Emigration and Visas

[brettsanders]

Hey all,

I'm new to the msg boards, love the 4HWW and have a quick (hopefully quick), question!

I currently have an online business/muse that is building up nicely, however my family and I are looking to move to a cheaper country and warmer climate (We are currently in the UK.)

After lots of deliberating we have decided that in an ideal world, living in North America would be the perfect setting for us - except for one problem...

... The visas!!

Does anyone know if it is possible to simply live in America - I won't be taking any jobs, or any benefits - But just to live and enjoy the lifestyle that America offers.

Does anyone know of any case histories of people who have done this or where myself and my family can get help to do this?

Many thanks,

Brett Sanders

[kamakiri]

What calculations were you doing that you came up with anywhere in North America being cheaper than the UK and the costs associated with moving there?

Not sure about Canada (but they are the same). The US has a 90 day visitor visa. They will not renew it for you, so it is pretty much not an option.

[brettsanders]

My calculations were based on our most expensive outgoings... house, food, fuel, taxes... all of which we we can get cheaper in America for the same or better standard than we currently have in the UK.

Thats not to say that America is the cheapest option out there for us, far from it, but it ticks all of the boxes for other aspects of our lifestyles.

Ok, well if it's not an option to just live there then it might be back to the drawing board unless anyone else has any thoughts?

[kamakiri]

Taxes? What gave you the idea that you wouldn't have to pay UK taxes no matter where you lived?

You need to do a lot more research before you think about leaving the UK.

[brettsanders]

I may be wrong, but I thought that you needed to pay the applicable tax rate relevant to the country that you are residing in.

Therefore, if I was to be living permanently in the US I would pay the rate of taxation for US residents.

Living in the UK I would pay the rate of tax relevant for UK residents.

Etc.

Please correct me if I am wrong

[brettsanders]

P.S.

I am on this site hoping to get advice, so I would like to hope that would constitute as "research".

[ChiTowner]

Nope, you can't just simply live in the US. You can be a visitor for 90 days max, but then you have to go home. And you can't just go home one day and come back the next - you'll run the risk of being turned away at US immigration. Stay longer than 90 days - I think that technically you'll be an illegal alien.

So, you'll need to get a visa. There's numerous categories: immigrant, non-immigrant, worker, student etc etc. Most are temporary and some give an easier route to green card. If you want to live there permanently, a green card is what you want.

http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/whatis/index.html
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/index.html

As for taxes, definitely seek expert advice - the amount of tax you pay is dependent on how much time you spend in a specific country during the tax years. It can get complicated filing two tax returns per year.

Hope that helps
Debbie

[brettsanders]

Thanks. Yep, that helps a lot!!!