Hoping to work in the US for a year

Stercus Accidit

Hey guys,

I was just wondering what are my options to get a visa for 1 year working in the US?

I will either be offered a job before or after I arrive, what would be required of an employer to offer me a job in advance? Or, is it possible to get a year work visa and find work on arrival?

Also, how soon could I be approved if I were to start the process now?

Thanks.

lonestargirl

Do you have a degree? If so when did you graduate? The 1-year IWT J1 visa is available up to one year post-graduation. It requires you to get a job in your field but you don't have to have one before you go.

Stercus Accidit

Yup, I will be graduating tomorrow so will have my degree.

What is the turn around time on that type of visa if I were to apply asap?

Thanks

lil_lisa

Depending on the amount being processed it should take 4-6 weeks. If you have a job already, you should look at the training or internship visa. The training is allowed for 18 months (although a bit more pricey). There's some paper work involved and it should be quicker to get than the IWT (I got mine in 2 and 1/2 weeks!)

Stercus Accidit

lil_lisa wrote: »

Depending on the amount being processed it should take 4-6 weeks. If you have a job already, you should look at the training or internship visa. The training is allowed for 18 months (although a bit more pricey). There's some paper work involved and it should be quicker to get than the IWT (I got mine in 2 and 1/2 weeks!)

Is that through a sponsor like usit yes?

lil_lisa

Yes, USIT, Sayit, IICenter.org, maybe Go4Less all do it. Contact them for prices and availability. When I was getting mine, IICenter were having issues getting forms so sent me to Sayit.

Cinful

I'd stay away from the South. Unless you want to BP cleanup. Odds are the recession will be worse in the South with the spill.

Stercus Accidit

I'll probably be working in the architecture industry as that is what my degree is in. Going to San Fran I think and have contacts to get work.

Cinful

SF cost-of-living index is high. One of the highest in US. Fun city, but expensive.

lonestargirl

Cinful wrote: »

I'd stay away from the South. Unless you want to BP cleanup. Odds are the recession will be worse in the South with the spill.

Big generalisation!! I swam in the lovely warm Gulf sea in Galveston last weekend, no oil in this direction.

When we decided to come over I initially had the romantic ideal of living in New York - but the cost of living in Manhatten is astronomical. Not saying you have to go to rural backwater, I'm in Houston which is the 4th largest city in the US. Both of us are based in the Texas Medical Centre which employs over 60,000 people and is unconnected to oil and gas. To the OP, certain industries are concentrated in certain cities, spend time researching your field of study.

Cinful

lonestargirl wrote: »

Big generalisation!! I swam in the lovely warm Gulf sea in Galveston last weekend, no oil in this direction.

Swam Galveston? Surely you jest?

Give it time. It will reach Texas coast. Tar balls, and oily sand/water. BP spill over 10 times Exxon Alaska spill (and climbing).

Stercus Accidit

http://www.usit.ie/travel/12_month_usa_work_programme.html

Just reading this, it mentions you work as an intern, does that prevent me from having paid work?

Is this the best way to work for a year in the US if so?

Thanks

lonestargirl

Stercus Accidit wrote: »

Just reading this, it mentions you work as an intern, does that prevent me from having paid work?

No you can get paid, it's just that it's supposed to be a training experience in your field of study.

Stercus Accidit

Do Irish passports have a 'passport book number' ?

I'm applying for a visa and this is a possible piece of information required, but I don't know if Irish passports have them.

Anyone know? The passport office doesn't seem to have answering the phone in their job description.