View Full Version : How would you emigrate to another country as an adult webmaster?
As we all know, working as an adult webmaster has its pros and cons.
We pride ourselves to be independent, have the ability to work from our home, to schedule our work hours as it suits us, take a day off when it suits us without asking anyone for the permission etc. These are all perks of being an adult webmaster (or self employed on the Internet in general).
But, what if I decide to move to another country one day? What are my qualifications? Even - what is my profession? If I decide to call myself a webmaster (which isn't untrue) how can I prove my work experience? Show them my sites? That's clearly not going to work. lol How can I show what my income has been in the last 5 years or so, if I have been getting all my payments through checks or Epassprote?
I recently looked at the Australian immigration online texts and info. They list occupations that are in demand. Pretty much all professions you can think of are there... except for an adult webmaster of course. Not even "regular webmaster" is listed as an valid occupation.
What do other people think about this? Are we "stuck" in this profession and the country in which we were born once we enter the adult business? If not, what are the ways to emigrate to another country despite the apparent impossibility of such an endeavor?
xstr8guy
01-21-2009, 12:24 PM
I have given this same scenario a lot of thought the last few years of the Bush Administration. My partner and I were seriously considering moving to Europe. Now that Obama is our President, that plan is on hold... for now.
I imagine proving your income is just a matter of showing your tax documents... as long as you have been reporting all of your income. And as long as you choose to move to a liberal country, I don't imagine your occupation will be a problem. Who really knows how far they delve into the details? Most countries that welcome foreign emmigration are more worried that you will not be a burden upon their society. I would think that they want citizens who will bring in tax revenue.
Jim,
I am not reporting my income for tax. :) It's not against the law in my country at the moment so I don't feel obliged to.
You definitely would need an occupation that is in demand in the "target country" (where you want to move). Money alone is not sufficient. You have to prove to the immigration authorities that you will easily find the job that will help their economy. They would definitely ask what your current profession is, and would inquire about your work experience.
FisHY
01-21-2009, 01:02 PM
It is a bitch to migrate here (Australia) if you work for yourself. It is much easier when a company is involved. I came here as a student first. If I studied for another 6 months, I would have enough points for independent permanent visa. However I was fed up with studying so I told my boyfriend to sponsor me for a partner visa so one of the easiest ways is to get an Aussie partner. :D
xstr8guy
01-21-2009, 01:23 PM
My life-partner has an advantage when it comes to emigrating to Europe. His parents were born in Germany. And if your father is German, a US citizen is guranteed almost instant German citizenship. And since Germany has legal gay marriage, I could also get citizenship.
Hmmm, I'd better hang onto my man! Who knows where the US will be in another 4 years. "President Sarah Palin" would be enough to make me leave the US forever.
It is a bitch to migrate here (Australia) if you work for yourself. It is much easier when a company is involved. I came here as a student first. If I studied for another 6 months, I would have enough points for independent permanent visa. However I was fed up with studying so I told my boyfriend to sponsor me for a partner visa so one of the easiest ways is to get an Aussie partner. :D
I know it is hard to migrate to Australia as a self-employed person. :( The other significant problem is that I am not quite young anymore (37).
dannyz
01-21-2009, 01:54 PM
If you are really set on moving to another country, my advice would be to just pack up and do it or you never will. There are various ways to obtain Visas in other countries and it's usually not too difficult for Americans or Europeans. You could probably set up a 'web marketing' company and get a Visa that way, you don't have to mention you are an adult webmaster. Or if you make friends with some locals and can meet other expats in the community, I'm sure they would help give you advice. I am a firm believer in 'where there's a will, there's a way,' so I'm sure you will find the way if you set your heart to it. Good luck! :)
Andyr
01-21-2009, 02:04 PM
I am not reporting my income for tax. :) It's not against the law in my country at the moment so I don't feel obliged to.
And you want to emigrate? ... Geez I think I want to emigrate to wherever the hell it is you are lol
HunkMoneyLuke
01-21-2009, 02:23 PM
Where are you now? Migrating to Australia is not that hard if you have the right set of qualifications, namely that you are english speaking, have a Uni degree, are in the right age set and have skills that are in demand.
If you migrate to any other country, the first thing you should think about is if you are going to continue running your own business or if you are going to try to get a job. If you chose the second option, it may be a lot harder for you to get a visa. Business visas are usually easier but require an investment of $$$.
But if you do need to "prove yourself" (for a new job or for immigration), the easiest thing to do is to setup a company in your current location, appoint your lawyer as president and then get your lawyer to certify your employment or write your letter of recommendation.
By the way, immigrating to another country costs money - I would not recommend even trying it if you don't have $10K min extra to burn in the process (and way more if you are going for an investor visa too)
basschick
01-21-2009, 02:43 PM
maybe something to consider - didn't australia just come up with some stronger anti-porn laws?
btw, create a good mainstream website showing your skills if you want to show a domain for what it is you do.
dzinerbear
01-21-2009, 03:49 PM
If you're looking at moving to another country one of the first things I'd do now is set up a web design site. I have a corporate website on the Web. That way I have something to show customs if I'm travelling across borders and someone wants to see. I've got something to show the bank, if they ask. And so on.
Michael
Where are you now? Migrating to Australia is not that hard if you have the right set of qualifications, namely that you are english speaking, have a Uni degree, are in the right age set and have skills that are in demand.
I live Serbia. Things have gone from bad to worse here in the past 3 years or so, and I don't expect them to get any better in the foreseeable future.
I have a Uni degree (graduated from Faculty of Philology - English language and literature). However, I have never practiced this profession at a regular job (e.g. being a teacher in a state school).
If you migrate to any other country, the first thing you should think about is if you are going to continue running your own business or if you are going to try to get a job. If you chose the second option, it may be a lot harder for you to get a visa. Business visas are usually easier but require an investment of $$$.
I think it would be best to continue in this field, i.e. webmastering and other computer related things.
I thought about going the other route (to teach here for a few years, then try to get into Australia or Canada on the basis of that work experience) but I'm too old for that.
But if you do need to "prove yourself" (for a new job or for immigration), the easiest thing to do is to setup a company in your current location, appoint your lawyer as president and then get your lawyer to certify your employment or write your letter of recommendation.
That's a very good idea and good info. Do you think it is realistic to expect that such a plan would actually work for a company that would specialize in webmastering and marketing?
By the way, immigrating to another country costs money - I would not recommend even trying it if you don't have $10K min extra to burn in the process (and way more if you are going for an investor visa too)
Yep I kind of knew that :)
Basschick and Micheal - that is a very good piece of advice. Thanks.
HunkMoneyLuke
01-21-2009, 06:25 PM
maybe something to consider - didn't australia just come up with some stronger anti-porn laws?
Patti, yes you are totally right, I believe the new laws would make it impossible to actually import raw custom content as it would be considered illegal (I have NOT checked this with lawyers), so its a very good point you bring up.
dzinerbear
01-21-2009, 06:28 PM
I thought about going the other route (to teach here for a few years, then try to get into Australia or Canada on the basis of that work experience) but I'm too old for that.
Gay marriage is legal in Canada, maybe you need to find a Canadian to marry. :)
Michael
xstr8guy
01-21-2009, 10:58 PM
If I understand correctly, Serbia is not part of the EU yet? Are there any EU countries that are sympathetic to Serbians seeking "asylum"? I say that in quotes because it's not like your are political refugee or anything like that. But I'm just curious if that may be a possibility.
dannyz
01-21-2009, 11:49 PM
Being from Serbia would certainly make emigrating more difficult, unfortunately. Basschick and Luke do give some great advice. When I first emigrated to Asia I did so first as a student, and then I was able to set up a business in the country and get a Visa that way. But it does take a lot of money, as Luke said you'd need at least 10k just to get set up in the country. The best way to explore your options is to go to the country's government website and see what kind of Visas they offer, as well as if they have any opportunities for foreigners. For Australia, this would be a good place to start:
http://www.immi.gov.au/
Like I said in my earlier post though, if you are really set on moving there I'm sure you can find a way, even though it will take a good amount of time and research.
rawTOP
01-22-2009, 05:50 AM
I have a Uni degree (graduated from Faculty of Phil ology - English language and literature). However, I have never practiced this profession at a regular job (e.g. being a teacher in a state school).
I think it would be best to continue in this field, i.e. webmastering and other computer related things.
I thought about going the other route (to teach here for a few years, then try to get into Australia or Canada on the basis of that work experience) but I'm too old for that.
You taught me a new word - Phil ology... [Admins - when that word doesn't have a space it it you get the lol animated gif...]
At least in the US they like to see a degree that's related to your job. The connection in your case is writing for blogs and web sites. If you set up some type of business it might be good to emphasize that aspect since the degree will be counted as years of experience in the field.
Don't think you're too old to teach. My boyfriend just got a tenure track job at the age of 41. Colleges love people with industry experience and having a college (especially a state school) sponsor you to get into a country is one of the easiest ways to get in. In my boyfriend's case he's got a state school about to sponsor him for his green card (so far they've gotten him an H1B) and he's been told that that's one of the fastest ways to get in. Basically it's one branch of government asking another branch of government to allow the person to immigrate.
If I understand correctly, Serbia is not part of the EU yet? Are there any EU countries that are sympathetic to Serbians seeking "asylum"?
You are correct, Serbia is not in the EU. Although a majority of Serbs are in favour of the EU membership, our politicians and tycoons will make sure we stay away from the EU as long as possible. That's because if we joined the EU they would have to conform to the EU economic and human rights standards, and that would mean they would lose their monopoly in the Serbian market. There would be no easy money (i.e. easy stealing) anymore.
And unfortunately no, the Serbs don't get privileged treatment anywhere. Most of the educated Serbs have already gone to Canada, USA, Australia and some EU countries. They usually adapt fast and are excellent workers once they find themselves in a country with a normal political and economic system. So in a way, you could say we have the problem with the negative selection - the best people are leaving, the worst stay here.
Of course there are a lot of Serbs who are open-minded and would like to see this country in the EU, but they can't leave Serbia due to various reasons, and our influence on the official politics is minimal.
The best way to explore your options is to go to the country's government website and see what kind of Visas they offer, as well as if they have any opportunities for foreigners. For Australia, this would be a good place to start:
http://www.immi.gov.au/
Yes, I have been studying that site for some time now. If I am to apply for the "skilled occupation" visa I would need a profession that gives me a certain amount of immigration points. Here's the list:
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1121i.pdf
and then, I would have to show them that I have the work experience of several years IN that profession.
As an English teacher I think I could only apply under "Teacher – English as a Second Language Teacher" which, according to that list, doesn't give me any points at all. :(
I don't see any "Marketing specialist" or "webmaster" in the list of occupations in demand.... so I really don't know where to start from.
Like I said in my earlier post though, if you are really set on moving there I'm sure you can find a way, even though it will take a good amount of time and research.
Thanks for the encouragement :) I also think that "when there's a will there is a way" is true... but, as I already said, I am still not sure what would be accepted by the Australian immigration authorities as a valid occupation.
The same goes for any other western country. Canada has a similar point-based immigration system. They require that you have at least 1 year experience in your profession, and it has to be provable (e.g. a company where you worked writes an official statement that you worked there for a certain amount of time).