<Hiring an immigration lawyer.
Due to the complexity of the application procedure, it is advisable to
hire an immigration lawyer. Since you have no relatives in the U.S.
and UK citizens are not eligible for the diversity lottery, your only
option appears to be immigration through employment. This is a lengthy
process and can take several years to complete.
You can find a lawyer through the American Immigration Lawyers
Association. With their lawyer referral service you will be charged no
more than $100 for a initial half-hour consultation.
http://www.aila.org/
Lawyer referral service.
http://www.aila.org/contentViewer.aspx?bc=16
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Immigration through employment.
http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/residency/employment.htm
You will need to find a job with an employer willing to go through the
additional paperwork needed to employ you. The employer will need to show
that no qualified US citizens or permanent residents are willing or
able to take the job.
The employer needs to place a job advertisement to attempt to hire a
U.S. worker who could do the available job. The employer must
interview candidates who meet the necessary criteria. Candidates must
be evaluated against the job criteria and a report submitted to the
local State Workforce Agency (SWA). If any qualified U.S. workers are
identified then permission to hire a foreign worker will be denied.
http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/foreign/perm.asp
An overview of the process is given at
http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/residency/employment.htm#anchor20563
There are several categories of workers. EB-3 seems to be most
applicable to your situation. This category includes:
Aliens with a least two years of experience as skilled workers;
Professionals with a baccalaureate degree; and
Other workers with less than two years experience, such as an
unskilled worker who can perform labor for which qualified workers are
not available in the United States.
However there is a long backlog for visas in the ?other workers?
category and it could take many years before a visa is granted.
http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/eligibility3.htm
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Forms that need to be completed.
ETA 750
Form ETA 750 needs to be completed by the employer ? instructions are given at
http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/foreign/750inst.asp
I-140
If labor certification is approved form I-140 is then filed by the
employer. Your employer must file this form at the USCIS Regional
Service Center that serves the area where you will work. The filing
fee is $135.00.
http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-140.htm
The approved petition is then forwarded to the Department of State?s
National Visa Center. You will then be notified of the steps you need
to take to process the immigrant visa application.
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Visa Processing.
You will receive a letter confirming receipt of the petition and your
priority date. When your application becomes current you will be sent
form
DS-3032. This form allows you to choose an agent to help you with your
application. The agent can be your employer, an attorney, friend or
non-governmental organisation. You are not required to nominate an
agent. If you appoint an attorney to deal with your case, you will not
receive a DS-3032. Instead the attorney will submit a form G-28.
When the NVC receives the DS-3032 they will send details of how to
complete the process and how to pay the fee which is $335 per person.
On receipt of payment you will be sent forms DS-230-I part I
(Application for immigrant visa and Alien Registration ? Biographic
Data) and DS-2001 (Applicants Declaration of Qualification for
Immigrant Visa Interview).
The employer will be sent form I-864 (Affadavit of support).
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/visa/iv/familynvc.htm
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/visa/iv/skilledworkers.htm
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Interview and medical.
You will be invited to attend an interview and medical at the U.S. Embassy.
If you are found eligible for a visa, you will be issued a visa on the same day.
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/visa/iv/interview.htm
Medical exam.
This consists of a chest x-ray and blood test. The fee is £125.00. You
need to have your vaccination records with you showing that you have
been vaccinated against Mumps, Measles, Rubella, Polio, Tetanus and
Diphtheria Toxoids, Pertussis, Influenza Type B (HIB), Hepatitis B,
Varicella, Pneumococcal and Influenza.
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/visa/iv/medexam.htm
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Documents needed at the interview.
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/visa/iv/docs169.htm
1. Passport.
2. Birth Cerfificate.
3. Adoption certificate (if applicable).
4. Deed poll (if applicable).
5. Marriage certificate.
6. Police certificate.
You will need to obtain a police certificate from
National Identification Service
Subject Access Office, Room 331
New Scotland Yard
Broadway
LONDON, SW1 0BG.
The application is made at your local police station. The category
required is ?prosecution/conviction? history. There is a £10 fee. It
takes up to 40 days to receive the document.
9. Court record ? if convicted of any crime in any country.
10. Military record (if applicable).
11. 4 Colour Photographs.
12. Evidence of support. I-864.
13. Translations if any document are not in English.
14. Custody decree (if applicable).
You will also need a certificate if you have lived in another country
for twelve months or more. Since you lived in the U.S. for a year, the
embassy will need to obtain a police certificate for you. They will
discuss this when your DS-230-I is received. A guide to the
requirements are given at
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/visa/iv/pbcerts.htm>
<Additional links:>
<Petitions for employment based immigrants.
http://uscis.gov/lpBin/lpext.dll/inserts/slb/slb-1/slb-9812/slb-12446/slb-13244?f=templates&fn=document-frame.htm#slb-8cfrsec2045>
<Forms and fees>
<http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/index.htm>
<Employment ? faq?s>
<http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/faqs/iv/faq_employment.htm>
<The American Embassy, London ? contact details.>
<http://www.usembassy.org.uk/ukaddres.html>
<British expat sites ? may of these sites feature forums where
personal experiences of getting visas are described.>
<http://sunnybrits.com/british/resources/expats.htm>
<Search strategy:>
<us immigration>
<://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=us+immigration>
<"us embassy" uk>
<://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=%22us+embassy%22+uk>
<immigration>
<://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=immigration>
<Hope this helps.> |
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