Finding an appropriate work visa

[SalishSea 17,827]

6 hours ago, Tomaso11 said:

We talked about the e3 although I don't have a degree i have a lot of experience in the field, some in a managerial role. We talked about an o1 as my workplace has been in the press quite a bit, we are still looking into exploring all possibilities to see if anything can work apart from the marriage visa.

 

I heard the k1 and e3 were a lot faster?

K-1 is no longer faster.   Just start reading here on VJ and you’ll see that it’s full of people with petitions that were approved one year ago, and are still waiting for interviews.   Plus, you can’t work or travel back to the US if you leave, for the first 8-9 months.

 

it’s a terrible visa really, and covid has magnified its drawbacks.

[JFH 12,190]

If you are very skilled in your field and have had your work featured in publications or have been contracted to bake for famous people (wedding cakes for the stars?) or something then an O-1 might be worth considering. Although I’m trying to think who would employ a world-class baker as they are probably all self-employed in the way that artists are. Maybe a high-end restaurant? Just thinking out loud. 
 

You recently came here for 90 days to be with your girlfriend. You said you had a very understanding and flexible boss. Which makes me wonder which boss would allow their star baker to be out of action for so long. In order to get an O-1 you have to be among the best. Do you see where I’m going with this? 
 

We all get it. Almost all of us on here are going through this process because of love. There are a few work visa people on this site but the huge majority are spouses and fiancés. We all understand the pain of being apart. I can assure you I don’t love my husband any less than you love your girlfriend. And many others here will say the same. What you are feeling is by no means unique or worse than any one else. All things considered, you actually have it easier than many people here. You have the VWP, you have a very understanding boss. Yes, I know COVID has messed things up but there’s nothing anyone, including you, can do about that. We just have to ride out this storm. It will end. 
 

For the love of the gods, don’t do anything to jeopardize your VWP eligibility. When this COVID mess is over, you’ll realize just how much of a privilege it is. Browse through the tourist visa forum and see the struggles that loved ones in less economically advanced countries have in trying to obtain B-2 tourist visas to be able to see their partners. Those people often only see each other once a year for about a week (or however much time off the USC can get - and I guarantee it’s a lot less than your understanding boss allows). You’re even pushing it with 90-day stays. 

Edited February 18, 2021 by JFH

[Boiler 45,486]

Did they mention H2b

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

35 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Did they mention H2b

Highly unlikely to be an applicable visa for a baker unless he is a seasonal specialist (the high Christmas cakes at the San Francisco hotels?) or there is a shortage of bakers locally.

Edited February 18, 2021 by SusieQQQ

[Boiler 45,486]

We know very little, not even what the job is.

 

Hopefully the Lawyer does and can make sensible suggestions.

[designguy 1,179]

Quickest would be to premium process an O1. Get a good lawyer and see if you can qualify (unlikely but if money doesnt matter then you might as well try). My EB3 took 2 years pre covid. 

Edited February 18, 2021 by designguy

[Carpe Vinum 2,327]

3 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

K-1 is no longer faster.   Just start reading here on VJ and you’ll see that it’s full of people with petitions that were approved one year ago, and are still waiting for interviews.   Plus, you can’t work or travel back to the US if you leave, for the first 8-9 months.

 

it’s a terrible visa really, and covid has magnified its drawbacks.

I agree with this. Covid with the delays for interviews has made the K1 almost pointless. But the K1 is not necessarily terrible. Especially for those couples that don't need the immigrant to work right away. It does have the benefit of being much easier for each party to go their own way if things don't work out initially or the immigrant really doesn't like living in the US than a marriage based visa does. It's not a popular sentiment but it is a reality for some couples. It seems that the OP wants or needs to work right away so the K1 visa would not be a good option.

[SalishSea 17,827]

1 hour ago, designguy said:

Quickest would be to premium process an O1. Get a good lawyer and see if you can qualify (unlikely but if money doesnt matter then you might as well try). My EB3 took 2 years pre covid. 

O-1......for a baker?

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

1 hour ago, designguy said:

Quickest would be to premium process an O1. Get a good lawyer and see if you can qualify (unlikely but if money doesnt matter then you might as well try). My EB3 took 2 years pre covid. 

I think O1 is about the only visa (L not applicable here) that can get anyone here relatively quickly. From the people I know on Os, sounds like a long shot but agree worth a try if OP has some cash to spend on the attempt.

 

7 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

O-1......for a baker?

Sure, if you’re good enough. I’m guessing celebrity bakers would qualify easily, cake boss type. Zumbo is an Australian one, great British bake off types, etc. Depends how specialty you are. I’m fairly sure a top restaurant type pastry chef etc would be able to swing it too. If you’re not specialty I don’t even know that EB3 would work because I’m pretty sure that there isn’t a nationwide shortage of bakers. Especially now.

Edited February 18, 2021 by SusieQQQ

[Boiler 45,486]

I have met a few Chefs in the past who came on L and H1b's, not come across an O but agree if it was somebody with say a TV/Book etc presence that might well be possible. I somewhat doubt the OP fits into this category, all the ones I met had Culinary qualifications so E3 would also be an option.

 

I only have come across two people on an O, if you googled either of them you would come up with lots of hits. Also does not sound like the OP's situation.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

5 minutes ago, Boiler said:

I have met a few Chefs in the past who came on L and H1b's, not come across an O but agree if it was somebody with say a TV/Book etc presence that might well be possible. I somewhat doubt the OP fits into this category, all the ones I met had Culinary qualifications so E3 would also be an option.

 

I only have come across two people on an O, if you googled either of them you would come up with lots of hits. Also does not sound like the OP's situation.

How does a chef come on an L? Transfer within a hotel chain ? 

[Coco8 1,042]

2 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

How does a chef come on an L? Transfer within a hotel chain ? 

Yeah. Or part of the same group of restaurants (e.g. Nobu). Also, some Michelin star restaurants are not a chain but are under a group. 

[designguy 1,179]

1 hour ago, Jorgedig said:

O-1......for a baker?

Anyone can apply  Success is a whole different story

[Tomaso11 2]

1 hour ago, SusieQQQ said:

I think O1 is about the only visa (L not applicable here) that can get anyone here relatively quickly. From the people I know on Os, sounds like a long shot but agree worth a try if OP has some cash to spend on the attempt.

 

Sure, if you’re good enough. I’m guessing celebrity bakers would qualify easily, cake boss type. Zumbo is an Australian one, great British bake off types, etc. Depends how specialty you are. I’m fairly sure a top restaurant type pastry chef etc would be able to swing it too. If you’re not specialty I don’t even know that EB3 would work because I’m pretty sure that there isn’t a nationwide shortage of bakers. Especially now.

Its for a specialty role at his bakery, so he would have to advertise and convince that no one is able or capable of doing that specialty role, which I think he can prove.

[Crazy Cat 41,845]

1 minute ago, Tomaso11 said:

so he would have to advertise and convince that no one is able or capable of doing that specialty role, which I think he can prove.

That would be quite an achievement.  Good luck.