I'm 14 and have some fairly basic questions.

[lonelyplanetboy]

Hi my name is Allan, I'm 14 (nearly 15) and I live in Australia. I've always had this huge dream of moving to the US. In recent months I've realized I should start preparing for such a giant change and a huge step, and found it isn't as simple as I used to think, simply put my questions are the following really:

How long does it take to get a permanent residence visa and what are the requirements?

Is getting a green card a simple procedure or will I be rejected one?

How long do I have to be a permanent resident, before I can apply for citizenship?

Will the time I had to spend in the US to gain citizenship, be added onto the time I need to be in the US to become naturalized?

Can I get a visa when I'm 16, and include the time I've been in the US when I've been under 18 when applying for citizenship or a green card?

I really have my heart set on moving to the US, and I know I'm young but I'm worried this process isn't going to work. I just really want to become a US citizen more than anything and always have.

Also I forgot to add, I'd like to move to one of the following states Tennessee, Michigan, New York or California. I stated those four because I understand it is hard to gain citizenship in California due to illegal aliens, New York is a huge city and I'm not sure if it's the same as California in regards to illegal aliens, Tennessee because I always read bad things about Michigan/Detroit (which I know shouldn't sway my opinion because after all, they are on the internet) but because of the amazing musical culture, and Michigan because I've always thought it would be a fantastic place to live.

Please help, I know this sounds exaggerated but these things cross my mind at the least once a day, I'd like to happily see my future in the United States of America, rather than see it clouded in a fear of paper work and long periods of time.

Thank you very much,
Allan.

[txh1b]

This is some serious crap from a scammer. I can't believe such questions can come from a kid.

[lonelyplanetboy]

This is some serious crap from a scammer. I can't believe such questions can come from a kid.

I'm not a scammer, and I'm not sure if you're insulting me or just stating something but either way, these are serious questions I really need help. I swear on all holy documents, I am 14 years old and seeking answers to the questions posted.

[txh1b]

Whatever.....I find it hard to believe. I will let others answer.

[lonelyplanetboy]

Whatever.....I find it hard to believe. I will let others answer.

What kind of scam could I be running? Just because I'm not an idiot and know how to write correctly, that means I'm not fourteen? I think it's unfair that because I'm not going around spitting out bad grammar and asking stupid questions that I'm denied any kind of help. Maybe it's the fact that I have only posted under ten times? Well I only just discovered this site and thought some genuine, informed people would be able to help me rather than idiots on Yahoo Answers or all the incredibly hard to understand, technical terms used on so many sites. Maybe, it's the fact that there are so many questions? Well I think about this a LOT, and I mean a LOT. During school, when I'm out, when I'm home, when I'm doing anything almost. Just because I took the time to put the questions in an eloquent format, that means I'm a scammer? Why don't I just call my local immigration office, right? Well I've tried and not only do they think I'm lying or pranking, they think I'm just some kid, a problem I didn't think I'd occur on the internet and what do you know...I was right! I only posted here because I thought everyone would be at least half nice, and give me a tiny bit of help. But I suppose I was wrong, and I apologize that I am able to string together a sentence at the ripe old age of FOURTEEN! Just because I am young, it does not mean I don't care about where my life goes and I'm sorry that I can't afford to get advice from my local immigration lawyers, but eh...what can you expect from a scammer right?

Thanks for nothing.

[txh1b]

I find it hard to get convinced as you seem to be awake 24x7 even when the time is late at night in your part of the world. All you have been stressing about in your posts is your age which is kinda fishy.

[lonelyplanetboy]

I find it hard to get convinced as you seem to be awake 24x7 even when the time is late at night in your part of the world. All you have been stressing about in your posts is your age which is kinda fishy.

Yes, it was very late when I posted, I'm not up 24/7, but it's school break here and I don't need to be awake during the day, so I stay up late, because a) The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and the Late Show with David Letterman is on and b) It's school break.

The only reason I stressed my age is because I'm not sure if my questions are stupid or immature, and didn't want to come off as an idiot.

I'm seriously only fourteen, I'd link you to my Myspace account but it says I'm sixteen because other wise I wouldn't be able to have an account, and also I don't know you. I don't know what kind of scam this could be and I just seriously want some answers without all the technical terms.

I apologize for my little rant earlier on, that was immature and the only reason I did so was because I'm sick of no one taking me seriously when this is something I'm very serious about. If you know any answer to any of my questions please, just help me out. I give you my word that I am only fourteen.

[txh1b]

okay...Here are few answers.

How long does it take to get a permanent residence visa and what are the requirements?

A green card or PR in US works quite different when compared to countries like Australia or New Zealand. You can get a green card only by means of employment, marriage to a US Citizen or by becoming an investor. There is no simple way as for employment based GC, one has to find a job that qualifies for a GC. For investor, one has to invest couple of $$$ in millions and hire 20-25 USCs.


Is getting a green card a simple procedure or will I be rejected one?

It isn’t a simple procedure. It is complicated and involves a whole lot of details.

How long do I have to be a permanent resident, before I can apply for citizenship?

5 years of continuous stay in the US

Will the time I had to spend in the US to gain citizenship, be added onto the time I need to be in the US to become naturalized?
Time spent after getting a GC or PR is counted towards naturalization requirements.

Can I get a visa when I'm 16, and include the time I've been in the US when I've been under 18 when applying for citizenship or a green card?
Time spent in US is not a criterion for a green card. A visa to visit the US is not possible for you as you clearly have immigrant intent and want to settle down in the US.

As you seem to have good reading and writing skills, read more here.

http://www.immihelp.com/greencard/index.html

[lonelyplanetboy]

okay...Here are few answers.

How long does it take to get a permanent residence visa and what are the requirements?

A green card or PR in US works quite different when compared to countries like Australia or New Zealand. You can get a green card only by means of employment, marriage to a US Citizen or by becoming an investor. There is no simple way as for employment based GC, one has to find a job that qualifies for a GC. For investor, one has to invest couple of $$$ in millions and hire 20-25 USCs.


Is getting a green card a simple procedure or will I be rejected one?

It isn’t a simple procedure. It is complicated and involves a whole lot of details.

How long do I have to be a permanent resident, before I can apply for citizenship?

5 years of continuous stay in the US

Will the time I had to spend in the US to gain citizenship, be added onto the time I need to be in the US to become naturalized?
Time spent after getting a GC or PR is counted towards naturalization requirements.

Can I get a visa when I'm 16, and include the time I've been in the US when I've been under 18 when applying for citizenship or a green card?
Time spent in US is not a criterion for a green card. A visa to visit the US is not possible for you as you clearly have immigrant intent and want to settle down in the US.

As you seem to have good reading and writing skills, read more here.

http://www.immihelp.com/greencard/index.html

Thank you very much, your answers are very helpful! But just one more thing. Is there any kind of student immigration type of green card available? I know that sounds dumb but I've only seen things applicable to people who have skills generally gained over time, and I was hoping to move between the age of 16-18. Is this an unreasonable dream? Or is there anything/any way, I could become an American citizen at a younger age?

I know I'm asking a lot of questions and I appreciate your answers. I just have always, even as a toddler, seen myself living life in the US. I've always wanted to be able to drive all across the country, stopping at dingy old gas stations and truck stop diners. It's always been my dream, and to live it out forever would be beyond expectations.

Anyway, thanks for helping me out and sorry I was an a**hole before.

[txh1b]

How could you dream of America as a toddler? You must be kidding! No, GC in USA is different from Australia. Students should have no immigrant intent at all to be even granted a visa.

You could try to join a college for a degree taking SAT etc but F1 visa for someone with immigrant intent is not possible.

Where in the world are those old gas stations and diners? All you can see now are the big Macs and BKs. You seem to have watched too many cowboy movies.

ps. I am done with this thread. Read more on the GC link provided. Good bye!