If you had the choice between moving to the USA on L1 visa or move to Canada with a PR which one would you go for? Assuming you are the only household income with kids and working in engineering. Thank you!
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Hi everyone
We are family of 4 with 2 kids aged 10 and 5 moving from Toronto to Seattle in November. This is going to be on an L1B visa. We own a primary resident in Ontario and another rental property
What are some of the most important things to keep in mind. Curious to hear , especially from those that have done a similar move.
As a British citizen who is a dentist, what’s the best way to move to the US? I plan on working temporarily as a dental hygienist in Florida or Virginia until I finish licensing as a dentist.
Thanks a lot in advance. 🙏
24, female. I was born in San Francisco while my parents were on holiday. I have a State of California birth certificate. I applied for my US passport in June and had my appointment at the US embassy in London in July. It has been a few months, and I still have not received my passport.
Is it normal for it to take this long? Has anyone gone through this process?
I’m also engaged to a British citizen and we plan to marry in January next year, and will have to apply for a CR-1 visa.
I'm a German guy in my 20s, and I've been struggling with a pretty big life decision lately. I'd appreciate some outside perspectives, especially from people who have moved abroad or faced a similar dilemma.
I have a bachelor's degree in Computer Science from a well-regarded university in Germany. However, my bachelor's years were honestly some of the worst years of my life. I struggled a lot during that period, and looking back, I really wasn't happy.
Right now, I have some promising career opportunities in Germany, including potential internships in private equity and investment banking. These are competitive industries with the potential for very good salaries and long-term career growth. Financially and professionally, I know I could build a comfortable and stable life here.
The problem is that I genuinely don't like Germany.
I know Germany offers a lot of benefits, including job security, healthcare, and financial stability. My family is also here, which makes leaving even harder. But despite all these advantages, I simply don't enjoy living here, and I struggle to imagine spending the rest of my life in this country.
My girlfriend is American and lives in Oahu, Hawaii. We're in a serious relationship and have been discussing our future together, including marriage and eventually starting a family.
I've spent time in Hawaii, and I genuinely love it there. The culture, the people, the beaches, the mountains, the weather, and the overall lifestyle really appeal to me. I can actually imagine myself being happy there. And it's not just because my girlfriend lives there. I genuinely love the place itself.
But here's where things get complicated.
Moving to Hawaii would mean potentially sacrificing a very promising career in Germany.
The job market in Hawaii is much smaller, especially for someone with my background in computer science and interests in finance. There aren't nearly as many opportunities in investment banking, private equity, or tech compared to Germany or major financial centers.
Even if I found a job, I might earn significantly less relative to the cost of living. Hawaii is extremely expensive, and there's no guarantee I'd be able to achieve the same level of financial security or career progression.
Another major concern is my financial independence.
My girlfriend's family lives in Hawaii and would be supportive of us, but I really don't like the idea of potentially depending on them financially while I try to establish myself.
I want to be able to provide for my girlfriend and our future family. I want us to have a comfortable life without having to rely on her parents. The thought of moving somewhere and potentially struggling to find a good job, especially when I know I could have a well-paying career in Germany, makes me question whether I'm making a rational decision.
My girlfriend has reassured me that we're a team and can build our future together. But I still feel a responsibility to be financially independent and contribute to our future.
So essentially, I'm choosing between two very different futures.
Option 1: Stay in Germany.
I could pursue opportunities in private equity or investment banking, potentially earn a very good salary, build a successful career, and remain close to my family. I'd have financial stability and a clear professional path.
But I'd be building that future in a country where I genuinely don't want to live.
Option 2: Move to Hawaii.
I'd get to live somewhere I genuinely love, be with my girlfriend, enjoy the lifestyle, and hopefully build a happy family together.
However, I'd be leaving behind my family, my professional network, and potentially lucrative career opportunities. I'd have to start over in a much smaller job market, with a high cost of living and the possibility of relying on my girlfriend's family until I become financially stable.
I know Hawaii isn't paradise. Visiting somewhere and actually living there are completely different experiences. I understand that financial stress can affect relationships and that loving where you live doesn't automatically solve everything.
But I keep coming back to the same question:
What's the point of having a successful career, earning a lot of money, and being financially secure if you're unhappy with the life you're living?
At the same time, would I eventually regret giving up career opportunities that other people work incredibly hard to get?
I don't want to look back in 20 years and regret staying somewhere I was unhappy just because it was the financially safer option. But I also don't want to regret moving and realizing that I've limited my career potential and made it harder to provide for my future family.
I feel like I'm choosing between financial security and personal happiness, and I don't know how to weigh the two.
I'd really appreciate some advice:
I'm especially interested in hearing from people who made a similar decision and can share how things turned out several years later.
Tengo 23 años, estoy acabando mi carrera en el itla, y quiero estudiar otra carrera, pero se me presento la oportunidad para irme como residente a USA , hice el summer en el 2024 y vivi de primer plano como seria una vida allá, en esta oportunidad de viajar se iría media familia básicamente y no seria a un gran lugar, yo acá tengo mi pareja y tenemos planes de casarnos, pero no nos vemos viviendo en estados unidos, mi familia no esta de acuerdo en que me quede, pero es que si me voy habré estudiado en vano, y no podré tener otro titulo como quiero, además de que se que puedo echar adelante en mi país, mas sin embargo toda mi familia se opone a esa decisión, ellos entienden que allá un mejor futuro y que allá nos ira mejor.
¿Es egoísta que elija vivir mi vida, hacerme mas profesional y casarme que irme con ellos sin saber que me depara?
Hi everyone! This will be my first time participating , and I’m still trying to figure out the best options. I’d really appreciate some advice from people who have already been through this experience!
I’m trying to figure out which state is the best choice in terms of job opportunities, safety, earnings, and overall experience.
Which jobs are worth it, where can you earn good money, and is it worth getting a second job?
Which states or cities would you recommend for a good balance between safety, earnings, and things to do?
How much time should I leave for travelling after the work period? Is it worth staying longer?
If we’re coming as a group, how realistic is it to find jobs in the same place? We’d love to work together or at least live near by
Basically, I want to make the most of the experience, earn some money, stay somewhere safe, and still have time to explore
If you could do W&T all over again, ** **which state and job would you choose, and why?
Thank you! Any advice or personal experiences would be really helpful!
So like the title says I plan to move back to the US with my family. I am a US citizen but I haven't lived in the US since I was 16. I have a million questions and fears about the whole process.
My children don't qualify as citizen and neither does my husband. I am trying to get them their green card. The process seems so overwhelming and my son has heart problems. I was told that this won't disqualify him and he should be fine. But I am still nervous. The affidavit of Support is so confusing and scares me the most.
I could really use some advice from others who have returned to the US with their family's after being away for a long time.
So far I have:
- filed my US taxes. I back dated them because I didn't realise I need to submitted every year even if I own $0. I did them when I was first an adult and aware I needed to lodge them but I owed nothing so so I thought it was pointless. I didn't know it was a legal requirement wether I owed money or not. I was a stay at home mum for a while and I earned nothing so I thought why bother. Only when I return to work and became a home owner did I think maybe I do owe something now that I have an income and assets. That is when I realised I had messed up... I filed and backed dated them all and did the disclosure thing so I should be ok.
- Went to the embassy to get a adult US passport.
- Discovered my US birth certificate is wrong while I was there, so, I asked the county I am from to send a new one.
What I still need to do:
- file the i-130 for everyone.
- figure out where we are moving to.
I think San Antonio is the right place.
-prepare medical records for medical check
-prepare for affidavit
-prepare for interview
Questions I have:
- If I am in the US already will my family stand a better chance of getting approved?
How do I provided an address in the US if I don't live in the US?
- San Antonio is massive, I have no idea where will be a good place to raise my family. We'd like a to live on the outskirts of town in a rural setting.
- What about work? My husband works in asset finance and would like me to be a stay at home mum. He should make a good deal of money and this should be possible. But, I'm more realistic and realise that I will likely have to work. I work in transport and logistics, however I am also qualified as a ELF teacher. However I haven't practiced in a couple of years. I know there is work in the heavy vehicle industry in San Antonio, but I live in Australia we drive on the other side of the road. This is a recipe for disaster. Driver's I have taught who come from a different city struggle, let alone another country.
-The finances. Like the multiple rule confuses me. Do we need to sell our house before the affidavit? I am reading conflicting reports. Some sound like we basically need to have sold the house, have our bags packed, a US bank account open, school enrolments sorted and a house bought in the US. Other reports say that we have 12 months to sort everything and get over there.
Any information from a lived experience would be appreciated! Please let me know, its possible, not as hard as I think and tip would be lovely!
Hi guys,
Off the back of an amazing World Cup trip to support Scotland, I am desperate to move to the US now. We spent a lot of time in Boston and NY but I also travelled to Chicago (amongst other places) and just fell in love with the city immediately.
I am 24, I’ve got a couple years of experience in tech sales, a finance and economics degree and also have Irish citizenship (if it’s any use in this situation).
I was wondering if there was an immediate or obvious route to getting a visa to at least live and work for some time in the US in any of the three cities previously mentioned. I’d love to give it a go if possible and at least experience some time living out there.
If anyone has any knowledge, experience or suggestions as to how I could achieve this it would be greatly appreciated.
Hi everyone, posting this again! I’m married to a US Citizen (she’ve never lived there permanently, only visited as a tourist). We both have good jobs in our country and never really thought about moving to the US, but recently we’ve begun considering this scenario more and more. We’re in our early twenties.
It will be a I-130 Form, I guess.
She has brothers in Connecticut and Florida, but I’m not really keen on moving to these states – Connecticut seems too expensive (and it might be tough or even impossible to buy a house eventually) and Florida is just too hot for us. So we’d like to settle down in the Midwest, specifically in Wisconsin (like Appleton, the Fox Cities, Oshkosh, Sheboygan etc). I heard there are a plenty of solid jobs and ‘real economy’ there. Anyway, it’s not a final decision yet.
The main challenge is that, even though I have Bachelor’s and Master’s degree (which work fine in my country), they’re gonna be useless in the US. So I’d like to go to community college and retrain for a practical, in-demand field. My wife might do the same, but she’s an English native speaker and also has a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree, hence she has a bit more options.
What do you think of this plan? Is it a reasonable one, will it work? We have some savings and, I suppose, by the end of the immigration procedure it will be a decent amount to start our new life in America.
F31, professional, and excited but slightly nervous about the move!
I’m from Spain and will most likely be moving to Chicago next spring. I was wondering how other Spaniards/Europeans managed to make friends and build a social circle when they first moved here.
Any recommendations for meeting people, finding communities, or getting involved in activities? Also, were there any cultural shocks or things you wish you’d known before moving?
Hello, I’m looking for some advice/tips as a little lost Scandinavian F(25).
I’ve been accepted into a one year undergrad program as a visiting student in Hawaii. I already have a bachelor’s degree and masters degree from UK and Australia, so it’s not that much about the actual studying more as an experience as a whole with ofc some wonderful academic refill.
Is it worth it to study a year abroad again? Is it even ethical?
I know it’s highly debatable to move to Hawaii when not native, and tourism hurts the islands. Also the state of the US is not the best atm (I did an US exchange year in highschool on the mainland in 2018-2019, and I know the political climate is worrying).
Is it okay to come to study, rather than going on holiday, does Hawaii differ more from the other states, or is it just better to wait until the world as a whole maybe is a little «better» until going to visit, and forget the whole thing about one last year of studies?
People I know all have different opinions (mostly negative, but not for the reasons I listed above hahah more that I’m «wasting my time» so having impartial and realistic views would be great).
I would appreciate some real advice/answers from how it truly is to live and study there, as I’m in a bit of a moral dilemma. All love, thanks <3
I know posts like this show up constantly, but I’m hoping people will give me a chance because this isn’t a passing idea for me - it’s genuinely the one thing I want most in life.
I’m 18, from Jersey in the Channel Islands, (dual British/Irish national) currently studying Politics, Philosophy & Economics in the UK. My whole life revolves around the outdoors - fishing, hunting, wildlife, warm weather, open space, that South Florida lifestyle. I’ve spent a decent amount of time in the southern USA, especially South Florida, and it just feels like home in a way nowhere else does. The culture, the fishing, the freedom, the environment… I’ve never connected with a place like that.
But I’m also painfully aware that US immigration is one of the strictest systems in the world. Unless you’re sponsored, married, or in a very specific high‑skill field, it feels basically impossible. I’m not delusional — I know there’s no magic visa or shortcut.
What I’m asking is: is there any long‑term path someone like me could realistically work toward? Even if it takes years.
I’m studying PPE, I’m willing to specialise, retrain, work abroad, build experience, whatever it takes. I’m not expecting to just “move to Miami at 21.” I’m asking whether there are actual routes people have taken — careers, visas, industries — that eventually led them to living in the US, especially South Florida.
I’m not looking for false hope — just honest guidance from people who’ve done it or understand the system. If the answer is “it’s possible but extremely long‑term,” that’s fine. If the answer is “you need to aim for X career,” that’s fine too.
I just want to know whether there is any path I can start working toward now that could eventually make living in South Florida a reality.
I want the American Dream so badly ❤️🇺🇸
Moving from a Nordic country to Pasadena/South Pasadena area for work. Will be moving as a family. Just would like to have some suggestions/comments about living in that area. I ofc heard many things about US/LA but you know that is all the social media and tourism experience from people, so would like to know how is life there in reality and how different is that from social media’s general view. Thanks!😊 welcome discussions about life styles, how to have fun and what can a family do to enjoy it there. But not limited to these topics.
Hello, I am currently a Scottish student studying a social sciences degree (social policy and politics) at the university of Edinburgh, I am in second year but i am thinking about my plan after i complete my undergraduate degree. My main goal has always been to move to NYC as i have visited twice and it is everything i want in a city. I want to know what the process is like when applying to study a masters degree there and then get a job out of that which grants me permanent residency. I do well in school, so I dont know if things like that could get me scholarships or funding, because I dont have a rich family and I know that i would need to show proof that I can afford tuition and living costs. I dont know if it would be best to work for a year after graduation and then apply for a masters in NYC after i have some savings - or a cheaper option would be to do my masters in the UK, but then i feel like it might be harder to find a route to employment in the USA after making mainly UK connections. I also get an option of studying abroad for my third year in my undergrad degree, so obviosuly i am trying to do that in the USA to make connections but that is not guaranteed as it is competitive. I would appreciate some genuine advice, I am enthusiastic about this goal. I know I would not struggle to get into competitive universitys in the UK for my master's, but my goal is NYC and my main concern is about funding, currently I get free tuition from the scottish government and obviosuly student loans so realistically I coudlnt go from that to paying a full tution that is extremely expensive aswell as living and rent costs. Any advice is appreciated, thank you!
Hello community,
I wanted to hear feedback from the audience here on whether any companies in the U.S are currently filling for H1B applications for outside of the U.S candidates at the moment?
Is the 100K fee for filling still valid or finally removed?
What are the chances of nowadays climate of getting sponsored for a H1B Visa and relocate to the U.S?
Thanks in advance for any comments.