Emigrating/moving abroad. Anyone done it?

Emigrating/moving abroad. Anyone done it?

Author
Discussion

scott15

198 posts

158 months

Sunday 21st January 2018
quotequote all
I'm also in the same position as many here.

23 years old (fast approaching 24! :'( )

I have always wanted to live in Aus/USA/NZ. I have done a total of 5 months in Aus over two trips when I was 19. Sadly I used up my Working Holiday Visa on this trip so I cannot now get another one. If I had known at the time I wouldn't use it to its full potential I would have just got a holiday visa, and i'd be out there now on the working visa.

I have no decent qualifications, I am a Warehouse Manager (decent sized and well respected company), however with only experience, a fork lift licence, and being first aid trained.. I'm sure there are millions of people who would be preferred over me!

Are there any other ways of getting in to any of these countries, even as a temporary thing (more than just a holiday)?

I have plenty of skills, welding, fabricating etc up to a high standard, however again I have no qualifications.

ETA I have no family living in any of these countries. I am from the UK and so is all of my family.

Funds wise, I have about £15k.

Sorry for hijacking OP! smile







Edited by scott15 on Sunday 21st January 12:25

Robertj21a

16,475 posts

104 months

Sunday 21st January 2018
quotequote all
scott15 said:
I'm also in the same position as many here.

23 years old (fast approaching 24! :'( )

I have always wanted to live in Aus/USA/NZ. I have done a total of 5 months in Aus over two trips when I was 19. Sadly I used up my Working Holiday Visa on this trip so I cannot now get another one. If I had known at the time I wouldn't use it to its full potential I would have just got a holiday visa, and i'd be out there now on the working visa.

I have no decent qualifications, I am a Warehouse Manager (decent sized and well respected company), however with only experience, a fork lift licence, and being first aid trained.. I'm sure there are millions of people who would be preferred over me!

Are there any other ways of getting in to any of these countries, even as a temporary thing (more than just a holiday)?

I have plenty of skills, welding, fabricating etc up to a high standard, however again I have no qualifications.

ETA I have no family living in any of these countries. I am from the UK and so is all of my family.

Funds wise, I have about £15k.

Sorry for hijacking OP! smile







Edited by scott15 on Sunday 21st January 12:25
Others will know far more than me but I think I'm right in saying that all those countries have a point scoring system to consider whether they want you ! - Formal qualifications are high on their list of requirements, or at least having a proven skill that they need (and can't fulfil themselves). Your age is certainly in your favour but you'll need much more to offer them !

anonymous-user

53 months

Sunday 21st January 2018
quotequote all
scott15 said:
I'm also in the same position as many here.

23 years old (fast approaching 24! :'( )

I have always wanted to live in Aus/USA/NZ. I have done a total of 5 months in Aus over two trips when I was 19. Sadly I used up my Working Holiday Visa on this trip so I cannot now get another one. If I had known at the time I wouldn't use it to its full potential I would have just got a holiday visa, and i'd be out there now on the working visa.

I have no decent qualifications, I am a Warehouse Manager (decent sized and well respected company), however with only experience, a fork lift licence, and being first aid trained.. I'm sure there are millions of people who would be preferred over me!

Are there any other ways of getting in to any of these countries, even as a temporary thing (more than just a holiday)?

I have plenty of skills, welding, fabricating etc up to a high standard, however again I have no qualifications.

ETA I have no family living in any of these countries. I am from the UK and so is all of my family.

Funds wise, I have about £15k.

Sorry for hijacking OP! smile







Edited by scott15 on Sunday 21st January 12:25
I think working holiday visas are your best options, but as you highlight they can only be used once, and not all countries offer them.

Have you considered Canada at all? The requirements for their 2 year IEC working holiday visa are relatively lax and ultimately come down to a lottery with fairly good odds, if you apply early enough.

Down the line, the process of applying to stay permanently seems friendlier than most places with lots of realistic occupations making the list of required skilled workers. They even have a separate skill category for people with management experience.

King Herald

23,501 posts

215 months

Sunday 21st January 2018
quotequote all
zubzob said:
...3-6 month tourist visas are fairly generous in most of these places and are relatively easy to play. So if work online for example and don't need to earn ai local wage, it is fairly easy to test out the US/Aus as a long term tourist. Might be a good first step.
Get an Esta and fly to the USA and you can stay for six months at a time, unless they take a dislike to you. Be prepared to be treated like a criminal at immigration, but have a plausible story of where you are staying, what you are doing, and that you have plenty of funds, and you can pretty much go anywhere you like inside their borders.

That would be the time to go job hunting, or finding someone who might be interested in sponsoring you to work for them. You need some pretty special skills though, or be able to offer something any common or garden yank can’t.

TTmonkey

20,911 posts

246 months

Sunday 21st January 2018
quotequote all
kapiteinlangzaam said:
Yes.

If you are young and free from commitments (i.e. wife and kids) then its orders of magnitude easier.

I left the UK at 23. Moved to NL as a career move. Love it and have zero intentions of coming back to the UK.

IF you go someplace where English is not the mother tongue, make a quick and dedicated effort learn the language. It might sound obvious, but so many ex-pats don't bother and it makes THE most important difference to getting on and making a life for yourself.
How did you find learning Dutch? We loved on the birder at Roermond when I was in the RAF, and found no reason to learn Dutch, but it sounded incomprehensible to me.... more like a throaty infection......

Lovely people though.

Vaud

50,291 posts

154 months

Sunday 21st January 2018
quotequote all
King Herald said:
Get an Esta and fly to the USA and you can stay for six months at a time, unless they take a dislike to you. Be prepared to be treated like a criminal at immigration, but have a plausible story of where you are staying, what you are doing, and that you have plenty of funds, and you can pretty much go anywhere you like inside their borders.

That would be the time to go job hunting, or finding someone who might be interested in sponsoring you to work for them. You need some pretty special skills though, or be able to offer something any common or garden yank can’t.
90 days on waiver program? Evidence of funds, place of stay, etc You will likely be grilled. Don’t work under the radar - unless you don’t mind risking not going back if they catch you.

Shay HTFC

3,585 posts

188 months

Sunday 21st January 2018
quotequote all
scott15 said:
I'm also in the same position as many here.

23 years old (fast approaching 24! :'( )

I have always wanted to live in Aus/USA/NZ. I have done a total of 5 months in Aus over two trips when I was 19. Sadly I used up my Working Holiday Visa on this trip so I cannot now get another one. If I had known at the time I wouldn't use it to its full potential I would have just got a holiday visa, and i'd be out there now on the working visa.

I have no decent qualifications, I am a Warehouse Manager (decent sized and well respected company), however with only experience, a fork lift licence, and being first aid trained.. I'm sure there are millions of people who would be preferred over me!

Are there any other ways of getting in to any of these countries, even as a temporary thing (more than just a holiday)?

I have plenty of skills, welding, fabricating etc up to a high standard, however again I have no qualifications.

ETA I have no family living in any of these countries. I am from the UK and so is all of my family.

Funds wise, I have about £15k.

Sorry for hijacking OP! smile







Edited by scott15 on Sunday 21st January 12:25
You can get a working holiday visa for NZ, try and get permanent residency and then citizenship out there (not that difficult - 2 of my siblings have made it to the permanent residency stage off of the back of bar jobs - and a lot of hard work). Once you've got that you can cross over to Aus and work there whenever you fancy it.

King Herald

23,501 posts

215 months

Sunday 21st January 2018
quotequote all
Vaud said:
90 days on waiver program? Evidence of funds, place of stay, etc You will likely be grilled. Don’t work under the radar - unless you don’t mind risking not going back if they catch you.
I thought you could get six months if you went in as a tourist. Have a plan ready, name some hotels, tourist destinations, as you’d obviously need a plan of some sort whatever you are there for. I’ve usually flown in for work, but also been with the family several times on holiday.

Anyway, I’m not suggesting doing work, but look around, find a potential employer, see if you think the USA would be a place you’d like to live etc. It is a huge country, with everything from mountains to deserts, Death Valley to freezing wastes.

Edited by King Herald on Sunday 21st January 15:52

Matt Harper

6,613 posts

200 months

Sunday 21st January 2018
quotequote all
King Herald said:
My pension is paid in US$ so I guess I would have some chance of getting in.
Not relevant for the purpose of immigration. Some feel that owning real estate/property in the US gives them an immigration advantage - not so.

RobDickinson

31,343 posts

253 months

Sunday 21st January 2018
quotequote all
Shay HTFC said:
You can get a working holiday visa for NZ, try and get permanent residency and then citizenship out there (not that difficult - 2 of my siblings have made it to the permanent residency stage off of the back of bar jobs - and a lot of hard work). Once you've got that you can cross over to Aus and work there whenever you fancy it.
Citizenship is 5 years from permanent residency which will be a few years on from any working holiday. 7 plus years living and working in a country you don't want to be in? Great if you like nz for itself.

And nz citizens are treated as second class in oz, miss out on so much.

Matt Harper

6,613 posts

200 months

Sunday 21st January 2018
quotequote all
Robertj21a said:
Others will know far more than me but I think I'm right in saying that all those countries have a point scoring system to consider whether they want you ! - Formal qualifications are high on their list of requirements, or at least having a proven skill that they need (and can't fulfil themselves). Your age is certainly in your favour but you'll need much more to offer them !
US immigration system is not points based. In general US immigration is divided into a number of categories - marriage-based, family-based, employment-based, investment-based and refugee-based.

Marriage to a USC is BY FAR the most simple means.

Vaud

50,291 posts

154 months

Sunday 21st January 2018
quotequote all
King Herald said:
I thought you could get six months if you went in as a tourist. Have a plan ready, name some hotels, tourist destinations, as you’d obviously need a plan of some sort whatever you are there for. I’ve usually flown in for work, but also been with the family several times on holiday.

Anyway, I’m not suggesting doing work, but look around, find a potential employer, see if you think the USA would be a place you’d like to live etc. It is a huge country, with everything from mountains to deserts, Death Valley to freezing wastes.
90 days on WVP: https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/visa-waiver-program...

I know that your weren't suggesting working and apologies if it came across that way - I was intending to highlight that some get hooked into a trap of an unscrupulous employer offering to sponsor a visa subject to a trial (low pay, cash in hand, off the radar, etc) and then falling foul of US immigration.. in which case expect a lengthy (or indefinite) ban on re-entering.

Matt Harper

6,613 posts

200 months

Sunday 21st January 2018
quotequote all
zubzob said:
However, 3-6 month tourist visas are fairly generous in most of these places and are relatively easy to play. So if work online for example and don't need to earn a local wage, it is fairly easy to test out the US/Aus as a long term tourist. Might be a good first step.


Edited by zubzob on Sunday 21st January 12:55
Not wishing to be overly pedantic, but there is no 3 month tourist visa. I think this is in reference to the US visa waiver program, which allows visitors from certain countries in for up to 90 days, without the requirement for a visa.

The 6 month visa (in the context of tourism) is B-2, which allows the holder in for up to 6 months for the purpose of tourism/recreation.

Neither of these options allow the visitor to engage in any kind of work, paid or otherwise, under any circumstances.

There is an inconvenient quirk to the B-2 visa - and that is that applicants who would normally be approved to utilize the VWP (via ESTA) are likely to be denied a B-2, unless they can provide a compelling reason why they should be granted access for 6 months. B-2 is mainly utilized by 'snowbirds' - retirees, with 2nd homes in the more climate-friendly parts of the US, where they come to escape nasty winters.

There is a pretty onerous consequence of a B-2 denial and that is that it has to be declared on any subsequent ESTA application, which may also cause the VWP application to be denied.

Real caution should be used when applying for a B-2, if the applicant qualifies for VWP.

Matt Harper

6,613 posts

200 months

Sunday 21st January 2018
quotequote all
King Herald said:
Get an Esta and fly to the USA and you can stay for six months at a time, unless they take a dislike to you. Be prepared to be treated like a criminal at immigration, but have a plausible story of where you are staying, what you are doing, and that you have plenty of funds, and you can pretty much go anywhere you like inside their borders.

That would be the time to go job hunting, or finding someone who might be interested in sponsoring you to work for them. You need some pretty special skills though, or be able to offer something any common or garden yank can’t.
That would be 'up to 90 days' - not '6 months'. Also don't overlook the reality that the Customs and Border Protection officials have total discretion in deciding the duration of your visa waiver. It is most usually granted for the entire 90 days - but that is not a given.

King Herald

23,501 posts

215 months

Sunday 21st January 2018
quotequote all
Matt Harper said:
That would be 'up to 90 days' - not '6 months'. Also don't overlook the reality that the Customs and Border Protection officials have total discretion in deciding the duration of your visa waiver. It is most usually granted for the entire 90 days - but that is not a given.
Yes, I’ve realised that now. My point was that you can come over and have a look around for a fairly reasonable amount of time.

Matt Harper

6,613 posts

200 months

Sunday 21st January 2018
quotequote all
King Herald said:
Matt Harper said:
That would be 'up to 90 days' - not '6 months'. Also don't overlook the reality that the Customs and Border Protection officials have total discretion in deciding the duration of your visa waiver. It is most usually granted for the entire 90 days - but that is not a given.
Yes, I’ve realised that now. My point was that you can come over and have a look around for a fairly reasonable amount of time.
Sorry - I didn't mean to blithely correct a correction - and you are right 90 days should be enough to get a feel for the place.

The shame of it is that a lot of people who could be very happy living here and contributing to the betterment of the country, just don't qualify - yet the US has had a history of admitting layabouts who just become a drain on society.

Matt Harper

6,613 posts

200 months

Sunday 21st January 2018
quotequote all
zubzob said:
And yes it is true, for the 6 month visa, you need a good reason why the 3 month visa is not sufficient. Not really very hard to come up with something though.
Hmmmm, I'd beg to differ on that one.

zubzob said:
It's a sad fact that your background and ethnicity come into play with these stats.
By background, do you mean criminal history? By ethnicity, are you referencing Donny's travel ban on countries that are openly hostile to the USA?

Newky Brown

1,372 posts

227 months

Sunday 21st January 2018
quotequote all
Matt Harper said:
zubzob said:
However, 3-6 month tourist visas are fairly generous in most of these places and are relatively easy to play. So if work online for example and don't need to earn a local wage, it is fairly easy to test out the US/Aus as a long term tourist. Might be a good first step.


Edited by zubzob on Sunday 21st January 12:55
Not wishing to be overly pedantic, but there is no 3 month tourist visa. I think this is in reference to the US visa waiver program, which allows visitors from certain countries in for up to 90 days, without the requirement for a visa.

The 6 month visa (in the context of tourism) is B-2, which allows the holder in for up to 6 months for the purpose of tourism/recreation.

Neither of these options allow the visitor to engage in any kind of work, paid or otherwise, under any circumstances.

There is an inconvenient quirk to the B-2 visa - and that is that applicants who would normally be approved to utilize the VWP (via ESTA) are likely to be denied a B-2, unless they can provide a compelling reason why they should be granted access for 6 months. B-2 is mainly utilized by 'snowbirds' - retirees, with 2nd homes in the more climate-friendly parts of the US, where they come to escape nasty winters.

There is a pretty onerous consequence of a B-2 denial and that is that it has to be declared on any subsequent ESTA application, which may also cause the VWP application to be denied.

Real caution should be used when applying for a B-2, if the applicant qualifies for VWP.
Several years ago I went out on a B-2 visa when I was offered work by a US company. I was told that the B-2 would be OK even though I knew it wasn't. I tried a bit of Billy bullst at immigration and long story short, got interrogated and sent home on the next flight.

Result is that I can't go out on an ESTA anymore and have to have a visa. The first few times after I got pulled but it has been ok since. My visa runs out soon and I can't be bothered to renew which is a shame as I generally like the place.

Newky Brown

1,372 posts

227 months

Sunday 21st January 2018
quotequote all
zubzob said:
Newky Brown said:
Several years ago I went out on a B-2 visa when I was offered work by a US company. I was told that the B-2 would be OK even though I knew it wasn't. I tried a bit of Billy bullst at immigration and long story short, got interrogated and sent home on the next flight.

Result is that I can't go out on an ESTA anymore and have to have a visa. The first few times after I got pulled but it has been ok since. My visa runs out soon and I can't be bothered to renew which is a shame as I generally like the place.
Sorry to be a tosser, but they were correct to send you back, isn't B2 for pleasure only?

It's always a little risky bringing work into the mix. It is a massive red flag that escalates the case. Which is why on a short business trip, I've claimed to be a tourist, even if I had solid evidence of business. It's simply less risky. (and it's always 'slightly' risky) You might get someone in a bad mood who doesn't like the sound of your name or business or whatever .

But it's hard to find much fault with 'i am going on holiday'


Edited by zubzob on Sunday 21st January 17:51
It may have been a B1-B2 but either way not a work visa. I'm not saying they weren't correct in sending me back, i knew what I was doing but got caught.

My UK company previously sent me over to do short term work, a week at most, and I said I was there for training despite carrying tools and kit. It was something they did regularly and got away with it with myself and other people.

wibble cb

3,586 posts

206 months

Sunday 21st January 2018
quotequote all
RegularDegular said:
scott15 said:
I'm also in the same position as many here.

23 years old (fast approaching 24! :'( )

I have always wanted to live in Aus/USA/NZ. I have done a total of 5 months in Aus over two trips when I was 19. Sadly I used up my Working Holiday Visa on this trip so I cannot now get another one. If I had known at the time I wouldn't use it to its full potential I would have just got a holiday visa, and i'd be out there now on the working visa.

I have no decent qualifications, I am a Warehouse Manager (decent sized and well respected company), however with only experience, a fork lift licence, and being first aid trained.. I'm sure there are millions of people who would be preferred over me!

Are there any other ways of getting in to any of these countries, even as a temporary thing (more than just a holiday)?

I have plenty of skills, welding, fabricating etc up to a high standard, however again I have no qualifications.

ETA I have no family living in any of these countries. I am from the UK and so is all of my family.

Funds wise, I have about £15k.

Sorry for hijacking OP! smile







Edited by scott15 on Sunday 21st January 12:25
I think working holiday visas are your best options, but as you highlight they can only be used once, and not all countries offer them.

Have you considered Canada at all? The requirements for their 2 year IEC working holiday visa are relatively lax and ultimately come down to a lottery with fairly good odds, if you apply early enough.

Down the line, the process of applying to stay permanently seems friendlier than most places with lots of realistic occupations making the list of required skilled workers. They even have a separate skill category for people with management experience.
I moved to Canada 13 years ago, first as a skilled worker on a work permit, that lasted 3 years, then I applied for permanent residence, followed by citizenship, am now married, have a house, brought my UK car over and been promoted a couple of times, so its all worked out, though there was (and still is) a lot of hard work! I have no education beyond O levels, didn't know anyone in Canada,speak very little French (always a good thing for Canada) but did have work sponsorship of my permit as I was uniquely skilled in my job ( I brought the job over from London).

Edited by wibble cb on Sunday 21st January 18:04