I am a freelancer, how can I move to the USA?

[Jeraly 4]

Thank you all for the... discouragement.

So how did you all manage to immigrate? Did you all marry an American citizen? Or did you find an employer to sponsor you? We even tried that, but nobody was willing to do it...

How were you able to get the green card?

Stefania

As previously mentioned several times, this forum involves discussion about family based immigration - that is people who have married a USC or become engaged to a USC or are otherwise related to a USC. Children of these partnerships are also involved.

This is in no way a work-based immigration site. The only way you will see anything regarding this is if someone moved across to the USA on a work visa then fell in love with a USC and decided to get married.

I know you mentioned you don't want to move to NYC but if you are that desperate then why be so fussy? In the long run it is possible that you can change your job there once you have your green card depending on any conditions that a work visa may hold (I don't know how work visas work). But if you have any family then it will be even harder to bring them unless you become a USC yourself then sponsor them... it's a long-winded process and there is no easy way at all - most people here have had to wait six months to a year and that is a conservative estimate and doesn't include the many people who get stuck in the system for longer.

I would do as suggested and find a work-based immigration site or re-assess your options to move elsewhere in Europe as it is much easier (as far as I am aware) to do that.

Good luck

[AlHayatZween 2]

You might be able to look into some sort of cultural-exchange visa, or even a student visa if you enroll in one of the bigger language schools part-time. Again, this would only allow you to stay temporarily in the US, but maybe living here for a short time might help you re-assess your situation and your residency options. How long does the VWP allow you to come and "visit"?

Anyway, good luck in your search,

hz

Edited August 13, 2008 by AlHayatZween

[Gemmie 142]

The VWP is valid for 90 days.

To the OP, we didn't all simply marry an American and recieve a green card. I don't know if you realise but it takes a lot of stress and paperwork (as well as a lot of rules to meet) to move to the states, even if you've fallen in love with a US citizen. Many people have misconceptions about how easy it is to move over... and even when you have moved over, you don't often simply recieve a green card without consequences!

I would take other peoples advise or search for a work-based immigration forum... they'll be able to help you a lot more.

Good luck!

[Jeraly 4]

The VWP is valid for 90 days.

To the OP, we didn't all simply marry an American and recieve a green card. I don't know if you realise but it takes a lot of stress and paperwork (as well as a lot of rules to meet) to move to the states, even if you've fallen in love with a US citizen. Many people have misconceptions about how easy it is to move over... and even when you have moved over, you don't often simply recieve a green card without consequences!

I would take other peoples advise or search for a work-based immigration forum... they'll be able to help you a lot more.

Good luck!

[Dan J 277]

There is an investment visa, but the requirements pretty much rule out any small business, especially self-employed. You need to be able to invest $500,000 - $1,000,000, and create 10 jobs.

[catrocks 0]

To the OP - you've received some good advice here, but the bottom line is that it is very difficult to immigrate to the US unless you have a US citizen as a family member. As Gemma pointed out, none of us have had an easy time moving over here, it's a lot of hard work, stress and money to move here even if you DO have a USC spouse/ family member.

And as Jeraly said, if you had a choice between Italy or NYC which would you choose? The UN does sound like your best bet.

Have you considered Canada or Australia? I believe they have points systems for visas, where they give work visas to skilled laborers of which there is a shortage in the country. Or elsewhere in the EU - if you are an Italian citizen that gives you tons of options there. Brussels would be one suggestion.

I know it's frustrating but the facts are that unless you marry a USC or have $500,000 to invest you are not likely to be able to get a green card. You need to face that reality and think about the options that are available to you. And believe me, life in the USA is not all it's cracked up to be either. The dollar is weak, healthcare is expensive, gas is going up and many places require you to drive everywhere. Just consider your other options or you'll drive yourself crazy.

[Stefania Muggianu 0]

Dear all,

Thanks to all of you who are trying to help, even by telling me what the brutal reality is...

Marriage is not an option because... it's too late for that!

Investing 500,000 dollars is also not an option because I am not a millionaire.

Moving to Canada? Too cold for me. My dream is to move to Central Florida, on the east coast, where there is no winter and no snow (I know, a few hurricanes every now and then, but I think I can bear with that! ).

Australia? I am sure it's very nice down there but I have never been there, whereas I know the US very well (and believe me, I know the good AND the bad of this great country, but I still LOVE it and LOVE its people - I just can't help it).

I'll keep on trying with the Green Card Lottery. A few days ago I met (by e-mail) and Italian colleague who won it four years ago but has never used it and doesn't know if she ever will. I could kill her if I had her in front of me. Why in the whole universe has she applied, depriving someone else who REALLY wants and is ready to go from winning? By the way, do you think her green card could be passed on to me? Is it transferable?

This morning I heard from a lady in Florida who knows an employee at the Miami embassy. She told him about us and he said that he is going to give us the phone and fax number of an immigration attorney in Miami who should be able to help us. I don't see how but I am curious to speak to him as soon as I get his number.

If any "miracle" happens (and I do believe in miracles!) I'll keep you posted.

You all have a great day,

Stefania

[Gemmie 142]

I think if an employer sponsors you from the US, you can apply for a work permit (?)

[Stefania Muggianu 0]

Yes Gemmie,

We also tried that (finding an employer for my husband, who is more "flexible" than me - I would never give up my business after all it took me to build and establish it) but could not find anybody willing to sponsor him or to simply go through the hassle involved.

But thanks for suggesting that!

Stefania

[English Muffin 59]

I'll keep on trying with the Green Card Lottery. A few days ago I met (by e-mail) and Italian colleague who won it four years ago but has never used it and doesn't know if she ever will. I could kill her if I had her in front of me. Why in the whole universe has she applied, depriving someone else who REALLY wants and is ready to go from winning? By the way, do you think her green card could be passed on to me? Is it transferable?

[catrocks 0]

Well all I can say is good luck to you! I hope you manage to find a way to move here.

What does your husband do by the way? Anything that could be useful at the embassy? That would be another option. Does he currently work for an international company? If so, applying for a transfer might work.

Believe me, I'd much rather live in New England than in Ohio. I never thought growing up "I WILL live in Ohio one day". But it is what you make of it. I moved here to be with my husband and we will not stay in Ohio forever. You can't always get what you want immediately. Moving to New York to work at the UN now might help you move to Miami in 5 years, networking is everything here.

I have no more suggestions anyway, just wanted to say that in order to get where you want to be you might have to put up with being somewhere you don't want to be for a couple of years. Good luck to you.

[Stefania Muggianu 0]

Thanks Catrocks.

My husband is a photographer and web designer. I don't think they need him at the embassy!

But thanks for trying to offer tips and advice, I really appreciate it!

Best of luck to both of you and may you move to New England as soon as you desire it!

Stefania

[vanee 13]

Moving to Canada? Too cold for me. My dream is to move to Central Florida, on the east coast, where there is no winter and no snow (I know, a few hurricanes every now and then, but I think I can bear with that! ).

Depends on where in Canada. The weather isn't like Florida, but in Vancouver and on southern Vancouver Island, it snows only a few times each winter. That's where I'm from, and where I moved to in the northern US, it's a lot colder. When Americans hear that I'm from Canada, they think that I must be used to colder weather when in fact the opposite is true.

[chnst 6]

so you like the country and the people but NYC is not good enough for you... I don't understand. If I was this desperate to live here, I'd try the UN.

I don't think it's easy to work for the UN though, anyways.

[vanee 13]

so you like the country and the people but NYC is not good enough for you... I don't understand. If I was this desperate to live here, I'd try the UN.

I don't think it's easy to work for the UN though, anyways.

Let's not turn this into something that it isn't. The thread starter has spent years building her own business, which she can continue with wherever she lives. But she couldn't continue with it if she had to take a full-time job other than her current work to live in the US. Therefore, working for the UN isn't a viable option for her.