I hear stories that it's hard to get a visa, but honestly I don't know. I would think talk to the US embassy there in Scotland or whoever does passports in your country? Not a huge help, I know. Just be careful of who you stay with and why. I mean, if your best friend wants to marry you...I don't know, be careful!
EDIT - found some links that might help.
http://www.usimmigrationsupport.org
http://canberra.usembassy.gov/consular/visawork.html
http://www.us-immigration.com/
To move Stateside or not...
Header says it all really hehe. I have been thinking alot recently about moving to USA. People ask me why, and in all honesty I do not know exactly what draws me there. Many of my online friends that I've become very close to live there, so I guess that helps.
I love Scotland, it is my home and always will be at heart, but I have nothing to tie me here anymore. Sure, I have family here but I never met them til I was 16 and they can manage fine without my presense everyday. I have no children, no man, and no close friends here. All that really holds me back is the fact I need to clear my debt cos I dont fancy being deported back to UK cos I tried to run from hit lol.
But, all that aside. How hard is it really to be allowed to stay and work in the US? I have no qualifications of note, except lots of GCSE's in various languages that Ive never spoken since and have now all but forgotten. I have no skilled trade, but I learn quickly and can do almost anything but I specialise in nothing. I have no criminal record (yet, I guess the speed camera had no film in it hehe).
Now if I come over, I will almost certainly go to Wisconsin as one of my best friends is there, and he can also maybe get me a job in catering at his place for a while. He did tell me if he had been single he'd have married me to get me in lol, but it's not a path I wish to follow even if it had been possible. I would prefer to get a Green Card and have my own right to live there and not just as someones wife.
Some have told me its not overly hard, but others have said its a bitch to get in.
Any input is appreciated, I want to know what I'm in for if I go ahead with this dream. :)
ROzbeans
18 years ago
Verity
18 years ago
Lol.. I thing our souls must have been switched at birth Jet. I have always been drawn to Scotland, and it is my fondest wish to live there someday. I have never been there, yet something about it calls to me, and has since my childhood. (I've been promised a nice trip there for my 10th anniversary... 6 more years to go *sigh*)
I do have things keeping me here in the US, I am married with kids, and I have 3 sisters who are very dear to me, or I'd say we could try to switch places :teehee
I do have things keeping me here in the US, I am married with kids, and I have 3 sisters who are very dear to me, or I'd say we could try to switch places :teehee
Adiene
18 years ago
yeah no shit I'm with Verity lol
I currently live in england and like it here I really don't want to go back to the US .. I'm pretty much paranoid there now days lol Specially for my kids. Its not all bad tho but I perfer it over here , ireland or scotland anyday before there.
Only reason i wish to go back is family. LOL
As far as how hard it is I don't think it is to bad now. Just go up to the Us emm there and talk to them. They are usuaky pretty helpful and can tell you the step by step process :)
They did for us when we were bringing my son over here (long story)
I currently live in england and like it here I really don't want to go back to the US .. I'm pretty much paranoid there now days lol Specially for my kids. Its not all bad tho but I perfer it over here , ireland or scotland anyday before there.
Only reason i wish to go back is family. LOL
As far as how hard it is I don't think it is to bad now. Just go up to the Us emm there and talk to them. They are usuaky pretty helpful and can tell you the step by step process :)
They did for us when we were bringing my son over here (long story)
Verileah
18 years ago
I am not an expert on this stuff, but I do know that you're going to want to have your financial affairs in order before you come over, and you're going to want to get yourself a very good money cushion.
I will ask around. My sister in law and her husband lived in Glasgow for a year and then returned to the States, so it's possible they met people who were doing the exact opposite.
I will ask around. My sister in law and her husband lived in Glasgow for a year and then returned to the States, so it's possible they met people who were doing the exact opposite.
Jetamio
18 years ago
Thanks for the links to the sites :) I was gonna download the Green card lottery one, as it said it had no charge etc. It instead charges you $40 to download the pack lol.
Jetamio
18 years ago
Ah bugger it, will do it anyway. USA better watch out for the Mad Red Druid inc next autumn! Got a second job recently so hope to have debt paid off soon and start saving for move.
SnowDragon
18 years ago
Woot you go Jet!!
Verileah
18 years ago
I talked to my sister in law today, who did indeed have a friend in your position two and a half years ago. She recommended a good lawyer and the ability to throw a lot of money at the situation. The specifics of the laws change frequently but supposedly this summer they streamlined a lot of things for immigration. She also said that this was going to be very frustrating to you if you weren't comfortable with an uncertain status for an uncertain amount of time.
Sad as it is, it really seems to come down to $$$.
Sad as it is, it really seems to come down to $$$.
Jetamio
18 years ago
Lol, my whole life has been uncertain status since I was born, so nothing new there. It does bug me a bit, but I am used to it so shouldn't be a problem in that respect. As for money, well working on that bit hehe.