Moving to America

[Xanafax]

Ever since I was a young child I have loved the idea of America. To me it represented a (somewhat clichéd) land of opportunity. I know it sounds kinda cheesy but ever since watching America programs from a young age, I have loved the country, travel programs and documentaries have given me a decent glimpse into what life is like across the pond.

For a while now I have said jokingly that I have wanted to move to America and in the last few weeks I have had a sort of epiphany regarding the whole situation. I intend to actually move after my degree.

I want to study psychology and I believe that there is a bigger market for psychology and psychologically based services in America, and lets not forget a high standard of living for the rich upper-middle class (which I intend to become a part of).

I have done several Google searches but have only really come across one or two decent sites, and I wondered if anyone on this forum had any advice or good websites on emigrating to America.

[aelle]

Green card lottery, for sure.

[Xanafax]

...

The what?

[ssandra]

I would suggest to go and talk to the ambassy of the USA in your country, see what the options are.

Maybe it is a good idea to do your masters there (if you have enough money) and get a student visa. Then, after you graduate you can try and get a green card.

All this information should be available from the website of the ambassy of the USA, in your country.

Good luck.

[aelle]

Originally Posted by Xanafax

...

The what?

Diversity Immigrant Visa - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Diversity Visa Program

It's, as the name suggests, a permanent visa lottery organized every year by the US immigration. Applicants are preselected by country, education etc (criteria may change yearly) and then drawn randomly.

It's probably one of the easiest, fastest and cheapest way to get a immigration visa to the US. Otherwise you need a company to sponsor you, an arbitrary amount of savings or revenue, to work for several years before you can apply (or to marry an American!) ; and switching from a non-immigrant visa (tourist, intern, student...) to a permanent visa is really hard.

[Xanafax]

Thanks for the responses!

I think my best bet is probably doing my Masters or PhD. over there as you suggest ssandra.

I had a look at the info regarding that lottery and it seems a lot of third world countries got preference. So I may not bother with it.

Is a student visa easier to obtain I wonder?

[aelle]

A student visa is very easy to obtain (I had one a few years ago). You just need to be accepted by a university and they'll sponsor you (ie do most of the paperwork.) You also need to prove that before you even leave, you have enough savings to pay tuition and support yourself for the duration of your stay: in my case, for 1 semester, that was 10 000€.

Be aware that it is not guaranteed that you'll be able to switch from a student visa (which is considered a non immigrant visa) to an immigrant visa (work visa, green card). I've heard of many grad students (in highly employable fields too) who had to go back home at the end of their studies, stupîdly enough for the US.

[Aware]

I think you just wrote about my childhood. Ha.
Really though, I would love to live in America, i just have to find a way of getting over there and getting a visa.

That's where I eventually want to live. I use to have an american accent when I was younger and I use to get teased, I never put it on, I htink it was just from watching too much buffy the vampire slayer and other american programmes from a young age. Go for it, the "new" world!!

I live in Ireland if anyone's wondering, and "No" it's not really all that green and "beautiful", anymore anyway. There's a lot of stereotypes going on that I would love to clear up. And I don't know "John" from Cork, there are millions of them.

[Zerox]

Bah, socialistic bastards. Why'd you want to be a part of that?
I'm sure America has a lot of positive content but to me it doesn't outweigh all the bad.

Though, If you're bent on going.
You can marry someone from the country and get a visa through marriage.
You can actually buy a Greencard for about $300'000 or something like that.
Get a job at an american based corp and they can get you a work visa.
Those are the quickest ways I know of.

Other than that you could just go to the embassy and ask for one.. wait about 3-5years and then get your visa if they approve.

[vMike]

I'd recommend a short trip first, you might change your mind after that

I do like the US for all that it represents, but don't have any real desire to move there