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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Travel / Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 (114017 Views)
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Re: Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 by hustla(m): 11:01pm On Nov 17, 2023 |
Goke7: No time my Oga 1 Like |
Re: Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 by Nobody: 1:35am On Nov 18, 2023 |
V |
Re: Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 by Thespacechamp: 7:06am On Nov 18, 2023 |
bigtt76:Hello please how fast is it getting green card from H1B visa? |
Re: Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 by linon: 5:49pm On Nov 18, 2023 |
Bro as someone like myself who aspires to go into cyber...how did you do it? And landed a job in UK? babajeje123: 1 Like |
Re: Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 by Rachie83: 4:05pm On Nov 22, 2023 |
Hello everyone, it's nice to come across this thread. I remember around 2916/17 I used to read on thread like this while I was in Nigeria hoping to find myself in the US someday but exactly end of 2017 I got in with my hubby. Anyway to those who still contemplating of coming to US do not give up your dream although US is very hard to get in now but some people are still coming in. US is a land of opportunities with less cost of living compare to Canada and UK although it depends on the State you are. If you are a new immigrant midwest states are the best for you(Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Iowa, part of Illinois, Missouri etc) interm of settling in on time because the cost of living is cheaper and a lot of job opportunities for new Comer although the cold is much during the winter. I would not advise new comers with no legal status to stay in Atlanta, Texas, California, Florida etc Atlanta Georgia is out of the pictures because the state pays lower and some bills are higher eg Auto insurance is ×3 of that of Indiana. Texas is not expensive but no immigrants job(if you understand what I mean) California is generally expensive. We landed in Indiana which really helped us to get settled on time but we chose to explore and we moved to Atlanta but that was a mistake and we are planning to relocate back to Indiana. I am here to give one or two input when it comes to issues here in the US. 21 Likes |
Re: Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 by teewhyhomes: 4:09pm On Nov 22, 2023 |
Think Real Estate? Think Teewhyhomes! |
Re: Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 by Rachie83: 4:19pm On Nov 22, 2023 |
olurotimi:The best states for them are midwest states. I don't want to open up here much because of the type of visa they have. 1 Like |
Re: Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 by Ndidi2: 4:54pm On Nov 22, 2023 |
Rachie83:l wish to migrate with my family Any tips to get visa Or genuine agent ? |
Re: Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 by Rachie83: 6:47pm On Nov 22, 2023 |
Ndidi2:It's the operation "do it yourself". I will not encourage the use of agent. Gather any info you need here in nairaland.com on USA visa thread and do it yourself although US visa is tough to get now. I wish you all the best. 1 Like |
Re: Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 by Ndidi2: 7:45pm On Nov 22, 2023 |
Rachie83:Thank you. |
Re: Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 by Goke7: 12:35pm On Nov 23, 2023 |
Rachie83: Can you explain what you mean by no immigrants job in Texas, just an overview will do. Thanks |
Re: Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 by sundid(m): 2:33pm On Nov 23, 2023 |
[quote author=Rachie83 post=127108991]Hello everyone, it's nice to come across this thread. I remember around 2916/17 I used to read on thread like this while I was in Nigeria hoping to find myself in the US someday but exactly end of 2017 I got in with my hubby. Anyway to those who still contemplating of coming to US do not give up your dream although US is very hard to get in now but some people are still coming in. US is a land of opportunities with less cost of living compare to Canada and UK although it depends on the State you are. If you are a new immigrant midwest states are the best for you(Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Iowa, part of Illinois, Missouri etc) interm of settling in on time because the cost of living is cheaper and a lot of job opportunities for new Comer although the cold is much during the winter. I would not advise new comers with no legal status to stay in Atlanta, Texas, California, Florida etc Atlanta Georgia is out of the pictures because the state pays lower and thanks 1 Like |
Re: Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 by Prettyuche(f): 11:22pm On Nov 26, 2023 |
Pls I want to know the probability of getting an approval using F2…. |
Re: Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 by Mattinno: 3:15pm On Nov 27, 2023 |
Hello House, Please I need your advise . I got my Visit Visa to us far back as May24 but I haven't travel since then I told the Visa Officer I'm travelling for summer Holiday that I'm going to lake wales In Florida , But due to lot of stuffs like my project In Uni ( I was doing my msc program in uni plymouth uk ) then ....But now I want to travel for Christmas and I'm going to San Francisco for the christmas ....will that affect me at the point of entry for changing the city i want to travel too and the timing .....NB: I booked a return ticket back to uk and hotel reservation as well ....I just want to know if I will be penalize for chaning the city i told the vo lake wales Fl to San Francisco ...please some give me an answer I'm worried 1 Like |
Re: Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 by Rachie83: 7:02pm On Nov 27, 2023 |
Goke7:When an immigrant with no legal stay gets here, there there are some jobs like warehousing jobs that are easily accessible in midwest states with good pay which are not really in places like Texas because of minimal numbers of warehouses. You can be new here and be earning like $18-22 per hour in warehouse while in Texas u might not see such a job with such a pay. "Wa lo iwe oni iwe ni awon ilu yen lati fi se ise" if you don't understand the yoruba pls look for someone to translate for you. 6 Likes |
Re: Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 by Rachie83: 7:05pm On Nov 27, 2023 |
Mattinno:Just explain the reasons with a change of plan to the immigration officer that's all. 1 Like |
Re: Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 by Rachie83: 7:06pm On Nov 27, 2023 |
Prettyuche:I will suggest you go to thread for USA visiting visa for more help 2 Likes |
Re: Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 by Goke7: 9:12pm On Nov 27, 2023 |
Rachie83: Thanks 🙏 |
Re: Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 by optimusprime2(m): 12:36am On Nov 28, 2023 |
Thespacechamp: I will be very straight with you; it is not a straightforward process, infact the H1B visa is the most complicated US visa to weild (ask Indians in the US about that visa's story, although for Nigerians its not that intense but it is still a complicated process)... With an H1B visa (in theory), its possible to file a PERM for a green card in as quick as 6 to 18 months ... however; 1- it depends on your job 2- it depends on your employer (not all employers can easily pull it off smoothly) 3- it depends on your I-140 approval (This is where the craziness hangs and number 2 above heavily comes into play) So in theory it sounds good, but in actuality it's a completely complicated process... Getting the H1B itself is another story especially these days... But bear in mind that if you hold an H1B for 6 years, then you have to Leave the US ...period. If you ask me I would advise people who are qualified to get an experienced lawyer and apply for either the EB1 or O1 and avoid that H1B visa like a plague... That visa has too much wahala. #Further addition If you happen to change employers while already on an H1B visa either due to the fact that; 1- They cannot petition for a PERM for you 2- You got a better Job with a higher pay 3- You got laid off OR - You change sectors from H1B Cap exempt profession to a H1B Capped profession i.e; You moved from academics or NGO, to corporate sector. That is a different wahala on it's own entirely... infact na there H1B Visa go tire you... 5 Likes |
Re: Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 by Sisib15: 6:04am On Nov 28, 2023 |
And its more peaceful in the midwest compare to other state Rachie83: |
Re: Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 by Chapecoense(m): 7:13am On Nov 29, 2023 |
Rachie83:California has to be the most friendliest and most welcoming state for new immigrants to settle in. Expensive no doubt but the opportunities are there regardless of status. AB60 for drivers license, Ab540 for in state tuition, etc. 1 Like |
Re: Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 by RaniOpe: 10:51pm On Dec 02, 2023 |
Anxiety wants to kill me . It is like I’m the only one in this country without information. I don’t even know who to ask . Please if you have been here for a while and you are willing to share information, kindly quote me. I feel like I am very unserious and everyone else is making plans to secure their stay I don cry tire today 1 Like |
Re: Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 by Taal17: 12:27am On Dec 03, 2023 |
Financial Literacy One of the most important things to learn about living in North America is financial literacy. Lack of it is why many people live paycheck to paycheck, live in poverty or are rich but perpetually broke. North American system runs on credit - living and working here is based you spending what you do not have. It is very consumer focused so if you have no discipline with how you work with money then you and your family can be perpetually broke. Unlike the UK where you can build credit history from bank loans outside of using credit cards, the US is different, building credit history starts from getting a credit card. When you arrive as an immigrant it is almost impossible to get a CC without first having a job. If you arrive on a work visa say L1 or as a nurse etc then getting an unsecured CC is easy. Students as well get offered CC with some good offers (such as no annual fees, rewards, 0% interest free for 18months) I watched Graham Stephan on YT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8KqZuOybds - he gives yearly advice on best credit cards for beginners. So he suggests Discover IT secured card as your 1st CC. With Discover IT where you deposit a certain amount of money and use the CC as you would normally use (your deposit would be your credit limit). Typically after 6 months of proper use Discover gives you back your refundable deposit and will offer a credit limit. Soon enough you'll get a number of pre-qualification offers and you can choose what meets your needs. Thats the card I started with, if Tips /Advice Do not use more than 30% of your credit limit Do not spend what you do not have ITS A TRAP Pay off as much as you can before the end of the month or your balance due date Money on credit cards is not [b]free, financial institutions make money when you default on payment. Late payments fees can be 40$ and above that is minus interest on the balance Defaulting on payments on CC will affect your ability to get a mortgage and get good rates for interest Credit Card debt is like a gambling debt, it can be a bottomless hole and it can take years to improve your credit score/credit history Note if your spouse has bad credit score it impacts on your credit score if you buy property together. Use the CC to build your credit history and credit score wisely. A lot of our forefathers and their offspring started off wrong which led to the cycle of poverty they are in. Fortunately, we have access to more information on how to build generational and avoid financial trap doors 2 Likes |
Re: Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 by Taal17: 1:12pm On Dec 03, 2023 |
. There is also a good writeup on CC on the Living in the UK thread from Solumtoya, different country but advice is still relevant https://www.nairaland.com/7695199/living-uk-life-immigrant-part-3/177#125483322 1 Like |
Re: Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 by Taal17: 2:06pm On Dec 03, 2023 |
RaniOpe: I'll assume you're a student and you are still in status, You can read MackyNaija thread its a long read but you'll get nuggets there Please position yourself to get a job, career fairs, job fairs, network in your field on linkedIn. If your course qualifies you for OPT use that in the meantime. Read online about H1B1 and also EB1NIW (if your course qualifies you for that). After F1 you'd need to adjust status in-country to stay You can also explore Canada - get on the EE entry pool or any other migration pathway you qualify for. There are options so no need to bemoan |
Re: Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 by RaniOpe: 4:35pm On Dec 03, 2023 |
Taal17: Thank you for taking the time to respond. The reason for the outcry was because people I keep asking for information, make it feel like I have no future here because my course of study is non-stem. Someone said it to my face , that I was studying rubbish and all the opportunities are in stem. I don’t see myself learning coding or going to nursing school , it’s not my passion. Not everyone wants to do stem. I have joy in my field of Education and the goal is tenure track professor or policy researcher. I just glanced through a few pages of Macky’s thread , noticed he’s also in STEM and my hope got dashed again. I am tired 😪 |
Re: Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 by Taal17: 6:06pm On Dec 03, 2023 |
RaniOpe: STEM just gives 2 years OPT thats the only advantage, by the way Macky adjusted status through marriage so STEM isnt a 'guaranteed' route. Another friend had STEM OPT and he still struggled because it is still a lottery with limited visas so although he had a job ready to sponsor he did not get it despite trying twice--it is still EB1 NIW he got to stay in the US. I asked you to read the thread because there are helpful hints there on how to position for jobs not because of STEM. You need to stop closing doors yourself. You have more OPTIONS than you know - keep that in mind. Find people in your field kindly focus on them not those who do not share your passion Look to applications or internships outside the west coast eg DC and the east coast Development organisations , educational consultancies - research them out. You can target fellowships, join communities in your field online. US is big, find internships , fellowships, look for consultancies. I worked in Ed development agency in Nigeria and many grants were US funded. Also target universities outside the East coast they might have opportunities for H1B1 as well 5 Likes |
Re: Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 by RaniOpe: 6:51pm On Dec 03, 2023 |
Taal17: You have given this little girl hope. I am grateful. Time to re-buckle my shoes. 1 Like |
Re: Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 by Seunblack7070: 12:23pm On Dec 06, 2023 |
Schrodinger2: The stratosphere is one of the cheapest hotel in Vegas, though it's like 10mins away from major happening places like Freemont street and Bellagio fountain. 2 Likes |
Re: Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 by AfahaAbia(m): 6:28am On Dec 07, 2023 |
Ndidi2: Why don't you guys learn!!! I repeat do not use any agent!!! Premium tears loading for those who don't like taking advice. 1 Like |
Re: Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 by AfahaAbia(m): 6:34am On Dec 07, 2023 |
RaniOpe: Which country are you talking about? Are you in the USA already? Calm down! What is your question? |
Re: Living In The USA - Life Of An Immigrant Part 1 by Sisib15: 5:27am On Dec 08, 2023 |
I don't think sodear. I am also in your shoe but all good things will come to us. Don't be pressured but whateveryou are currentlydoing ,do it well RaniOpe: 2 Likes |
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