Thinking about moving to the US
Discussion
4.) Marry a US Citizen.
Footnote: # 2.) is not a route to permanence. The E2 visa required for the establishment or purchase of a US based business is not transferrable. i.e. an E visa holder (unless Australian (E3), for some bizarre reason) cannot arrange an adjustment of status that would lead to permanent resident status. Most E2 businesses fail because:
i). The business purchased was a pile of sh!t, which is why it was for sale in the first place.
ii). The business does not employ sufficient USC's in a period of time, deemed appropriate by USCIS
iii). The business does not generate sufficient profit - decided case-by-case by the USCIS, in a period of time deemed appropriate by USCIS.
You cannot use E1/2 visa businesses merely to provide enough income for you and your family to reside in the US. As a result around 70% of E2 visa renewals are denied after the initial 2 or sometimes 3 years, meaning that most of those folks coming here to start a new life, usually funded by their life savings and property equity, end-up being unceremoniously booted-out, having ploughed everything into a life here. E2 is not called the desperation visa for nothing.
It's not at all easy for UK citizens to move here, other than option 4.
Footnote: # 2.) is not a route to permanence. The E2 visa required for the establishment or purchase of a US based business is not transferrable. i.e. an E visa holder (unless Australian (E3), for some bizarre reason) cannot arrange an adjustment of status that would lead to permanent resident status. Most E2 businesses fail because:
i). The business purchased was a pile of sh!t, which is why it was for sale in the first place.
ii). The business does not employ sufficient USC's in a period of time, deemed appropriate by USCIS
iii). The business does not generate sufficient profit - decided case-by-case by the USCIS, in a period of time deemed appropriate by USCIS.
You cannot use E1/2 visa businesses merely to provide enough income for you and your family to reside in the US. As a result around 70% of E2 visa renewals are denied after the initial 2 or sometimes 3 years, meaning that most of those folks coming here to start a new life, usually funded by their life savings and property equity, end-up being unceremoniously booted-out, having ploughed everything into a life here. E2 is not called the desperation visa for nothing.
It's not at all easy for UK citizens to move here, other than option 4.
shoebag said:
Matt Harper said:
4.) Marry a US Citizen.
It's not at all easy for UK citizens to move here, other than option 4.
You are right it`s not easy even if you have a business in the UK that funds your lifestyle. As a commitment phobic I don`t fancy option number 4.It's not at all easy for UK citizens to move here, other than option 4.
shoebag said:
You are right it`s not easy even if you have a business in the UK that funds your lifestyle. As a commitment phobic I don`t fancy option number 4.
If it meets the criteria (# of employees, healthy balance sheet, demonstrable liquidity, developable and appropriate for US expansion), your UK business can be used as a vehicle for an L1(A or B) visa - being the ideal non-resident visa to progress to permanent residence (L1-A negates the requirement for labor certification, even).I should point out that this does not apply to one-man-businesses, web-based businesses or lawn or pool service businesses. It is only appropriate for 'businesses of substance'.
A petition requires the UK business to remain operational and the new entity must be supported by a pretty stout 3 year business plan, that requires employment of USC's, real property (so no 'work from home' businesses qualify)and creation of a US 'C' Corp or LLC.
Your own company is the petitioner, so there is no requirement to find a US based employer, which is kind of tricky here, right now.
In my dim and distant, I was quite heavily involved in establishing a US subsidiary of a UK company. I have contacts with a very competent US corporate immigration attorney, based in FL, if you care to discuss it with them. They are not cheap, but they know what they are doing. There are lots of shysters both here and in the UK who are happy to relieve you of serious money, even when it's obvious that the petition is unlikely to be approved by USCIS/Dept of Labor etc.
GavinPearson said:
Zumbruk said:
GavinPearson said:
You can work before you get the Green Card. You get a temporary work permit - from memory the card was red.
Green cards are blue anyway ... 
Gassing Station | USA & Canada | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff