Questions regarding working in the US

[Douwe B. 0]

Hi all. I'm Douwe from Belgium, 20 years old and have a holiday home in Fort Myers, FL.

I''m looking to get in the real estate business here in Florida, and live here, since I am in love with Florida (how can you not). I am having an interview with a real estate agent soon here in Fort Myers.

I have plenty questions, am fairly new to all of this...

Would I be able to apply for a real estate license as a European?

What visa would I have to apply for?

What would my future employer have to get done to have me work there?

THANKS in advance! Much appreciated!! :-)

[Boiler 45,730]

Would I be able to apply for a real estate license as a European?

I am sure there are many Europeans with realtor licenses in the US.

What visa would I have to apply for?

You wouldn't.

What would my future employer have to get done to have me work there?

Discuss your situation with their Immigration Lawyer. I am going to assume it is possible theoretically in that industry, what qualifications do you have? What qualifications does the job require.

[Douwe B. 0]

I am sure there are many Europeans with realtor licenses in the US.

You wouldn't.

Discuss your situation with their Immigration Lawyer. I am going to assume it is possible theoretically in that industry, what qualifications do you have? What qualifications does the job require.

I don't get it, if I want to work here, I surely need some sort of work visa? You tell me I don't? Please explain.

I'm sure the employer has to do a bunch of paperwork and effort (time and costs) to have a European work in his firm, I was just curious as to what it all would include.

Thank you!

[kzielu 1,149]

I don't get it, if I want to work here, I surely need some sort of work visa? You tell me I don't? Please explain.

I'm sure the employer has to do a bunch of paperwork and effort (time and costs) to have a European work in his firm, I was just curious as to what it all would include.

Thank you!

He tells you your employer would have to apply for one, not you and it's typically done through immigration lawyer.

Two most common work visas are H-1B and L-1, both are certain requirements that you most likely do not meet. I don't think there is a visa to work as a realtor.

[JohnR! 5,495]

I don't get it, if I want to work here, I surely need some sort of work visa? You tell me I don't? Please explain.

I'm sure the employer has to do a bunch of paperwork and effort (time and costs) to have a European work in his firm, I was just curious as to what it all would include.

Thank you!

I am sure you can get a realtor license in Florida, unless there is a requirement that you present proof of residence.

To work here you would need some sort of resident visa. You can't work with a B1/B2/VWP visa.

You need to find out what kind of visa would be appropriate in your case and an immigration lawyer could help you with that. Normally work-related visas will require a lawyer to help you fill out and file the paperwork.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Hi all. I'm Douwe from Belgium, 20 years old and have a holiday home in Fort Myers, FL.

I''m looking to get in the real estate business here in Florida, and live here, since I am in love with Florida (how can you not). I am having an interview with a real estate agent soon here in Fort Myers.

I have plenty questions, am fairly new to all of this...

Would I be able to apply for a real estate license as a European?

What visa would I have to apply for?

What would my future employer have to get done to have me work there?

THANKS in advance! Much appreciated!! :-)

Not sure about Florida, but here in California a lot of college classes are required until the applicant is eligible to take the real estate salesperson exam. Over 80% fail it, by the way. Then you'd have to work for 2 years under the supervision of a real estate agent until you are eligible to take the next exam which would allow you to work as an agent yourself.

There is no visa that would allow you to work in the United States and you can't work on a B1/B2. I know of several Europeans who have vacation homes in Florida, mostly condos though, and they visit for several months per year as snow birds. However, all of them are retired, so you may encounter problems one day if you show up at the border and tell them that you want to spend time in your Florida residence without having a proper visa or permanent residency (a Green Card).

[Douwe B. 0]

Not sure about Florida, but here in California a lot of college classes are required until the applicant is eligible to take the real estate salesperson exam. Over 80% fail it, by the way. Then you'd have to work for 2 years under the supervision of a real estate agent until you are eligible to take the next exam which would allow you to work as an agent yourself.

There is no visa that would allow you to work in the United States and you can't work on a B1/B2. I know of several Europeans who have vacation homes in Florida, mostly condos though, and they visit for several months per year as snow birds. However, all of them are retired, so you may encounter problems one day if you show up at the border and tell them that you want to spend time in your Florida residence without having a proper visa or permanent residency (a Green Card).

Thanks for the info. Would I be able to work for a real estate firm here in the US, but do all my business in Europe, and during my stays in Florida (4months a year) show the properties etc? Probably not, worth the question though :-) thanks! Ps: I would be selling vacation homes in Florida to Europeans.

Edited April 3, 2013 by Douwe B.

[Boiler 45,730]

Work in Europe, holiday in USA. You can work for a US company, but not in the US.

Andy leads you generate can be handled by a licensed realtor colleague in the US.

Problem solved.