Some guidance needed.

[Ross_s 5]

Ok so here is my situation.

I'm a British national, no criminal record. who frequently visits the USA using the ESTA visa waiver program.

My last stay was my longest, I spent the maximum 3 months in New Orleans living with a friend. At this moment in time my intention is to return for 6 months to a1 year. I understand I will have to travel to the US embassy in Belfast to obtain a tourist visa.

I'm really just looking for guidance on any other options I have.

Basically, I have a large group of friends in New Orleans and I'd love nothing more than to make my stay there permanent something which to me seems impossible barring falling in love and marrying a citizen.

Anyway, I have 3 different people willing to employ me but I do not have any specialist skills and this is where my confusion lies. Any information I have gained from the official web sites and such like indicate you must be in a field of need to gain employment. But from my experience and my friends experiences they are aware of people who have obtained such visas to do menial labour jobs such as waiting tables or construction.

Any help regarding which channels I can go through would be greatly appreciated thanks.

Ross

[Barbara J 115]

Ok so here is my situation.

I'm a British national, no criminal record. who frequently visits the USA using the ESTA visa waiver program.

My last stay was my longest, I spent the maximum 3 months in New Orleans living with a friend. At this moment in time my intention is to return for 6 months to a1 year. I understand I will have to travel to the US embassy in Belfast to obtain a tourist visa.

I'm really just looking for guidance on any other options I have.

Basically, I have a large group of friends in New Orleans and I'd love nothing more than to make my stay there permanent something which to me seems impossible barring falling in love and marrying a citizen.

Anyway, I have 3 different people willing to employ me but I do not have any specialist skills and this is where my confusion lies. Any information I have gained from the official web sites and such like indicate you must be in a field of need to gain employment. But from my experience and my friends experiences they are aware of people who have obtained such visas to do menial labour jobs such as waiting tables or construction.

Any help regarding which channels I can go through would be greatly appreciated thanks.

Ross

You cannot wait tables and do menial jobs in the USA. AS you have read you have to be in a specialty field of work or have a degree or be sponsored by a company here. It is not like the UK or Canada where you can get a working visa and stay 3-6 months. I have looked into this for my daughter so NO you can't work in the US and stay to get a GC. Your only option is tourist visa B2 and you stay for 6 months hopefully you can afford to do that. No way Jose!!!!!

[Ross_s 5]

You cannot wait tables and do menial jobs in the USA. AS you have read you have to be in a specialty field of work or have a degree or be sponsored by a company here. It is not like the UK or Canada where you can get a working visa and stay 3-6 months. I have looked into this for my daughter so NO you can't work in the US and stay to get a GC. Your only option is tourist visa B2 and you stay for 6 months hopefully you can afford to do that. No way Jose!!!!!

Yeah I can afford to stay for that length of time, the company sponsoring part is rather vague. I mean my friend run's an oil change franchise and he wants to employ me. Is there no way that can even be done for like a temp basis. 1 year or so?

Yeah I didn't mean that I wanted to stay and get a GC i just meant for a period of like 1 year?

Edited August 11, 2011 by Ross_s

[kzielu 1,149]

Yeah I can afford to stay for that length of time, the company sponsoring part is rather vague. I mean my friend run's an oil change franchise and he wants to employ me. Is there no way that can even be done for like a temp basis. 1 year or so?

Yeah I didn't mean that I wanted to stay and get a GC i just meant for a period of like 1 year?

Just recognize on B-2 visa you will not be able to work at all - legally. Illegal work on a visitor visa can have very serious consequences including deportation and ban. And max stay on a B-2 is 6 months.

No visa to allow you to work on a temp basis for any amount of time.

[Ross_s 5]

Just recognize on B-2 visa you will not be able to work at all - legally. Illegal work on a visitor visa can have very serious consequences including deportation and ban. And max stay on a B-2 is 6 months.

No visa to allow you to work on a temp basis for any amount of time.

I read that a b-2 can be extended. Is this not correct?

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

It nis correct, but you'd need good reasons to have it extended, and show proof of funds.

[Barbara J 115]

Yeah I can afford to stay for that length of time, the company sponsoring part is rather vague. I mean my friend run's an oil change franchise and he wants to employ me. Is there no way that can even be done for like a temp basis. 1 year or so?

Yeah I didn't mean that I wanted to stay and get a GC i just meant for a period of like 1 year?

Nope you can't work in the USA sorry

[Ross_s 5]

Nope you can't work in the USA sorry

Ah well... Guess I'll just have to do it my way.

[Harsh_77 718]

Ah well... Guess I'll just have to do it my way.

Nope you cannot legally work in US and even to obtain a tourist visa as a British citizen you would need a very good reason why you would want to stay here for 6 months.

Most CO would want to know why you cannot complete your visit in 3 months granted to you under VWP and how would you support yourself for 6 months?

Just to visit friends would not be a valid excuse and you are old enough to know the consequence of working illegally.

[NHKx2 43]

Ah well... Guess I'll just have to do it my way.

And what way would that be? Please note that any illegal employment will have severe consequences on any future attempt at visiting or immigration.