Visa's to the US (Los Angeles: lawyer, living in, legal)

[Clinton167]

From what I've read on this forum, people wanting to move to the US from another just aren't clued up on how to go about getting a work permit, but even more worryingly, they don't seem to think that it matters or are prepared to do the research. So I wanted to share my experience.

I'm an actor, with a degree, a great lawyer and an agent in the US sponsored me for my non immigrant visa, which lasts for 3 years with the possibility of extending it or applying for the immigrant version of the visa (EB1). This category is for people who have extraordinary ability.

I started researching which visa I needed in 2005. I then did my degree, saved a LOT of money, gathered all the evidence I needed to file my petition, found my lawyer, talked to my sponsor, paid my lawyer. We began working on my case and 5 months later submitted my petition to USCIS. Then I waited to 2 months, got my approval, booked my embassy appointment, got my visa. It has taken a really, really, long time.

It has also taken a lot of money. I spent $7000 on lawyers fees and that's not including embassy related fees, about another $175. It's very time consuming - I've panicked, I've been frustrated, I've thought about it every day. It's taken a lot of energy out of me. It's supposed to be a tough process; US immigration have a smart way of weeding out the people who really want to live in the US and those who don't.

Of course, this has just been my experience and I'm sure other people who have different visas will have different stories. But I'm sure most will agree that it's hard, it's long, and it's expensive.

I guess what I'm saying here is 1. Go on to the US embassy website. It's not hard to figure out which visa you have the best chance of getting. And 2. I'm not contributing to anymore "I want to move from the UK to the US" forums. Do a search first for basic information! (really easy, third tab from the right.)

And as an afterthought, if you're trying to explain why you hate the UK and want to leave, try not to insult us Brits. There are a few of us on this board

[aguamarina4u]

Congrats, I know it is stressing and good for you for doing it legally! Been there & done that. Actually I immigrated to the UK from the US and after the novelty wore off living in the UK I couldn't wait to get back to California. We did all the immigration forms BS to get hubby to the States :-D, it's well worth the effort!

Where are moving to?

[Clinton167]

Thanks! I'm moving to LA, but I'm actually going to be taking a detour to Portland first because a director friend of mine has cast me in a film he's doing and I then I'm doing another film there after that. So I'll be there for about 4 months, then wander on down to Los Angeles. I'll also have a bit more money saved by then, so I can relax a bit more and not stress out!

[Lovehound]

I congratulate you for your success, for your hard work, and for your willingness to follow the legal process. If only all wanna-be immigrants and those who want to work in the US would emulate you and do it legally.

Welcome to America!

[katenik]

Originally Posted by Clinton167

From what I've read on this forum, people wanting to move to the US from another just aren't clued up on how to go about getting a work permit, but even more worryingly, they don't seem to think that it matters or are prepared to do the research. So I wanted to share my experience.

I'm an actor, with a degree, a great lawyer and an agent in the US sponsored me for my non immigrant visa, which lasts for 3 years with the possibility of extending it or applying for the immigrant version of the visa (EB1). This category is for people who have extraordinary ability.

I started researching which visa I needed in 2005. I then did my degree, saved a LOT of money, gathered all the evidence I needed to file my petition, found my lawyer, talked to my sponsor, paid my lawyer. We began working on my case and 5 months later submitted my petition to USCIS. Then I waited to 2 months, got my approval, booked my embassy appointment, got my visa. It has taken a really, really, long time.

It has also taken a lot of money. I spent $7000 on lawyers fees and that's not including embassy related fees, about another $175. It's very time consuming - I've panicked, I've been frustrated, I've thought about it every day. It's taken a lot of energy out of me. It's supposed to be a tough process; US immigration have a smart way of weeding out the people who really want to live in the US and those who don't.

Of course, this has just been my experience and I'm sure other people who have different visas will have different stories. But I'm sure most will agree that it's hard, it's long, and it's expensive.

I guess what I'm saying here is 1. Go on to the US embassy website. It's not hard to figure out which visa you have the best chance of getting. And 2. I'm not contributing to anymore "I want to move from the UK to the US" forums. Do a search first for basic information! (really easy, third tab from the right.)

And as an afterthought, if you're trying to explain why you hate the UK and want to leave, try not to insult us Brits. There are a few of us on this board

thanks so much for posting this. all the posts from european teens/young adults who seem to think that they can move to this country on a whim can be quite tiresome. i don't know if it is because, being young, they are only familiar with the relative ease of EU border-hopping, and don't know that it doesn't work that way here, or because they are fully prepared to flout our immigration laws, but i find either option cause for alarm. i'm glad you took the time to learn the process and were successful in doing it the right way (although i'm sure it was a giant pain in the arse for you!), and i wish you luck in your LA adventure.