Moving from the UK to the US - is this doable?

Question

Hello all,

I'm a UK resident keen on moving to the US, and having just graduated university, am hoping for the opportunity to move and work over there. I have a few questions and would be grateful for any advice.

I'm most interested in moving to California, as it's a kind of hotbed for my industry (I'm a concept artist/modeller/animator currently looking for work with video game companies). I keep seeing conflicting information on how difficult it will be to get a visa. Looking at the visa requirements on the US Embassy website, it seems my best option is to secure a job in the US and apply for a work visa through the employer. Would requiring a visa cause a long delay before I could work, or are there any other forseeable problems with this route? Is this a hassle for employers and would they be likely to pass me over for candidates already in the US? Come to that, will it come over as cheeky to apply to companies in the US without having a visa to work there?

Any additional suggestions and advice also very welcome!

James

Answer 1

Obtaining a temporary work visa first is the appropriate way to go.  Once you are here, you can see if you fulfill the requirements to obtain a green card.

" Come to that, will it come over as cheeky to apply to companies in the US without having a visa to work there?"  It isn't only "cheeky" it's illegal.

I can tell you from personal experience that the regulations on immigrating from a Western European country to the US involve proving that you aren't taking a job slot away from a US citizen.

Answer 2

Visit Mexico.

Go North.

Take Camping Gear.

Cross Rio Grande.

Head straight to welfare office.

Answer 3

Thank you for wanting to come here...legally!!!!

We are happy for YOU to come....I live in the South...so I won't be very helpful...but

If I were you...I would get a travel visa...come and check everything out...apply for a job...and then go from there...

Good luck.

Answer 4

I don't think you'd have any trouble finding a job. I hear people with accents at different places around here all the time.

Answer 5

Getting a visa will take quite a while.  The standard work visa for the US is the H-1B and there is a maximum number that can be issued per year.  This year, the max. number was hit in the first day of applications!  However, there is nothing to stop you from trying.  Your analysis is correct, though, and US employers will look to residents first.  So what if it is cheeky to apply!

My suggestion is for you to work in the UK, or elsewhere in Europe, and get more experience.  Straight out of uni. is a hard sell to get someone to sponsor you.  With a few years experience, that is a different matter.  If you could get a job with a US firm with a subsidiary in the UK, that would be the best because then you could get an intra-company transfer to the US on an L visa, which is much easier to get.

Or you could marry an American!

Good luck.