Moving from England to the USA

adriantesta · Post by **adriantesta** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 1:24 pm

Hi people. I have just been searching for advice on the internet, and came across this useful website and forum.

My situation is this: A while back I met a girl from Maryland, USA, and we have now decided that it would be nice if I could move over there and work, so we can get a place together. We would get a place in Maryland, not too far from Washington DC - where I understand there are lots of businesses & job opportunities.

We have both been doing quite a bit of reading, on the internet, etc, to see how I would go about getting over there. I graduated in Computer Science last year, so from what I understand, the best option for me would be to try and find an employer who is willing to sponsor me, and apply for a H1B visa for me. Although I am not sure how easy it would be for me to find a job, as I am quite a new graduate with little work experience (my main work experience is 1 year with IBM, and my current job as a VB.NET programmer - which I have only just started).

I am currently working here in the UK, and plan to pay off some small debts and save a little before I try and make the move to the USA. Therefore I think I will be ready to make the move in around 6 months time - and we have both agreed that 6 months is about the longest we could stand being seperated like this (having to fly back and forth every couple of months to visit each other).

I must admit that the whole process does look very confusing to me, so at the moment I am favouring the option of paying one of those companies setup to help people like me out - namely h1base.com. I was chatting to one of their advisors earlier, and although he was a little difficult to understand, I think that he was trying to tell me than even if I started my application within 6 months time, it would be impossible for me to make the move before April 2008, as I would have to wait until April before the US Government assign the visas to people. This sounds quite upsetting to me, as obviously I would like to be with my girlfriend as quickly as I can

Any advice that anyone could offer would be greatly appreciated, as it seems like there are a lot of "in the know" people on here. Am I persuing the best immigration route for my situation? Is there anything which I can do now to make the whole process quicker/easier in 6 months time, or should I even start the process now? Realistically, what are the chances of me finding an employer willing to sponsor me?

Many many thanks in advance, Adrian & Erica

Marco 72 · Post by **Marco 72** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 2:35 pm

Sorry to bring bad news, but getting a work permit for someone in your position will be very difficult. All H1B visas for 2007 are gone, so you'll have to wait until April 2008. Even then, you really need to be a specialist in your field in order to get approved, and I understand it's particularly difficult for IT. Why don't you just marry your girlfriend? That would be the easiest way for you to move over there. Don't give any money to companies like h1base, they are useless.

adriantesta · Post by **adriantesta** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 5:26 pm

Marco, thank you so much for your reply, I really do appreciate your time - as worrying as your advice sounds

We have been searching hard for somewhere where we can get some good, reliable advice to bring some clarity to a very confusing and overwhelming subject, and it seems we have found the place.

So, it seems that the H1B route may be a lot more difficult than I had anticipated

We have been seeing each other for just over 3 months, so we're not really ready to get married just yet

What other options would there be for me? I don't think I qualify for the green card lottery, as I am an English citizen - although both of my parents were born in Malta, they have lived here for so long that they are also both English citizens. So would I be right when I say that I don't qualify to apply for the lottery? It seems like the only viable option is marrige

Would it be just as difficult for my girlfriend to move here to the UK and find a job? She does have a degree, and is studying for her masters at the moment.

Ah man, this is all so upsetting

jes2jes · Post by **jes2jes** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 8:37 pm

adriantesta wrote:Marco, thank you so much for your reply, I really do appreciate your time - as worrying as your advice sounds

We have been searching hard for somewhere where we can get some good, reliable advice to bring some clarity to a very confusing and overwhelming subject, and it seems we have found the place.

So, it seems that the H1B route may be a lot more difficult than I had anticipated We have been seeing each other for just over 3 months, so we're not really ready to get married just yet

What other options would there be for me? I don't think I qualify for the green card lottery, as I am an English citizen - although both of my parents were born in Malta, they have lived here for so long that they are also both English citizens. So would I be right when I say that I don't qualify to apply for the lottery? It seems like the only viable option is marrige

Would it be just as difficult for my girlfriend to move here to the UK and find a job? She does have a degree, and is studying for her masters at the moment.

Ah man, this is all so upsetting

I think the US fiance visa would be an option but I guess Marco would advise better.

So long as you are a Brit, you do not qualify for the Lottery.

Your girlfriend can come to England if and only if she can get a WP sponsored job or qualify for HSMP. Apart from this two, marriage is the only option mate.

Welcome to the world of Immigration.

SYH · Post by **SYH** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 9:21 pm

How old are you?

adriantesta · Post by **adriantesta** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 9:40 pm

jes2jes, thanks for your reply and advice. I have just been reading a little about UK immigration HSMP, and I used an online points calculator based upon my girlfriend's current status - unfortunately, it seems that at the moment she does not meet the minimum points requirement.

I also read about the Fiance visa - it's a shame that we would only have 90 days in which to get married, if it gave us a lot longer, then we may have considered it - as I say, we have only been together for just over 3 months at the moment, although things are going amazingly well, and we are crazy about each other - hehe

, hence why I am getting upset about all of these barriers

SYH: I am currently 23, and my girlfriend is 24.

SYH · Post by **SYH** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 9:42 pm

Try www.aipt.org for visas

adriantesta · Post by **adriantesta** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 10:02 pm

SYH, thanks for that. I have just been reading on their website, and it all seems quite interesting. It's something that I had not really looked into previously.

I was searching their site for a clear list of eligibility requirements, but could not seem to find one. They do have a "Which program is right for me" link, but I tried to follow it through and it didn't seem to work!

It would be really interesting to speak to someone who has done this before, to get a better understanding of the whole thing, as I suppose my first question would be about the wages, and if it would be enough to support myself on.

Also I see that their fees are pretty high too - I wonder if this guarantees a placement?

I think I might have to send them an email tommorrow and ask a few questions. Thank you SYH

SYH · Post by **SYH** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 10:09 pm

There are different programs so you will have to acquaint yourself with the website better.
One is they find you an employer which is pricey
but the other is one where they just get you a visa and its up to you to find an employer and if you are trying to figure out a way into the usa or visa versa for your gf, then thats the easiest way considering your age and recent student status.
I am not going to hold your hand through the site as it has been awhile since I used them and they have explanded their program options since then.
Good Luck

adriantesta · Post by **adriantesta** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 10:20 pm

Yeah, I am certainly going to have a very detailed read of that website and check it all out properly. But it does actually look like quite a promising option, especially considering that we plan to go travelling for a while after Erica has finished her current masters, which will be in 18 months time or so - if we timed it all well, I could just about be at the end of my trainee placement by then

Then after travelling, we would have been together for long enough such that if marriage was the only option for us to live together permanently, maybe it wouldn't be that much of a concern

Thanks for your advice SYH, greatly appreciated

SYH · Post by **SYH** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 8:21 am

adriantesta wrote:Yeah, I am certainly going to have a very detailed read of that website and check it all out properly. But it does actually look like quite a promising option, especially considering that we plan to go travelling for a while after Erica has finished her current masters, which will be in 18 months time or so - if we timed it all well, I could just about be at the end of my trainee placement by then

Then after travelling, we would have been together for long enough such that if marriage was the only option for us to live together permanently, maybe it wouldn't be that much of a concern

Thanks for your advice SYH, greatly appreciated

Sure thing
You can do the USA and when you finish she can go abroad and work

Marco 72 · Post by **Marco 72** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 10:46 am

Adrian: was either of your parents resident in the UK at the time of your birth? If so you probably don't qualify for the green card lottery. Programs like AIPT, which SYH mentioned, are a possible way of getting a J1 visa, but keep in mind that those trainee internships probably pay peanuts.

My recommendation: finish your studies and visit each other for a while. If she comes here she can stay for six months. My wife and I had a long distance relationship for a few years. In the end you'll probably have to get married in order to be together. Living together before getting married is a luxury which many couples of different nationalities cannot afford.

SYH · Post by **SYH** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 12:14 pm

Marco 72 wrote:Adrian: was either of your parents resident in the UK at the time of your birth? If so you probably don't qualify for the green card lottery. Programs like AIPT, which SYH mentioned, are a possible way of getting a J1 visa, but keep in mind that those trainee internships probably pay peanuts.

My recommendation: finish your studies and visit each other for a while. If she comes here she can stay for six months. My wife and I had a long distance relationship for a few years. In the end you'll probably have to get married in order to be together. Living together before getting married is a luxury which many couples of different nationalities cannot afford.

AS I used aipt, I can tell you that if they just get you a visa, it is up t you how you find an employer who doesn't pay peanuts. Its just like hsmp in the uk where the onus is on you to make it work for you. if aipt helps you get the visa, then you find an employer and try to find a good one to make it your while but since you want to hang around your gf, you may not be too picky about how much you are paid. Its an option versus the non option you have found previously

adriantesta · Post by **adriantesta** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 1:15 pm

Marco, yes my mum was a resident when I was born - I think. I will confirm that later when she gets back from work! I know my dad wasn't, as I can remember when he applied for his UK citizenship - some years back.

The main thing putting us off marriage now is the fact that we haven't been together for very long at the moment, so we really want to spend a lot more time together, and then maybe in 1 or 2 years we would be much more willing to take that step.

I think the AIPT approach seems like a good option for us to spend enough time together before we would be willing to take the marriage step. I have been doing a lot more reading on their site, and also read through the application forms, etc. I can't see any reason why I wouldn't be eligible.

One concern that I have is finding an employer. On their site they have an option called "AIPT Exchange Explorer", where they give you access to a database of jobs/employers, which you can use to search for a job. But it seems that you are only eligible to use that if you are from one of their partner countries - and England isn't one of those

It appears that it would all be down to me to find a job, which worries me a bit

I have a feeling that it would be a lot more difficult than it sounds.

I have just send them an email with my queries, so hopefuly they will get back to me and clear things up.

SYH - when you went with them, did you find your job yourself, or get AIPT to help you out? I was wondering if there are any online resources where I could search for jobs that accept temporary "trainees"?

SYH · Post by **SYH** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 1:49 pm

adriantesta wrote:Marco, yes my mum was a resident when I was born - I think. I will confirm that later when she gets back from work! I know my dad wasn't, as I can remember when he applied for his UK citizenship - some years back.

The main thing putting us off marriage now is the fact that we haven't been together for very long at the moment, so we really want to spend a lot more time together, and then maybe in 1 or 2 years we would be much more willing to take that step.

I think the AIPT approach seems like a good option for us to spend enough time together before we would be willing to take the marriage step. I have been doing a lot more reading on their site, and also read through the application forms, etc. I can't see any reason why I wouldn't be eligible.

One concern that I have is finding an employer. On their site they have an option called "AIPT Exchange Explorer", where they give you access to a database of jobs/employers, which you can use to search for a job. But it seems that you are only eligible to use that if you are from one of their partner countries - and England isn't one of those It appears that it would all be down to me to find a job, which worries me a bit I have a feeling that it would be a lot more difficult than it sounds.

I have just send them an email with my queries, so hopefuly they will get back to me and clear things up.

SYH - when you went with them, did you find your job yourself, or get AIPT to help you out? I was wondering if there are any online resources where I could search for jobs that accept temporary "trainees"?

I found my own job. And since I was looking for a job in the US I wouldn't be the best source to give you the approach on how to do it. Other people on the site might be. The only thing I can tell you is to use the internet, your school network, yout gf school network and whatever industry organizations that would be appropriate.

Marco 72 · Post by **Marco 72** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 3:17 pm

SYH wrote:AS I used aipt, I can tell you that if they just get you a visa, it is up t you how you find an employer who doesn't pay peanuts.

In a previous post you said you were an American attorney.

adriantesta · Post by **adriantesta** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 3:34 pm

haha

Anyway, just spent the past few hours doing some J-1 job searching. It seems like there are quite a few jobs avialable in things like fast food, hotel work, bar work, etc, but not so many "Career Training", IT related, positions available. I have seen a few, salaries ranging from $17000, to $40000, so there is certainly stuff out there. Plus I have only been searching for a few hours

I have also found other companies, aside from AIPT, that can get you onto one of these schemes, some of which have more publicized programs where they will help you find a job from their database. Which looks cool.

Just spoke to my dad about the whole situation, and his advice was pretty much "Why don't you just get married then, she is a lovely girl" - haha, good old dad

SYH · Post by **SYH** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 3:43 pm

Marco 72 wrote:
SYH wrote:AS I used aipt, I can tell you that if they just get you a visa, it is up t you how you find an employer who doesn't pay peanuts.
In a previous post you said you were an American attorney.

You sound like the immigration officer whose logic is just as faulty.
Incident I was returning from an MBA exchange program abroad, taking a leave from my legal duties.
Officer what is your profession
Answer Attorney
What were you doing abroad
Answer Studying
Officer, you just said you were an attorney
Answer You mean to tell me that once I become an attorney I can't take any more courses abroad.
Officer Get the hell out of here (as he damn well knew that he made a stupid comment)

going back to you marco Yes I am an American and I am an Attorney
and yes I used AIPT
but obviouslyyou didn't read it thorougly enough to see americans can avail themselves of the program to go to europe.

Why you find the need to try to pick holes on my background is beyond me, mind your own house.

jes2jes · Post by **jes2jes** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 3:44 pm

adriantesta wrote:haha

I have also found other companies, aside from AIPT, that can get you onto one of these schemes, some of which have more publicized programs where they will help you find a job from their database. Which looks cool.

Can you send me a link to these searches since my friend is also interested in J1 and cannot find any companies apart from just two of them.

jes2jes · Post by **jes2jes** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 3:45 pm

Marco 72 wrote:
SYH wrote:AS I used aipt, I can tell you that if they just get you a visa, it is up t you how you find an employer who doesn't pay peanuts.
In a previous post you said you were an American attorney.

I also remember that he/she said in the same thread that S-He graduated from an IVY League College in the US.

SYH · Post by **SYH** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 3:52 pm

jes2jes wrote:
Marco 72 wrote:
SYH wrote:AS I used aipt, I can tell you that if they just get you a visa, it is up t you how you find an employer who doesn't pay peanuts.
In a previous post you said you were an American attorney.
I also remember that he/she said in the same thread that S-He graduated from an IVY League College in the US.

Yeah and what is your point?

adriantesta · Post by **adriantesta** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 3:53 pm

I found "InterExchange", which may be the other one that your friend has also found:

http://www.interexchange.org/career-tra ... index.html

And I didn't know until now, after some searching, that "Real Gap" offer J1 opportunities and assistance:

http://www.realgap.co.uk/Work%20and%20T ... ing%20Visa

jes2jes · Post by **jes2jes** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 3:57 pm

SYH wrote:
jes2jes wrote:
Marco 72 wrote:
SYH wrote:AS I used aipt, I can tell you that if they just get you a visa, it is up t you how you find an employer who doesn't pay peanuts.
In a previous post you said you were an American attorney.
I also remember that he/she said in the same thread that S-He graduated from an IVY League College in the US.
Yeah and what is your point?

I was just thinking (just thinking mate!) that if you were a US Attorney then you would not need the J1 in the first place or did you become that after your J1 was over. Just a harmless thought SYH.

SYH · Post by **SYH** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 4:11 pm

jes2jes wrote:
SYH wrote:
jes2jes wrote:
Marco 72 wrote: In a previous post you said you were an American attorney.
I also remember that he/she said in the same thread that S-He graduated from an IVY League College in the US.
Yeah and what is your point?
I was just thinking (just thinking mate!) that if you were a US Attorney then you would not need the J1 in the first place or did you become that after your J1 was over. Just a harmless thought SYH.

I dont need a visa to work in the USA as I am a citizen.

adriantesta · Post by **adriantesta** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 4:28 pm

Marco, I suppose you would be the best one for this, as I know you have been through the marriage route. I was just wondering, how much easier and quicker is it when you get married?

Say for example, I worked here in the UK for a while in my current job, and saved up a reasonable stash of cash which would sustain me in the states for say, 3 or 4 months. Then I moved over on a fiance visa, we got married, and then I believe I would need to get my status adjusted, so I could stay in the US. Realistically, how long would it take from moving over there, until I am eligible to go out and get a job?

Also, how long would it take to be granted the fiance visa in the first place, from time of application?

Thanks mate

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Moving from England to the USA

Moving from England to the USA