Discussion
Stating the OP has "no chance" is a bit of a generalization. Lots of people do it. There are several potential avenues, depending on individual circumstance. What is essential is to have a strategy, rather than a pipe-dream.
The grass isn't always greener though. The US can be a very uncomfortable place for immigrants who don't have their sh!t together.
The grass isn't always greener though. The US can be a very uncomfortable place for immigrants who don't have their sh!t together.
5potTurbo said:
To the OP: what do you do for work now? Are you a skilled tradesman?
Entering illegally and working in a skilled trade used to be do-able, later filing for Green Card or Residency, but since 9/11 things have changed enormously.
Oh dear, depressing replies, but not a complete surprise I suppose. I don't have a trade, I've been a production manager in the printing industry for the last few years. Entering illegally and working in a skilled trade used to be do-able, later filing for Green Card or Residency, but since 9/11 things have changed enormously.
We holiday in Florida a couple of times a year (used to have a place out there) and I've always fancied relocating. I was exploring the possibility of buying a business out there. Some of the ones I've been looking at suggest they are big enough to increase your chance of obtaining a visa. I don't know enough about it though.
I fully understand the reply about the grass not always being greener etc, but I'm so pissed off with the UK at the moment. Just seems like time for a change.
Thanks for the replies.
Establishing or buying a business, utilizing an E2 visa is a strategy that you could consider.
E2 does have some significant limitations, but lots of people make a success of it. You don't need the gigantic sums of dish required by the EB5 investment green card either.
Additionally, as a resident of FL, this is probably not the best place to establish a business, currently.
E2 does have some significant limitations, but lots of people make a success of it. You don't need the gigantic sums of dish required by the EB5 investment green card either.
Additionally, as a resident of FL, this is probably not the best place to establish a business, currently.
Matt Harper said:
Establishing or buying a business, utilizing an E2 visa is a strategy that you could consider.
E2 does have some significant limitations, but lots of people make a success of it. You don't need the gigantic sums of dish required by the EB5 investment green card either.
Additionally, as a resident of FL, this is probably not the best place to establish a business, currently.
E2 was the visa I was looking at but like I said earlier, I haven't done much research at the moment and know little about the process. E2 does have some significant limitations, but lots of people make a success of it. You don't need the gigantic sums of dish required by the EB5 investment green card either.
Additionally, as a resident of FL, this is probably not the best place to establish a business, currently.
Is the Florida economy struggling more than most at the moment? There seems to be an awful lot of cheap properties, foreclosures so I'm guessing this is the case. But then again, where isn't? The industry I work in in the UK is dying on its arse. Has been for a number of years.
Matt Harper said:
Yes, FL is still on it's arse economically - but that can also present opportunities, of course.
I'm working in Dallas/Plano TX this week and things seem to be more upbeat here business-wise.
I have some knowledge/experience with E2/3 visas, so PM me if you need the skinny.
^^^this is the great thing about PH. OP...avail of Matt's offer.I'm working in Dallas/Plano TX this week and things seem to be more upbeat here business-wise.
I have some knowledge/experience with E2/3 visas, so PM me if you need the skinny.
Sooooooo many little tits with no real practical knowledge spout off on here and cloud progress as a result.
The Lukas said:
I've looked into it, looks difficult to say the least. Does not Canada/Australia/New Zealand/Europe not interest you?
What is it about the states the makes you want to go? (Not trying to put you off, just curious)
I've never been to Canada/ Aus or NZ so couldn't really comment. The rest of Europe doesn't do anything for me.What is it about the states the makes you want to go? (Not trying to put you off, just curious)
I've lived in the same town all my life (its quite a nice town though) and never had a desire to live anywhere else. I work a fair way from home and have always chosen to travel rather than move closer. I've Spent the last 8 years holidaying in Florida and every time I go, I come back thinking I would like to live there one day. It was really only a pipe dream all the time I had a reasonable job here, but now a change is being forced upon me, its just seems like an ideal time to do something different.
Edited by FrankHovis on Thursday 19th August 04:43
FrankHovis said:
The Lukas said:
I've looked into it, looks difficult to say the least. Does not Canada/Australia/New Zealand/Europe not interest you?
What is it about the states the makes you want to go? (Not trying to put you off, just curious)
I've never been to Canada/ Aus or NZ so couldn't really comment. The rest of Europe doesn't do anything for me.What is it about the states the makes you want to go? (Not trying to put you off, just curious)
I've lived in the same town all my life (its quite a nice town though) and never had a desire to live anywhere else. I work a fair way from home and have always chosen to travel rather than move closer. I've Spent the last 8 years holidaying in Florida and every time I go, I come back thinking I would like to live there one day. It was really only a pipe dream all the time I had a reasonable job here, but now a change is being forced upon me, its just seems like an ideal time to do something different.
Edited by FrankHovis on Thursday 19th August 04:43
If it's what you want to do, it's certainly worth exploring the different Visa options, or, if you're not fixed on living in Florida, look at finding a job similar to your current role where the employer may well sponsor you to help things along.
The reason for my earlier post was that in 1986 my eldest brother (then only 22) upped sticks and moved to California, illegally. He worked his way around 'the system' for 5 years as a skilled tradesman, paying and filing taxes, then when he filed for his Green Card himself the Judge ruled in his favour over the INS as he had 3 cars (paid for), a house, was married to an American, etc., etc. As I said, sicne 9/11, things have become more difficult, but it's not impossible.
Now he's a U.S. citizen which would, for example, help me if I wanted to live there with my family, but it doesn't guarantee it - just slightly more 'credit' in my favour, sorry, favor.
Good luck!
Roo said:
euroboy said:
Id apply for the Green Card lottery and keep the fingers and toes crossed
Not eligible if you're a UK citizen unfortunately.euroboy said:
furtive said:
Almost no chance without having a job with a company that will sponsor your visa I think
This ^^^^I think you can also get in on a 'Entrepreneurs Visa', but you need something like $1M in the bank and proof you are going to invest it in the USA. Id apply for the Green Card lottery and keep the fingers and toes crossed or more productively take a look at Canada, Aus or NZ - all of which are MUCH easier to relocate to and depending on the industry will dangle some pretty nice carrots in front of you too.
5potTurbo said:
Now he's a U.S. citizen which would, for example, help me if I wanted to live there with my family, but it doesn't guarantee it - just slightly more 'credit' in my favour, sorry, favor.
Good luck!
Hardly. The sibling preference for family based green card takes many, many years to achieve and the petitioning brother/sister must provide affidavit of support for the beneficiary and their family until they qualify for naturalization, which can be a financial stretch for a lot of petitioners, who have to prove that they have the means to support a second family for several years, should they become incapable of supporting themselves.Good luck!
The fact remains, that although this society is based upon immigration, the authorities do all they can to discourage it. Marriage to a USC sounds not to be an option for the OP and his work experience and position is unlikely to qualify him for an employment-based visa, so his options are really clear: Buy a green card, by going EB-5, or buy/establish a business that will (most importantly) employ USC's and secondly, support him and his family. The priority in that last sentence is real and intentional - a business that just provides for the petitioner's living will not qualify. The route here is E2.
E2 has some very profound limitations regarding permanence and offspring, but is a route chosen by many - some of whom do well with it. Lots don't however.
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