Service Corps & Expediting Questions (Haiti)

[leslie12 0]

Hi, all,

 

A friend of mine who lives in Haiti was just accepted to a 1-year service corps program that is run by a nonprofit in Pittsburgh, PA. However, we are on a time crunch, as the program starts on August 12. 

 

I have a few questions, and would appreciate any advice you can offer!

 

1- "Service" technically falls under the "Tourism" visa, however, he will be receiving a stipend and various trainings and job coaching through the program, so I was going to apply as a B1/B2 visa. Is that a good idea?

 

2 - Since we are on a time crunch, I am going to try to get it expedited with a letter from the organization that outlines the importance of him starting the program on August 12, or as close to that date as possible. They are actually in need of his multi-language skills, so he is offering a valuable asset to their organization.

 

I am wishing that the timing was better! Any advice is helpful now!

 

Thanks,

Leslie

[Boiler 45,525]

Sounds more like a J1 maybe, anyway something the Servce Corps, admittedly not sure what that is, would sort out. Presumably they have done this before and know what is needed.

[leslie12 0]

Thank you for your feedback!

 

If it helps, you can check out the service corps description on the website - https://www.hfi-pgh.org/holy-family-service-corps/.

Scroll down to where it says "Nazareth Year".

[Boiler 45,525]

I see there is a person to contact,  I would suggest your friend contacts them and asks what the process is for international applicants in need of sponsorship.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

Agree with Boiler, neither the description of what he will be doing nor the length of time required fits with a B visa.   The non-profit should be able to advise the correct visa, and they will need to provide a letter at the very least anyway. What has his contact with them about this been?

 

Also if it is your friend, why are you applying?

Edited July 21, 2019 by SusieQQQ

[aaron2020 11,651]

1 hour ago, chabalal said:

Hi, all,

 

A friend of mine who lives in Haiti was just accepted to a 1-year service corps program that is run by a nonprofit in Pittsburgh, PA. However, we are on a time crunch, as the program starts on August 12. 

 

I have a few questions, and would appreciate any advice you can offer!

 

1- "Service" technically falls under the "Tourism" visa, however, he will be receiving a stipend and various trainings and job coaching through the program, so I was going to apply as a B1/B2 visa. Is that a good idea?

 

2 - Since we are on a time crunch, I am going to try to get it expedited with a letter from the organization that outlines the importance of him starting the program on August 12, or as close to that date as possible. They are actually in need of his multi-language skills, so he is offering a valuable asset to their organization.

 

I am wishing that the timing was better! Any advice is helpful now!

 

Thanks,

Leslie

1.  No, it's not a good idea.  A B1/B2 visa holder can stay 6 months max.  Furthermore, the person is not authorized to work.  This is not the appropriate visa.  There is no "tourism" visa that allows him to stay 11 months and lawfully work.  

 

2.  Contact the organization to see what they have done for other international participants.  Why guess what visa he needs when he can contact the organization for help.  

[Boiler 45,525]

There are some weird exceptions with a B but this does not seem to match them.

[leslie12 0]

Thank you all so much! I was initially hesitant to post about this, but your responses have been extremely helpful!

 

I should have been more clear on this point- I actually work for the nonprofit that runs the service corps, but I work for another department (one of the schools that they operate). The service corps program is fairly new, and this is the first year that they have had international applicants. The nonprofit is unexperienced handling visas, so I have been doing the legwork to figure out what needs to be done.

 

SusieQQQ - My friend has limited access to Internet and electricity, so I am assisting with the application. When we apply, he will be on the phone with me to answer the questions as I deliver them verbally, but this will also help him to fully understand the questions since his English is not perfect. I understand that the only obligation he has is to be the one that clicks the "digital signature" button at the end, so he will finish the application on his end.

 

 

[aaron2020 11,651]

A lawyer should be retained.

 

You do not want to make a mistake that could have serious repercussions for these applicants beyond the scope of this opportunity.

 

This is not DIY. 

[Boiler 45,525]

Opening up applications to international applicants without considering if there is a way for them to participate seems odd, but I agree something they need to discuss with their Immigration Lawyers.

[leslie12 0]

Thanks for the advice. It's a fairly small program and they are essentially making an exception for my friend and one other person that has applied. I don't think that I nor my organization knew that it would be this complicated 😓

 

If anyone's still out there, could you do me a favor and let me know if the DS-160 form is working on your computer? The "Start Your Application" button has been grayed out/not working for me all day. I tried posting in a thread someone started about this a while ago, but haven't gotten any replies. I tried clearing my cookies/history and viewing from multiple devices/OS/browsers. Not sure if it's a site overload issue or maintenance. It's just somewhat troublesome for when we have our questions all answered and are fully ready to start the application.

 

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

I agree you should look for a lawyer, too much to mess up and that can also potentially wreck any future chances of visas for the US to the intending volunteers. If you are a non-profit, there are many pro bono lawyers dealing with immigration matters - not necessarily from this angle, but I’m sure you can find someone to help as it is probably not complex for a legal professional.  Good luck.

[geowrian 22,337]

Agreed - this needs professional assistance, it's not DIY. You can end up screwing up somebody's future immigration prospects pretty badly.

[Boiler 45,525]

Probably not many people in Haiti who could afford to spend a year in the US volunteering, you tend to think of it the other way around.

[Bajinga 136]

agreed that its definitely not a DIY and needs to be handled by professionals. there are so many complications involved and the process itself is legally very expensive for sponsoring work visa's. there is a reason why only companies in dire need of skilled workers and having enough resources even bother.