How we managed to go from Canvey Island, to Orlando, Florida.

Without fail, the number one question we get asked by people back home is “How can we move to Florida?” closely followed by “Do you see a lot of guns?” The answer to the second question is, less than you would think, but the first question is a bit more complex.

Now this is how we did it. There are other ways, many of them very complicated and expensive with no guarantee of success. I am not an immigration lawyer, nothing here is advice, it is simply me explaining how we made it happen.

The Visa

Without a route to a visa, then your time in Florida or the US in general will be limited to holidays. Securing a visa is the most important thing and I’ve lost count of the number of people I have met who thought it was as easy as buying a property here, or getting offered a job. It isn’t, it is difficult and it has many pitfalls.

When we moved over, we secured an E2 Managerial visa. This process was very quick, but it has a number of real pitfalls. To qualify i had to tick several specific boxes

1.) I had to be a British Citizen, employed by a British owned company, who were operating and established in the US

2.) I had to be Managerial level, so that meant I had oversight of multiple other people and had significant decision making capabilities

3.) I had no family relationship with any of the owners, shareholders or persons of significant control

4.) I had to attend and pass an interview at the US Embassy

Now, the difference with the E2 visa compared to other company/employment visas is that it is a “non-immigrant” visa. It is issued for 5 years at a time, you have to keep significant ties to the UK and commit to leaving when the visa or job ends. It is extandable though so you can get more than one. We are currently on our 3rd visa.

It has no path to a Green Card, if you have children they will age out at 21 and have to go home. Your spouse can work for anyone, but to bring a partner you must be married to them.

Other Visas

The visa pathway is complex and rightly difficult. There are a number of potential options for intra company transfers, starting your own business, or being exceptionally skilled in an area that benefits the US greatly. L1, E2, H1-b, Eb1/2/3, O1 there are so many different paths.

This is the most important part of the entire process and something that takes a real amount of work. Our story is our story, it is different to the many others we come across. If you are serious about it you 100% should consult with a reputable Immigration attorney in the US.

Housing

For better or worse, your credit score does not transfer to the US. You are starting from absolute scratch. There are some ways to help yourself here but when it comes to housing, the lack of credit is a challenge.

Apartments are plentiful and very very comfortable. We have lived in an apartment and there are a lot of positives to living in one. The facilities are great normally, Gym’s, Pools, BBQ’s really good, you can get accepted into apartments with no credit, either by providing information from your employer, or paying more up front.

Renting a house will be more of a challenge at the beginning, but not impossible. Income generally needs to be 3x rent and credit needs to be solid. Individual cases vary and you may well be able to negotiate the lack of credit score away, esepcially with a large deposit, or multiple months of rent paid in advance.

Long term AirBnB is another option, more expensive but it gives you time to get that credit score up. In Orlando specifically though, Orange County does not allow AirBnB, so you will be in the more touristy areas of the city.

Driving in the US

Getting your drivers license in the US is hands down the easiest thing you will ever do in your life. If you have passed your test in the UK, you could do this almost in your sleep.

You go to the DMV, you do the written test, often the same day you get a practical test. During the practical test, you drive for 10 minutes absolute tops, you park, and you pass. We know of people, who failed their test 10 times in the UK and flew through the US test first time.

Your Drivers License is your ID, it’s very important and you absolutely should not drive more than about two weeks on your UK license. Get it as soon as you can