i wanna move to america

sleepy

Hi,
I really want to get a job in America and move there. I'm just about to graduate with a degree in Zoology, but I'll do any job if it gets me out there.
Any ideas???

JasonW_2

Well what research or where have you looked so far?

SnowyOwl_2

Hi

My first thought on this is that you investigage the "Green Card Lottery". In case you haven't heard of Green Cards these are basically social security papers which in turn allow you to live and most specifically work legally in the US. The lottery refers to an annual programme where the US Dept of State (I think that's the correct Dept) quite literally has an annual prize draw open to citizens of specific countries where they can win one of these green cards. If you are successful then you can go to the US and seek work after arriving. That will be your easiest bet as then you wouldn't be tied to a specific organisation or occupation! To get information have a look on the US Embassy website (sorry, haven't googled to find it, but it shouldn't be hard to trace). I believe it is free to enter....don't be tempted by companies which say they will help you...all they do is fill in the forms using information you give them then charge you a big fat fee for something you could do at least as well yourself.

Your other options would be to do some research on companies operating in the UK and have either a US parent company, or have subsidiaries in the US. Once you've got a list then apply for graduate type jobs and find out if they will second you to the US company. If you are very lucky this could be very cushy indeed! Eg you could still get your salary paid in the UK, then get your flights to the US provided, plus a per diem to live on and rent an apartment locally. That's the most lucrative but these opportunities are somewhat thin on the ground!

If you have some very special skills then you could apply to companies in the US directly. Your skills really would have to be unique and in short supply for the US company to justify giving a job to a non-US citizen. For this reason you're quite unlikely to get a visa for a less specialised job eg waiting on tables, shop work etc etc.

Have you got any way of obtaining a US passport, eg an American parent? That would definitely smooth the path to the USA.

When I was lots younger & a student I went off to the US and worked for a couple of summers in a holiday resort. Giving my age away, but I had a holiday visa "ahem, ahem" - basically because if I had applied for a temporary working visa and been turned down I thought the chances of getting a holiday visa instead would have been vastly reduced. So I just cut the cr*p and worked illegally knowing I'd have satisfied the requirement that I leave the US by the time my visa expired. I don't recommend it, but it is not unheard of that people go to the US on holiday but somehow manage to stay there for longer and work legally. I honestly don't know how people manage this but it's apparently possible!

I hope some of these ideas are useful...but do try the legal options, I don't recommend working illegally at all as you will have virtually no rights.

Just as an afterthought...why the US? Have you considered Australia for a year or two? There is an arrangement where you can get a two year visa which allows you to work for 12 months of those two years, while for the remaining 12 months you're on "walkabout". I think there is something similar in place for New Zealand and South Africa. If you've got wanderlust you could do the USA thing later. I believe you have to be under 30 (or perhaps 28) to qualify.

Josie_Jump_3

Can I come too ?

jl1_2

I've lived in the US for a while. Getting work there is your best option, (assuming don't know any Americans who you can marry...) but generally the work visa that allows you to stay in the US for extended periods of time (H1, I think) is only issued for higher paying jobs, or jobs in specific areas the US may be lacking in (eg. doctors, nurses). Getting a job with a UK company who also has offices in the US and may be able to transfer you there is good, but I think you have to have worked for the company for at least a year, maybe more, and again it may only apply to higher paying occupations or specialisms the US is lacking.

Some useful info -

- You're allowed to stay in the US as a tourist without a visa for up to 90 days (assuming you're a UK citizen).
- You can get a tourist visa for an extended stay in the US that may allow you to stay longer, on application to US Immigration (or whatever it's called now - Department of Homeland Security?)
- Canadians are generally allowed freer passage to and from the US. If you're serious about your intentions and direct US employment/citizenship isn't achievable, then Canadian might be.
- Visa periods are measured from the time you enter the US. If you leave the US and re-enter, the Visa period may start again.
- KEEP YOUR I-94 (given to you when you enter the US) and hand it back when you leave the country.
- DO NOT over stay any Visa you are issued, ever!! If you enter without a visa your I-94 will have the date you should leave on it. US Immigration can be rough, you don't want to do anything to get on it's bad side. I've stayed on their good side and it's been beneficial, I've family members with not so nice immigration stories.

Go on holiday first to the area you want to go to - and consider everything about living in the US. The upsides are great, but there may be downsides for you.

sleepy

Thanks for the suggestions. I looked into the green card lottery thing a couple of months ago, but it is open to people from the UK.
The idea of getting a job in a firm over here and getting transfered to their offices in America currently seems the best option, I don't mind if it takes a couple of years to get out there, I'm only 21 after all.
If only I could convince them that America is screaming out for Zoologists and they need me!

kazd

We brits do not get a look in on the green card lottery anymore, the last time was in 91 which is when I left. We apparently do have an allocation but this is taken up by company transfers etc.

When I went to the US, I went on a holiday visa and then got a job in the Embassy as a locally employed. Initially I worked for the kiwi's for about 8 weeks and then I was employed by the Brits. Lived there for 5 years and had a blast, only left because I ended up getting married, my hubby was on post there and we came back when his posting finished.

If you can go for it then do it.

yonk

Apparently, you don't have to be a student to do BUNAC anymore. It's open to older/working people as well, now.

A really good resource for those wanting to emigrate is http://britishexpats.com The discussion forum is excellent.

condyk

sleepy wrote:

If only I could convince them that America is screaming out for Zoologists and they need me!

It's not going to happen ... I think you need a different strategy. Maybe if you were a renowned specialist you could get a job with an appropriate organisation. You'd need to be plugged into where the jobs are advertised.

My lodger met her American boyfriend over the internet and they're getting married. Sorted ... she's going to live there.

My wife is South African and we lived there for 18 months. Being a spouse opens the doors.

A friend had a Green Card and went to and fro regularly and then he was too lazy/forgot to renew it in time and thought he'd just get through. He didn't! He lost all rights. The US are VERY strict, so job offer or marriaqge your only viable options.

I've travelled all over the world and, to be honest, the US is way, way down the list for me. Australia, NZ, South Africa all much better options.