Tourist visa (B1) to Work Visa

[tain 0]

Hello everyone!

I'm currently holding a tourist visa (B1) and trying to get a work visa. I have an employer who's willing to be my sponsor. How do we start with the process? I'm in Florida now for almost 1 month. I was granted to stay for 6 months which will expire on March 19, 2013.

Hope you could help me. Thanks in advance!

[Harsh_77 718]

Your employer's lawyer will file for your H1, even if your H1 is approved it would not be usable until Oct of next year, unless you are working for non-profit.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Hello everyone!

I'm currently holding a tourist visa (B1) and trying to get a work visa. I have an employer who's willing to be my sponsor. How do we start with the process? I'm in Florida now for almost 1 month. I was granted to stay for 6 months which will expire on March 19, 2013.

Hope you could help me. Thanks in advance!

There are different types of work visas. If you are not from Canada or Mexico you can try reading here:Temporary Work Visas

If you are from Canada or Mexico, you may want to try for a TN visa: NAFTA

Either way your employer will have to show that there are no American workers available to fill the job opening, with today's economy, that might be a tough sell.

[tain 0]

Your employer's lawyer will file for your H1, even if your H1 is approved it would not be usable until Oct of next year, unless you are working for non-profit.

Thanks! Someone told me that too and he also said that new application for working visa won't be available til April next year. Is that true?

Since I'm holding a tourist visa, I need to leave US not later than March 19, 2013. When can I go back to US after the exit to refresh my tourist visa?

Thank you so much for the help.

[tain 0]

There are different types of work visas. If you are not from Canada or Mexico you can try reading here:Temporary Work Visas

If you are from Canada or Mexico, you may want to try for a TN visa: NAFTA

Either way your employer will have to show that there are no American workers available to fill the job opening, with today's economy, that might be a tough sell.

H1B is guess. Do we really need to consult an attorney to process my visa?

Thanks for your input.

[canadian_wife 1,829]

Doesn't your employer have a lawyer you can consult with?

What kind of job is it?

The application for the H1b is in April, work will start in October.

If you must leave my March you'll probably need to spend 6 or so months outside of the US before you'll be admitted back

Good luck

[Harsh_77 718]

Thanks! Someone told me that too and he also said that new application for working visa won't be available til April next year. Is that true?

Since I'm holding a tourist visa, I need to leave US not later than March 19, 2013. When can I go back to US after the exit to refresh my tourist visa?

Thank you so much for the help.

You will be able to apply coming April, if your petition is granted you would have to go to consulate for the interview.

Once you are granted H1 at consulate you would be able to start working in October.

These are all assumption - you need to provide more details as what skill set you have what kinda job you are looking for, your country of origin etc.

As Teddy mentioned different citizens of different countries have different visa that only they can apply for.

[tain 0]

Doesn't your employer have a lawyer you can consult with?

What kind of job is it?

The application for the H1b is in April, work will start in October.

If you must leave my March you'll probably need to spend 6 or so months outside of the US before you'll be admitted back

Good luck

Do I really need to stay 6 mos outside US before they could admitted me back?

Thank you so much for the help.

[Harsh_77 718]

Do I really need to stay 6 mos outside US before they could admitted me back?

Thank you so much for the help.

Generally on tourist visa one is only allowed to stay 6 months in a year, you are forgetting tourist visa is for tourism not to stay in US.

There is no set time how long you need to stay out of country before you can be re-admitted on the B1/2 - it would be upto the CBP officer to make a call.

Edited October 24, 2012 by Harsh_77