General Advice and Direction Needed

[Chris.B 0]

Hi there... new member n all, hoping to get a few pointers on how to go about getting an employment visa to emigrate to the USA on a permanent basis. I've looked into it for the last few days and found mixed advice on all kinds of sites and resources so really don't know who to listen to. At first I got the impression it was just a case of getting a job offer from an American company that wanted to employ me, then applying for a visa with that in writing, but now it seems a lot more complicated, so first a bit of background about myself.

At the moment I'm 18 years old, hoping to move to the USA permanently in 2+ years with my wife (to be) on an employment basis. In terms of education I have 3 A levels at the highest possible grade and in 2 years time that will be increased to 7 A levels (hopefully all still at top grade) but it seems these don't really account for anything, from what I've read the US only seem to recognise degrees of varying levels as a worthy qualification. I was aiming to have £10-20k saved up for in 2 years time then to apply for numerous jobs, hopefully getting an offer in writing then to apply for the visa and setup over there with a mortgage on a cheap property. I've read some scary stuff since reading that - Due to not having a degree in anything at the time I'd like to move, I assume I'd be applying for the unskilled/other category of employment visa which I heard can take 3-5 years to be reviewed?? Also that the job I wish to fulfill cannot otherwise be filled by a suitable American? So what happens if out of all the applicants a company receives 20 suitable American applicants but I happen to be the best suited from the United Kingdom? Will the company be forced to drop me and employ an American Citizen? If it does take the US 3-5 years to review visa applications there's a fat chance in the job offer still being around, right? So I don't really understand how that works.

Is my best bet to try and get a degree (higher level the better?) before applying for a visa. Obviously this would mean I can only move in a minimum of 5 years rather than 2? ( ). I considered doing uni in America at one point, but I could only afford to do so on a fully paid absolute TOP scholarship that I doubt I would qualify for.

The area's I have a good background in are web/graphic design and was hoping to go into an area of software development, maybe for a company like Blizzard or the likes.

Sorry, I probably rambled a bit/lot but ANY advice or clarification people can give me on how to approach this I would be MOST grateful for. I WILL end up in America! (It's my dream )

[Penguin_ie 5,995]

I have not heard of any unskilled work visas, 3-5 years wait or no, do you known what it is called? In the current economy, it would be almost impossible to get even if it does exist, due to the rule about hiring Americans, and the US having high unemployment.

For most work visas, you need to be highly skilled (which usually means at least a bachelor's degree if not more); as you say,the US company needs to sponsor you and that costs them money and time. Other options are intern visas to train, but they are limited in duration, or intra-company transfers, where you work with a US company in the UK and then they transfer you over. That being said, it doesn't sound to me like you are unskilled...n you say you have a computer background, do you have any MCPs or similar? If you have enough/ highly specialised certs, that may be enough for a work visa.

[Chris.B 0]

Employment Based Visas

The employment based category is sub-divided into five:

First Preference Category - Priority Workers - Persons of extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, arts, business or athletics: outstanding professors and researchers & certain multinational executives & managers.

Second Preference Category - Members of "The Professions", Persons with exceptional ability in the sciences, arts and business - Defined as a member of the professions holding an advanced degree or equivalent, or baccalaureate degree plus at least 5 years of progressive experience in the specialty, and persons of exceptional ability in the sciences, arts and business.

Third Preference Category - Professionals - A person who holds a baccalaureate degree and who is a member of the professions and Skilled and Unskilled Workers - Skilled workers with at least two years training or experience and unskilled workers whose skills are in short supply in the U.S. Note: The Embassy does not keep a list of these professions.

Fourth Preference Category - Special immigrants including Religious Workers.

Fifth Preference Category - Investor visas - Investors may qualify for employment creation immigrant visas if they seek to enter the United States for the purpose of establishing a new commercial enterprise.

I was looking at the Category I bolded. I don't know much about the process yet, been reading all sorts so assume I know nothing. I don't have any MCP's as such, I just figured that in the immigration office's eyes, I'm unskilled due to having no valuable work experience or qualification as such.

At the moment I'm toying with the idea of taking software development (or similar) to degree level in this country, that would improve my chances right? I'd be looking at 5 years (2 years of a levels i'm about to begin, then 3 years of uni) whilst building an all-important portfolio of relevant work geared towards landing me a job with a company that will be willing to sponsor me etc. Is that sensible?

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

The problem is the number per year. There are 140,000 a year and they are issued in order of preference. So if not enough in the first class apply then the go to class 2 then to class 3 and usually they are gone as soon as they become available. The chances of getting one from the 3rd preference even if you find an employer that would put up the thousands of dollars to apply.

I was looking at the Category I bolded. I don't know much about the process yet, been reading all sorts so assume I know nothing. I don't have any MCP's as such, I just figured that in the immigration office's eyes, I'm unskilled due to having no valuable work experience or qualification as such.

At the moment I'm toying with the idea of taking software development (or similar) to degree level in this country, that would improve my chances right? I'd be looking at 5 years (2 years of a levels i'm about to begin, then 3 years of uni) whilst building an all-important portfolio of relevant work geared towards landing me a job with a company that will be willing to sponsor me etc. Is that sensible?

[Chris.B 0]

Right, starting to understand now. So the further up the 'food chain' I am in terms of education will see my chances increase. Perhaps I will aim for a Masters degree...

[Boiler 45,743]

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Pulaski%27s_Ways:_How_to_Live_and_Work_in_the_USA

Read and digest

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Right, starting to understand now. So the further up the 'food chain' I am in terms of education will see my chances increase. Perhaps I will aim for a Masters degree...

There are an untold number of people that want to be in the US. They are all standing in lines and there are only so many tickets. The way to make sure you get one of those tickets is to be as educated as possible and be an expect in a field that is high demand. I doubt there are many people trained in basket weaving that get worked based visas even if they have an Phd in basket weaving. If you have a technical degree and are a leader in a hot field you will probably be offered many paths to getting that ticket.

Study , work hard, think outside the box and good luck

[Chris.B 0]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Very much appreciated!

[Harsh_77 718]

I think the simple advice would be focus on your education, and your skillset. I am sorry I don’t understand some of the terminology you use for class level in UK.

But you need to have a strong skillset, does not have to be just computers anything of your choice and liking can be fine, as there are always some company in every field.

At the moment I think you should just focus on that rather than coming up with plans in air how you would be doing in next 2-5 yrs.

Also as mentioned earlier there are more number of ppl in line then tickets and honestly nothing guarantees you an entry.

[theTokyoGirl 0]

Because you are talking about A levels, I believe that you are at 6th form or anytime before college. According to you, you have very good grades too. Go to good college in U.K. for free (still free right?), graduate with distinction, and go to a graduate school in the U.S. if you really want to go to the U.S. That is how I did it too.

The way that I describe has advantages over your plan. At first, you can look for jobs during 1 year OPT. Second, you can apply to H1 as a higher degree holder. U.S. government have significant amount of H1 only available for Master and Ph.D degrees. Third, a higher degree holder can more easily find a job. Like you know a little bit, your employer has to prove that your position cannot be filled by American. If you are trying to work as a unskilled labour, you are less likely hired and cannot have good life in the U.S.

However, you need to understand that American economy is not good right now. It is generally difficult for you to immigrate to the U.S. through H1. To succeed, you need some advantages over other immigrants such as majoring in Computer Science or Engineer. (Most H1 go to CS.)

Take time and prepare well. It gives you the best result.

Good Luck.

[Boiler 45,743]

Everybody gets good grades at A Level.

Or so it seems to read the current news.

Uni is not free, college means something else.

[theTokyoGirl 0]

Everybody gets good grades at A Level.

Or so it seems to read the current news.

Uni is not free, college means something else.

My mistake! My British roommate said that he got free education.

[Boiler 45,743]

My Brother did as well, a long time ago.

I think he actually got some of his subsidence costs covered.

Times have changed.

[Harsh_77 718]

My mistake! My British roommate said that he got free education.

Yea I think its still free.

Last time I was talking to one of the lawyer friend in UK few months back and she told me it was free

[Boiler 45,743]

Then you think wrong.