I guess many people reach that point in their lives where they would like to make a completely fresh start. The biggest question then becomes, “Where?” Many people choose America for a variety of reasons; the language is similar and America is vast enough for people to pick a state where the climate is to their liking. For others, they simply want a better life than they could attain at home. Retirement combined with climate is also a major factor.

From the clients who contact us on a daily basis we now have the data to make various profiles of the typical potential immigrant. Also there are always clients who don’t fit into any profile. The biggest categories of clients are those aged between 35-45. One could say that these are people who feel they have gone as far as they could go and have now hit a plateau. They can either decide to accept their lot in life or make a fresh start. It’s almost like they are saying, ‘‘if I don’t do it now I never will, and in later years I’ll say to myself I wish I had’’. So we meet people at a major crossroads in their lives.

The ‘Self-Starters’: Many clients have dreams of starting their own business and this is certainly possible in most cases. A major advantage in this strategy is that it puts the client in control of the timing of their relocation. However, a major downside is the difficulty they may have in raising sufficient capital to fully fund their business.

The ‘Employment-Hunters’: Many clients don’t want the hassle of starting their own business. Besides which, they may never have run their own business before. For the tenacious there are jobs available out there, but it’s all about developing a network of contacts and friends that will help you get into the system.

This guide will spend time discussing various ways you can pursue your American Dream according to the qualities, skills and resources you have.

A Better Quality of Life: For most people the desire to relocate cannot be simply stated as the pursuit of a better job or business, as it’s really about the ability to have a better quality of life. As to what is meant by a ‘better quality of life’ will be as individual as the clients. Obviously for many people, (especially for Brits), getting out of the rain is a major quality of life change!

It can be argued that the fundamental difference between the US and the UK is that the US is a ‘can do’ country while the UK is a ‘let the government do’ country. For many people this broad and somewhat simplistic statement is precisely why they wish to leave their home country. Many clients want to live in a ‘can do’ environment where the entrepreneurial spirit is admired and encouraged. Once a client achieves green card or citizenship status they really begin to experience American Dream.

Along with all the other types of visas available comes various restrictions that are deliberately put in place to prevent clients from fully experiencing the American Dream. For example, limiting the type of job you can have and how long you can have it; the need for a US sponsor; limitation on your maximum stay in the US, and so on. Therefore, the ultimate goal for all clients wishing to make the US their home should be to aim for green card status as quickly as possible even if they are not initially eligible for a green card. Additionally, they all have to start with a ‘non-immigrant visa’.

Making a fresh start in America should be regarded as a process. Even if your first visits to America are as a tourist, the process has started, ideas are beginning to formulate, contacts are being made, seeds are being planted in your mind as to the possibilities. Then down the line when you get your first visa allowing you some limited time of stay in the US this is another big step in the process. You may have to go through several non-immigrant visas before obtaining green card status but all these steps are part of your American Dream.

Challenging times are ahead even with the best will in the world and unlimited resources. You should prepare yourself for difficulties and obstacles along the way. Since the tragic events of September 11^th 2001 America has being overhauling its entire immigration and security systems. Visas that were once almost routinely granted to anyone who applied, are now being denied at an alarming rate. As attorneys we have to make sure that each application is scrupulously put together making our clients jump through all kinds of administrative hoops. Even with all this effort there is no guarantee that the Embassy or the immigration office reviewing your application will grant your visa. This having been said, clients should not be disheartened, but instead appreciate and be prepared that fulfilling your American Dream is not going to be an easy road. There may be some set backs, but for those who stay the course success should ultimately be theirs.

The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave - I used to think that they were just words to a song and never really paid much attention to them. However having seen first hand how hard it can be to get through all the red tape and become established in the US those words in the song have become very meaningful indeed. Not everyone will stay the course, many faint of heart will give up in the face of adversity, but some will stay the course and the words to the song will have deep and often emotional meaning.

In this relocation guide my goal will be to give you as many insights as possible and further research leads that should be helpful to you in realizing your American Dream. At some point down the line I will be looking forward to working with you personally on actual immigration papers. When you’re ready for a personal consultation simply click the consultation button below.

American Dream