Green Card requirements

[DAL767-400ER]

Hey guys, I have a question about a Green Card for the US.
Before 9-11, my goal was to try to get a job with a US-based airline, preferrably Delta, but those plans were nixed by 9-11, so that I now have to get a job in the German ( ) aviation scene at LH, LHT, Airbus or HAM-Airport if there are any jobs at all. But nevertheless I still want to leave this country and live and work in the US. So I want to know how one can get a Green Card (besides participating in one of thoe "lotteries). As far as I can remember from some years ago (before 9-11), you had to have either $500.000 or must be able to do a job an American can't do or something like that., but I don't know the current situation. Any info is appreciated .

[PIAA310]

Hello DAL767-400ER, your first chance would be to marry some one who is a citizen of the USA. Or apply for your Green Card, but you have to wait 6-7 years for them to call you and interview you, and you are still not grantueed the Green card. I moved to the USA from Pakistan, we had to wait for about 7 years to get our Visa. Long wait but its worth it. PM if you would like to. I have more information.



-PIAA310

[DAL767-400ER]

Green Card requirements

Hey thanks, PIAA310. I'll PM you as soon as my E-mail is working again.

[PIAA310]

No problem man, glad to help out.

[iceman]

The absolute easiest way is to marry an American citizen. And if you can, marry her INSIDE the US, not outside. If you marry outside, you have to apply for a K3 spousal visa, which will allow you to enter the country after it has been issued. BUT while you are waiting for the visa, you cannot enter the US, even if you do not require a visa to go or if you already have some visa that allows you to enter. The waiting process for the K3 varies. I’ve heard that it can take up to a year (in many cases more) to go through, and after that you must have an interview at the US consulate. The interview is nothing – maybe two or three minutes – but the waiting time is an absolute pain in the ass.

Also, you can marry an American citizen in a foreign country and apply for a direct consular filing (or DCF), which is where you apply for a visa directly at the US consul. This process, I’ve been told, is much quicker than the K3 route. I hear it can take a few weeks to maybe three months.

Also, you can apply for the diversity lottery online.

http://travel.state.gov/DV2004.html

That is the random selection. I think about 55,000 greencards are granted through this process. But about maybe a million apply. However, last year, only about half a million people applied for this, so your chances might be better this time around. Your being from Germany can apply for this.

I know a bit about immigration because I had dealings with the INS (professionally) in the past and am researching ways to get my fiancée into the country. For me the K1 (fiancée visa) looks to be the “quickest” route, but it could take six months to a year to “process”. During that time, she has to be outside the country. Not to mention, that the BCIS (formerly the INS) is getting really strict at granting visas, so there is no way my fiancée can come back now without a the K1.

Looks like I might move to Toronto for two years to get her with me as quick as possible. At least that way we won’t be separated. I'm sick of being apart from her.

Anything else you need to know, just ask.

[GrantT]

my goal was to try to get a job with a US-based airline

What's wrong with European airlines?

[DAL767-400ER]

Green Card requirements

What's wrong with European airlines?

Nothing's wrong with European airlines, but I want to work in the USA and live there as well.

@iceman:
Thanks for the info. My mother is trying the lottery for the third time now, but personally I doubt the results will be positive.

[DeltaASA16]

I'll trade places with you DAL! :P


Adam

[drhopkins]

The BCIS web site:

http://uscis.gov/graphics/index.htm

has up to date information on obtaining a "Green Card."

[c72]

.........or just dont come to the US

[DAL767-400ER]

Green Card requirements

I'll trade places with you DAL!

Just give me a date .
Thanks for the link drhopkins, and thanks for all of your replies guys.
I figure I'll just have to wait and see what opportunities arise, and start making money here in Germany.

[uy707]

Re: Green Card requirements

What's wrong with European airlines?

Nothing's wrong with European airlines, but I want to work in the USA and live there as well.

@iceman:
Thanks for the info. My mother is trying the lottery for the third time now, but personally I doubt the results will be positive.

Good to read I am not alone in being interested in moving to the US, and like your mother I tried trice the lottery, including the latest one the application of which was the first edition to be switched ON-LINE, by scanning everything including id-photo.
Otherwise, other means include being either
appointed by a European company, but this takes an eternity (as far France is concerned) since the company has to show among other that no US national can fill the job, or on the reseverse
kinda "sponsorized" by a US company, which also will deal with the paperwork while also showing that even though you're German, you are by far the best to fill this particular job...
Read somewhere, you were under 25, why not check the Work and Visit Visa schemes opened to students and persons under 25 (I guess). Should I would be you with not so many options left, I would use it as my wild card as once u get hired in the US for a temporoary job, I guess U can then try your luck in converting your status into a full timer one ....
Regards
Alain

[iceman]

Alain, what you’re talking about is called the H1B visa (generally, for highly skilled professions). Yes, companies have to “prove” that they cannot find a qualified American to do perform this job and that they need to import someone. Another stipulation is that companies must pay H1B visa recipients as much or more than the current market value of the salary for this profession.

Reality dictates otherwise. Almost always, H1B visa recipients are paid much below market value for their positions.

H1B visas are a pain in the ass to process and can take months. It used to be that the company could pay the INS a $1000 filing fee which would hasten the procedures so they only take two weeks. I don’t know if this is still the case and I heard that they might have waived this, but I don’t know for sure.

Also, the Government restricts the number of H1B visas because of the claim that they take away jobs from Americans. I suspect that the number of these working visas granted per year will dwindle even further. But if the Government was truly concerned about lost jobs, they would do their best to stop outsourcing, which is a far greater threat to Americans than the H1B.

Like I said, the best way to get a greencard is to marry an American citizen. Do your best to meet one off ICQ or some other chat. And if you do marry her, make sure it is in the US. I cannot stress that enough. Marrying her outside will just cause more headaches.

[uy707]

Being 50 since Jan.21st, marrying a girl is obviously the solution
as I am much too old to try the Visit&Work propbably used by most Europeans who come working in SummerCamps or in National Parks, to name one.
Thanks for your quick reply coming up with complete technical data

[iceman]

Being 50 since Jan.21st, marrying a girl is obviously the solution
as I am much too old to try the Visit&Work propbably used by most Europeans who come working in SummerCamps or in National Parks, to name one.
Thanks for your quick reply coming up with complete technical data

Well, there are lots of single and desperate middle-aged American ladies out there! Many of them can be found on ICQ! And I am sure a fine Frenchman like yourself would be a wonderful mate for them. In fact, I am certain it will help your chances!

Any other questions, please let me know!