New Zealand needing visa

[Rusty15 0]

Hey guys

I am a New Zealand citizen and am currently living in New Zealand also. My current occupation is a slickline operator in the oil and gas industry I have done this job for 2 years and my previous job was a water service technician for 5 years. I am 24 years of age and am wanting to move to California for a year or two and maybe stay there full time if I decide to. The question I have is what type of visa would I need I do not have a diploma of any sort but as a slickline operator in the oil and gas it is a job that not everyone can do so hopefully I wouldn't need the unskilled visa? Also on average what is the time limit from when you apply for a visa to getting it accepted roughly?

Any tips here would help guys I'm pretty new into researching about this I just returned for a 3 week vacation in California and feel in love with the place and want to move there for a year or more thanks in advance

[Stressed Out 81]

Skim through the guides to get an idea of what you want. This should get you started:

http://www.visajourney.com/content/temporary-worker-guide

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Without a degree you're up the creek without a paddle.

[Rusty15 0]

So what your saying is that I have no chance and should not even attempt to?

[Transborderwife 4,666]

You could try for an h-2b but up to you

[Rusty15 0]

Are the chances of getting one pretty low even when I have a sponsor?

[Transborderwife 4,666]

The trouble is finding a sponsor. I know people on the same boat. It's tough. There are agencies that charge a fee, but it's a risk you take.

[Boiler 45,525]

Transfer with your existing Employer.

[kiwivisa 8]

Hey Rusty, fellow kiwi here. I came in on the L1B visa, lived in SF for 3 years and ended up marrying a US girl. Now living on NC

If you are thinking about coming for only a year.... then its probably not worth the hassle of getting a visa to be honest. Its a slow and long process, with no fixed timelines, so you wont be able to plan with much accuracy. With the cost of moving, getting a car, accommodation, Drivers License, Social Security number etc.... you'ed only just be getting setup after a year.... Best bet would be to come in as a tourist and just check the place out for 3 months... It would probably cost you less!

Having said that, enter the Green Card lottery program right now. The entry window closes in 24 hours! Its the visa that requires the least hassle. Its a complete lottery. Be sure to only use official links, lots of scams out there around this.

https://www.dvlottery.state.gov/

If you get selected through that process then it removes the hassle of applying for a work based visa. Still a lengthy process though.

For the work based visas: (You will need to check if these require a degree, I think they both do?) Look into the H1B (requires a job offer, and is still capped to a certain number) and L1B (Requires a transfer with an existing employer).

Edited November 2, 2014 by kiwivisa

[Rusty15 0]

Yeah I think I would like to move over eventually. What are the chances of a New Zealander winning the green card lottery?

[kiwivisa 8]

6% apparently... pretty slim.

[Boiler 45,525]

Relatively very high.

[TylerW 0]

It is tough to get a working visa for the US – that’s why so many people are trying and so many people haven’t made it yet. That said, it is not impossible and if you work hard at the process (and probably spend quite a bit of money) then it can be done. Research all your options through the US Visas site, look into the Green Card Lottery as posted above, and decide if you want to pay for professional legal advice. And you can go back on vacation! Be aware that the process of getting a working visa is long but with persistence you can do it.

[Jawaree 717]

I'd say try the lottery, also as someone suggested

revisit, do some leg-work & check out the possibilities

because really without a degree, or a job transfer its

hard right now, do not travel with papers that makes it

seem you R job hunting. CBP can take it the wrong way