I dont know if this is the right place to put this, but here goes... Basically i want to work in America as a Designer (level.. game... somthing along those lines), im currently employed as a Designer in the UK, however as i just stated; i want to move to america (personal reasons) if any one knows can you please answer the following... - How much Industry exp do i need to work in america (based on the fact that i am an 18yr old British citizen... as i know the imigration thing can be a bitch) - I head that companys treat imigrants (or aliens as they call them) like shit untill they get a green card, and use the excuse *well your working towards a green card, so unles you dont want it anymore...*, is this true for most games companies too? - Would i be able to go for a green card? or will they put me on some visa bulshit and make me leave if/when i leave the company? - How long would it take to get a green card also any links to websites holding information related to any of the questions would be great Thanks in advance

> How long would it take to get a green card

Last I've heard, it take around 8 - 10 years to get a green card in the US. So you would need a visa, renewed every year as long as you can prove employment.

> I head that companys treat imigrants (or aliens
> as they call them) like shit {...}

Depends on the industry. Mexican lettuce pickers may get a low down. But this is a brains-oriented industry and the last guy you want to piss off in any software development organization is the one that builds the products you are generating revenues with...

-cb

Coming from the UK you'll have a lot less trouble than someone coming from Mexico, El Salvador, etc. For starters, you are presumably quite fluent in English (first language etc) and have a solid education. A green card may be more than what you want - it establishes you as a permanent resident. A work visa may be more in line. You'll have a better shot if you line work up before you come here. From what I understand, the immigration services will look better on you if you have a job already lined up because your employer will then act as your "sponsor".

I would suggest that you google for more information. There's bound to be a lot of information available from the federal government at various websites - although the Immigration and Naturalization Service has been wrapped into Homeland Security. (Are you certain you want to come to the US? Have you thought about New Zealand?).

thanks for your replys (any more would be very welcome)
8-10 yrs.. pff that sucks.. yup i definatly wana live over there, have a very serious relationship with someone over there, may even end up just geting married (we plan to anyway..) so thats bound to happen within the 8-10 yrs, shit.. thats stupid, well any more suggestions would be great,

what i reallyneed to know if the ammount of exp i need toget int teh game industry in the US (as i said i already am in teh industry in teh UK), but i hard its somthing like 6-8 yrs education or 4 yrs exp? hich again is fuckin stupid imo,

why you americans gotta be so damn tight :P lol, or your government atleast :)

If you have a GF there, and plan to get married, then get married, it will be much easier for you to get a green card.
As for the industry, unless you are above exceptional, and have some degrees (you are only 18, so you can't have the degrees they want) you will end up as a dish washer. For example, I have a greencard, I am a good programmer, I worked at games before, I am the lead programmer of a relatively successful indie MMORPG, but all my jobs in the US were cook, dish washer, CD/DVD packaging with a lot of spanish people, and now, the best job since I cam here more than 1 year ago is embroidery operator.

You will need a degree or the employment equivalent (which is probably the 6-8 years you heard about).

.... thats fuckin stupid, surely i can get an equivilent job over there?

i dont expect to work my way upto senior designer only to goto america and work as a dishwasher for 4 yrs while in college before i can get an entry level designer job AGAIN (which will probably pay less than lead dish washer), lol thats just fuckin stupid

If you were a senior designer at a real company, you should be able to roll into the equivalent position in the states (assuming someone will hire you - but that will be based on your skills).

ahh thats good then, well ive just got into the industry (almost half yr now), so in two yrs i should get a bit of exp under my belt, ad i still work for mods too, so, i guess that will always help

thanks for all your postys, anymore will be great :)

It also depends in what state you will move. I live in PA, and there are virtually no IT jobs nearby (let alone designing jobs). In California, on the other hand, you might be more successful. But again, you will need a portofolio, most of the game jobs (especially game design) require you to have worked at at LEAST 1 PUBLISHED game. Most of them require at least 2 games tho.