Yeah, aparently Canada and Australia are more easier to get inside.

I'm willing to travel in one of those countries to earn some money and later invest in the USA to gain green card or wtv.




I promisse, once i'll be legal and living in the US soil, i'll organize a USA meet with all the people from all the states in one place for a big weekend... And maybe one day we can all go together to Green Hell, that would be amazing!

 

I’m not anti-California, but the fact is that it’s a tougher place to try to get started; cost of living is higher than in most states and cost to own/operate a business is too (I acknowledge that it varies a lot by region within the state).

Here in Texas our economy is strong (especially where I am because we are in an oil boom). Overall, our cost of living is low. Housing is affordable in both small and large cities (of course there are exceptions in specific areas). There is no state income tax and we have a business friendly state government.

The southern regions of the state stay fairly warm year round (there is snow on the ground right now where I live) and that would put you near the beach.

 

He wont be able to join the army. You need a minimum of green card to join.. there is a special program that lets you join though, although his language doesn't qualify him.

It is not that easy to get green card/citizenship. You would need to first find a company/job that would be willing to sponsor you (H-1 visa) and after couple of years of working with them, apply for green card. It is actually pretty damn difficult to get one. Afterall, what can you gain from you that they can't get from other people with legal status? Most companies wont bother spending their resources and money to sponsor and get you legal if you aren't already.. that is unless you have something that you can bring to the table other people can't.

I am not trying to discourage you but it is not as simple as you seem to make it out to be. Good luck with everything though!

 

Yeah, that's a way to get in and probably the most "easy" of all.

I heard about this guy who was illegally but running his own business there, paying taxes and all legally. Wondering if this is possible? So, my second chance would be something like this, maybe? That's all i heard, can't tell details, i know he came back and the business still going.
Also i read that if you invest or create a business would be easier to gain the green card/citizenship.

 

I don't think you can do that if you come illegally. You will at least need to come with a visitors visa and then attempt to apply for e-2 visa. Once you get it, you have to renew the visa every 2 years. I believe there's specific numbers you have to meet (number of employees, etc etc).

 

Yeah yeah, i read that.

I think it works for all kind of business, it's a matter of time, paperwork and $. <- gotta know about this



Let me thank you all again. It's been helpful. Every 2cents are really welcome

 

There are many different type of Visas available, the best is to find a reputable lawyer ($$) and have them see what would be your best option.

I personally came to the US back in the mid 90s and for a few years now have been a citizen. I originally came on an "L2" visa (dependent of someone with an L1 visa), my dad was transferred to work here. It took a long time to get a green card, I believe they gave him the L1 for one year, then the company renewed it for 5 more years. I got the green card after 6 or 7 years ... then another 5 years of having a green card to be able to apply for citizenship.

Its costly, and the system is very difficult to understand and not as simple as everyone makes it out to be. Coming here illegally would suck, you will not have a social security number and everything revolves around that. I personally would not even try it.

So, in short, either talk to a good lawyer and be ready to pay 30-40k for the whole deal (over a few years) ... or get married to a US citizen and you are set lol.

J

 

socal is expensive. if you're thinking 1k for room/month and you have 500 left for whatevers... well, that whatevers isn't going to be much unless you're a hermit that never goes anywhere...

as for being able to stay legally... you should just try the lottery... i mean, what's the worst that can happen? not get it? isn't that the situation you're in now? just make sure you seek other alternatives while you're enrolling urself in the lottery. if canada isn't that bad with immigration, you could look into other canadian cities as well. vancouver/toronto isn't that bad, as i had a fond memory of those places from past trips.

best luck to you man!

 

If i go illegally and get caught i'll be deported and they won't let me in for like 5-10 years. So, not what i'm looking for.



Think this way:
USA - 1.600$ fastfood, able to live and own a car, left with 500$ end of month.
PT - 485€ fastfood, able to survive, can't own a car, owes money to bank every end of the month.

This is why i was trying to compare. You can be a hermit, but you live. Plus, you always gotta start somewhere... Fastfood is an example, we're using minimum salary to compare.
Again, i'm not saying you're wrong cause you're right. I'm just trying to show you when you say: it's no good. Things are worse somewhere else.


Lottery starts September/October and i'll try my luck.
Gotta change my life, starting this year, can take some more years but i hope i'll live in the summer weather year round in the future.


Thank you once again.

 

lol.... you're funny. well, i'm not telling you to stay where you are. what i'm saying is, instead of seeking to immigrate to the US (southern california), you should seek to immigrate to other countries/cities also at the same time to maximize your odds.