Need advice on moving to the US

[soulchoice]

Being this forum is one that has a lot of varying information regarding different topics, perhaps someone can give advice. I currently am truly seeking to move to the US, preferably Florida, Arizona, Cali or Colorado. A little tired of living here, so I feel a change is needed.

What are the neccessary steps I should do to ensure this move? I may want to go and try it for a year or two or possibly more. Any sites for me to look for or insider tips on an easier process?

Thanks

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by soulchoice

Being this forum is one that has a lot of varying information regarding different topics, perhaps someone can give advice. I currently am truly seeking to move to the US, preferably Florida, Arizona, Cali or Colorado. A little tired of living here, so I feel a change is needed.

What are the neccessary steps I should do to ensure this move? I may want to go and try it for a year or two or possibly more. Any sites for me to look for or insider tips on an easier process?

Thanks

Hey soulchoice - I live in Arizona currently and lived in Ohio for awhile. PM me with specific questions about Arizona or immigration.

The main concern is: employment, citizenship, etc...

[Lanny_MacDonald]

I've lived and worked in each of those locations, so I might be of help here. I also have gone through every angle in the immigration game for myself, as well as for family members. This is not an easy process and the results of not following the rules by the letter of the law can be quite dire for your short term and long term goals. I know a very good immigration lawyer in Calgary that can probably help you, but we'll save you some time and money by a quick survey.

Are you an American citizen? Are you married to an American citizen? Are you independently wealthy and will not have to work? Do you have a specialized skill that would allow a company to sponsor you on a temporary visa? Do you have the financial means to start a business? If you can't answer "yes" to any of these questions, you're hooped.

PM me for further details.

[SeeGeeWhy]

I would suggest gaining 50 pounds from where you are right now, hitting your head with a hammer enough times that you find it difficult to read higher than a grade 3 level, and then buying a wardrobe of t-shirts with subtly racist slogans and pictures of the stars and stripes on them.

KIDDING!!

[Brick]

Advice: don't do it!

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Brick

Advice: don't do it!

Why not?

Both my sister and brother moved Stateside and are doing quite well.

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by Brick

Advice: don't do it!

Obviously ignorance isnt just isolated to the US, huh?

[Lanny_MacDonald]

Before moving to the States you have to ask yourself what the reasons are behind the move. Make sure you have a plan, and have a backup plan. Moving to a new country without a backup plan, and no support systems is tough as hell. Be prepared.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by SeeGeeWhy

I would suggest gaining 50 pounds from where you are right now, hitting your head with a hammer enough times that you find it difficult to read higher than a grade 3 level, and then buying a wardrobe of t-shirts with subtly racist slogans and pictures of the stars and stripes on them.

KIDDING!!

Adding the word 'kidding' in uppercase letters doenst make that statement any less dispicable.

I am ashamed to visit the same site you do.

MYK

[burn_baby_burn]

My brother moved to the US. He is married to an American and it still wasn't easy. Initially they moved to Oregon. Tough state to crack. He lived there for a year and he still wasn't eligable to work, allthough he did for cash anyway. Moved to Montana and the paperwork got processed right away. From what I understand, and members like Lanny would be able to give you better info than me, it really depends on the state. In Oregon, they had more people from out of the US applying to live there, lots of migrant workers from Mexico. So the back up of paper work at the immigration office is longer. Like others have said. It isn't as easy as, I need a change of scenery, Florida sounds good.

[La Flames Fan]

From someone who has dealt with immigration A LOT over the last 8 years, it is not a simple thing. You would think two countries so close would make it easy to travel back and forth....Nope. You'll go through the ringer.

There are so many factors involved, citizenship, relatives, work. If its work you'll have to look at your background.

Even then its not a given! I got an 0-1 Visa in September and when I went to cross at Coutts I was held for 12 HOURS with no food or water as they doubted the validity of my visa. (And one wonders why I moved back to Canada?). Finally, after getting a U.S. Senator involved it was suddenly fine.

That is one thing I have always had a problem with. You could have all the necessary papers, visas, credentials...doesn't matter they still have the right to deny you. Ridiculous.

Not to mention the cost. You can get by paying not too much, but if you want expediated service, you'll pay. Filing fees, paperwork, lawyer fees if you so decide....I've probably spent $20,000 on immigration in the last 8 years.

I wish it was as easy as just move and go, but them borders to the south are closing quickly.

[burn_baby_burn]

It isn't much easier moving to Canada from the US. I had a friend who married a guy from Montana. They tried living in Alberta at first. Proved too difficult for him to get a work visa even though he was married to a Canadian. They ended up moving to Wyoming.

[socalwingfan]

Another thing to consider if you're married - when I initially came down on a TN visa, my wife could not work as she did not meet the requirements required to get a TN. It may sound like not a big deal, but she had a miserable time not being able to work and not having any friends or family for company. Eventually I got sponsored for a Green Card and she could work but it was a miserable couple of years for her

[OilersBaby]

I moved from Alberta to California in 2001. If you have any specific questions about this state or anything else that may concern you regarding moving from Alberta to California, PM me

[OilersBaby]

there are nafta visa's available for people who want to move from the US to Canada and vice versa..almost any profession is covered under this visa. do you have a college education?

[JBR]

Obtain your FAC

[Tilley]

After getting into the U.S. on a student visa, I married an American in August and completed the permanent resident process in November. Wasn't too bad. Nebraska is a good state to be in since the Knights are here and a major homeland security office is in Omaha. If there is anything I can do to help PM me.

[Lanny_MacDonald]

^^^ You got through the grinder in three months after JUST getting married? Wow on all accounts. It takes longer than that to run a background check on most people. How did you accomplish that?

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by SeeGeeWhy

I would suggest gaining 50 pounds from where you are right now, hitting your head with a hammer enough times that you find it difficult to read higher than a grade 3 level, and then buying a wardrobe of t-shirts with subtly racist slogans and pictures of the stars and stripes on them.

KIDDING!!

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Adding the word 'kidding' in uppercase letters doenst make that statement any less dispicable.

I am ashamed to visit the same site you do.

MYK

I don't know... I thought his post was hillarious. I laughed out loud when I read it. Lighten up ok MYK. He was just making a joke and anybody with a sense of humour would have laughed.

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by Rerun

I don't know... I thought his post was hillarious. I laughed out loud when I read it. Lighten up ok MYK. He was just making a joke and anybody with a sense of humour would have laughed.

I didnt laugh at all. Canadians' laugh at American ignorance and arrogance all the time. Comments like that really make Canadians' look terrible and makes you wonder who really is being ignorant and arrogant - even in jest.

Painting something with such a wide brush is dangerous - and it wasnt even relevant to the thread.