# How easy/difficult is it to emigrate to America?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-difficult-is-it-to-emigrate-to-america/236431
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [March 25, 2004, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-difficult-is-it-to-emigrate-to-america/236431 "2004-03-25T21:33:35Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Lobelia\_Overhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobelia_Overhill)
#### Post date: [March 25, 2004, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-difficult-is-it-to-emigrate-to-america/236431/1 "2004-03-25T21:33:35Z")
I’ve been having a serious think about my life and where it’s going, I was chatting to an online friend about wanting to “run away” and they said “why don’t you come here?”
Here being America
I said I wasn’t sure I’d be allowed to emigrate to America and I’m fairly sure I don’t even qualify for the Visa waiver thing, to take a holiday in the US. So can some one with a greater knowledge tell me could I emigrate to America?
Single, female, no children, 39y/o
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### Author:  [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)
#### Post date: [March 25, 2004, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-difficult-is-it-to-emigrate-to-america/236431/2 "2004-03-25T21:40:34Z")
Just to clarify: Are you talking about moving to America to live permanently and become an American citizen? Or just moving to America to live permanently?
Also, what are your job skills, educational background, etc.? The things that would make you “employable” can make a difference.
Also, is there anyone here in the U.S. who would be willing to officially offer you a job that would be waiting for you when you arrive? That also can make a difference.
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### Author:  [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)
#### Post date: [March 25, 2004, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-difficult-is-it-to-emigrate-to-america/236431/3 "2004-03-25T21:42:13Z")
You can start here:
[http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/visa\_info.htm](http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/visa_info.htm)
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### Author:  [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)
#### Post date: [March 25, 2004, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-difficult-is-it-to-emigrate-to-america/236431/4 "2004-03-25T21:46:11Z")
What **Duck Duck Goose** said. I can provide you some better guidance on permanent emigration to America if I know more about your professional background, whether you have any close relatives here, etc.
Also, both for this purpose and for purposes of Visa Waiver, what is your current nationality?
Here is some info on the Visa Waiver program, for purposes o short visits. Keep in mind that with the Visa Waiver, you are limited to a 90-day stay, and generally cannot change to another immigration status without leaving the U.S. and coming back on another visa:
[http://travel.state.gov/vwp.html](http://travel.state.gov/vwp.html)
If you provide some more specifics, I can probably point you in the right direction.
Eva Luna, Immigration paralegal
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### Author:  [@Lobelia\_Overhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobelia_Overhill)
#### Post date: [March 25, 2004, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-difficult-is-it-to-emigrate-to-america/236431/5 "2004-03-25T22:09:36Z")
Sorry …
I was born in England, and I’m of Irish nationality.
High school drop out I think is the correct term - I was ill from age 14-18 and didn’t go to school for the last two years
I don’t have any skills per se, I can use a computer [have certs for spreadsheets and wordprocessing] and although I have no paper qualification I could probably teach people how to ride horses. I’ve harboured notions of being a screenwriter for years …
Visa wiaver, I’m not officially working nowadays, I’m on Carer’s Allowance - which is a Social Welfare payment that you get if you are looking after someone (in my case my parents)
I didn’t know you could live in America permanently without getting American citizenship … ?
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### Author:  [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)
#### Post date: [March 25, 2004, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-difficult-is-it-to-emigrate-to-america/236431/6 "2004-03-25T22:21:00Z")
I have a co-worker who emigrated from Ireland. I’ll see what I can learn.
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### Author:  [@Lobelia\_Overhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobelia_Overhill)
#### Post date: [March 25, 2004, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-difficult-is-it-to-emigrate-to-america/236431/7 "2004-03-25T22:38:55Z")
Thanks guys …
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### Author:  [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)
#### Post date: [March 25, 2004, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-difficult-is-it-to-emigrate-to-america/236431/8 "2004-03-25T23:53:53Z")
> [@Lobelia Overhill](#):
>
> Sorry …
>
> I was born in England, and I’m of Irish nationality.
If you carry either a British or an Irish passport, you are eligible to apply for entry under the Visa Waiver, unless (I’m assuming) you have some reason you aren’t eligible , such as a criminal conviction or a medical ground for exclusion (serious, communicable things, like HIV infection or tuberculosis).
[quote]
High school drop out I think is the correct term - I was ill from age 14-18 and didn’t go to school for the last two years
I don’t have any skills per se, I can use a computer [have certs for spreadsheets and wordprocessing] and although I have no paper qualification I could probably teach people how to ride horses. I’ve harboured notions of being a screenwriter for years …
[/quote
Well, probably the employment-based visa categories are out; you generally need specific skills requiring higher educaiton, or unusual circumstances.
> [@](#):
>
> Visa wiaver, I’m not officially working nowadays, I’m on Carer’s Allowance - which is a Social Welfare payment that you get if you are looking after someone (in my case my parents)
I’d guess your main barrier to coming here on the Visa Waiver would be that you have to convince the immigration inspector that you intend to go home at the end of your stay. Generally that means showing you have something to go home to: job, family, education, or whatever. Inspectors have a great deal of discretion to refuse entry to people they believe intend not to comply with the terms of entry, i.e. not working and going home at the end of the 90 days, rather than using entry as a tourist as a springboard to other endeavors.
Your age and employment situation, not to mention your economic situation, could work against you in this regard. Of course, given that your nationality isn’t a red flag, it’s entirely possible that nobody would ever question you about anything else; it’s very hit or miss.
> [@](#):
>
> I didn’t know you could live in America permanently without getting American citizenship … ?
Absolutely. “Permanent residence” is exactly that; there is no requirement ever to naturalize, and many permanent residents don’t. Naturalization has some benefits, such as the ability to vote and protection from deportation except in very unusual circumstances. But some other countries require people to give up their original citizenship when applying for U.S. citizenship, and not everyone is willing to do that. In some circumstances, there are tax consequences as well.
I’ll brainstorm a bit more about alternatives.
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### Author:  [@jimmmy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimmmy)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2004, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-difficult-is-it-to-emigrate-to-america/236431/9 "2004-03-26T00:05:52Z")
**Sailor** ’s link has this info buried in it as well, but this is a direct link w. info refering to what I am talking about: the U.S. has a visa lottery program – every year 50,000 folks can legally get into the U.S. with a Visa (from millions of applications) … it is worth a shot
[http://www.foreignborn.com/visas\_imm/immigrant\_visas/8the\_diversity.htm#1](http://www.foreignborn.com/visas_imm/immigrant_visas/8the_diversity.htm#1)
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### Author:  [@Satyagrahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satyagrahi)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2004, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-difficult-is-it-to-emigrate-to-america/236431/10 "2004-03-26T03:24:26Z")
Other posters seem to have left out one of the most direct ways to get permanent residence in the U.S.: marry a U.S. citizen.
You and your new spouse still have to jump through 37 hoops to get you that change of status but at least it’s relatively sure…if harrowing.
[hijack]
And, BTW, **Eva Luna** , I want to thank you for your occasional advice over the last year or so. My wife has been issued her Green Card and, with any luck, we’ll never have to visit 10 W. Jackson again. Your insights and assurances certainly helped along the way.
Also, are you familiar with Doris, one of the Information Officers [sic] at 10 W. Jackson? My wife and I call her “the Nazi.” 🙂
[/hijack]
**Lobelia** , I know that sounds like a huge hurdle but don’t despair: marrying a U.S. citizen isn’t as bad as it’s cracked up to be. I hope once would be enough though as I wouldn’t want you to get in the hobbit.
I’ll go stand in the corner now. Sorry.
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### Author:  [@BoringDad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoringDad)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2004, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-difficult-is-it-to-emigrate-to-america/236431/11 "2004-03-26T03:37:57Z")
> [@Satyagrahi](#):
>
> Other posters seem to have left out one of the most direct ways to get permanent residence in the U.S.: marry a U.S. citizen.
You’re 39? Hmmm I have a friend that age who could use a mail order bride. You could end up writing a screenplay about your own life!
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### Author:  [@Monkeypants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monkeypants)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2004, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-difficult-is-it-to-emigrate-to-america/236431/12 "2004-03-26T03:47:03Z")
[hijack]
And, BTW, **Eva Luna** , I want to thank you for your occasional advice over the last year or so. My wife has been issued her Green Card and, with any luck, we’ll never have to visit 10 W. Jackson again. Your insights and assurances certainly helped along the way.
[/hijack]
Eva Luna, I thank you too. IAAIL, and every time I flip to one of these threads and want to add my input, I see that you have beaten me to it and put it perfectly eloquently.
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### Author:  [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2004, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-difficult-is-it-to-emigrate-to-america/236431/13 "2004-03-26T13:32:38Z")
> [@](#):
>
> Other posters seem to have left out one of the most direct ways to get permanent residence in the U.S.: marry a U.S. citizen.
So, wait a second…
If I were to marry **Lobelia Overhill** , would that make me eligible to move to Ireland or England? 😉
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### Author:  [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2004, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-difficult-is-it-to-emigrate-to-america/236431/14 "2004-03-26T13:36:39Z")
> [@jimmmy](#):
>
> **Sailor** ’s link has this info buried in it as well, but this is a direct link w. info refering to what I am talking about: the U.S. has a visa lottery program – every year 50,000 folks can legally get into the U.S. with a Visa (from millions of applications) … it is worth a shot
Unfortunately, as she was born in England, she isn’t eligible.
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### Author:  [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2004, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-difficult-is-it-to-emigrate-to-america/236431/15 "2004-03-26T15:43:17Z")
> [@Satyagrahi](#):
>
> And, BTW, **Eva Luna** , I want to thank you for your occasional advice over the last year or so. My wife has been issued her Green Card and, with any luck, we’ll never have to visit 10 W. Jackson again. Your insights and assurances certainly helped along the way.
Awww, shucks. It was no big deal.
> [@](#):
>
> Also, are you familiar with Doris, one of the Information Officers [sic] at 10 W. Jackson? My wife and I call her “the Nazi.” 🙂
What, you think there’s only one Nazi over there? No, I don’t know Doris; thankfully I don’t go over there in person anymore. I’m just a plebeian paralegal; these days you practically need to be a Federal judge before they let you in the building.
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### Author:  [@Lobelia\_Overhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobelia_Overhill)
#### Post date: [March 26, 2004, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-difficult-is-it-to-emigrate-to-america/236431/16 "2004-03-26T22:30:08Z")
> [@](#):
>
> Unfortunately, as she was born in England, she isn’t eligible.
Apparently as I have Irish Nationality (via my Mammy) I am eligible … but there’s no guarentee I’d “win” a Green Card
> [@](#):
>
> If I were to marry Lobelia Overhill, would that make me eligible to move to Ireland or England?
Ireland - think of all that Guinness!!!
> [@](#):
>
> You’re 39? Hmmm I have a friend that age who could use a mail order bride. You could end up writing a screenplay about your own life!
My Big Fat American Wedding - I’ll get started on that right away …
> [@](#):
>
> Lobelia, I know that sounds like a huge hurdle but don’t despair: marrying a U.S. citizen isn’t as bad as it’s cracked up to be.
From what I’ve heard [from an ex-pat English man who married an American] it’s not automatic - he was [last time I heard] still struggling to get a Green Card or whatever it was …
> [@](#):
>
> I hope once would be enough though as I wouldn’t want you to get in the hobbit.
You’re funny …
Thank you Eva, you’re a star, girl!
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### Author:  [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)
#### Post date: [March 27, 2004, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-difficult-is-it-to-emigrate-to-america/236431/17 "2004-03-27T10:38:35Z")
> [@Lobelia Overhill](#):
>
> Apparently as I have Irish Nationality (via my Mammy) I am eligible …
Probably not. It goes on country of birth, not nationality. The only exception is if your parents were neither born nor resident in the country of your birth at the time, and even then you’re not guaranteed to be granted an exception.
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### Author:  [@Mississippienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mississippienne)
#### Post date: [March 27, 2004, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-difficult-is-it-to-emigrate-to-america/236431/18 "2004-03-27T15:42:01Z")
> [@ruadh](#):
>
> Probably not. It goes on country of birth, not nationality. The only exception is if your parents were neither born nor resident in the country of your birth at the time, and even then you’re not guaranteed to be granted an exception.
According to the Diversity Visa Program Qualifications:
> [@](#):
>
> You may also be eligible to apply if your parent was born in a country that is eligible to participate (if you were born in an ineligible country, but neither of your parents was born there or resided there at the time of your birth, you may be able to claim nativity in one of your parents’ country of birth).
Since **Lobelia** ’s mammy was born in Ireland, which is a qualifying country, then she should be eligible to at least apply.
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### Author:  [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)
#### Post date: [March 27, 2004, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-difficult-is-it-to-emigrate-to-america/236431/19 "2004-03-27T15:56:34Z")
Erm, did you read the entire sentence you posted **Mississippienne**?
> [@](#):
>
> You may also be eligible to apply if your parent was born in a country that is eligible to participate (if you were born in an ineligible country, _but neither of your parents was born there or resided there at the time of your birth_, you may be able to claim nativity in one of your parents’ country of birth).
Think about it.
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### Author:  [@Lobelia\_Overhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobelia_Overhill)
#### Post date: [March 28, 2004, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-difficult-is-it-to-emigrate-to-america/236431/20 "2004-03-28T20:59:40Z")
> [@](#):
>
> (if you were born in an ineligible country, but neither of your parents was born there or resided there at the time of your birth, you may be able to claim nativity in one of your parents’ country of birth).
huh?
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