mme_hardy: White rose (Default)
mme_hardy ([personal profile] mme_hardy) wrote2016-11-13 09:54 am

To Americans wanting to flee

Believe me, I get it. But it's not as easy as just "moving to [insert country name]". Other countries have immigration laws, too, and you may not qualify, especially if you don't have STEM or medical qualifications.

Unless US expatriates are categorized as refugees (highly unlikely) you'll need to apply to the new country, and that process can take months to years.

If you think you'll need to go, get all the paperwork you'll need to file now, and realize that you'll be competing with thousands (at least) of other Americans who have decided to move on. We won't be any more welcome in other countries than we make their citizens. (Hint: not.)

And a side note for transpeople: Currently under Obama's policies you can get a passport showing your correct gender with a physician's statement saying 'you've had appropriate clinical treatment', and there's no requirement to have bottom surgery. This policy will almost certainly be reversed by the Trump administration, so apply for your passport now to get legal documentation of your gender. Many states require bottom surgery.

e: Recessional has an invaluable comment about Canadian immigration.
lizbee: (LoK: Lin and Tenzin (back to back))

[personal profile] lizbee 2016-11-13 08:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, also:

- marrying an Australian to live here is ALSO difficult -- when Dad got married in the mid-2000s, there was a hell of a lot of paperwork, and I had to write several statutory declarations attesting to my belief that his marriage was real. Granted, his wife is a Muslim of Indian descent, but I don't think it's really any easier for white people.

- we do not have marriage equality.

- we WILL allow people's same-sex partners to come here, but only if you've been living together for twelve months, which I guess would involve the Australian partner moving to the US.

Also, Australia has a lot of the same problems as the US, plus a few unique to us. On the upside, our working conditions are better than New Zealand.
ironed_orchid: watercolour and pen style sketch of a brown tabby cat curl up with her head looking up at the viewer and her front paw stretched out on the left (Default)

[personal profile] ironed_orchid 2016-11-14 11:50 am (UTC)(link)
When I married the German we were relieved that his work came through with his Permanent Residency sponsorship not long after, because it meant we wouldn't have our relationship scrutinized. On the one hand, we probably wouldn't have bothered with wedding if his work hadn't dragged their heels, but on the other we're not together anymore so it's a good thing we didn't feel we had to stay together just so he could stay in the country.
movingfinger: (Default)

[personal profile] movingfinger 2016-11-14 09:15 pm (UTC)(link)
When I married the Australian in the '80s, there was so much uncertainty about my status in Australia that we stayed in the US instead.