How do i get a visa for the states?

Question

i am considering relocating to the states from South africa, i have dual citizenship for south africa and britain. unfortunately i am being refused because i was born in britain, but does not have a space for dual citizenship, so i cannot see if i can be accepted with my south african citizenship. please help!!!

Answer 1

go to Burger King and ask for one!

Answer 2

You don't need a "space" for dual citizenship first of all. Triple citizenship can and does happen and I'm a living example of that. However, citizenship is the least of your worries if you wish to move to America.

The thing you will need to relocate to America is a proper immigrant visa or a green card. You cannot apply for US citizenship unless you have a been a legal permanent resident (a.k.a. green card holder) for a minimum of 5 years, or 3 years if you are married to a US citizen. Less if you served in the US Armed Forces, but let's not get into that. But that you have British and/or South African citizenship is completely irrelevant.

So if you are concerned at all about obtaining US citizenship, which is in _no way_ a requirement in order to live and work in the US (even for the rest of your life), your first step is to get permanent residence, i.e. a green card.

There are several ways you can obtain one:

1) The Diversity lottery: the US Dept. of State organizes a yearly lottery where up to 55,000 green cards are awarded to qualifying applicants who were selected in the lottery. Since it's a lottery, you could try your chance each year of your life and never get it, or you could get it the first time you tried... More info at http://www.dvlottery.state.gov

2) Employer sponsorship: that is where a US employer sponsors you for a green card, basically. In most cases that does not happen right off the bat, and if you found a job with a US employer who was willing to sponsor you, then you would most likely get a temporary work visa (H-1B), and later on your employer might sponsor you for a green card. It's in their interest to do so if they want to keep you.

3) Family sponsorship: US citizens can petition the US government to allow certain relatives to come to the US: parents (father/mother), unmarried children and spouses get priority. Then married children and siblings can also be petitioned for but with a rather long waiting period.

Current green card holders may also petition for their spouses and unmarried children to join them in the US and apply for a green card.

So as you can see, relocating to the US is no easy task and is not something you can just decide you're going to do, pack your stuff and go.

Info on temporary worker (H-1B) visas:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H-1B_visa

Answer 3

You should take a look on the British Embassy's web site. You usually have to apply for a visa from them, but be warned you may be asked you apply in person.

Answer 4

you have to have someone there to sponser you, they have to say that if you need to you can stay with them and they will support you. that way you wont be going over jobless, homeless and want to claim benifits fromthe states.