Visa to work and live in America

usher1890

Hi All

I am wondering has anyone experience in getting a visa to live and work in America? I would particularly like to hear from people who didnt get their visa's through marriage or as part of a location transfer through work. If anyone managed to get their visa to include their wife and children it would be great to hear from you too.

Thanks in advance.

ceadaoin.

You have to be sponsored by an employer, or win the green card lottery.

My husband was offered a job by a U.S. based company and brought in on an O1 visa. Myself and our daughter have O3 visas which mean we can reside here as long as he does but can't work or get social security numbers. I think the families are normally included and some visas allow the spouse to work.

It was a pretty straightforward process, the company's lawyers took care of everything. It's expensive though so unless you have a specialised skill and will be highly paid, they probably wouldn't bother

jackinthemix94

It's pretty much impossible unless it's through one of the options you've stated, or you win the Green Card Lottery.

usher1890

Thanks for the reply. Do you mind me asking if he went about getting the job himself or was he working for an organisation connected to an American company.

ceadaoin. wrote: »

You have to be sponsored by an employer, or win the green card lottery.

My husband was offered a job by a U.S. based company and brought in on an O1 visa. Myself and our daughter have O3 visas which mean we can reside here as long as he does but can't work or get social security numbers. I think the families are normally included and some visas allow the spouse to work.

It was a pretty straightforward process, the company's lawyers took care of everything. It's expensive though so unless you have a specialised skill and will be highly paid, they probably wouldn't bother

ceadaoin.

usher1890 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. Do you mind me asking if he went about getting the job himself or was he working for an organisation connected to an American company.

It was a company connected to his industry that he had dealings with previously in his other jobs. They contacted him, or a recruitment agency did on their behalf, I cant remember exactly.

Maybe registering your CV with a recruitment agency specializing in skilled international jobs could be an option for you?

circular flexing

There are only a few ways

- win green card lottery
- marry an American (though I guess you don't want this option )
- work for a multinational US company in Ireland for a year and get transferred over (L1-A for management positions, L1-B for non-mgmt)
- get a job offer from an American company and get a H1-B (another lottery unless the job is with a university or non-profit in which case lottery exempt). The H1-B is allocated once a year in April to start work in October of that year.
- Demonstrate extraordinary ability in education, science, business, arts etc... (O1)

A H1-B will give a spouse a H-4 which will not allow the spouse to work, the L1-A/B will give the spouse an L-2 visa which will allow them to work.

Third_Echelon

Good to note, that once your spouse gets the L-2, they then have to get a work permit. That can take up to 5 months to process in some locations...

usher1890

Hi All

I have secured two potential employers willing to sponsor a HB1 visa which I know covers my wife and kids. How can I now ensure that my wife can work in the US?

Thanks

circular flexing

Your wife will need to qualify for a work visa on her own merits. There is simply no derivative visa of a HB1 that will allow your wife to work.

usher1890

circular flexing wrote: »

Your wife will need to qualify for a work visa on her own merits. There is simply no derivative visa of a HB1 that will allow your wife to work.

Thanks. Ive done a lot of research, it seems she can get an EAD if we are there for 6 years (i.e. after securing an extended HB1 for me) or if we get sn apporved green card application. As stated by someone earlier as well if it was an L1 she could get an L2 and be allowed to work.

But surely there must be some loop hole to exploit.

Third_Echelon

usher1890 wrote: »

circular flexing wrote: »

Your wife will need to qualify for a work visa on her own merits. There is simply no derivative visa of a HB1 that will allow your wife to work.

Thanks. Ive done a lot of research, it seems she can get an EAD if we are there for 6 years (i.e. after securing an extended HB1 for me) or if we get sn apporved green card application. As stated by someone earlier as well if it was an L1 she could get an L2 and be allowed to work.

But surely there must be some loop hole to exploit.

No loopholes whatsoever. Your wife won't be able to work. If you're moving for good then not so much of a problem. But if it's for a shorter period of time then it's an issue. There's only so long that having free time is great. She'll get bored quick enough. I work with a lot of H visa people and their number one issue is the partner not being able to work.

usher1890

Third_Echelon wrote: »

No loopholes whatsoever. Your wife won't be able to work. If you're moving for good then not so much of a problem. But if it's for a shorter period of time then it's an issue. There's only so long that having free time is great. She'll get bored quick enough. I work with a lot of H visa people and their number one issue is the partner not being able to work.

I intend on moving permanently but her ability to work and contribute towards our cost of living is a deal breaker unfortunately so unless she can work we cant afford to live.

circular flexing

usher1890 wrote: »

Thanks. Ive done a lot of research, it seems she can get an EAD if we are there for 6 years (i.e. after securing an extended HB1 for me) or if we get sn apporved green card application. As stated by someone earlier as well if it was an L1 she could get an L2 and be allowed to work.

But surely there must be some loop hole to exploit.

I doubt you'll find any loop holes in US Immigration.

H1B -> GC takes a lot longer than from an L1 (for example). Also it needs your employer to petition so you would need to get their agreement (preferably in writing) that they would start the process.

Really the best option is an L1.

usher1890

circular flexing wrote: »

I doubt you'll find any loop holes in US Immigration.

H1B -> GC takes a lot longer than from an L1 (for example). Also it needs your employer to petition so you would need to get their agreement (preferably in writing) that they would start the process.

Really the best option is an L1.

Thanks but a L1 requires me transfering intra company.

jme2010

usher1890 wrote: »

Hi All

I have secured two potential employers willing to sponsor a HB1 visa which I know covers my wife and kids. How can I now ensure that my wife can work in the US?

Thanks

Can I ask how you found the potential employers? And also what area of work is it in?

usher1890

jme2010 wrote: »

Can I ask how you found the potential employers? And also what area of work is it in?

I manage residential services with people with autism, and intellectual disabilities, and I am also qualified to provide behaviour supports. I basically checked indeed, applied directly or found companies that offer these services and got many interested companies but once it was made clear I needed a sponsor I was left with only a few. I have definite job offers from Arizona and a place near Boston, and I have another company from AZ requesting inviting me to apply for their positions. I also have two great offers from Canada. Financially in the short term CA will pay off until I finish my MSc so stringly considering going to CA while I wait for the US to come through (very likely I need to apply straight for a green card, but if I finish my qualification first I can afford to maintain my family on my salary so can take up a HB1).

Feenix

usher1890 wrote: »

I manage residential services with people with autism, and intellectual disabilities, and I am also qualified to provide behaviour supports. I basically checked indeed, applied directly or found companies that offer these services and got many interested companies but once it was made clear I needed a sponsor I was left with only a few. I have definite job offers from Arizona and a place near Boston, and I have another company from AZ requesting inviting me to apply for their positions. I also have two great offers from Canada. Financially in the short term CA will pay off until I finish my MSc so stringly considering going to CA while I wait for the US to come through (very likely I need to apply straight for a green card, but if I finish my qualification first I can afford to maintain my family on my salary so can take up a HB1).

Sounds a bit fishy

usher1890

Feenix wrote: »

Sounds a bit fishy

How?

Feenix

usher1890 wrote: »

How?

People jump through so many hoops to get in to the US and still get nowhere. As someone posted earlier, it can be pretty much impossible in a lot of cases. But you managed to get a job sorted through Indeed, it does offer reason for skepticism.

usher1890

Feenix wrote: »

People jump through so many hoops to get in to the US and still get nowhere. As someone posted earlier, it can be pretty much impossible in a lot of cases. But you managed to get a job sorted through Indeed, it does offer reason for skepticism.

Not really, sure it depends on who your working for, and at the end of the day however you got in contact with the companies its irrelevant. There are many issues with a HB1 visa due to fiscal caps but fortunately I will work for non-profit organisations that do not fit within these caps.