Work is relocating me to the USA, anyone done this before?

Five_Star

Five_Star

Five_Star

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Last week it was confirmed that I am to be relocated to work in the USA, I knew it might be coming but it was still a shock. I suppose I can take it as a positive that they must like what I do if they are willing to spend all this money moving me out there long term.

Right now there are very few details from the company apart from I’ll be leaving the UK in August. I am getting a pay rise and they are offering some help with relocation expenses but for the short term I’ll be there on a 3 month visa to see if it’s going to work out and if so they will start the visa process to get me an H-1B. Unfortunately I’ve been with the company less than a year so I am ineligible for an L-1 visa.

Does anyone have any experience of being moved with their work like this, what is the visa process like? Last time I was in the USA was ten years ago on holiday so the thought of moving over there full time is exciting but still has a fear of the unknown too.

I’d love to hear the experience of people who have done this kind of thing before. I know there are threads from people who have emigrated or married an American but this is different as wont know anyone, I have only ever met one person from the US office before. I will be able to ask my US co-workers things obviously, but won’t have a network of family or friends to fall back on over there which is worrying.

Also in the short term my wife can’t just come with me as she had contractual obligations in her job she wants to see to the end and even with the pay rise we couldn’t live on my salary alone. If I did end up staying she would want to work in the US too, how difficult is it for her to obtain a visa?

I guess I’m just trying to get a feel for what it’s going to be like living and working over there, any experiences people have would be much appreciated.
 
HeX said:
Where in the US are you being moved to?
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Boulder, Colorado

From what I’ve read online is that it’s really hot and dry in the summer and cold with loads of snow in the winter. I hope they deal with the snow better than the UK does!

To be honest I’ll be inside nearly all the time so location really isn’t an issue to me, although I guess it affects the local culture. I’m probably biased from the usual stereo types we get for Americans here in the UK. Things like crime ridden cities vs redneck southern farmers, there must be a middle ground of normal Americans?

If anybody has any experience of what Colorado is like as a place that would be a big help too.
 
An awesome opportunity, but it will be lonely too without the family. Still an exciting and I think most people would be very jealous!
 
h1b visa takes around 3-4 months to process plus you will need to have a degree in your 'specialised' field or 12 years experience but i guess you will have an attorney to process this for you. h1b also have a cap of 65000 a year and you have to start work after october 1st.

wish you luck over seas!
 
Go for it. If you don't you'll regret it.

If it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out. You can always move back and get another job, an opportunity like this doesn't come around too often!!

Just do it.
 
boulder, colorado is an excellent place. after 4 months in the states last year, i can easily say it was in my top three. loads of really nice shops and restaurants, amazing scenery and everyone's really laid back. plus, you get to spend less on alcohol (its about 5,500ft up) so only 4 beers and you're done for the night!

it's also one of the cities that a lot of bands aim to play, so the nightlife is really strong.
 
toshj said:
boulder, colorado is an excellent place. after 4 months in the states last year, i can easily say it was in my top three. loads of really nice shops and restaurants, amazing scenery and everyone's really laid back. plus, you get to spend less on alcohol (its about 5,500ft up) so only 4 beers and you're done for the night!

it's also one of the cities that a lot of bands aim to play, so the nightlife is really strong.
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:eek: Those few lines now have me looking at travel websites.
 
Five_Star said:
I’m probably biased from the usual stereo types we get for Americans here in the UK. Things like crime ridden cities vs redneck southern farmers, there must be a middle ground of normal Americans?
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haha! I wouldn't worry too much. My personal opinion is that Americans as a whole are pretty scary but individually, they're mostly great people.

Stereotypes are just that and if they were representative of an entire nation, everyone in the UK is either a chav or benefits scrounger.
 
Five_Star said:
Last week it was confirmed that I am to be relocated to work in the USA, I knew it might be coming but it was still a shock. I suppose I can take it as a positive that they must like what I do if they are willing to spend all this money moving me out there long term.

Right now there are very few details from the company apart from I’ll be leaving the UK in August. I am getting a pay rise and they are offering some help with relocation expenses but for the short term I’ll be there on a 3 month visa to see if it’s going to work out and if so they will start the visa process to get me an H-1B. Unfortunately I’ve been with the company less than a year so I am ineligible for an L-1 visa.

Does anyone have any experience of being moved with their work like this, what is the visa process like? Last time I was in the USA was ten years ago on holiday so the thought of moving over there full time is exciting but still has a fear of the unknown too.

I’d love to hear the experience of people who have done this kind of thing before. I know there are threads from people who have emigrated or married an American but this is different as wont know anyone, I have only ever met one person from the US office before. I will be able to ask my US co-workers things obviously, but won’t have a network of family or friends to fall back on over there which is worrying.

Also in the short term my wife can’t just come with me as she had contractual obligations in her job she wants to see to the end and even with the pay rise we couldn’t live on my salary alone. If I did end up staying she would want to work in the US too, how difficult is it for her to obtain a visa?

I guess I’m just trying to get a feel for what it’s going to be like living and working over there, any experiences people have would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...

Good luck :)

Want me to look after your car while your away?
 
I used to know someone in the pub once. He also got moved to Colorado believe it or not, apparently he loves it. That was about 10 years ago and he's never been back.
 
My dad got moved over to live in New York back in 1990 and stayed until he retired in 2004. He absolutely loved it there, but I think that's partly due to the lifestyle his work afforded him.
I also have a friend that was moved to Minneapolis 2 years ago and he also loves it there - he's now bought a fabulous large house overlooking one of the lakes for (relatively) little, so like my father he's enjoying the lifestyle that affluent America can offer.
I'm sure you'll love it :)
 
theDude said:
h1b visa takes around 3-4 months to process plus you will need to have a degree in your 'specialised' field or 12 years experience but i guess you will have an attorney to process this for you. h1b also have a cap of 65000 a year and you have to start work after october 1st.

wish you luck over seas!
Click to expand...

Interesting time scale on the visa application, I was thinking more like 6 months+ with all this extra security the US now go for. Will I need to visit the embassy and stuff like that?
As I said no real word from the company yet on how things will work but family and friends are asking questions so it’s good to get some idea, thanks.
Yes I have a degree and about 8 years experience as a programmer so that should be enough. I guess the 3 month trial visa works out well, August till the end of September then back to the UK and return on my hopeful H-1B.

toshj said:
boulder, colorado is an excellent place. after 4 months in the states last year, i can easily say it was in my top three. loads of really nice shops and restaurants, amazing scenery and everyone's really laid back. plus, you get to spend less on alcohol (its about 5,500ft up) so only 4 beers and you're done for the night!

it's also one of the cities that a lot of bands aim to play, so the nightlife is really strong.
Click to expand...
Good to hear it’s a nice place; people have told me it’s an outdoors style life there. Does the altitude really affect that much? I guess it will be strange going from living by the sea to living high up in land.
peterattheboro said:
Good luck :)

Want me to look after your car while your away?
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Cheers, if it all goes to plan the ST will be up for sale :( although I've already got ahead of myself looking at V8 Mustangs!
 
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