How can I move to the United States?

Question

I'm 15 and I live in Canada but I REALLY want to live in the USA. I have been there lot's of times, and I have relatives who live in Raleigh, NC and I want to live there one day. Lot's of people in Canada hate the USA and the government, but for some reason I have always liked the US and everything about it and this will sound stupid, but I even have an American flag in my room!! I want to know if I can move to the US some day? Is it really hard to get in, and is there anything I should be doing now if I want to go there when I am older? It's my goal to one day live in the US, so what should I do?


By the way, I have seen questions and answers on this section before, and I guarantee you, I will not be illegally immigrating to the US if that's what you thought.

** Thanks for all the answers so far! They are very helpful.

Just to make it clear, I am SURE I want to live in the US and I do know about the pros and cons of living in the US compared to Canada, but there is no other place like the USA ... it's hard to explain. All I can say is that I really want to live there.

Answer 1

First and Foremost. Get an Immigration Lawyer who is in good standing. This is a MUST MUST MUST.

Are you interested in being a Registered Nurse? If you complete Nursing school the USA will take you under her wing in a heartbeat! You just need to find someone who will sponsor you.

It's funny that I saw your post because I am an American born and raised in California. I don't like it here in Los Angeles. It's so dirty and the people are rude and it seems like none of them speak a word of English. Not to mention the traffic is bad that it's causing various health problems with stress, high blood pressure, and the Smog is slowly destroying my lungs according to my Doctor. I'm the opposite of you because I'm an American and I want to immigrate to Canada and I've also got a Canadian Flag in my room. ;-) What a coincidence.

Basically don't have overly high expectations of this place. Any time you're in the states you need to always be concerened that the other guy has a gun. Your not in Canada anymore. Some States have more guns per Capita. For example places like Texas, Wyoming, Alabama, Arkansas, the Carolina's and Georgia. North Carolina isn't a good place to live right now because of Global Climate change the Carolinas will see more Hurricanes in the future and more Hail storms that total cars as well.

In the end if you REALLY want to be an American than fine so be it. One of the things this country believes in strongy is the freedom of the pursuit of happiness. Freedome of Expression. Free Speech. Free Press. Etc. It's the land of milk and honey. Land of the Free, Home of the Brave.

If you are really desperate the States will shorten your 5+ year wait period to less than a year if you serve in a Branch of the Military. Either Airforce, Army, Navy, National Guard, Marines, etc. The best choice is the Air Force which offers the best benefits, far nicer accomodations, and more money.

After spending a couple of years in the States you might decide that it's not for you. Who knows.

Be forewarned. Do not come to the States if you think it's going to be better living Conditions. Sure we've got warmer areas out here where you can walk around in shorts and sandals this time of year. (Southern California). But the quality of life generaly isn't as good in America the way it is in Canada. Let me explain.

In America there is a HUGE divide between Rich and Poor. Our middle class is disapearing. Out here you either have money or you don't. And if you don't have money. You can't afford quality health insurance if at all. The only time you may see a doctor is if you need to go to the E.R. (E.R.'s by law can't refuse anyone regaurdless of their inability to pay).

In Canada it's the opposte. There isn't as big of a wage gap between Rich and Poor and EVERYONE has health insurance regaurdless of their circumstances since it's government regulated.

But at least in America you have the right to bear arms. (own a gun) Speaking of which. Crime is on average higher on this side of the border.

Now don't get me wrong. If you are smart and have some great ideas for business. You can be a entrepenure. You can make loads of money in America if you know how to do it. America is far more business friendly than Canada.

Also in America people generaly make more money for doing the same kind of work than their Canadian neighbours. For example. Say the Sallary of a Registerd Nurse is $45,000 American Dollars. A Canadian under similar circumstances would only make around $30,000 American Dollars.

Americans simply have more buying power than Canadians as a whole. For instance, look at the differences in the Way people live in both the States and in Canada. In Canada a larger ratio of residents choose to live in Condos and Apartments. Now do most of them live that way because they like to? NO. Canada has tons of land for Suburbs. Given the Chance, those same Canadians would live in single family unit houses if only they had the money. See, it's all a money issue. Plus property taxes are sky high in Canada. That also has something to do with it.

Likewise, Per Capita more Americans choose stand alone structure houses over apartments and Condos. Which is a big difference in our two countires.

I on the other hand I personaly don't mind a Condo. I've had a front and back yard my whole life. I don't like watering plants and mowing the lawn. To me it's a waste of time when I can be doing other stuff that I actually enjoy.

Also what I like about Canada is that it's a more "humanitarian" type Country than the States. In Canada everyone is taken care of. Everyone has health insurance. The K-12 public education system is Amazing in comparison to what we have here. And Canadians seem to have more rights and privilages in my oppinion.

My first visit to Canada I was driving accross the border. As soon as my car crossed the border line I felt a heavy weight lift from my shoulders. For the first time in my life I was in a Country that was more Liberal and Open minded. I was in a County that was not a Super Power. A Country where I felt like I didn't have the weight of the world on my shoulders. No longer did I have to be a part of a country that was supposed to be a Supermodel for the world to follow. No longer was I under the impression that I was in a Country that was so worried about foreign affairs that we can't even put our sick in mental institutions. Can't even afford our children a quality public education. Our mistakes aren't so heavily scruitinized by the rest of the world. And mistakes made by Canada won't have a devastating effect on the farthest reaches of the world if not the whole world.

Canada is an Amazing Country that has lived under the Shadow of it's bigger brother for centuries. I just hope that in the future both of our countires shall improve and move in a forward direction. God forbid if we shall see the opposite result.

Answer 2

Well you should answer the questions do you want to live here permanently? Do you want to work go to school visit ect? because being from Canada there are basically 5 ways through a relative that is either a us citizen or permanent resident petitioning for you with an I-130 or an employer petitioning for you or going to school as an F-1 student working through the NAFTA program or just visiting. you could call the USCIS national customer service center at 1-800-375-5283 to help determine which path is right for you. As an ex employ of USCIS NCSC i have noticed that many people have listed .com website the are not legit and will sometimes charge money only use the www.uscis.gov website trust me you will save yourself a huge headache. Good luck!

Answer 3

Get a good education in a field that's in demand in the United States like nursing, physical therapy or teaching. After you finish college it will be easy to find a US employer willing to sponsor your employment. After you've been here a while you should be able to convert your employment visa to an immigrant visa. You might even marry an American.

You cannot serve in the American military unless you already have a Green Card to begin with.

Answer 4

It's people like you whom we welcome the most here.

We have illegals here with no desire at all to assimilate. They just want to work and then send the money back to their economically failing country. I've read it totals in the tens of billions of dollars a year.

Also we have people who've lived here their whole life and they hate this country and blame it for all the problems in the world. They always complain and never have solutions.

Someone like you would be a breath of fresh air. Ask your relatives in NC for help. I'm sure there's a fairly easy - and legal - way to come here. You could probably get an exchange student process going and that would make it easier to ultimately become an American citizen if that's what you want.

I wish you the best.

Answer 5

Sure, you can live here. What I would know is the 50 states, major wars and presidents. No, it shouldn't be that hard to get in either. If I were you I'd go to college and get a degree in something you like (engineer, doctor lawyer, etc.) Then you'll be able to buy and support a home. That's about all you need to know.

Answer 6

If you are not a sportsman, actor or singer of exceptional ability, your only options are:
An US employer must offer you employment, you can't apply for work visa on your own or,
Marry and American.
Most of the other answers are misleading though well-meant.
US immigration law is one of the worst in the world. Hopefully they will fix it till you grow up.

Answer 7

Contact an immigration attorney.

You can become a permanent resident through your family or through a job.

See below.

Answer 8

Illegal, smegal. Ever since that border patrol agent been arrested for doing his job, I really do not think a english speaking, white foriegner would have any trouble staying here illegally.

However, maybe you can contact your local US embassy in order to get advice on how to do so if you want to be here legit.

Another way is serve in our military. Anyone who serves supposed to get a green card faster.