Which Visa for me...?

[elpopo82 0]

Guys,

I am brand new to all this and trying to get my research done.

My plan is to come to CA and work the season in a ski resort this winter. My question is should I be looking for a tourist or an employment VISA? Being from the UK, a VWP would only allow me 3 months stay and I assume no entitlement to work.

If i were to look at staying longer and extend it for 2yrs, 3yrs or even longer, is this possible?

[lovechoseus 0]

NO, you need a work visa. Plain and simple. With a visitor's visa, you will be questioned upon entry by a customs officer as to why, where, and how long you will be staying. You will also have to show sufficient funds to cover that period and you will also be asked as to who you are staying with. In addition, it is also noteworthy that you may have to show sufficient ties back to your home. The US treats every foreigner that enters the country as an "intent to immigrate"

Edited March 23, 2011 by lovechoseus

[elpopo82 0]

Thanks for that Lovechoseus!

Am i right in thinking I should be looking for an H2B visa then?

If i was to initally enter the US under VWP, is it then possible to apply for a working visa after a period? In other words, do some travelling then settle down for a year with a seasonal job?

Thanks

David

[ABandIG 2]

Applying for a working visa is not the easiest thing to do. You'll have to find a sponsor (which will be your boss) and he will have to prove that you have skills that he couldn't find anywhere else, even if that means proving that with interviews to several candidates. I don't think something like that can be done with a seasonal work.

I suggest not to enter with a tourist visa with ANYTHING that can make them think you are looking for a job. The customs officer will want to know everything. I've been there, I had a B2 visa (touristic) and had absolutely no intentions to work in the us, but just to spend some time with my friend (who then became my current fiancee) and I got questioned about EVERYTHING.

VWP doesn't allow you to change your status. B2 allows you to change it, hence why they will become suspicious if you apply for a B2.

Enter with a WVP, look around and see if you like the place, do NOT make any job interview.

Just my suggestion

[elpopo82 0]

Cheers ABIG!

The problem I have is that I wasnt to be in the US for more than 90 days. I would like some seasonal work on the side, ski resort during the winter then maybe golf course work in the summer, that kind of thing. Maybe only for a year or 2 then back to the UK, where I have a flat.

[ABandIG 2]

Cheers! =D

Let's see..

- With a VWP you can stay for 90 days max, you CANNOT change your status and you CANNOT work.

- With a B2 (turist visa) you can stay 180 days (+ you can ask for an EOS -extension of status- for 180 days more) and still you CANNOT work, but YES, you can request a COS (-change of status-) to a working visa, BUT you'll have to have a sponsor who will take charge of your visa.

In any case, you can't work if you don't have a working visa. And the only way you can have it is to already have someone ready to sponsor for you. Do you know someone who wants you to work for them?

Edited March 23, 2011 by ABIG

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

There isn't a visa to do what you are looking for in the USA, unlike in Australia and Canada. US work visas are geared towards the "highly skilled" sector, not seasonal work. The only way I can see you achieving what you want is if you are a student and can get a J1 intern/ short term work visa.

[elpopo82 0]

Thanks for the help guys,

ok im now starting to get the idea of what is needed.

If I can prove i have enough cash to survive on for 6 months to a year, and NOT work would a B2 visa be suitable or even possible?

I know someone over in Salt Lake who is from UK with seasonal work on the slopes. Ill need to do some more investigating.

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

B2 lasts for 6 months, you'd need a good reason to get an extension.

It can be difficult for visa waiver country citizens to get a tourist visa, as they'll wonder why you need 6 months rather than the 90 days on the waiver. Certainly not impossible though!

[ABandIG 2]

I got a turist visa with no problem. Of course expect some more questioning at the US borders, since they will want to know why you want to stay so long in the US.

Remember that a B2 is valid for a 180 days stay in the US. You'll have to request an EOS to stay there 6 more months and you'll have to have good reasons.

Just remember you will need to provide proof of strong ties with your country home (a job, homes, properties...) and you'll be questioned about the reasons of your visit and the place you're going to stay (hotel? a friend?)

[Boiler 45,525]

The seasonal work visa used in the ski resorts is the H2B usually. J1 occasionally, do you qualify for one?

But first you need an employer who will sponsor you for one.

[Harsh_77 718]

You cannot just enter on tourist visa or VWP and start working on the side on the slopes or golf course. That is just illegal plain and simple.

http://faq.visapro.com/H2B-Visa-FAQ.asp this is a good resource for H2B visa it answers lot of the question.

You will have to find someone (employer) who is willing to do the paper work and is willing to file a H2B visa for you.

I am not sure how many employers would be filing for H2B as it cost $320 for them to file and they have to get clearance for Dept of Labor etc.

When they looking for help on slopes or golf clubs they will really have to prove why they cannot find any local kid who can do the job that they have to get someone from out of country.

[elpopo82 0]

thanks for all the replies guys, really helpful.

One other bit of possible useful info, my mother has a cousin in phillidephia. Could she be of any use with regards a visa?

[Boiler 45,525]

That would depend is she hired for a ski resort.

[Harsh_77 718]

thanks for all the replies guys, really helpful.

One other bit of possible useful info, my mother has a cousin in phillidephia. Could she be of any use with regards a visa?

No not really, she cant be much of use for the visa purpose.