Wanna be expat.

[Mason]

I am in the process of doing my research into the best way to make the move to the USA.
It seems to me that it can be a mine field! I would be grateful for any help or advice that can come my way.

Regards
Mason

[Kitty]

I would also like to know where I get the forms from to apply for the B2 visa, I beleive I can become a snow-bird with one of those. I can at least try the lifestyle for 6months of the year to see if I could settle.

Thanks, Kitty

[floridapete]

I would also like to know where I get the forms from to apply for the B2 visa, I believe I can become a snow-bird with one of those. I can at least try the lifestyle for 6months of the year to see if I could settle.

Thanks, Kitty

Go the US Embassy London website Kitty ! You can download from there - or you can contact their mailing office (as per website) to get the documentation mailed to you. You will need one set per person.

You will also need to know how you are going to reply at the interview when they ask you why the Visa Waiver Program (allows up to 90 days per visit) isn't good enough for your needs - because they WILL ask you !

The one thing NOT to say is what you have said above - that would get you denied a B2 straight away ! They don't want anyone going out there 'trying it for six months to see if I could settle'. That would cause the inspector to wonder whether you might just decide to overstay your allotted time - and maybe stay illegally.

You have to be very careful what you say at these Visa interviews as the inspecting officer is GOD in that situation.

[Karyn]

Hi Mason,

The first thing you will need to establish is what visa you will go for to move here. This will be dependant on what you do in the UK, happy to answer any questions on the E2 route which is how we got here.

Karyn@vacationfloridahomes.com

[casmar]

Hi, I am in a similar situation in that we want to move to the US around December 2008. After some extensive research on the internet I came across this site and it has proved both useful and entertaining.

My situation is that as a South Africa National I can not go the E2 route, but have to try either the L1 or an EB5 route - both are possible but I do not fully understand the implications of either route. :confused:

I have a 19 year old son (currently at University, finishing Dec 2008) who will be 21 in November 2008 and a 16 year daughter who will finish school in Dec 2008 - hence the time frame. I am prepared to have both Children at University - my daughter definitely and my son for a Masters if necessary:eek:

My concerns are with the level of risk (and disclosure) involved with the EB5 and the uncertainty over my children with the L1 route - what do people in the forum recommend. I have an MBA and am also a certified Professional Engineer so there may be other options open than the two I have described, but I do not know which if any to follow.

Any and all sage advice will be welcomed

Regards
Charles

[haytonmac]

Hi there,as a fellow South African of sorts ...... why dont you try and play the green card lottery.As a South African born I assume both you and your wife could put in applications.PM me if you want more details as that is how we got here ourselves.take care and vasbyt mener!!!

[v2002]

If an Individual can comply with the requirements of E5 visa than there is no reason one shoud worry about tha family members at all.....Because spouse and dependents are all included in the green card process, The intresting part is to comply with the requirements.
file Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur. The Form I-526 must be filed with supporting documentation which clearly demonstrating that your investments meet all the requirements, such as:

--- Establishing a new commercial enterprise
--- Investing the requisite capital amount
((which is one million dollers in any state and half a million doller if you are in backword territory))
The most important part is "Proving the investment comes from a lawful source of funds".
--Creating the requisite number of jobs it must create atleat 10 jobs for americans in a fix given time frame .
--Demonstrating that the investor is actively participating in the business; and, where applicable & Creating employment within a targeted employment area .
You and your family will be given CONDITIONAL GC immediately on approval of form I-526 and than you can file for removing those conditions by
filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, if residing within the U.S. or byapplying for an immigrant visa at a U.S. Consulate abroad, if residing outside the U.S.
It is the best visa CAT ever for an investor and the safest route for entire family IF "YOU HAVE THE MOOLA"
:)

[v2002]

However on a personal note " I wonder if I have those kind of funds at my disposal, why on the earth would I want to immigrate to US " ?
But than thats just me :)

[casmar]

Thanks for the response and the advice on the visa categories - I assume that the L1 visa is not recommended because of family reasons? I am speaking to a Lawyer (Greg Siskind) tomorrow and will post his response

VIP2002 - the Moola is less an issue than getting it out of SA the govt just doesnt like us taking cash out the country.

[v2002]

Thanks for the response and the advice on the visa categories - I assume that the L1 visa is not recommended because of family reasons? I am speaking to a Lawyer (Greg Siskind) tomorrow and will post his response

VIP2002 - the Moola is less an issue than getting it out of SA the govt just doesnt like us taking cash out the country.
WISH YOU LUCK
:p

[Susie]

Hi, I am in a similar situation in that we want to move to the US around December 2008. After some extensive research on the internet I came across this site and it has proved both useful and entertaining.

My situation is that as a South Africa National I can not go the E2 route, but have to try either the L1 or an EB5 route - both are possible but I do not fully understand the implications of either route. :confused:

I have a 19 year old son (currently at University, finishing Dec 2008) who will be 21 in November 2008 and a 16 year daughter who will finish school in Dec 2008 - hence the time frame. I am prepared to have both Children at University - my daughter definitely and my son for a Masters if necessary:eek:

My concerns are with the level of risk (and disclosure) involved with the EB5 and the uncertainty over my children with the L1 route - what do people in the forum recommend. I have an MBA and am also a certified Professional Engineer so there may be other options open than the two I have described, but I do not know which if any to follow.

Any and all sage advice will be welcomed

Regards
Charles


Hi

The best route (IMHO) would be an L 1 visa, however the time frame will not or not work (unless you get a move on) as you son could well age out


Either way time is of the essence

Here are the options I would suggest

Get L 1 visa ASAP, the first L visa will be for one year. You can pay an expetite fee and should get answer on case after 15 business days

Your wife and dependants would get L 2 visa for a year.

Do L visa renewal and soon after approval your US company should file I 140 and I 485 concurrently for all your family members and BEFORE you child is 21 years old



With The $500,000 or $1,000,000 your children should be under 21 years to be covered as your denpendant

[casmar]

Wow Sue

That's great advice and certainly sounds the best route to follow with the least implications - thanks for the advice which incidently is close to the advice of my South African based immigration lawyer

Best regards and thanks for a wonderful informative forum

[peter gold]

I agree with Sue
Who would invest $500,000 in an depressed area for a two year provisional green card, which may never become a permanent resident card, and or your investment may go down the pan?
Also the EB5 visa scheme is yet to become a permanent route by the US Govt and if withdrawn what happens then?
I am afraid I am not a fan of this visa, prefer to lose my money on the stock market!!

[Kriz1]

The Cape is a depressed area...people have got E5s here...not all depressed areas are depressing.......:D :D

[floridapete]

Wow Sue

That's great advice and certainly sounds the best route to follow with the least implications - thanks for the advice which incidently is close to the advice of my South African based immigration lawyer

Best regards and thanks for a wonderful informative forum

Please be aware that, according to your anticipated time-scale, your son will be older than 21yrs. by the time that the 2007 Diversity Programme (aka Green Card lottery) is finalised and drawn, subject to interviews etc.

Therefore, he would be unable to be included within your family Green Card allocations as a 'dependent'. Check the age eligibility rules but he may be able to enter seperately in his own name. Otherwise he will have 'aged out' !

The 'killer' would be if he won one - and you didn't ! :)

BTW. Do NOT pay any third party to enter you into the DVP. It is FREE and you can enter yourselves. Your wife (if also born in S.A.) should also enter a seperate entry.

[casmar]

Hi Guys

Just spoke to Greg Siskind - his advice is : Because of the family situation with my son's age to go the EB5 route, but do the due diligence first - he will provide me with a list of the various regional centre developments from the Ski Lodge in Vermont, dairy farms in South Dakota and Seattle property developments etc - its then up to me to do the due diligence. I expect that will entail couple of trips to various parts of the US as well as identifying suitable CPAs etc to investigate the deals. Right now I am still confused as to the best route but feel more optimistic than I did a few days ago.

Closer to the time I will ask the forum for recommendations on CPAs etc

Another issue close to my heart is where to settle eventually - I am used to hot dry climates (South Africa and the Middle East) and simply don't like the cold or too much humidity. In South Africa I grew up in the city, but now live in a small town and have grown to love the lack of traffic and small town friendliness.

[v2002]

Hi Guys

Just spoke to Greg Siskind - his advice is : Because of the family situation with my son's age to go the EB5 route,
Your lawer is right. Infact their is no risk involved in E5 visa YOU ARE APPROVED or denied before you loose any money.....You have 51 states to choose from where to establish your business, Its not necessary to invest all that fund IN CASH .. it can be a progessive investment spread out in couple of years, The entire family is covered so your children do not age out as they are on CONDITIONASL GC already here when you apply to remove them THEY ARE COVERED UNDER CASPA unlike the E2 CAT ... because E5 cat is IMMIGRANT CAT.
I will put together the E5 pros and cons soon. The assets and many other things part of the business which is not hard CASH are included in the amount.CALL USCIS EMPLOYMENT service care ,and ASK FOR AN IMMIGRATION OFFICER and talk in detail to understand the E5.........Than GET a good lawer NOT ANY TOM D & HARRY for your case. You may pay lawer FEE BUT ITS WORTH paying to save yourself from CROOKS.
Pay the amounts on each step... sign the papers after checking averything dont let lawer RUSH you into anything . BE careful .. check every step with USCIS before you sign . and YOU WILL BE JUST FINE .

[Kriz1]

Hi Guys

Just spoke to Greg Siskind - his advice is : Because of the family situation with my son's age to go the EB5 route, but do the due diligence first - he will provide me with a list of the various regional centre developments from the Ski Lodge in Vermont, dairy farms in South Dakota and Seattle property developments etc - its then up to me to do the due diligence. I expect that will entail couple of trips to various parts of the US as well as identifying suitable CPAs etc to investigate the deals. Right now I am still confused as to the best route but feel more optimistic than I did a few days ago.

Closer to the time I will ask the forum for recommendations on CPAs etc

Another issue close to my heart is where to settle eventually - I am used to hot dry climates (South Africa and the Middle East) and simply don't like the cold or too much humidity. In South Africa I grew up in the city, but now live in a small town and have grown to love the lack of traffic and small town friendliness.

I would say AZ would be a good place for you....you can find small town USA almost anywhere.....

[jay]

Welcome to the forum Diana, I have to say I cant help being a bit cynical about your posts, We hear so many stories about people loosing there money in persuit of the dream. what exactly would they be buying, maybe you could enlighten us all.
jayne

[InnVic]

diana56
New members are not allowed to promote their business or use the forum to 'recruit". If you actually want to participate then post something about yourself and get involved before trying to extract cash from our members. Posting like this from a new member scream 'scam" to me ....prove me wrong and give us more background.

[Susie]

Hi

Just so you know a number of members have reported Diana56 two posts for spamming for people to invest in her company.

She has been sent a pm asking her to call me so I can fully explain the aims of our site and spamming rules

I will post back if I hear from her and hoping that she made a mistake by not fully understanding our rules