Travelling to America from England is a relatively straightforward process until you decide you’re not coming back. Being a tourist is not a problem because the United Kingdom is covered by the Visa Waiver Program, therefore all UK citizens can visit America for up to 90 days so long as they have a valid machine-readable passport or e-passport with an electronic chip. Once you decide to stay longer than three months, the process gets a little more complicated.

If you require temporary admission for a pre-determined time frame, you need to apply for a non-immigrant visa. If your mind is set on permanence, then an immigrant visa is what you need. All visa applications are labour intensive because a lot of information is requested from you, but all the variations of the process are outlined on http://london.usembassy.gov/index.html and it’s really just a case of following the steps. Migration agents are not commonly available or required for American visa applications, however if you feel you may have exceptional circumstances, it may be advisable to seek out a solicitor who specializes in visa applications to America.

For non-immigrant visas, numerous categories exist and you would be advised to check online to determine which specific category may apply to your circumstances. The list of categories may be long, but the good news is that the processing times are short. Once you have completed the required paperwork, you call the Operator Assisted Information Service to schedule an appointment to attend the US Embassy in London. Successful applications are processed within five to ten business days, but you should allow up to three months in case additional processing is required. Fees currently range from $140-$390 (£88-£246), depending on the visa category and are generally payable by credit card when you schedule your appointment.

Although immigrant visas are issued to individuals seeking permanent residency in the US, they do not guarantee entry, nor do they guarantee permanence; the immigration inspector at the port of entry into the US will determine your eligibility. Once you are settled, you will have to apply for a Permanent Residence Card (Green Card).

Immigrant visas are issued in four general categories: immediate relative, family based, employment based, and the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, known as the "green card" lottery. Each type of visa is ranked with a level of priority and visas are issued in that order according to the number of immigrants allowed each year. Retirement is not one of the categories; you are more likely to be successful if you either have a family member currently resident in the US or you are on the receiving end of an employment-based sponsorship.

The first step in applying for an immigrant visa is to file a petition by completing the paperwork recommended on the london.usembassy.gov website. You then need to schedule a full medical examination by an Embassy-approved physician at one of the two designated medical centres in London. You must allow five days for the results to be couriered to the American Embassy as these results will be required at your interview.

The office that processes your application will contact you to schedule an appointment usually within four to six weeks of your initial application assuming all the required paperwork has been received. You will be required to bring a number of original documents with you to the interview along with an affidavit of support that demonstrates you have financial support in America prior to your immigration approval. Immigrant visa fees currently range from $350-$794 (£221-£502), depending on the visa category applicable. Fees for immigrant visas are usually payable to the Embassy cashier on the day of the visa interview.

Although it is preferable that you are sponsored by an American employer if you are looking to work in the US, there are circumstances where a visa may be granted without specific sponsorship. Priority is given to people with extraordinary academic, business or athletic ability or to people who are members of one of the traditional professions who have at least five years of progressive experience in their speciality. Essentially, you would have to prove you have something exceptional that Americans do not have.

Other options you may wish to consider to get a foot in the door are work-abroad contracts, sabbaticals abroad, or even exchange programs if they exist within your field of employment. And, if all else fails, you could study at an American university to gain a qualification in a high-demand job like teaching or the science and engineering sectors.

Given that the American visa application can be one of the most complicated in the world, many people use a migration agent. A recommended, Florida based one is www.greencards4u.com.

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