Getting a job in the States?

[dvs_dave]

So, how do you go about it? I'm getting married to an American, but we're looking to move before we get married. Will it be a nightmare with Visa's etc. if we're not married?

Also, how is Chicago for commercial construction, new build and refurb? Anybody got any insights?

[Whatty]

You'll need a fiancee visa before anything else, which you must apply for while in your home country.

See here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/type...

Really important that you get this sorted before you start planning a move/job hunting.

I know a good US immigration lawyer if you need further assistance.

Good luck!

[Solitude]

U.S. doesn't recognise common law and you wont get a green card and ss number unless you are married.
No-one will hire you without either.(us law made the employer responsible for checking those in the mid-late 80's with a hefty fine attatched for violators!!!)
Even when you get married it will take some time to process you (post 9/11) and it will be a while till you can get a job.
i worked in construction in colorado for eight years while there was a boom (90's) and my brother and several mates (brits) still live there. work is tough at the moment an its not just a colorado thing.
You may wanna consider going union (not sure if illinois is a "right to work state" or union heavy)as the rates and benefits are always good, but more likely they are struggling too.
Get licensed as soon a you can as they wont pay you top dollar unless you have.
Hope this is useful and not depressing fella.
If you get married and go by the book, you really wont need an immigration lawyer.

Good luck

[Mr Fenix]

I echo the words of solitude, but I did things a little different/quicker. Basically I came over in July 2008, had wedding in 2 months and started the visa paperwork shortly after. I couldn't leave after my tourist waiver expired and the immigration process had started so think carefully before you do anything like that. We hired an attorney simply because they had a proven record of getting things done quickly. It costs $4890 half of which are government filing fees!

I too worked in construction in the UK and I'm trying to get in the electrical union's apprenticeship program in san diego. Competition is extremely fierce and its tough to get any job never mind a career going again.

Its absolutely true about the licensing here, yanks are mad for them. Without a license you can't legally do anything bigger than $500/job. Which is tough. However once you have one things ease up quite a bit and you can still make decent money. No idea what colorado is like but SD is in the crapper at the moment and under bidding is rife.
However I spoke to the ex vice president of NECA (national elec. contractors assoc.) and he's spoken to several people who are booming away due to new contracts being signed and a big push for telecomms stuff atm. Things haven't hit bottom yet but I can see them improving slowly in 2-3 years.

Pm me if you have any more questions

[dvs_dave]

Thanks for the info guys. So basically being married will make things a hell of a lot easier! What's the typical turnaround time for a green card/citizenship application to go through and being able to start work for a UK citizen? Weeks, months, years?

When I say I work in construction, I'm in the project management/QS side of things so not a tradesman. I presume I don't need to have any specific licences for that?

So in Chicagoland, what sort of companies or areas of construction are worth looking at for jobs? It's pretty hard trying to determine such info from google!

Edited by dvs_dave on Sunday 21st March 17:52