How difficult is it to relocate to the USA???

[blush03]

Just wondered as living in Florida really appeals to me but I know it's extremely difficult to get into the US.

Any opinions???

Very, very difficult, I'm afraid. If you're not married to a US citizen or sponsored by a US company it's almost impossible, AFAIK. The US has become ultra-cautious after 9/11 and I believe they are even getting rid of things like the visa waiver for EU citizens (where you can stay for 90 days without a visa). I'm sure others have a better understanding of it than me but I'm pretty sure you'd find it almost a closed shop without very strong ties (immediate family etc) there already.

useful website

(Well it looked useful, haven't gone into it in any depth.)

You could also try USAquest

or

easycitizen

or even

US Embassy!!!

My BIL and family moved to the US a year ago due to his job being relocated. However he was made redunadant and they've had to come back as his visa meant he could only stay if he was working for that company

Depends on the level of education that you have. Also, if you can get an irish passport or anything other than uk, you can apply for the visa lottery.

Sometime ago it was fairly easy to get a green card if you had a PhD, but not any more. You could get it if you work for the same company for five years, however as the company needs to prove that there was nobody in the US who could do/take that job, most companies refrain from going into this time consuming/expensive process unless it is strictly necessary.

And another sad fact is that you may be authorised to live in the US but that doesn't necesarily mean that you have the right to work in the US.