Job Discussion Forums

[jonniboy]

Countries like Latvia would still be options in the EU for non-EU citizens as there's a lack of native speakers there and companies would therefore go through the visa process.

[naturegirl321]

[Sashadroogie]

Does that automatically confer citizenship on me?

[choudoufu]

[spiral78]

Dear Sasha (and naturegirl):

I'm terribly sorry to report that, just as in Europe, it's more difficult than just marrying a citizen.

You must also meet other conditions.
To the best of my knowledge, the US process is:

Move to the US with spouse and live together at least 5 years before application. During this time you have a right to work, but it is limited to jobs that accept citizens of other countries (so if you're an Air Traffic Controller or government employee, or police or military or security expert, you'll be flipping burgers for the duration).
Fill out paperwork, multiple times, at great length.
Endure unexpected home visit(s) to ensure that said marraige is 'real.'
Learn lots of stuff about US history so that you can pass the citizenship tests.
Take vows.
Ultimately get the passport!!

There are also issues of mandatory military service in many countries, along with language tests and etc, etc. Some countries don't allow dual citizenship (the US does) but depending on the laws of 'your' new country, you may have to officially renounce your original citizenship.

Not an undertaking to be considered lightly, overall!!

Best regards,
spiral

[johnslat]

Dear Sasha,

Umm - not so easy:


"Eligibility Requirements

Normally, a non-citizen wishing to become a United States Citizen must have five years of legal permanent residency in the U.S. to apply. Non-citizens married to a U.S. citizen for at least three years can apply after three years of residency.

However, special provisions apply for members of the Armed Forces:

In order for a non-citizen to enlist in the military, he/she must first be a legal immigrant (with a green card), permamently residing in the United States. It's important to note that the military cannot and will not assist in the immigration process. One must immigrate first, using normal immigration quotas and procedures, and -- once they've established an address in the United States -- they can find a recruiter's office and apply for enlistment.

Peacetime Military Service: Under INA Section 328, persons who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces (including active duty, reserves, or national guard), can file for Naturalization based on their current or prior U.S. military service. The requirements for eligibility are that the applicant must have served honorably or have separated from the service under honorable conditions, have completed one year or more of military service, and be a legal permanent resident at the time of his or her examination by USCIS on the Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. This used to be three years, but Congress changed it to one year in 2002. Filing for naturalization under this provision of the law, Section 328 of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, as amended (INA), excuses the applicant from any specific period of residence or physical presence within the United States, so long as the application is filed while the applicant is still serving with the military or within 6 months of an honorable discharge.

Service During Hostilities : By Executive Order Number 13269, dated July 3, 2002, President Bush declared that all those persons serving honorably in active-duty status in the Armed Forces of the United States at any time on or after September 11, 2001 until a date to be announced, are eligible to apply for naturalization in accordance with the service during hostilities statutory exception in Section 329 of the INA to the naturalization requirements. This means that individuals with even one day of honorable active duty service can apply for citizenship, regardless of how long they have been a resident. Note: Under this provision, individuals who apply for citizenship after discharge must present a DD Form 214, with service characterized as "Honorable," or "General." Those with other characterizations (including Entry Level Separation), are not eligible."

Regards,
John

[Sashadroogie]

You mean I can't just marry my Russian girlfriend and waltz into the States and secure a top TEFL job? What sort of Fascist visa regime is this?

Bring on the withering away of the State!

[johnslat]

Dear Sasha,

You can't "waltz," but you could emulate many others and do the "Australian crawl," "the sidestroke," "the butterfly," "the backstroke" or the "breaststroke."

But you'd better hurry - the International Boundary and Water Commission has made a decision to soon release millions of gallons of water into the Rio Grande River system to Mexico.

Regards,
John

[Sashadroogie]

I suppose it is true that I could swim to the US: I can see Alaska from my dacha!

[Qaaolchoura]

Just a comment:
The Brits and Irishmen have it better than Americans, Canadians, Australians and New Zealanders in that there's a lot of countries in the EU where people don't speak English natively (though over half a dozen where they learn it in primary school). There aren't really many TEFL jobs in countries where most people speak English natively for some reason. (There are a few, but they require a lot of experience and/or an MA Ed.)

What I want to know is why, if Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland joined the Schengen Agreement, the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand can't. Sad thing is that I bet the Europeans would agree to allow Canada and/or the US join (as long as we didn't try to bust into the EU while we were at it) but Ottawa can't try it alone as Canada can't afford to tighten border controls with the US; and there's no way the American people would agree to such an erosion of our national sovereignty.

~Q

[Sashadroogie]

I'd imagine it has to do with neither the US or Canada being in anyway geographically related to Europe. Same goes for Australia and New Zealand. How Iceland managed to be classified as European I still don't understand though...

[Sashadroogie]

Still, I would like to register my displeasure at being discriminated against by the US authorities. It's just not fair that I can't set up shop and teach over there... : (

I'm going to have to crack open my third bottle now, so upset am I.

[Xie Lin]

[Sashadroogie]

Hee hee! Outside the Zone thinker...

[spiral78]