International Players moving to the USA?

daddypool

daddypool

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hi. This may seem like a silly question to some...but it will definitely help me and a few others now and in the future, if some light is shed on this.This may not totally a pool related topic, but it sure concerns a lot of international pool players I know.

Recently, it had been stated/reported that a few Pros(non-US Citizens) had moved to the US...possibly for their pool careers or other personal resons.

To name a few, Alisson Fisher, Karen Corr?, Mika Immonen, Alex Pegulayan, Santos S., Jose Parica, Thorsten Hohmann..and the list goes on and on.

Is it because...

1) They have enough money to 'set up a business' and get VISA for about a year and takes it from there?
2) They have won the "green card" lottery?
3) They are top players in their countries (therfore, considered a special talent/contribution to the US society)?
4) They just travel with the temporary, 3 month visit-VISA? and return home when the time is up, and head back again when they are allowed again?
5) They are sponsored by a big BODY/Organisation (eg. Cuetec/Dragon Promotions,etc)
6) They have some sponsorship for green card by relatives?
7) They have a 'Fiance' VISA (like the movie-Greencard)

From what I know, there are many ways to get a VISA for longer than the common 3months. BUT the average person, without the skills of a profession like a doctor/engineer/teacher/nurse/scientist...etc, will find it really hard to try to "relocate" to the US! Most pool players, as well as they play pool,dont necessarily have the qualifications/professions/money or the luck to try to relocate to the US.

I would really appreciate some input in this...I have travelled to the US on a number of occasions(each trip for 3months), and i am in the process of my own ways to get my GreenCard ie.family sponsorship)..but I am really curious how some International Pros do it. Can Hohmann and Pegulayan say " I was a World Champ" and he's welcomed? Can Fisher say "I'm a famous over-achiever in Snooker"? Probably not...I would guess if I told US immigration I was a pool pro, they might say,"So you wanna hustle us Americans? here's the back door! use your return ticket NOW!"

Daddypool
 
daddypool said:
Hi. This may seem like a silly question to some...but it will definitely help me and a few others now and in the future, if some light is shed on this.This may not totally a pool related topic, but it sure concerns a lot of international pool players I know.

Recently, it had been stated/reported that a few Pros(non-US Citizens) had moved to the US...possibly for their pool careers or other personal resons.

To name a few, Alisson Fisher, Karen Corr?, Mika Immonen, Alex Pegulayan, Santos S., Jose Parica, Thorsten Hohmann..and the list goes on and on.

Is it because...

1) They have enough money to 'set up a business' and get VISA for about a year and takes it from there?
2) They have won the "green card" lottery?
3) They are top players in their countries (therfore, considered a special talent/contribution to the US society)?
4) They just travel with the temporary, 3 month visit-VISA? and return home when the time is up, and head back again when they are allowed again?
5) They are sponsored by a big BODY/Organisation (eg. Cuetec/Dragon Promotions,etc)
6) They have some sponsorship for green card by relatives?
7) They have a 'Fiance' VISA (like the movie-Greencard)

From what I know, there are many ways to get a VISA for longer than the common 3months. BUT the average person, without the skills of a profession like a doctor/engineer/teacher/nurse/scientist...etc, will find it really hard to try to "relocate" to the US! Most pool players, as well as they play pool,dont necessarily have the qualifications/professions/money or the luck to try to relocate to the US.

I would really appreciate some input in this...I have travelled to the US on a number of occasions(each trip for 3months), and i am in the process of my own ways to get my GreenCard ie.family sponsorship)..but I am really curious how some International Pros do it. Can Hohmann and Pegulayan say " I was a World Champ" and he's welcomed? Can Fisher say "I'm a famous over-achiever in Snooker"? Probably not...I would guess if I told US immigration I was a pool pro, they might say,"So you wanna hustle us Americans? here's the back door! use your return ticket NOW!"

Daddypool
Click to expand...


I asked something similar to this quite sometime ago and got little resonse. However from asking people myself here's my take on things.

Yes some of the top players have got it on sports visa's it is possible but mor likely I think if you have represented your country at international level, or of course won a wrold championship.

A lot of the philipino's and others go on 3 month (or 6 month) tourist visa's and then leave (or overstay as the case may have been!)

Some players do get married to American's and of course can then stay once they have jumped through all the hoops.

Other than that unless you're from a close US ally such as Iran, Iraq or Korea (and not the United Kingdom! :eek: ) you won't be able to apply for the green card lottery but will have to somehow find work. If you can find an employee to offer you a job you can then apply for a H1 visa. Or like you said if you have stacks of cash start a business!
 
????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Some athletes probably get visitor visas...
others become permanent residents with green cards and some, after a period of time, become American citizens...others may even have dual citizenship if their country allows it....
Your point is???
ruk
 
Thanks TheOne...(keanu Reeves? or Jet Li?)
yep...thats probably the way things are. Although the sports part is News to me...( POOL=SPORTS? in layman terms?)...If POOL was like baseball or Basketball or Tennis, then ..a different story.

I really wonder how else they get this done...even to get an employer to 'sponsor' you, thats a mean task with all the requirements to be met 'professionally'!

By the way, was reading a bit of your pool venture...good luck. You leave a good impression on readers. Good website you have too.

Out of curiosity, are you based in OZ now? if so, may I know which city?

P.S. I'm with you on the snooker/pool debate, having played snooker for over 10years and switched to pool 3years ago...but why would you bother to debate on that anymore? LOL...just my 2 cents! (The other debater seems knowledgable, but it is somewhat like discussing religion, or politics...it is almost a taboo subject!)
 
rukiddingme said:
????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Some athletes probably get visitor visas...
others become permanent residents with green cards and some, after a period of time, become American citizens...others may even have dual citizenship if their country allows it....
Your point is???
ruk
Click to expand...

r u kidding me? (i sort of felt your handle was meant for me..but..i guess not)

anyway, my point is : Many great pool players love USA as a great country, nevermind what other reasons...in this case, example used is POOL players. After hearing some players moved there for long durations(some permanently), it is in the interest of myself and plenty more, to find out what options there are to be able to relocate with all the strict VISA restrictions.

I for one, am lucky to be able to travel there without a need for VISA..its known as a "waived VISA", but for a mimum of 3months each trip..but many others are not that fortunate, and some manage to reside there permanently, with POOL related reasons, probably....Thats what I am hoping to hear, that they are recognised for their achievements?
 
Well in regards to pagulayan he's a canadian citizen.......he can stay in the states for a really long time if he wants. i can cross the border and stay for half a year if i wanted to
 
daddypool said:
Thanks TheOne...(keanu Reeves? or Jet Li?)
yep...thats probably the way things are. Although the sports part is News to me...( POOL=SPORTS? in layman terms?)...If POOL was like baseball or Basketball or Tennis, then ..a different story.

I really wonder how else they get this done...even to get an employer to 'sponsor' you, thats a mean task with all the requirements to be met 'professionally'!

By the way, was reading a bit of your pool venture...good luck. You leave a good impression on readers. Good website you have too.

Out of curiosity, are you based in OZ now? if so, may I know which city?

P.S. I'm with you on the snooker/pool debate, having played snooker for over 10years and switched to pool 3years ago...but why would you bother to debate on that anymore? LOL...just my 2 cents! (The other debater seems knowledgable, but it is somewhat like discussing religion, or politics...it is almost a taboo subject!)
Click to expand...


Thanks for that, You've joined a long list of people that have told me not to bother, I just thought if I explained it well enough he would be able to understand, either I'm not explaining it well enough or....well like you said no point!

I've just moved back to UK and not sure if I did the right thing or not, especially with winter coming LOL! But I used to live in Sydney, for 4 years.

As far as the sports, or special skills or whatever visa is concerned (I think its an 'O' class it is true. I think Sarah Ellerby got in based on her two shot 8 ball England acheivments and I'm pretty sure others have too. The H1-b is a possibility but youre right its not easy I think. You have to get an employee to sponsor you so to speak and it can take months, I think they have to show they couldn't fill the job locally also. I don't know what nationality you are but for me(and maybe others?) Canada is the best option. It is realatively simple for Uk citizens with the right Quals to emigrate to Canada, and once citizen is obtained (3 years I think) you can go work in the USA if you still wish. Its tempting because there's a hell of a lot more 9 ball in Canada than the UK and its obviousl easier to play in the US if based on the border. Anyway if you have family there already you don't really have to worry because that's the easiest way.

PS
The Matrix :-)
 
TheOne said:
Anyway if you have family there already you don't really have to worry because that's the easiest way.

QUOTE]
Well, yeah I suppose, but it will still be 3-6years i think. (in my case, sponsored by sister...if it was by Parents, faster, but unfortunately they are just GreenCard holders, unlike my sis, who is a Citizen)

p.s. matrix huh? good for you Neo, still, a tough handle to carry! (...pauses...refers to a post..."arrogant!"..LOL)
Click to expand...
 
Cardinal_Syn said:
Well in regards to pagulayan he's a canadian citizen.......he can stay in the states for a really long time if he wants. i can cross the border and stay for half a year if i wanted to
Click to expand...

It is easier to become a US citizen by going through Canada first. In the past I have hired workers from off-shore for specific tasks that they were qualified for. Almost each time they went through Canada first for citizenship which allowed them to travel through the US as they please.

I think everything comes down to what visa they are able to get for the US followed by certain restrictions the US has with other countries.
 
pete lafond said:
It is easier to become a US citizen by going through Canada first. In the past I have hired workers from off-shore for specific tasks that they were qualified for. Almost each time they went through Canada first for citizenship which allowed them to travel through the US as they please.

I think everything comes down to what visa they are able to get for the US followed by certain restrictions the US has with other countries.
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Oh for sure, I know a few people that goes there just for a working visa. It's really easy. At one point I was thinking of applying for dual citizenship to move there and work, but I just decided to stay here. I think one reason of why it's so easy is that we're pretty much neighbours and in good terms with each other.
 
daddypool said:
p.s. matrix huh? good for you Neo, still, a tough handle to carry! (...pauses...refers to a post..."arrogant!"..LOL)
Click to expand...

Don't encourage him! LOL I do love that movie though.

PS
Isn't it the North American Trade Agrement or something that lets Canadians work in the US and visa versa?

Incidently I enquired about applying for Candian residence and although I would pass the points requirement the time it is currently taking to process in London is upto 3 years!!! :eek:

Although anyone under tha age of 35 can get a 1 year work visa through BUNAC, this is also available for the USA if you are a student, but only once in your life and Ive already used mine! :( These exchange visa don't apply to all nationalities though.
 
TheOne said:
PS
Isn't it the North American Trade Agrement or something that lets Canadians work in the US and visa versa?
Click to expand...

No, it is a pain in the ass to get a job in the USA as a Canadian citizen. Basically a company has to prove there is no US citizen that is qualified to do the job and therefore the hiring must be done out of country (AKA Canada).
 
Celtic said:
No, it is a pain in the ass to get a job in the USA as a Canadian citizen. Basically a company has to prove there is no US citizen that is qualified to do the job and therefore the hiring must be done out of country (AKA Canada).
Click to expand...

That spunds almost the same as being a UK citizen. I read somewhere a while ago that this was an alternative way in for Brits, isn't there any benifits being Canadian? (with regards to working in the US of course? ) :D
 
TheOne said:
That spunds almost the same as being a UK citizen. I read somewhere a while ago that this was an alternative way in for Brits, isn't there any benifits being Canadian? (with regards to working in the US of course? ) :D
Click to expand...

Not much man, I have done alot of checking into it, I have a masters, and it is extremely tough to get employed in the USA. The best chance I have of getting into the states is getting in with a large international company with offices in both Canada and the USA and then getting reasigned to the USA within the same company, staying there for 5 years, and then getting citizenship. The border between Canada and the USA is easy to cross for a vacation, it is very hard to cross for work, we need visa's and the whole 9 yards to work in the USA just as much as any other country.
 
The only job that I can think of that is easy to get is nursing. I know a few people that goes to cali and gets the job, for some reason it's in demand. My friends sister got a job offer in the graphic design business but couldn't get the proper visa and she ended up not getting it. I guesse it just comes down to luck and whether the job is in demand. But like what celtic said it's easy to cross for a vacation, but to get some type of a working visa is a different story. Unless of course you got connections.
 
Cardinal_Syn said:
The only job that I can think of that is easy to get is nursing. I know a few people that goes to cali and gets the job, for some reason it's in demand. My friends sister got a job offer in the graphic design business but couldn't get the proper visa and she ended up not getting it. I guesse it just comes down to luck and whether the job is in demand. But like what celtic said it's easy to cross for a vacation, but to get some type of a working visa is a different story. Unless of course you got connections.
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That is so true! A close relative got into a nursing course in LA, but her VISA was rejected, as she had relatives in Texas! (They made a decision that the study course was meant to settle down permanently in the US!)...there is always a chance that you might be told to get back on to your plane, even right at the immigration at the airport once you arrive..thats how strict they are now...

The irony, to me is this, each year, US immigration opens the doors to hundreds of thousands of "anyones" with the Green Card Lottery..so any Tom,Dick or Harry, as long as with good health, and no police record, upon winning can become a green card holder immediately!...this opens the door to even "undesirable residents" who might not even contribute much to the nation....on the other hand, a well, educated, well-experienced, and a person with a genuine interest in a study course (eg.nursing in a renowned college), with full potential to contribute well to the society, even if he/she stays on upon graduation...gets rejected right in the face, because they feel it is a ploy to one day become a resident!

This is not meant to question the way immigration works, but rather to understand better the criteria and to make for better migration planning for individuals such as myself.
 
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