immigration to the US

Hey Guys,
I know, this is not the perfect place for my question.

Beacuase of private reasons, I want to leave Germany ASAP. It's depending on the next days. So, my question is, what do I need to do, to immigrate to the US or just to get a work permit? Canada would be great as well like Australia, but i would prefere the US.

I mean, I already worked in New York, but do I need to do, to make it forever?

Do I need to win a Green Card first or do I need to get a job first?

Thanks Guys and I look forward to any answers and even some job offers. Any further information through PM.


To the Admins, please allow me, to post this here, cause I know, that here are quite a lot of people from the US.

Since this is a photography forum and not a branch of US INS.....I would suggest contacting the nearest US Consulate for the specifics necessary to attain your goal.

Is your life in danger?

Do you need a job offer first - it really depends but it's much easier if you do and it's for a job that can't be filled by an American.

I moved to the US from the UK a couple of decades back on an O-1 visa as a "Person of Extraordinary Ability". There were a few hoops to jump through with this visa but if your photographic skills have been recognized internationally, this might be an avenue for you (my skills are in the sciences not the arts so I can't provide much background as to exactly what you would need to prove).

However, there are so many different visa types and, as others have said, this forum might not be your best source for comprehensive information. Visas that used to be easy for us to fill to bring in more junior scientists such as the H-1Ns are now really hard to justify as the IT industry tries to grab many of those.

The latest we filled easily were with Japanese collaborators with whom we are initing a JV. THe JV will bring American jobs so it pushed through the system quickly. That took a few months rather than the year or so it typically takes. Plus my colleagues do not have the option of switching that visa for a green card (many visas are a path that allow you a green card option later on, many others do not - if you move here as a student for example).

I would also very strongly recommend that you contact an agent/lawyer versed in these transactions or, at the very least, the US consulate close to your home. You will likely need to talk to them at some point anyway.

Good luck.

Woolburr wrote in post #13630924
Since this is a photography forum and not a branch of US INS.....I would suggest contacting the nearest US Consulate for the specifics necessary to attain your goal.

This is the right thing to do.

If you have strong ties to a group which can give you insight about the process, that will help.

you can come for 6 months to begin with. How about other parts of the EU? you're allowed to go to them.

if you're single you could try to come to the US and fall in love LOL

Having gone from the UK to the US, it's not the easiest thing to do. You don't just decide you want a green card,it's a long old process. If you have blood relatives or an american wife, it becomes easier.

To come over for more than 6 months, you would really need a job with a company that will sponsor you.

Marlfox wrote in post #13631466
If you have blood relatives or an american wife, it becomes easier.

makes it more likely to be approved but not cheaper or easier as far as the 100000 bits of paper. It's quicker and easier if you apply from outside the USA too

Have you considered flying to Mexico and walking across?

rick_reno wrote in post #13633896
Have you considered flying to Mexico and walking across?

he can get a legit 6 month visa why come in illegally when you then have no right to AOS or anything

^^ it is something of a contemporary joke. Not a serious idea.

S.Horton wrote in post #13636216
^^ it is something of a contemporary joke. Not a serious idea.

Thanks Sam...