Please help NZ citizen wanting to live in the US

[mattydunbar 0]

Hello Im currently live in Auckland New Zealand but would like to move to the US to work i am a qualifyed automotive refinisher (Car painter). Can someone please let me know what kind of visa i will need. And what do i need to do? how hard is it to get a working visa?

[Tero 105]

Hello Im currently live in Auckland New Zealand but would like to move to the US to work i am a qualifyed automotive refinisher (Car painter). Can someone please let me know what kind of visa i will need. And what do i need to do? how hard is it to get a working visa?

My understanding of a working visa is that an Employer has to file for you. You sound like a self employed, and I do not think you can just file from outside the country for a work visa for yourself. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[mattydunbar 0]

My understanding of a working visa is that an Employer has to file for you. You sound like a self employed, and I do not think you can just file from outside the country for a work visa for yourself. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

I am not self employed would i have to find a job before i apply for the visa?

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I am not self employed would i have to find a job before i apply for the visa?

In most cases yes. You could visit the US on the VWP and then look for an employer. You cannot change status to a different visa while in the US so you'll need to leave.

Have you looked into an E3 visa? It is for Australians specifically.

[mattydunbar 0]

In most cases yes. You could visit the US on the VWP and then look for an employer. You cannot change status to a different visa while in the US so you'll need to leave.

Have you looked into an E3 visa? It is for Australians specifically.

but im not Australian

[VanessaTony 3,567]

but im not Australian

Sorry I thought you were.. not sure why. I think I'm getting that head cold Tony's friends have.. I know you said NZ.. wow.. I'm slow today :S

[mattydunbar 0]

Sorry I thought you were.. not sure why. I think I'm getting that head cold Tony's friends have.. I know you said NZ.. wow.. I'm slow today :S

No problem. does anyone know if it is hard to get a visa if you have a job i was looking at the waiting list figures on the us immigration website and they are huge

[Tero 105]

From what I know, whether or not you are employed, your employer has to initiate the filing for you. You cannot just file for yourself.

[mattydunbar 0]

From what I know, whether or not you are employed, your employer has to initiate the filing for you. You cannot just file for yourself.

Ok if i can find an employer am i guaranteed to get a visa?

[Tero 105]

Ok if i can find an employer am i guaranteed to get a visa?

No matter what the case may be, no one is guaranteed any visa. However, on your case, it will be up to your employer, since they'll be the one to file for you if they want to do that.

[mattydunbar 0]

No matter what the case may be, no one is guaranteed any visa. However, on your case, it will be up to your employer, since they'll be the one to file for you if they want to do that.

so it looks like i am going on a holiday to the us then to find a job

[Tero 105]

so it looks like i am going on a holiday to the us then to find a job

Here's a link you can go through for more information. Hope this helps.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/temporary-worker-guide

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

I am not sure your type of job would be considered "highly skilled", so it may not be possible for you to get as work visa.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

E3 visas are not specifically for Australians. They are available to people from any country. I'm not sure why Vanessa thought otherwise.

Anyway, there are five general classes of employment based visas, E1 through E5. They are described on the Department of State website here:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1323.html

E1 and E2 visas are for people with extraordinary talent, skill, knowledge, or experience. E4 visas are for members of certain very narrowly defined groups. E5 visas are for people who want to invest a substantial amount of money in the US.

An auto refinisher would only qualify for an E3 visa. You'd first need to find an employer to petition on your behalf. Your employer would need to obtain a Department of Labor certification indicating that there is a shortage of qualified Americans in your career field. After that, your employer would submit an I-140 petition. Once the petition is approved you'd have to wait until the priority date of the petition became current. These visas are rationed, and the wait is currently about 6 years.

[Boiler 45,487]

E3 Non Immigrant Visa's for Indians with Australian Citizenship

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=71256811264a3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=71256811264a3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD

Realistically there is no category for moving to the US though work of that type.