Help with getting a job in the states(Indiana)

[Georgia16 2,858]

1 hour ago, Kieron Stewart said:

I'm a fully qualified chef and have 24 years experience and have been in catering management for 13 years 

I'm sorry but it's really hard to get a work visa. The company has to prove that no american can do the job and since chef is your profession I really don't think you should get your hopes up for that and saying you work as anything won't help you either since again it's not random jobs there get work visas.

 

I know you want to be with your girlfriend but you will have to go as a tourist (you will not be allowed to work) and spend some time with her and other wise maybe she can come to your country for some time.

[Unlockable 7,314]

If you are a World Class chef that has awards and professional recognition (some fame) then you would have a better chance. But as the others have mentioned it is not as easy as simple as filling out an application, getting an interview, and moving over here. The company hiring you will need to spend thousands of dollars in lawyer and filing fees to apply for you and justify why can't it find an American that lives a few blocks away to "stock shelves" like you are willing to.

 

Best route is to get the divorce and have your girlfriend file a fiance visa for you. 

[Amy_and_Victor 159]

Like others said, work visa is really hard to get unless you have a unique qualifications that American workers can't compete with or company can't find a qualified employee in the US so they have to bring someone from other country. Unfortunately the truth is that if everyone who is willing to stock shelves in the US could get a work visa, in the first year here would be more workers with visa from all around the world than shelves to stock. In your situation K-1 or CR-1 visa seems to be the best variant but you have to finalize divorce before starting this path. Once in the US with a work permit or green card I'm sure you'll find a job with your qualifications even if Indiana's job market in my opinion is not the best and way underpaid. Me and Amy live in Indiana right now but in the future we're looking forward to leave this state by many reasons.

 

- Victor from Russia

[zilchfox 296]

I don't know if you're from Canada or Mexico, but if so, take a look at the TN Visa, which is only available to those two countries, but do note that it is not a dual-intent visa and you cannot adjust from it directly. A TN visa can be renewed indefinitely, as long as they're approved, and each TN visa is valid for 3 years. A TN visa is only granted to qualified people as long as they have a job offer, however once the visa is obtained it's pretty much the same as an EAD in regards that you can work anywhere, but you require a job offer to renew it every time (or a letter that your current employer wishes to continue your employment).

 

After the first TN visa, you can optionally renew it into an H-1B visa if you qualify.

Edited March 15, 2017 by zilchfox

[luv2teach77 41]

Hey Kieron... Where are you looking to move from ?

 

This site is primarily for folks who are entering into, or are already in the process of applying for, spousal or non-spousal immigrant visas. Everyone here is in a relationship with a US citizen with an end game of being together in the US.  Work visas are not a topic of expertise but they are notoriously difficult to get hold of !!

 

The work visa situation in the US is pretty difficult to get into.  As mentioned previously, many work visas are based on there being a shortage of workers in the US with a specific skill.  If an employer can prove that they have to look outside the US in order to fill a very skilled position, then they can accept applications from applicants living outside the US based on the idea that they would then sponsor a work visa for that individual.

 

Besides very temporary seasonal work opportunities like kids summer camps etc, there isn't a way for someone to just acquire a long term work visa to allow them to pick up an available job in a supermarket or a restaurant.

 

So... being realistic, the most likely path for you to be able to remain in the states permanently with your girlfriend is to finalize your divorce and then apply either for a Fiance visa (K-1) or a spousal visa (K-3).  Information on both are readily available on this site.  I'm a little unsure on current timelines ( I went through my K-1 process in 2005 !!) but I would allow anywhere for 6-12 months from the time of filing (assuming no complications or slow downs).  It's not a quick process but the end result is 100% worth it. The ability to work in the US is available once the visa application process is complete.

 

Feel free to ask as many questions as you need !!

 

Mark

 

 

[Marco&Bettina 502]

14 minutes ago, luv2teach77 said:

Hey Kieron... Where are you looking to move from ?

 

This site is primarily for folks who are entering into, or are already in the process of applying for, spousal or non-spousal immigrant visas. Everyone here is in a relationship with a US citizen with an end game of being together in the US.  Work visas are not a topic of expertise but they are notoriously difficult to get hold of !!

 

The work visa situation in the US is pretty difficult to get into.  As mentioned previously, many work visas are based on there being a shortage of workers in the US with a specific skill.  If an employer can prove that they have to look outside the US in order to fill a very skilled position, then they can accept applications from applicants living outside the US based on the idea that they would then sponsor a work visa for that individual.

 

Besides very temporary seasonal work opportunities like kids summer camps etc, there isn't a way for someone to just acquire a long term work visa to allow them to pick up an available job in a supermarket or a restaurant.

 

So... being realistic, the most likely path for you to be able to remain in the states permanently with your girlfriend is to finalize your divorce and then apply either for a Fiance visa (K-1) or a spousal visa (K-3).  Information on both are readily available on this site.  I'm a little unsure on current timelines ( I went through my K-1 process in 2005 !!) but I would allow anywhere for 6-12 months from the time of filing (assuming no complications or slow downs).  It's not a quick process but the end result is 100% worth it. The ability to work in the US is available once the visa application process is complete.

 

Feel free to ask as many questions as you need !!

 

Mark

 

 

OP posted in "

• Non-Family Based US Visa Discussion 
•  
• Work Visas "

Not everyone here is in the process because of a relationship. But that is the OP's basically only angle.

[luv2teach77 41]

Well I stand corrected.  I've only been active on VJ for a few months after several years of inactivity.  I had no idea that there was a non-family based visa board.  Apologies if I'm providing redundant or unhelpful information.

[Marco&Bettina 502]

4 minutes ago, luv2teach77 said:

Well I stand corrected.  I've only been active on VJ for a few months after several years of inactivity.  I had no idea that there was a non-family based visa board.  Apologies if I'm providing redundant or unhelpful information.

No worries. We all learn things from each other. I may have spent time on the site but know nothing yet of Naturalization for example.

[caliliving 606]

6 hours ago, Kieron Stewart said:

I'm a fully qualified chef and have 24 years experience and have been in catering management for 13 years 

Impossible! sorry to rain on your parade, but its the reason why marriage to a USC is the easiest path to working in the USA. (and a high fraud rate).

 

If you are highly specialized in computer engineering ect u could get a company like apple, google, fb to petition for the H1b.. also, it can only be done once a year in april to work in october, and you would miss out on that anyways...

 

your only path and easiest is thru ur girlfriend.. you need to get divorced and marry her.. in the meantime you can visit and are you from? maybe she can move and stay with you as well.  

[mallafri76 1,012]

Depending on what country you're from, you might look into the diversity lottery

[JFH 12,190]

OP, since you have "baggage" (i.e. a messy divorce to get through) then it would make sense for your girlfriend to move to your county. Chances are it's easier and quicker for her to move to your country since the USA is probably the most difficult and the slowest application procedure. And if it's all about being together it doesn't  matter where you are, right? 

[Coco8 1,042]

Because you have a lot of experience, it might not work for you, but you could come to study to a culinary institute (like culinary institute of america, or maybe one in Chicago since that is closer to Indiana ). You can have an F-1 student visa, but you'd need money to pay for the courses & your lodging and they will ask you to show funds when you apply for the visa. You can live together for whatever time you are studying, and then you have an OPT which is for practice training and you can work for a year. With all that time together it'd be easy to decide what you'd like to do (marry, not marry).

Edited March 16, 2017 by Coco8

[Boiler 45,489]

I have met quite a few chefs who came on work visa's.

 

Last one was on a L, worked for one of the big Hotel groups and got moved here.

[KurosawaSan 52]

2 hours ago, Boiler said:

I have met quite a few chefs who came on work visa's.

 

Last one was on a L, worked for one of the big Hotel groups and got moved here.

It is certainly possible, but that requires a good job back in the home-country (where they can transfer you abroad) or be really, really good at what you do. Or invest money in US.

[Boiler 45,489]

He said he is a Chef. Obviously if he is bad one opportunities are limited.