Advice on how to immigrate to Kissimmee from England (Orlando: for sale, loan)

[daverulz]

Hi all

I really hope someone can give me some friendly advice. I currently live in Liverpool, England and have been visiting the Kissimmee area every year for almost 10 years. I consider it to be my second home & have longed to move there with my family ever since I first visited.

I have searched and searched for advice and tips on what I need to do to move from England to Kissimmee but have been met with very little help at all.

Can anyone give me any advice on what I need to do, what steps I need to take to make my dream a reality? Do I need to find work first? A visa? I am lost on what to do but so desperately want to succeed.

Thank you for any help you may give.

[alfbroker]

If your goal is to live here long term, contact a Florida attorney who specializes in immigration. Good professional advice at the start can prevent big problems.

[daverulz]

Thanks. Can I contact one online or do I need to through a different route? Thanks for your help.

[lcole07]

We just moved to the Orlando area, wife works for major airline, and just about everyone I have talked to mentions the lack of work. So be sure you have a JOB before you make the final trip. Also I found two sites that look interesting:

how easy is it to move to usa from uk? : British Expat Discussion Forum

How does someone move from the UK and settle in the USA? - Yahoo! UK & Ireland Answers

Good Luck!

[daverulz]

Thanks icole07. They were really helpful. I know that you automatically get a 1 month visa if you visit on vacation so would it be a good idea to fly over there and look for work whilst I'm there or would that not work? Looking at those 2 sites you gave me, the only way I could live there would be to create a successful business (but where do I start!?), buy an existing business or get a job with an employer who is willing to sponsor me.

[brinkofsunshine]

Is your heart really set on Kissimmee? IMO, there are much nicer areas in the Orlando metro to consider.

[daverulz]

Brinkofsunshine, I have only ever been to the Kissimmee area so really it's better the devil you know! However, my main and only goal is just to be in a position to get over there permanently. It doesn't have to be Kissimmee, just the Orlando area. As long as I can get some advice on how to progress with trying to get to Orlando permanently then that's all I'm after.

[PinkFL]

Hi,

I am from the UK and moved over to Orlando 3+ months ago. Do you have a degree? Or work in a very specialised area? If not a work visa is highly unlikely. As for buying a company over here, a lot of people do it especially Brits, a lot fail! but this route doesn't get you a greencard, you would have to renew your visa every few years (think it's every 2-3yrs but not 100% sure).

Take a look at this REALLY, READ ME: Want to Live & Work in the US? : British Expat Discussion Forum if you find a visa category that you come under then that's a start, if not then I am afraid you won't be moving over any time soon.

A lot of people make it a long term goal to emigrate coming up with a 10-15yr plan, i.e. get a degree and then a job in a specialised high in demand field to gain experience before attempting to move over here.

I would be wary about posting on the website I have posted before reading up on visa's as so many people post on there without researching first and get shot down in flames!

Be careful as there are lots of conmen out there who are happy to take your money saying they will get you a visa and then they don't!

HTH

Vicki

P.S. I don't want to put you off, just let you know how hard it is!

[annerk]

And having a business is still no guarantee that the visa will be renewed. I know of three couples in Clermont/Kissimmee who had successful brick and mortar businesses that had to sell it all and go back to the UK when they visa renewals were denied.

[daverulz]

Thank you pinkFL & annerk. Really helpful advice. After really looking at the visa situation in detail, it looks as though the only realistic chance I have is to buy a business. I've looked at a few sites which have established businesses for sale but does anyone know of any reliable or proven sites to look on? I know it's risky buying a business in Orlando but hopefully with the right advice I can find a decent one. I'm not looking to make thousands of dollars a year. As long as I can make up to $40,000 profit to live on. Also does anyone know how the financial situation works when trying to buy a business? If a business is listed for example for $175,000 do I have to have that money in cash or can I take out a loan with a British bank etc? Thanks for your help guys.