How to move to USA?

look into a j1 visa program.

particularily a summer camp program. It's a good way to meet people, not have to worry about living requires and see a little bit of the united states

Jobs and housing aren't generally difficult to come by for citizens, though with no or low job history and/or higher education (as I assume an 18-year-old would have) she may be starting out pretty basic.

The trick would be legally immigrating and obtaining work status as an immigrant; so many people apply to come for so many reasons that there's far more applicants than openings.

Students coming to the US to study can obtain temporary student visas and can obtain work permits -- they would need to have been accepted at a US university, however.

Work visas allow for companies to hire outside the US and bring in immigrants to fill jobs they have not been able to fill in the US -- however, these positions are generally higher technology and higher demand jobs, not something an 18-year-old would qualify for, unless perhaps an ambitious genius.

A green card would give permanent residency and employment status, but would likely be rather difficult to obtain; there are limited numbers, with priority given to immediate family of citizens; employment (as above, when a US company hires higher end positions from abroad); investment (someone looking to invest in business in the US - unless she's fabulously wealthy, this wouldn't apply either; and if she were, I doubt you'd be asking this here); diversity lottery (from low-immigration countries); adoption; refugees and asylum. Even if she were lucky in the lottery, green cards take a long time to process (government can't do anything quickly but spend!) And no, I do not suggest marrying to obtain a green card or citizenship -- the US does not look kindly on fraudulent marriages for this purpose, and will prosecute (not to mention the risk of abuse in such a "marriage" where the other person can hold "you're not REALLY legal" over her head! People willing to break that law may not blink at breaking other laws either....)

She could easily obtain a tourist visa, but that does not allow her to work while in the US.

Summary: it is possible. But probably very difficult without already having strong job skills/employment in the US, family in the US, or having been accepted to higher education in the US.

Why would she want to leave Australia for the US? We have full employment here, a higher standard of living, higher wages, better education. She can however get a 12 month Working Holiday Visa if she really wants to which would allow her 12 months over there, time enough to realise the grass is certainly not greener on the other side of the Pacific.

America is certainly NOT the best country in the world, and i would not recommend it, I lived there for 2 months and unless i was transferring at an airport i'd not go back, and i have a valid visa till 2012

It is possible. My grandmother came here at the age of 18 by herself from Colombia. She needs to visit a city here, look for a place to live, and search for jobs or save up in Australia before she moves. It really depends on the location. Also, Immigration is very strict. Does she plan on becoming a legal resident? There is much much much more thinking and planning than I think she realizes. If she wants to move her very badly, I would suggest enrolling in a college/University in the US so that she can have a place to live, and the school can provide resources, jobs, etc etc. Best of luck to her.

To move to the U.S. for the purpose of permanent residence, an alien needs an immigrant visa. To obtain an immigrant visa, an alien must be the beneficiary of an approved petition submitted either by an immediate relative or by a prospective employer.

For a prospective employer to receive an approval of the petition, it must be shown that the occupation and skills associated with it are in short supply in the U.S., e.g., not enough nurses, engineers or blacksmiths.

So, if your daughter does not have any relatives in the U.S. who can petition for her, and she cannot convince a prospective employer to petition for her, her chances of receiving a visa to live in the U.S. are slim to none.

Her dream is impossible at the moment, but if she goes to school in Australia and graduates with a degree in one of the professions, she might qualify for a visa someday.

For example, the E-3 is a new work visa category available only to Australian citizens. Perhaps someday your daughter will qualify for it.

She is very young to come to a country where she knows no one . Make sure she knows the pros and cons of living in America. I have heard that outside of the United States many are given the image that everyone has the so called American dream the house with the white picket fence. Yes this is the best country in the world we have a lot of basic freedoms many do not,but we also have a lot of poverty,hate and crime. She is young she has plenty of time to relocate to the US. She should go to college before she relocates once she has a degree she will be able to earn a decent living in the US without a degree it will be hard.

Scully,

There are lots of temp jobs for your daughter. In fact, ski resorts are big on Aussies...search the net. Probably after a few months here, she will realize how great Australia is and go home.

You'll have to marry an American citizen. Going rate is 10K American. Fair dinkum. This is the post 9/11 America. Nobody's getting to stay past their visa except those who come from Mexico or Central America. If you must come, try New York or San Francisco, they are liberal as far as aliens. You can get lost in there too and the INS can't find you. But if you overstay your visa and they catch you, you will never be allowed to come back!

With no relations, no qualifications and no money, it's not looking good...u need at least one of those, or u could try working in camps and stuff...lots of foreigners do that, but i hear the pay is crap...

Australians are Not Caucasians.

Caucasians are Kazakhstan, Iran, Turkemenistan, Russia, etc...