Easiest way to get in to the US? Wait time?

Hey Guys, - First time poster, and I have read through the sticky material.

Here is my situation. I'm a 23 year old student finishing university, I will have two degrees after I complete school in may. From what I've gathered that would put me in the category #3 for immigrants that the U.S. accepts.

I've been offered a job in a new online company that would require me to work in the U.S. in the office of the company. The thing is, I'd like to permanently relocated, not just for one year. I can have the company sponsor me and complete the forms - but I've read that it can be a long and expensive process? How long and how expensive exactly - and is that only for a temporary worker's permit? I do not want to have to spend money to renew every year without ever getting the chance to reside in the U.S. permanently when I've been developing ideas with this company for well over a year - I would be moving to establish the business as a partnership.

What would you suggest is the easiest way and least expensive way for me to get in? Do I have to wait until my degrees are awarded from university to apply? How long does it usually take to be approved or denied? (I'd like to move as soon as possible)

Thanks for taking the time to read, I really appreciate it.

Just to add. I've looked at the NAFTA list and recommendations. I will have a BA in History as well as Bachelors of Education. However, the job I will be offered will likely not directly relate to that degree - how important is this? I've been in communication with the 'employer' for roughly 4 years.we have discussed a lot about the business that he has started and we had plans to run it as a 50/50 partnership together. He needs me to move to the U.S. in order to keep it moving forward, but I would be doing things that would not necessarily pertain to my degrees. Is there any chance I will get in?

Apply for optional practical training if you haven't already, through your university. This will give you a one-year work permit, although in reality it's more like ten or eleven months because by the time it arrives at the USCIS office for you to pick up a month will have passed at least.

Once you have your I-688B you can get any job really, it's supposed to relate to your field of study but no-one checks (and why would you get a job that wasn't in some way).

He can sponsor you for EB-3 as you've worked out, but there is a big backlog for EB-3: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulle ... _3953.html

Three and a half years according to that, so your permit would expire prior to the visa number being issued.

H-1B isn't terribly practical because of the quota limit, but if you apply at the end of March next year (you have to apply then) that will be prior to your permit expiring, so you might get lucky and get approval.

What I would suggest though is doing a master's degree for two reasons: first of all, you can do a degree that will fit into a TN-1 category, second of all, there is a separate 20,000 quota for people with US master's degrees for H-1Bs so you will have a better chance of getting one.

In addition, you can also do OPT for your master's degree so that gives you another year.

If you don't fit into TN-1 and you can't get an H-1B, your best bet is probably immigrant investor.

Trouble is with all of these things is that they take awhile to be processed, except TN-1.

How much money will I need to get an Investors Visa?

Also, will being a partner in this company help me at all? Rather than simply being an employee?

There are various categories of investor visa, you need to check the regulations thoroughly to see which one fits you best, but yes if you were just an employee you wouldn't be an investor.

There are various categories of investor visa, you need to check the regulations thoroughly to see which one fits you best, but yes if you were just an employee you wouldn't be an investor.

Maybe I worded my question poorly. If this business has been developed by myself and an American, and I need to relocate in order for it to be successful, should that not give me priority? He can't hire and American because I own a portion of the company. I don't move, a US company tanks.

And if I'm not investing money in the company but I am co-owner of the company which is a U.S. company and needs me to relocate in order for it to function?

How are you co-owner if you're not investing any money in it?

An investor visa requires a substantial investment in the company. Depending on the projected budget of the company the investment will need to be relative to this. An attorney will be able to help you if you decide to move forward with this option.

Another option, as an employee, that has not been mentioned is to do an intra-company transfer. This is an L visa, does not sound like this will work in your case (need to work in Canada for the company and then transfer to the US office) -- but thought we'd mention it just in case it helps.

And, to Reba's point how are you a co-owner without an investment.

How are you co-owner if you're not investing any money in it?

By investing I mean bringing more money when I relocate.it's a grassroots company so I've already invested what is needed to get it started, but it's not like I'm a million dollar (or even hundred thousand dollar) investor.