Single-Person USA Immigration

[josh.thomas]

Hello. I'm 17, and after finishing 6th form (12 months time) I thought I would take some time out, possibly move to America or Canada, more than likely on a permanent basis.

Once accepted, and after having a year to settle in, I would probably go to a local University, that me and Father would pay half of (He won't be emmigrating)

I called up the US Embassy in Cardiff, and I'm very confused by what he told me.

1) I can go on a Tourist visa for 6 months
2) I can go on an Edu. visa for the duration of my Uni. course, I must then leave the country
3) I can apply for permnanent residence - But only if I have immediate US family

This can't be right. How would a single person emmigrate, without immediate family?

I simply want to move, definatley, for at least 3 years as I see no way of building a future where I am now - but I am 90% certain, should I settle and make friends (Money is not an issue, I will have around �15K to start off with, to find a job etc), I would live out there permnanently.

Can someone shed some light on how someone in my situation could move to the US, at around 18/19 years old (Earlier the better)

Thanks AB!

[Buenchico]

The US embassy has given you correct information. UK citizens aren't eligible for the USA's 'green card lottery' because it's deemed that British people are not under-represented within US society.

The only other ways to get a 'green card' (which grants permanent residence status) are by applying to join immediate family members or by proving that the job you will be going to can't be taken by a US citizen. (This latter provision would normally only apply to certain research scientists or possibly exceptionally gifted actors).

The USA, like almost every other country in the world (including the UK) seeks to control immigration in order to protect its own economic interests. Unless you qualify for the green card lottery or have other special reasons for being admitted, there's no way that you'll ever be granted permanent residence status.

UK citizens have, through our membership of the EU, the automatic right to work and reside in any one of the other 24 EU countries. Perhaps you should consider moving to one of these instead?

Chris

[lady_p_gold]

I met a guy on the plane the other day who was in the same siuation and he married an American girl solely to get permanent entry .... she did know about it and then they went their separate ways .. so that is another way albeit a little drastic if not illegal.

[josh.thomas]

Buenchico: My fears have been confirmed, great! :(

lady_p_gold: My Girlfriend (British) is going to Uni. in Chicago, here Uncle is a Prof. there, so she can get an American visa.(shes also moving permanently) The way things are going between us, I'm going to be going out there with her (although I can only get a work permit, obviously)

Could her Uncle vouch for me? Once we get out there, and we're settled, if we're still going strong, I might make that all important decision to have everything 'set in stone' (if you get me!). But what happens once we're married and she has her green card, do I have to leave again or can we set up together in America?

Thanks guys! :)

[Susanburry]

Buenchico is pretty much on the mark, I have permanent residence in USA but I've been here since 67 You do have to have a job to go too, before you can apply for permanent residence, this has to be done before you leave UK. I was able to accomplish this by coming over as a nanny, which I did for a year, then I was able to be on my own. This could work in your case, many families hire a male to watch the children. Good Luck, and don't give up hope it will all be worth it when you get here. SB

[josh.thomas]

Thanks for your reply, Susanburry.

My girlfriend is all set, her Uncle is a Prof. in Chicago Uni - she has the family required to become a permanent citizen.

If we were to get married, I know it seems a rush so young, we're almost 18, been together most of our lives as friends, and 'together together' for about the past 3 1/2 years - would grant me permanent residence, and a Green card?

I've read on some websites, she can apply for me to become a permanent resident, based on me becoming her spouse, after her completion of becoming an American citizen.

Is this correct? If not, I dont want to leave her, how would you feel about marriage to a younger man? (Jokes!)

Thanks again

[Buenchico]

Hi Josh

It could be time to buy a ring!

The spouse of a 'lawful permanent resident' (as your girlfriend will become) qualifies within the 'family based preference category' of acceptable applicants for a US immigration visa.

Source (the US embassy website):
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/iv/f amilypref.html

Chris

[josh.thomas]

Chris:

Thats awesome! We did expect something like this, Thank God they have a system like this in place!

From what we have read ourselves this evening, we would have to get married in this country, then she would have to file to have me put as her Spouse and supplied with a Green card, for permanent residence.

There is a process of meetings, interviews, and paperwork, which will go well, I have known her since way back when.

But, is her Uncle family enough to get her into the country? He is a blood uncle, tied on her Mothers side (Mothers brother)

Thanks again..

[Buenchico]

Now I'm getting confused!

From your previous post (i.e. "she has the family required to become a permanent citizen") I assumed that your girlfriend had already established that she is eligible for an immigration visa. If there's still a question mark over that, I regret to inform you that the relevant page on the US embassy website states this:
"Grandparents, aunts, uncles, in-laws and cousins cannot sponsor a relative for immigration."

Source:
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/iv/i ndex.html

Chris

[henneth]

You'll find everything you need to know at www.visajourney.com especially the relevant forums.

[josh.thomas]

Chris:

We were told as long as she had bloody family, she could get into the USA.

But apparently that is not the case, so you say.

There go our plans for the next, oh, 50 years! :(

[josh.thomas]

**blood family (I wasn't swearing/ranting!)

[metagirl]

If money is not an issue I would suggest you try to get a student Visa and apply to Uni over there.

International students are charged premium rates, but that may be the only way you can stay longer than the 6 mos.

Your girlfriend cannot get a family based Visa because it is not her immediate family that is in Chicago - if she has been accepted to a University, she will get a Student Visa.

A person on a student visa, MAY be able to get her fiance (there is a special Fiance or Unmarried Partner Visa) in as well - you need to check that out.

Good luck to you - Chicago is a cool place - you should visit beforehand.

[josh.thomas]

Right, so basically there is no way for me to reside in the US permanently, other than marrying someone.

(Yes, I am open to offers.. apply within, lol)

But seriously though, its upsetting but looks like theres no way in hell I'm gonna get my dream *sobs silently*

I've started another thread about suggested places of emmigration, for a few years (I would hold a dual citizenship).

Suggested places so far are: Malta, Cyrus, Gibraltar, Belize.

Also, does anyone know what the law on Canada is like?

:) Sorry to bug you all