How to apply for a job in the US

[*_Sweden_* 0]

Hi!

I am sure this question have been asked before, but I am interested in working in the US and the first step is, of course, to get a company to sponsor a work visa. I have been looking at jobs online and my problem is that in those applications you always have to submit if you are legally able to work in the US, which in my case is no since I don't have a visa. I have not been able to complete one application since they won't let me continue if I cannot submit a social security number or work legally there. What is the best way to get in contact with a company and discuss a visa with? Here in Sweden to get a job there are always email addresses you can come in contact with a company on but the jobs I've been applying for have been through external websites and I haven't found any direct contact information.

I only have high school education, but I have been working here in Sweden for a few years. Thank you for your help!

[canadian_wife 1,818]

You won't call a company and discuss visas until after you have been accepted. This is a tough economy, visa sponsorship is expensive.

Are you in a specialized field?

good luck

[kzielu 1,148]

With just a high school degree you will not be eligible for most work visa categories anyway.

[marriott574 13]

Its a tough chicken and egg situation, lots of companies will not give you a job without a visa and you ca not get a visa with out a job. Have you researched the different types of visa? you may not qualify for some without an advanced degree. You might want to look at the J1 visa, this is a company specific internship visa. You need to find a company with a J1 program tp sponsor you though. Also think about working for an American company in Sweden and then transferring to their US office, again this is not easy.

Good Luck

[*_Sweden_* 0]

Thank you for the replies. No, I am not in a specialized field. I have reserached the different kind of visas and it seems like I don't qualify for almost any of them...I don't get why it should be so complicated haha I just wish to go to America and live and work there! I might look into a J-1 visa though

[canadian_wife 1,818]

Why is it so difficult? Many americans believe that we should employ americans first before worrying about international employees.

If there is a qualified american for that job, that is the one that will be hired.

good luck

[*_Sweden_* 0]

That is very true, I just meant that I find it difficult for an international worker to find work in the US. I can't find a J-1 Visa I am eligeble for or that I would want to do...Are there any other type of work visas that would fit my situation?

[Boiler 45,319]

Student Visa is the obvious one, that might lead to work visa.

[Harsh_77 718]

Thank you for the replies. No, I am not in a specialized field. I have reserached the different kind of visas and it seems like I don't qualify for almost any of them...I don't get why it should be so complicated haha I just wish to go to America and live and work there! I might look into a J-1 visa though

Why you think it is so difficult, coz there are millions and millions of non USC who would want to come and live here and work here.

Do you think your country just lets anyone come and work there?

[JayJayH 546]

That is very true, I just meant that I find it difficult for an international worker to find work in the US. I can't find a J-1 Visa I am eligeble for or that I would want to do...Are there any other type of work visas that would fit my situation?

The most common work visa, H1b requires that you have at least a bachelor's degree, or at least 12 years of direct experience in a specialized occupation.

Without this, your options are either a temporary J-1, or a seasonal job in a low populated area, H2b. A typical H2b visa job would be An unskilled job in a part of the country which has seasonal high demand - Southeast Alaska is one example.

For J-1 visas, you generally need a sponsor. J-1 visas are typically sponsored through cultural and exchange organizations. Read more here http://j1visa.state.gov

If you want to work a job like Au Pair, or a cultural program in the US, a J-1 is an excellent choice.

However , if you want to stay and work in the US in a more career oriented field, I would recommend looking into getting a bachelor's degree in the US. Graduating from a US school allows you to apply for OPT (Optional Practical Training). OPT is essentially a one year work permit which does not require a sponsor. It allows you to work for up to one year, in a field related to your major field of study. Many H1b visa holders have been sponsored by their employers after having worked on OPT for some time. Unless you have immediate relatives (parents, children, siblings, spouse) in the US, or $1,000,000 to invest, OPT is virtually the only way to work in the US without first obtaining a sponsor.

Edited November 15, 2013 by Yang-Ja

[JayJayH 546]

I'd like to add, when you apply for jobs online, none of these jobs will be able to sponsor you for a work permit. The reason is because you don't have a at least a bachelor's degree, or at least 12 years of relevant experience in a specialty occupation.

Even with a degree, To get an H1b you generally need a "foot in the door" and that is difficult to get without either having a highly specialized, in-demand degree, or having already been employed by the sponsoring company. This is why I suggest OPT.

Most developed countries (EU countries included) are very restrictive on giving work permits to foreigners without advanced degrees.

Edited November 15, 2013 by Yang-Ja

[*_Sweden_* 0]

The most common work visa, H1b requires that you have at least a bachelor's degree, or at least 12 years of direct experience in a specialized occupation.

Without this, your options are either a temporary J-1, or a seasonal job in a low populated area, H2b. A typical H2b visa job would be An unskilled job in a part of the country which has seasonal high demand - Southeast Alaska is one example.

For J-1 visas, you generally need a sponsor. J-1 visas are typically sponsored through cultural and exchange organizations. Read more here http://j1visa.state.gov

If you want to work a job like Au Pair, or a cultural program in the US, a J-1 is an excellent choice.

However , if you want to stay and work in the US in a more career oriented field, I would recommend looking into getting a bachelor's degree in the US. Graduating from a US school allows you to apply for OPT (Optional Practical Training). OPT is essentially a one year work permit which does not require a sponsor. It allows you to work for up to one year, in a field related to your major field of study. Many H1b visa holders have been sponsored by their employers after having worked on OPT for some time. Unless you have immediate relatives (parents, children, siblings, spouse) in the US, or $1,000,000 to invest, OPT is virtually the only way to work in the US without first obtaining a sponsor.

Thank you so much, this answer cleared up a lot for me!

[JayJayH 546]

Thank you so much, this answer cleared up a lot for me!

You're welcome.

There is a last option, E-3 which I did not mention, but is only applicable if you by any chance happen to have an Australian passport.