet..
>
> I am a UK citizen, 31 years old, with a long term partner and 2
> children, though unmarried. I work in the offshore industry off the
> African coast. I will continue to be paid in UK Sterling wherever i
> live, hence the US is very attractive right now.
>
> How will my circumstances stand regarding US immigration, particularly
> citizenship and residency visas. My partner would like to be able to
> work so a Green Card would be desirable, and perhaps in the future
> working in the US Oil Indstry would be desirable, so a green card for
> myself at some point also.
>
> I realise that i wont be working within the US, however i will be
> bringing a very good wage (£60k+) to the economy, and will be
> paying US taxes whist there - not to mention the amount of air travel
> i do to the benefit of US airlines.
>
> Can anyone advise what my overall situaton would be please?
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
(4)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
(5)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
--
Posted via http://britishexpats.com |
