Immigration and IM'ers

[Roparadise]

No one mentioned fiancee visa. It was a pain, about 6 to 9 months of processing and only about 600 total in fees and medical etc.. The visa itself is only 299$ I believe.. So if you want in the U.S. you'll just need to find an American to come visit you and intend to marry you within three months after you enter into the US..

The U.S. is cracking down on that heavily recently,and they check alot more nowadays.

For Europe,one of the cheapest ways to go is the Czech Republic,its a full member of the EU,and they have a super cheap investor visa.It costs 3,000 euros to get residency there,but you need 10,000 euros in a company you own.

 

[flexnds]

The U.S. is cracking down on that heavily recently,and they check alot more nowadays.

For Europe,one of the cheapest ways to go is the Czech Republic,its a full member of the EU,and they have a super cheap investor visa. I have to find it again,but I think it was only a few thousand euros.

I'm in the final stages of doing one for my fiancee in the philippines and it has been pretty damn easy.. Though, I paid a company to take care of all of the preparation for me.

 

[Roparadise]

What do you guys think is the value of a U.S. citizenship? Some people are giving it up after having to pay $50,000 or more in taxes to basically keep the u.s. passport.

 

[flexnds]

haha, sometimes I wish i could sell my US citizenship. Seems like punishment here is dipping into your wallet.

 

[phpbuilt]

I live in the Philippines now, in Mindanao (lower half of Philippines). It's awesome -- weather is fantastic (around 72 degrees to 86 year round).

An American (and probably other 1st world countries) can come here for two years as a tourist, leave for one day and come back for another two years.

It's perfect for IM's, you can live a decent life on $1000 a month (that includes rent, utilities, renewal of your visa, food, modest entertainment, etc). $2000 a month you're in a nice place, ordering restaurant food every meal and movies and other entertainment every other day. $3000 a month and you're taking care of a household and still living like a king.

Not to mention the girls are hot, I got married here. My wife is 16 years younger than me ... 2 kids now (but you don't have to get married to stay here ... in fact I'm still renewing as a tourist).

Main drawback is you're not going to find insane speeds on internet access, but if you rent a VPS on good bandwidth you're fine.

 

[flexnds]

I live in the Philippines now, in Mindanao (lower half of Philippines). It's awesome -- weather is fantastic (around 72 degrees to 86 year round).

An American (and probably other 1st world countries) can come here for two years as a tourist, leave for one day and come back for another two years.

It's perfect for IM's, you can live a decent life on $1000 a month (that includes rent, utilities, renewal of your visa, food, modest entertainment, etc). $2000 a month you're in a nice place, ordering restaurant food every meal and movies and other entertainment every other day. $3000 a month and you're taking care of a household and still living like a king.

Not to mention the girls are hot, I got married here. My wife is 16 years younger than me ... 2 kids now (but you don't have to get married to stay here ... in fact I'm still renewing as a tourist).

Main drawback is you're not going to find insane speeds on internet access, but if you rent a VPS on good bandwidth you're fine.

No, they got pissed off at me for staying 5 weeks in phils.. I think 6 months is max worth of extensions, then you have to leave and come back. You can stay 28 days or something like that without paying extensions..

I've been to mindanao.. I think you forgot to mention the humidity. hahahaa

 

[Roparadise]

I think Romania is probably a much better place to do IM work from. 100/6 Mb/s internet speed for about $13 a month. And you can get an apartment for about $450 a month there.

 

[bennyb]

I know alot of Czecks get the student visa to get in the country. They have a 'language classes' set up somewhere in gulfshores . They usually charge you for the visa and send you an invitation to study English.
Once you get in you apply fr adjustment of status ...
I never had to do that but I know someone who did

 

[uncguy4321]

Ive heard the Philippines are a great place to live...cheap, attractive women who love Western guys, etc.

If the US is your destination, just come in from the southern border with Mexico. You'll find all the social benefits you may need whether you are here legally or not, and that border has more holes than swiss cheese. Our current government wants as many illegal aliens in the country as possible so they can make them citizens and get an instant voting block. It's not stupid -- a figure in ancient Rome used this tactic, in a way. He wanted to make people in neighboring regions (under Roman rule) citizens so they'd be a huge voting block for him after they become citizens. He had other legislation he wanted to pass but lacked the support. It worked.

 

[cornkernel]

i was born (and live) in australia, but my dad was born in italy and came here when he was eight years old. i'm guessing i can go to italy and work there? without a problem? could i actually live there though???

 

[Roparadise]

i was born (and live) in australia, but my dad was born in italy and came here when he was eight years old. i'm guessing i can go to italy and work there? without a problem? could i actually live there though???

If your father was still an Italian citizen when you were born,then you should contact the Italian embassy or consul in Australia,because you can become a citizen of Italy which means you would also be an EU citizen.

 

[cornkernel]

If your father was still an Italian citizen when you were born,then you should contact the Italian embassy or consul in Australia,because you can become a citizen of Italy which means you would also be an EU citizen.

interesting. i'm going to have to find out about that. i think he is still a citizen there, and here, if that's possible. because he was saying something about it a few years ago, and he doesn't vote here when we have elections and things like that.

thanks or the reply

 

[phpbuilt]

No, they got pissed off at me for staying 5 weeks in phils.. I think 6 months is max worth of extensions, then you have to leave and come back. You can stay 28 days or something like that without paying extensions..

I've been to mindanao.. I think you forgot to mention the humidity. hahahaa

Well seeing I've lived here for 4 years, I think I know what the rules are Of course you have to extend it ... you're allowed 2 years worth of extensions. Although its against the law to stay 5 weeks without extending, most you're looking at is paying for the extension you should have bought in the first place +1000 peso penalty per month (about $25).

Extensions cost about $75 to $100 every 2 months (which is about $35 to $50 a month). You can extend for 2 years without leaving.

 

[Roparadise]

interesting. i'm going to have to find out about that. i think he is still a citizen there, and here, if that's possible. because he was saying something about it a few years ago, and he doesn't vote here when we have elections and things like that.

thanks or the reply

You really need to get it,it will open up alot of oppurtinies for you,and make travelling in Europe when you go,much easier. Lets say you want to live in Paris for 6 months you can do that. No visa required to stay more then 3 months in any EU nation as long as you can support yourself and register your residency with the local police

After you get it,apply for the Italian passport. When you travel between Australia and Europe your going to have to do the following: Use Australian passport when boarding flight to Europe,when you land use the Italian passport to get though the faster line. And when you leave reverse the order.