Hello All,
Great site and I have really enjoyed having a look around trying to get information on my proposed move to the US.
I currently work in Media Sales running an advertising team and have just got back from a 3,700 mile road trip across the States, during which I have decided I want to up sticks and move over there. Many reasons for this which I won't bore everyone with. but I have set myself a deadline of my 31st birthday to get over there (which gives me about 6 months).
My plan is to carry on working in media, which means my best bet for employment is in either New York or Chicago, both of which I absolutely loved while travelling round.
The problem I have is obviously the Visa situation (I don't have a degree but have been working in my industry from 12 years which I think is the timeperiod considered to be the equivalent). I have no direct relations who are American, although my father has worked for the US Government for some 25 years which I hope will count for me but this isn't a "gimme".
What I need help with (and I hope someone can help me who reads this) is how to execute my plan. I have contacted a few employment agents in the US who have told me that it is possible to line a job up while I am still in the UK but that I would have more chance moving over, setting up and then job hunting then. Do people think this is a good idea? I have money to keep me going for 3 months so that isn'ttoo much of a problem.
The second question I have is would I be able to sort out a Visa (obviously with the assistance of the employer) while I am in the States, or do I have to leave the country and go back? The recruitment agents seemed to think I can but I am conscious they are not immigration experts so any help and advice from you guys would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks and all the best,
Tom
First timer in need of advice with moving to live/work in US
Talk to the embassy...as a Canadian, which is a very diffent set of rules, we can go and visit whenever we want, but to get a green card, which is a work permit and I think residency, we have to have the job lined up in advance....talk to the embassy. It probably also depends on which citizenship you have.
Hello Tommymuldy!
I'm not an expert either and the rules depend on your citizenship (and can change over time without notice!), so you'll probably get the best answer by going to the US embassy or a consulate in Britain. But considering your second question, I'm quite sure that if you enter the US with a tourist visa and have an employer help you get a working visa, you'll need to leave the country to clean your "tourist immigration file" first, and then enter the US again with your working visa.
However, I think it's a good idea to search for your job while already in the US. Unless you have very specific skills that are difficult to find here, I don't see many employers considering your resume knowing that you're still in the UK. There are a lot of opportunities in media sales here... but there is also plenty of "natives" seeking that kind of job. Plus, if you want a long term assignment (L1 visa), your employer will have to justify the "unique capabilities" you have as a foreign citizen. You may find a "differentiator" that would makes your british citizenship more valuable by looking for US companies developing their business in Europe.
Hope to see you soon in the US 
Hi Guys,
Thanks a lot for your replies, they really are much appreciated.
I think as a British national it seems a bit tougher than I thought it would be but I am not going to let this dissuade me one jot! I am going over to NY in November for a shopping trip but this is now going to turn into a "I am going to convince you to employ me trip"!!
My fall back plan is to see if I can get a transfer from my current employer (a French media firm that has offices in NY & Chicago) - but this is really my last resort as they aren't particularly big over there, but at least it would be a start.
I have also spoken to a few immigration lawyers, all of whom have not filled me with confidence in my plan 
If anyone else has any other advice then please feel free to let me know. I could do with some good news 
A working visa for the USA is very hard to get unless you have previously a job offer but the process is so annoying that there's not a lot of employers ready to go for it. The tourist visa can be a good alternative because you will already be in the country but then it can take years and years to get the right visa. The job offer will speed it up.
The strategy right now (at least in France) is to get a Canadian working visa. It's easier to get and then you're less far from the USA to apply for a job out there. And very soon Mexico, the USA and Canada will probably have some agreements like European countries.
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