Move to USA without marrying a yank etc

jme2010

I can't find anything on this topic.

I'm an Irish citizen and would like to work in America, even just for 1-2 years in a high-level role. I am a working professional 3 or more years out of college.

What are my options? I have no relatives in the States and not married to an American either. It seems unfair that I can't do this. It seems almost impossible.

Please help or point the way.

Thanks

jenn1984

There are some American companies in Ireland that will eventually offer a transfer to their higher ranking employees- maybe look into what companies do this?

Jennifer

Numena

It might sound a bit tedious but, when I worked in California (I did an L-1 internal transfer because my company had offices in Europe and in the US), I knew quite a few Europeans who had gotten their Green Cards through the official Diversity Immigrant Visa Lottery Program organised by the American government to allow set numbers of foreigners onto the territory every year. Incidentally, this year's program application period is ending on the 3rd November, only 10 days away!

I can't include links but be sure to google "electronic diversity visa lottery" and click on the link with ".gov". There is a myriad sites that offer application services but they are all paying services. You should never have to pay for it. The American embassy might be able to help with this since they also have a page on their site dedicated to the Diversity lottery.

One thing to bear in mind though, is that this year's Diversity Lottery is for 2017 Green Cards.

Tar.Aldarion

So they jsut allow you to live there for life via lottery?

Divisadero

Yes. But it really is almost as difficult as winning the actual lottery! So anyone applying needs to manage their expectations as there are no special allocations for Irish citizens. In the 80's and 90's under the Irish Donnelly and Morrison lotteries your chances were far higher. But if you're not in...

Also as has already been said don't pay any private company to apply for you. This is a complete waste of money. Just get the info and apply yourself.

Nody

Tar.Aldarion wrote: »

So they jsut allow you to live there for life via lottery?

Not really; first of all if you win the lottery you need to fly there once a year to retain it along with other requirements. It's not a case of win it once and sorted for life as many believe.

Mother Brain

jme2010 wrote: »

I can't find anything on this topic.

I'm an Irish citizen and would like to work in America, even just for 1-2 years in a high-level role. I am a working professional 3 or more years out of college.

What are my options? I have no relatives in the States and not married to an American either. It seems unfair that I can't do this. It seems almost impossible.

Please help or point the way.

Thanks

Just go to Mexico and hop the border!

Nah in fairness though I kinda feel your pain. Would love to head to Canada on my British passport (Canada is a commonwealth country with the queen as head of state) but it's ridiculously hard/ impossible.

Dunno about unfair though. It's their country and all that craic. Doesn't make it any easier to swallow though.

Divisadero

Nody wrote: »

Not really; first of all if you win the lottery you need to fly there once a year to retain it along with other requirements. It's not a case of win it once and sorted for life as many believe.

You have to adhere to the standard permanent residency requirements. But it is a full legit Green Card and you can live there for life if you wish. You will also have the option to apply for US Citizenship after five years which will entitle you to obtain a US passport which makes things even easier. By the way flying in and out of the country once a year is no guarantee of holding onto a Green Card anymore either. You are supposed to be permanently resident in the US. You can of course leave the country for vacations or trips home etc like anyone else.

Nody

Divisadero wrote: »

You have to adhere to the standard permanent residency requirements. But it is a full legit Green Card and you can live there for life if you wish. You will also have the option to apply for US Citizenship after five years which will entitle you to obtain a US passport which makes things even easier. By the way flying in and out of the country once a year is no guarantee of holding onto a Green Card anymore either. You are supposed to be permanently resident in the US. You can of course leave the country for vacations or trips home etc like anyone else.

I was going on the information I remember from someone who had a card but in the ended handed it back simply because it was to much of a pain to keep it (and they were not actively looking at moving at the time).

Divisadero

I knew people in the past who did the same. If you are not serious about going and are staying in Ireland and just trying to hold onto a Green Card for the sake of it or because you might use it 'someday' it is a lot of hassle trying to keep it valid. It is in also in fairness a waste when the card could go to someone deserving who plans to actually use it. Also as I said even going in and out of the states once a year is not a guarantee of holding onto the card anymore. But if you actual plan on using the card as designed and intend to move over to the US to live and work then you have permanent residency and it is hassle free.

Mrs OBumble

jme2010 wrote: »

It seems unfair that I can't do this. It seems almost impossible.

There's nothing unfair about it: you're not American, America has no responsibility to give you.

Same as Ireland has no responsibility to an American person. And it's actually a lot harder for an American to get a work visa here than vice versa, because they have to prove there is no one else in the entire EU who can do the job.

DM addict

jme2010 wrote: »

I can't find anything on this topic.

I'm an Irish citizen and would like to work in America, even just for 1-2 years in a high-level role. I am a working professional 3 or more years out of college.

What are my options? I have no relatives in the States and not married to an American either. It seems unfair that I can't do this. It seems almost impossible.

Please help or point the way.

Thanks

It is really hard t just come over and work. If you head over to the US forum, there's a few threads not dissimilar to yours with some bits of info.

Apart from the Greencard lottery, there's also the L1 (transfer within a company) and H1B (skilled professional) visas. Both need to be sponsored/paid for by a US company.

For the L1 (which we moved over on) you need to be working for a company for at least one year previous before they can start the paperwork to transfer you to a US office. H1B doesn't have this restriction, but there's only so many of them a year, so even if a US company really wants you, they might not be able to hire you.

In their defence, it's also pretty tough for Americans to just come live in Europe for a couple of years. There's hassle on both sides, tbh.

Amirani

I'd echo DM addict above. Get a job for a US multinational. If you can get a post-graduate qualification it'll help further.

Only other options are lottery and if you invest I think 1m USD and create 10 jobs.