A
female
age
30-35,
*elsey18
writes:Not a relationship question..I'm 18 i've lost contact with everyone from school and college, so my best friend is the only person ive really stayed in contact with,my job is boring, i can't find a decent guy where i live, there's not a lot to do here, and i just want so much more out of life than what i'm getting! i don't like the country i was born in, i want to see the world and experience it. Basically i REALLY would like to emigrate while i'm still young but i don't know how? I'd like to live in the united states the city that never sleeps, new york. ive always like the idea of living there. I hear America is the land of opportunities. I need to get out i want a new life! any advice would be greatly appreciated. x
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female
reader, Angzw  +, writes (1 March 2010):
I may be mistaken but last I checked, UK, Canada, India, Mexico and China don't qualify for the Diversity Visa/green card lottery because those countries have the highest number of immigrants to the USA.
So let us know, how far have you gone with your applications? Any progress?
A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (18 February 2010): Also try the green card lottery, it's free and fun!
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female
reader, Angzw +, writes (17 February 2010):
To get a work permit, you have to have a special/rare skill that is on shortage in America. Here are a few examples:
Medical doctor (to states with fewer doctors or to war zones), aerospace engineer, computer science specialist, Iraqi/Afghan interpreter. For people with such skills to get a job, they have to find a job first. Then their new employer petitions for them to get a work permit. Once the work permit is approved, the US embassy in your country gives you a social security number. Then you can now go to America to start work. The American employer has to have shown the US government that they can't find an American to take the job first before it can be given to a foreigner. Dear, listen carefully; if you visit www.uscis.gov ALL your questions are answered there in more detail that I can't put here.
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A
female
reader, kelsey18 +, writes (17 February 2010):
kelsey18 is verified as being by the original poster of the question do you hve any idea how i could get a work permit and a social security number? i know i have to go to the american embassy to get a work permit. I really do need to do more research on this. thanks again x
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female
reader, Angzw +, writes (17 February 2010):
I don't know if you read my previous post; you cannot work without a work permit and a social security number. Any employer will ask you for this. Unless you find work as an illegal nanny/maid as many illegal immigrants do. Like I said, visit www.uscis.gov for answers to every possible question. Every young person throughout the world has had the idea to go to America so they have closed all loopholes for decades now!!
I would suggest you do the 90 day visit to see if you like it first. I have been to New York and its pretty foul and hectic. If you live in Central London then you get the idea; smell of sewer in the subways, rude unhelpful people and just like in the movies, cabbies who drive through puddles just to splash you with foul water. Expensive like hell. Scams at every street corner. I still have my own fake Gucci bag collection from those days. Visit and see for yourself. The expense will be really what gets you. My cousin who pays $1000 per month for a studio apt. tells me that unemployment is still high. I don't want to discourage you but you need to really do your homework and start with what you can do like visit as a tourist first. There are a few backpackers lodges where you can sleep at a reduced rate than hotels; some will let you pay even less if you help out with chores. Once again good luck dear.
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female
reader, kelsey18 +, writes (17 February 2010):
kelsey18 is verified as being by the original poster of the questionI was thinking of saving up going over there then try and get a job once i'm there. Is that not possible? And should i be goin got american embassy is there anyone like any companies that can help me in arranging this? Many thanks x
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female
reader, Angzw +, writes (17 February 2010):
Just a correction; sorry since I last visited the site, immigration.gov has been changed to uscis.gov. Everything you would need to know is there.
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female
reader, Angzw +, writes (17 February 2010):
There are a few community colleges that might accept GCSE O Levels, but now, most good US universities take GCE A Levels dear. When my brother went to the US in 1991 they took O Levels but by the time my sister went to the same university in 2003 they now wanted A Levels.
As for emigrating, you can only do this in a number of categories:
- Skilled worker (if you have a rare skill needed in America)
- Talent (singer, artist, athlete)
- Investor (it used to be $1 million but I don't know what it is now).
- have a close family member over age 18 who is a citizen willing to sponsor you, but there is a long waiting list.
The only other way you can go is
- as a visitor for 90 days on an EU passport, (if you don't leave on time you can be banned for 5 years or deported)
- as an au pair to an American family (babysitter)
- as a student (you have to provide proof of funds)
- as a refugee or asylum seeker (not always granted).
Remember you cannot work without a work permit and you cannot get a work permit unless your skill is required. You need a Social Security number to work in America. The one you get as a student will be endorsed detailing that you cannot seek work so anywhere you search for a job they will ask for your SS number.
We are also hearing that if you agree to do a tour of duty in Afghanistan after having entered as a visitor they will give you a green card before you are deployed. But they are not advertising this.
So as you can see, that is why I suggested being an au pair as you can be one if you are single and under age 26. Go to immigration.gov for all details directly from the US government. I know all this because my family has been through the mill with this one. My children are Americans and I can't get a green card until they are 18. Ask yourself why all those ambitious youths from Mexico are jumping the border if they can just get in easy with a school leaving certificate. My brother was illegal for 14 years and had to pay massive fines, legal bills and still use skilled entry now that he had become a specialist in finance. As you know, Europe is easy for you so don't rule it out if babysitting in America isn't your thing. Good luck dear.
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female
reader, kelsey18 +, writes (17 February 2010):
kelsey18 is verified as being by the original poster of the questionThanks everyone for the input so far.
Basically i went to college to retake a few GCSE'S i now have 9. I don't know what you call GCSE'S in america but over here there like the final exams you take before you finish school i have them in english,maths,science,additional science,history,art and design, functional english, ICT (computers, and R.S (religious studies) I got 7 C's and 2 B's. (these are all the qualifications i have)
I then went on to a receptionist type job in an opticians but the actual position i'm training for is an optical advisor (someone who basically knows a lot about glasses and can advise you on what ones are best for you-and also knows everything about contact lenses with all the receptionist work on top). I am hoping to be living in New York by the age of 21. Theres my situation in a bit more detail for you. thankss xx
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female
reader, SirenaBlusera  +, writes (17 February 2010):
 Hello,
I can totally relate to what you're experiencing in your hometown. I'm an American, but I'm in a very similar situation in my current town and I'm planning to emigrate elsewhere. It's ironic that most of my ancestors emigrated to USA from Europe and I'm dying to go to Europe, hahaha.
I have a website and a book for you.
You have options, though. Do you permanently want to live in America or do you just want to do a gap year? Au pairing is a way to experience America, like one poster mentioned. Also, there are study abroad programs. if you're done with college you could always do a master's or graduate program. If you're interested in teaching... goodness knows we need good teachers here! There are exchange organizations where international staff come here and teach.
If you're interested in permanently immigrating here, it's essential to be established in a profession and have professional skills. Do research, talk to people, and pinpoint your passion and you've made a good deal of progress.
You have to follow your heart, and if your heart's in USA then that's where you belong... go for it.
Just a word to the wise: Have you been to USA before? Have you been to New York? It might be a good idea to visit the USA first and see if you really do love it, before you commit to starting a new life here. If you decide that it's for you, then you're welcome here. :-)
In regard to the legal issues of emigrating, I would get some good legal advice from an immigration lawyer.
Here are the website and book I promised you:
Taking a Gap Year by Susan Griffith
www.transitionsabroad.com
Good luck and follow your heart. Where there's a will, there's a way.
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A
female
reader, Angzw +, writes (16 February 2010):
Look into becoming an au pair for an American couple with young kids as well. Google it; many au pair agencies on the web.
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female
reader, Emilysanswers +, writes (16 February 2010):
Head onto Google and do some research.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Permanent_Resident_Card
This page is a good starting point.
Good Luck!! xx
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A
female
reader, CherryBoom  +, writes (16 February 2010):
so u want to emigrate?
it's not a bad idea but u must know that an emigration has to be planned well.
u've finished college which is good because without a college degree u will have difficulties finding a job. not to mention that we are in a recession where many people are losing jobs.
u chose the states? u are truly challenging urself. the american dream isn't any more what it seems. u need to be tough to survive in New York, many people move there and don't accomplish their goals.
u should first of all look for jobs online and information on their emigration process. this can take long for applying for a greencard. that's why u need to find a job first and see if that will ease ur emigration process. u should check for flats/appartments and they are terribly expensive in new york which means u would have to live in one of the boroughs and some aren't really safe. oh and u should have a good insurance because once u fall sick and u don't have an insurance to cover ur expensives then u are screwed. why? u'll have to pay for ur hospital treatment.
plan it well!!!
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (16 February 2010): Why don't you apply to go and study abroad? That can be a good way to try another country. It will be hard to emigrate unless you have a job to go to; you could start applying for jobs online and see how it goes from there. If you have some savings you could move to NY and then try and get a job when you get there. I don't know if this is easier said than done though. what sort of thing do you want to do?
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