Immigrate to the US

[dpap]

I am an Accountant with over 5 years experience and currently live in the UK. I have a degree in Accounts and I am ACCA qualified. I am looking to immigrate to the US and would like to know how I can go about applying. I am from Kenya, and have residence in the UK until 2010.
Do they have a point scoring system, or any route open to me, as I really want to live in the US.
Please help.

[midbrain]

US does not have a point system for immigration.
Mostly, you need sponsorship either
by certain family members or an employer in the US.

As a CA you could find an employer in the US who could sponsor you
but the process may take years depending on which employment
category you use.

Or you could find an employer in the US who could sponsor you for
an H-1 work visa on which you may work for 6-7 years and in the
meantime find a way to get a green card.

Other fast ways to immigrate; through marriage to a US citizen, investment of USD half to one million, annual green card lottery (if Kenya is eligible and if you are lucky),and employment based first category(EB-1).

[try-one]

Hi,
Is the H-1 conducing to a residency permit or nationality after the 6 years?
what is the best way to get those?
t

[midbrain]

NO, They have a separate application process.(read previous reply in this
thread). Citizenship by naturalization is ususally gained 3-5 yrs after
getting permanent residence.

[legelsegel]

I live in the UK and I have a family friend in the USA trying to find me a job. If he is successful and they give me a job, will it be difficult to then get a VISA in the USA to work?

The guy trying to find me a job is my girlfriends father, and I am 23, one year after university (that's my work experience).

I have been told if I can find a job that it won't be too difficult to get a visa for a few years.

I would be trying to come over here in January, Feb, or March.

[midbrain]

legelsegel,

Your contacts in US will have to find an employer who can sponsor you for a work visa (H visa mostly). The petition for that visa is filed in the US
and once approved, and you meet all other requirements for the visa,
getting it stamped at the embassy will be fine.

[legelsegel]

legelsegel,

Your contacts in US will have to find an employer who can sponsor you for a work visa (H visa mostly). The petition for that visa is filed in the US
and once approved, and you meet all other requirements for the visa,
getting it stamped at the embassy will be fine.

Midbrain--- #1. How long does the process usually take. The H Visa lasts for 6 years or is it temporary?

#2. Can any employer sponsor for a work visa? Is it even that difficult?
I heard that the process is fairly easy and anyone from the UK can come work in America as long as they get a job.

[midbrain]

It is not that simple as you heard.

Broadly, it is like this;
To work in US, either you should have a permanent visa(green
card) or a temporary worker visa(H visas/L visas)

H visas are different kinds H-2A(agriculture workers), H-2b(temp. non-agriculture workers, like cooks, fishermen etc), H-1b(specialty workers
requiring a bachelor's degree)

Since you have a bachelor's degree, you may qualify for an H-1b.
Not any employer can sponsor you for an H-1b. Your job must
match your degree. And the employer must meet some requirements. Mostly, there is an yearly quota for H-1b visas.(65,000 and
47000+ are already filed for 2005.)
It may take from one to 6 months for petition approval depending
on your location ( check if 15 day premier processing is available).
H-1b visa is for 3 years extendable for another 3 years.

[legelsegel]

You say they take from one to six months.....

Generally does it take around a month or two for them to go through?

I figure I won't be planning on moving until 2006 so I figure it will be a fairly easy and painless process.

If I apply in January then I doubt they will have much reason to say no.

And lastly where can I find out number of filled H1s? You gave that number; how did you find it?
Thanks for all of your help