British Expatriate Network

Hi. I've been contemplating moving to the States for a couple of years now, but I could really do with some help/advice. ???

I just don't know where/how to start. The biggest problem I've found is with Visa's, or at least their classifications and eligibility for them. I'm having trouble understanding them as I have recently completed a degree, but have found a job that ANYONE could do, but which will give me access to my chosen career (Writing). Eeepp!!

I know it's a lot to ask for help in an area as big as this, but I'm going spare, trying to figure out my next step - mainly with Visa's, and subsequently jobs, passports, accomodation - get the picture - I'm completely lost and have yet to find ANYWHERE that is of the slightest bit of help. I figured this would be the best place to come seeing as some people have already taken the leap and can give me info straight from the horses mouth so to speak. Any help would be greatly appreciated - preferably as simply put as possible. grin

Apologies if this all sounds garbled.

How on God's Green Earth do people do this - and why does it have to be so dang complicated!!! smile

Hi, welcome to Britnet.

When you say you've found a job, do you mean you have been offered a job in America? If not, then that really is what you need to pursue. There are many on here who know a lot more than I about visas and the like, but really you need to find a company who can and will employ you here and will sponsor/do your visa. Other than that, there are student visas.....erm....time for someone else to step in?? lol

Aha,
if you have a job offer, then go ahead and take it and then do your best to make it sound like only someone with your degree and experience would be suitable for it. (eg. the position of lion tamer at Le Cirque is well suited to me, having just graduated from DeMotford Uni with a BA Hons. in English literature, with particular emphasis on early 18th century circus fiction. My work experience at London Zoo has allowed me to build on my education)

If you don't have a job offer yet, you need to decide if a) you count as a student or recent graduate, in which case you could come over on a J1 visa (intern) or b) can find an employer with a position suitably matched to your skills and education who would be willing to apply for the H1B visa on your behalf. This costs around $2000 (without lawyers fees) so they'd need to really like you. Most larger companies won't do this as they have too many US based employees who would take the job and you have to prove that giving it to a Brit is not denying a US person the job. (also, if they sponsor one person to come over then they pretty much pave the way for loads more and it can get out of hand).

Having said that, there are loads of people in the this country who are from the UK. I know several magazine writers/editors in the NYC area who are Brits (lots at Maxim as it's owned by Emap who are UK based). They didn't all marry a US citizen (by far the easiest way to get over here, but terribly inconvenient) and I'm sure not all of them begged for transfers from their UK offices (L1 visa).

So, don't give up. I went to my library in the UK where they had loads of books that made a lot of sense on the different types of visas, which ones did you read so far?

Lastly, I would urge you not to try the illegal route for getting work over here - it's not nice for anyone.

Good luck, and keep posting!
Stel.

Blimey Stel, you've kept all this quiet! I thought you messed about with cars. Can you get us cheap tickets?

p.s Sorry Jezebel, I don't know really know anything much about visas, but welcome to Britnet! smile

Moi?!

I sspeeet on DeMontfort....

It doesn't rain enough in Leics for me to have spent 3 years there
:razz:

(PS. you did make me laugh Deb :lol:)

p.s.

for those who can't tell, Stel is the one shot from the cannon who gets a bonus if she hits the bullseye (lion's mouth) head first. Well -let's face it- if she succeeds, the lion is generally less likely to bite you, so I guess you could call it lion taming.

roll

lol

We did the same as Stel, and went to the local library (notice you are from lincolnshire - whereabouts grin ) to find out as much as we could. We also bought immigration books too and surfed the net a lot.

We eventually ended up with a company transfer visa (L1).

Have you considered going for your Masters degree - you could apply for doing that here and maybe get a sponsor. what about teaching. Not the Ideal place to teach, but NYC are very short on teachers (depends on how desparate you are).

H1 visas are limited in the number issued each year and the year begins oct/nov time so if you are going to be going this route, I would get your finger out now and find something - job offer that is - so you get an early jump.

There are computer companies that have been helping people get over to the USA (people international), maybe there is a company similar who could help you in your field. Surf the net and see if you can find one)

As far as your other points - get your passport now, you won't have time to sort that out later. You may end up flying over for an interview. Accomodation would be sorted after you have been offered a job. That isn't very difficult to sort out. We can all help you with that problem smile

Good luck.


P.S. if you have no luck with the USA, have you considered Canada?

stelesque "Most larger companies won't do this as they have too many US based employees who would take the job and you have to prove that giving it to a Brit is not denying a US person the job"

It's a Reception/Assistant job in a talent agency in California - Could I put up those little RSA/Clait courses I had to do in college, and experience in reception work/'customer relations' as grounds for being better than a 'native'? Would they go with that? Like I said - it's a job anyone could do!!

I suppose I could say a English accent on the end of the phone gives them the edge in terms of being remembered!!! lol

stelesque "Lastly, I would urge you not to try the illegal route for getting work over here - it's not nice for anyone."

What's the illegal route? I wouldn't want to jeopardise my path by doing the wrong thing. Are you talking about working without a Visa?

Ben "notice you are from lincolnshire - whereabouts?"

Just down the A1077/M180 in Barrow upon Humber, been here since 1990 smile

Ben "We also bought immigration books too and surfed the net a lot"

Can you recommend any particularly good sites/books that may be useful?

How did you get the job? Are they aware you'll need a visa? It certainly sounds unlikely that you can get a visa for that job.

bingo. or with the wrong type of visa. or lying to get a visa.

Monster "How did you get the job? Are they aware you'll need a visa? It certainly sounds unlikely that you can get a visa for that job"

It's only a spotted job at the moment - I wanted to get the details sorted in my mind first. smile Decide whether I should be looking elsewhere.

first of all, nothing ventured nothing gained. Give it a shot, but don't be surprised if they hire someone from USA because lets face it, the INS will argue there are plenty of US Citizens who could get that job.
However if you are serious about it keep trying.

yes, keep trying, and try to look for jobs that might need a foreigner -for example stuff in the tourist industry might be a better bet.

I've just had another look at the US Embassy Webpage and found this document

http//www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/visa/iv/skilledworkers.htm

Would the baccalaureate degree in the US be the same as a BA which I've done over here? Is this the eligibility for a J1 Visa you mentioned stelesque? Or is that something else?

Questions, Questions everywhere and no answers from the pros! wink I need to stop looking at some of these sites they keep giving me more questions.

Am I asking too many questions?

I've just had another look at the US Embassy Webpage and found this document

http//www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/visa/iv/skilledworkers.htm

Would the baccalaureate degree in the US be the same as a BA which I've done over here? Is this the eligibility for a J1 Visa you mentioned stelesque? Or is that something else?

Questions, Questions everywhere and no answers from the pros! wink I need to stop looking at some of these sites they keep giving me more questions.

Am I asking too many questions?