Moving to America from England

[Elementor]

In 3 or 4 years time I'm planning on moving to America with my girlfriend. (She's American I'm English).. Unfortunately I have NO idea whatsoever what I need to get to be eligable to live and work in America and no idea what I need to do to get these. My girlfriend thinks that simply marrying her in England will make me an American Citizen (in which case we'd have a small wedding over here which would let me move over there, and a proper wedding over there with all the trimmings on our 1 year anniversary) and that would be enough. Does anyone have any more information or know where I can find more information? Or even an email address I could contact to talk about my situation more?

[AB Editor]

Please note that the exchange of personal contact details such as email addresses is against the terms and conditions of this site and any such information shall be removed as per site policy

[andy hughes]

Marrying a citizen will ease your entry to the U.S. as a resident, but for the full details, contact the Immigration Office at the American Embassy in London, they'll give you all the information you need. It's a good thing to start early, beaurocracies don't rush!

[rja211077]

indeed. the US Embassy website is the best place to start for info.

[Pickle]

Don't assume they'll let you in just because you're married, they won't! If you plan to get married in the UK - you need an immigrant visa. Here: http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/visa/iv/immrel.htm If you plan to get married in the USA, you need a fiance visa. Here: http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/visa/iv/fiance.htm Either way leave at least 4 months for all the bureaucracy, the US Immigration Service doesn't hurry for anyone! Good luck, the US is a great place to live.

[Pickle]

You'll have to cut and paste those links - not sure why they didn't work!

[Gumbo]

sounds like a ploy to get you to marry her.

[sddsddean]

My mate married an American girl and now works in the US. I think he is now an American citizen (poor sod!). I'll drop him an e mail and ask him the question so you can get an answer from the horses mouth.

[vittoria]

A friend of mine, a British National, married someone who has US nationality, they live in the UK at the moment but they believe that she would now be allowed to work in the US (i.e. get a green card), although it does not make her a US citizen.

[rinkytink]

You will find everything that you need to know here:

http://www.usimmigrationcenter.org/

[Elementor]

I've been reading up on it, and I know I need to get a K-3 Visa which allows me to live in America while I sort out getting my Green Card (which does make you a permenant citizen). The K-3 visa also allows you to get a work permit, so I'll be able to work. If my application for a Green Card is successful, since my marriage will be less than two years old, after another two years I'll need to petition against the two year limit on the green card lol. Complicated. Which is why I'm going to need to go to the US Embassy and see if someone can talk me through it. Can you just walk into the US Embassy and talk to someone??

[Pickle]

No, you have to make an appointment.

[Elementor]

That kinda sucks. I mean jesus christ if they want to make it so hard for anyone to get into the country why do they bother at all. They have a damn lottery and just give them away why make it so hard for everyone else!!!!!!!!

[sddsddean]

As promised, here is the reply from my mate in Arizona who has done this.

He needs to access the web site,www.easycitizen.com/us/. Alternatively he could call the American Embassy in Grosvenor Square and get all his questions answered. Getting citizenship is not that easy. First you get to be a Conditional Resident and wait till US immigration approve you for the Green card-which is pink would you believe? Since the infamous date of September 11th a few years ago, the US is cracking down on who comes in and who does not. Hopefully he can get all the information necessary to make a good career of it over here.

Hope this helps.

[US Wife]

...GOOD LUCK!! I have been married to my husband (US citizen) for 2 1/2 years. We are living in Flordia. I still do not have my full green card. My situaiton is a little different to yours. I was already here on a student visa in the US when me met. We married and applied for Permenent Residency for me. My husband had to earn a certain amount (approx. $19,000) a year. It took almost 8 months to get work authorization, and a further 12 months to get residency. During this time I could not leave the country. Marrying a US citizen does not give you rights to US citizenship. You should be able to settle in the US on a fiances visa. Then apply for residency. I have another year to go before I can apply for the conditions to be taken off of my temporary green card. If I want to get citizenhsip I have to wait for another two years; take an exam about American history and politics; and make a pledge of allegence. Hope this helps.

[Elementor]

Do you have to get citizenship to live and work there etc etc indefinately? Because pledging and taking tests on American history and politics is about as appealing as a bed made of sandpaper lol. I hate history and politics and no doubt it will all be about how great America is >.<