Immigration to the US from Australia...

[streakers]

Heya all fine folks...

Was wondering if anyone would be able to provide me with some advice... My hubby is American, I'm Australian, and we've decided that we'd love to move to the US - probably hubby's hometown until we get on our feet...

I've applied for a Green Card through USAFIS, however the whole lottery system thing has me a little rattled... It's such a 'chance' thing that I'm not overly comfortable with. Hubby being both American and Australian citizenship now - it's easy for him to move - but me - that's another story.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what would be the best way to go about getting the ball rolling? Is there other ways being a gay couple that I can immigrate? I know there's been a lot of hype and stuff about prop 8 (that's the hubby's arena - politics just isn't my thing!) but all I really want to know is when I can and where I can...

Any help from you wise folks would be greatly appreciated...

Cheers Steve B

 

[rapunzel]

Contact the American Consulate

and look up USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service)on the net.

http://sydney.usconsulate.gov

 

[iheartmaytag]

I know I am a bit daft, but

Doesn't the spouse of a citizen get a free ticket? Have you tried that angle? Having never been out of the center of America in my life, I can't offer more than that--sorry.

 

[streakers]

Free ticket!

I wish!, But even in Australia we can't legally get married... So technically I'm not considered a spouse therefore not entitled to automatically receive a green card.

Rapunzel I've looked into all US and Australian Immigration laws - and currently there is nothing which will allow us to both immigrate without fuss. Hoping that some laws change pretty quickly to allow this - but for the moment, it's all up in the air - well other than doing it illegally. But I don't want to face being deported if we were to purchase a green card on the black market! I don't think I'd sleep ever! LOL

 

[jeffg]

Steve, can't you just get a regular visitor's visa (which is good for 6 months, up to a year in some cases)? Once here, find a job and apply for an H-1B, which will allow you to stay at least three (and up to six) years. That should be more than enough time to get your green card.

 

[launderess]

If It Were That Easy Everyone Would Do It

*LOL*

No, it does not work that way.

One has to have a vaild visa to become employed, and aside from a few special areas, having an American employer sponser an illegal alien is next to impossible. This is why so many illegal aliens make up or outright steal Social Security numbers, and the other papers required for legal employment in the United States.

The tack most often taken by many illegals, including gays and lesbians is to enter into a marriage with a US citizen and obtain one's green card. We know of several persons who did this, indeed the current (or former)paramour of Mr. Lance Bass was married to a woman. IIRC the man came to the US on a student visa or some such, over stayed and ended up married to some woman who apparently neither cared or was bothered by her husband's public carrying on. Mr. Bass for his part became quite insulted when said BF could't travel on a private plane to some jaunt, due to a lack of papers.

Mind you marriage for immigration fraud is just that, illegal and can land one in very hot water indeed, but there are few other options out there, especially for gay couples.

L.