How can I move out to Colorado?

KellyWelly

I thought the only way to move to the US is to marry a US citizen (who can demonstrate the financial ability to support you without recourse to public funds) or to get a visa through your employer who would have to demonstrate that a US citizen could not do the job and they have to bring somebody in from abroad. Also something that might be a factor is that immigration is a huge bone of contention there at the moment and the 'green card lottery' has long been withdrawn - I would imagine it would be really hard to move out there. However I know they do give green cards to foreign nurses, we have a lot of friends who live in my husband's home town who are Fillipino nurses but they have been there for about 15 years and things may well have changed since.

twinklie

Hmmm....damn it. My specialism is a shortage in the US, but it's not looking good is it. I will have to investigate getting out there as part of a program I think. It looks like its going to be the only realistic way.

Don't think the marrying an american option is a goer...my hubby might get offended. Ha ha.

Thanks again though. If anyone does think of anything let me know!

dieselhead

twinklie wrote: »

dieselhead what was your brother doing out in boulder - very nice out there.

He was at university, out there, he did one of the three years of his degree at the university of colorado. He had an amazing time, and actually still has a girlfriend out there.

GhostDog_2

dieselhead wrote: »

Bought some cowboy boots in Estes Park I'm totally addicted now and keep having to order more from the states! Good luck!!

Ooooh please share website? :j My poor old boots are falling off my feet!

lavandergirl_2

I have a cousin who was able to get an H1b visa as a special education teacher. You're best bet is to get through the h1b route but there are many obstables.

1. You need to get ur Colorado license
http://www.cde.state.co.us/index_license.htm

You will need to get ur credentials evaluated
thru ICD http://icdeval.com/
or NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) www.naces.org
or World Education Services, Inc. www.wes.org

2. You need to find an employer who will sponsor you to get an H1b but the system is in shambles at present and they do it by 'lottery'.

You have other visa options but h1b seems to suit your present situation.
Do it one step at a time. It's a long and expensive process but if it is your dream to live there, go for it and think 'yes, you can'

twinklie

Lavendergirl how long ago did your cousin get the h1b visa? How long has (s)he been out there? And is (s)he in Colorado then?? Where abouts?

I'm gonna have to leave it till summer before I can get my credentials sorted out....mainly due to finances. But then I will try and progress things as best as I can. I'm looking at private schools too because someone said they are probably my best bet.

lavandergirl_2

Another visa option would be J1 but u get to come back to your home country after two years. Hence, h1b or immigrant visa is better if you want to stay longer or indefinitely.
have a look here:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=603629

there are 'consulting agencies' that petition teachers under h1b as well but be careful when u use them.

My cousin is a teacher in California and was able to get his h1b a couple of years ago. He re-trained as a special education teacher just to get the h1b.

It's a long and expensive process but it's do-able. If living in Colorado is your dream then it is worth it.

dave0000

if you have the money you could open a small business out there and then i think you could live there for good but not sure how it works

twinklie

Thanks Dave but not got the money or any business expertise.

Thanks lavendergirl I will give that link a look for defo. It really is my dream and I'm desperate to make it a reality. But I know it will be a long old hard slog.

Funnily enough I have experience is special needs and is an area I'm looking into developing! Interesting that it fits with the needs out there - I've seen a lot of these posts advertised in Colorado.

WolfSong2000

teachers in the USA generally receive appalling pay, so I'm not sure how easy it would be to get a visa for teaching...

Just getting a visa in general for the USA is difficult (spent so much money already myself getting a J-1 visa, and that's just for the summer!). Best way is to find a company that will sponsor you, but that wont be easy, especially in the current climate...many of my American friends have been made redundant, or have had to take a paycut, so I'm not sure how willing American companies will be to spent more money recruiting candidates from abroad.