Don't believe everything you read or hear in the media. US Immigration is not as easy as many people think, especially in this post-9/11 era. The Immigration system is rather restrictive and merely buying a home (or 2 or 3 homes) in the US does NOT automatically provide you with the right to live and work in the US. We strongly advise that you consult with an immigration attorney prior to the purchase of any US property.

OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT WEBSITES

American Embassy In London, England

American Embassy In Dublin, Ireland

US Citizenship And Immigration Services (USCIS) In The USA

IMMIGRATION ATTORNEYS AND OTHER IMMIGRATION INFO

Specialist immigration lawyers with offices in US, UK , Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Immigration One

Immigration Attorney In Ft. Lauderdale, Fl

Cohn & Monioudis, P.A.

Good Informational Immigration Website

A SPECIAL NOTE TO OUR UK WEBSITE VISITORS

We receive several requests per week from UK residents about how to move to the USA. While we hate to be the bearers of bad news, we have to be very honest and upfront - being able to legally move to the USA is at best extremely difficult and at worst, virtually impossible. We wish it weren't, because quite frankly, we'd sell a ton more properties if this were not the case!

While not wanting to step into the role of immigration attorneys, we do have to say that we have quite a lot of experience in this realm and can tell you this.

Unless you were born in the USA, or marry a US citizen, or you are the minor child or parent of a US citizen, or buy or start a business (under strict guidelines), or are lucky enough to find a US employer who will go through the extreme hassle of employing you (lots of luck with that one!), then there really isn't any other way to legally move here.

Many people are under the mistaken impression that they will be allowed to stay here if 1) they own property here , or 2) they are retired. Unfortunately, no amount of property ownership, nor being retired, gives you the legal right to stay in the USA. Unfortunately, many TV programs and magazines in the UK are telling people all about those lucky people who move over to Florida and lead a wonderful life in the sun, making it look very easy. This is just not true! There is very definitely a lot more to it than the UK media portrays.

Even having family in the US will not get you in here, because although a US citizen is allowed to sponsor immediate family, in reality, there is a backlog of some 12 or 15 years, during which time you must wait in your own country.

The easiest way is to buy an ongoing business, but there are strict requirements for that. While the guidelines are not actually set in stone, a rough guide of a minimum investment for a business is now close to $200,000, with most of that coming from the buyer's personal(documented) funds. Higher priced businesses may be allowed some borrowing of funds, but the majority must still be personal funds. Also, this business must support two American citizen employees and still be a viable business. Obviously, there are not that many $200,000 businesses which will net you the required minimum, after paying two American employees, so in reality, you must be prepared to invest more.

Another thing to consider when looking at E2 qualifying businesses, is that the INS is really looking to see that the business is not just a little "mom and pop" business and that it is a substantial investment, which will provide a good means of income for the owners (after paying the two required American citizen employees). The business should also be housed in commercial premises (either owned or leased) and not a home based business.

As a Business Broker, Tri-Forbes will be very happy to help you find a suitable business, but we do recommend that you seek good legal and tax counsel before embarking on any major move. Please feel free to contact Floyd Forbes who has made this transition.

An e-mail from Gov. Bush's office reads

In May 2006, Tri-Forbes was one of the many concerned people who wrote to Florida Governor Jeb Bush, regarding the proposed new immigration laws, restricting foreign visitors to only 30 days in the US. Governor Bush was very much a proponent of not reducing this time period.

On March 11th 2007, Tri-Forbes received the following e-mail from Governor Bush's office, announcing the retraction of the proposed rule, for which Tri-Forbes, for one, is very thankful.

Here's the letter:

Dear Friend:

You recently e-mailed Florida Governor Jeb Bush regarding the Immigration and Naturalization Service's (INS) proposed changes to the B-2 visitor status program from a six-month to a thirty-day length of stay. Since this issue is important to you, Governor Bush thought you would be interested in the federal government's decision to withdraw this proposal. The press release below has more information on this matter.

Please continue to contact Governor Bush about the issues that concern you the most.

Sincerely yours,

Jacqueline Bauer

Aide to Governor Bush

Executive Office of the Governor

Office of Citizens' Services

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 5 th 2007

GOVERNOR BUSH PRAISES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DECISION TO WITHDRAW RULE THAT WOULD HAVE IMPACTED INTERNATIONAL VISITORS TO FLORIDA

TALLAHASSEE - Governor Jeb Bush today hailed the decision of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (formally INS) within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to withdraw a proposed rule that would have limited the length of stay for international visitors to the United States to 30 days. The rule would have negatively impacted many of the international visitors who travel to Florida for extended periods of time.

In 2001, more than eight million international visitors came to the Sunshine State.

In June 2002, Governor Bush presented videotaped testimony before the U.S. House Small Business Committee outlining the potential detriment to Florida if this rule was to take effect. Teaming with organizations which include VISIT FLORIDA, the Travel Industry Association of America, the Florida Bankers Association, and the Canadian Snowbird Association, Governor Bush served as a champion voice to call for the retraction of the proposed rule.

"The federal government has responded thoughtfully and reconsidered the original restrictions," said Governor Bush. "If enacted, this rule could have impacted millions of international visitors who travel to Florida annually, many of whom own vacation properties here and come for lengthy stays."

Tourism is Florida's number one industry, comprising 20 percent of our state's budgeted general revenue. It generates more than $50 billion in economic impact every year, and employs more than 870,000 people. In 2002, a record year for the state, more than 75 million visitors came to Florida, maintaining our status as the world's premier travel destination.