AidanJHackwood

Hey everyone! this is my first post.

I am 23 years old, I am an electrician currently working as a mobile maintenance engineer specified in HVAC/Air conditioning units.

I have been looking on various websites that advertise house sitting for people when they decide to go on vacation for weeks or months at a time. I am aware that if money exchanges hands then I would require a working visa so i'd be doing it for free in exchange for free accommodation. (I love animals, I am pretty handy and don't mind getting my hands dirty)

My thinking is this - Find a house to sit ideally for a month or more, arrive in America, go to a government building, speak to someone face to face, apply for a working visa (temporary or permanent) and then look for work which hopefully will help me make the move permanent to the USA.

I know about each state having their own variation to the regulations so depending on the state would mean id have to get my qualifications recognized by that state. although I wouldn't mind what work id get involved in.

I'm just wondering if this is feasible or if it even works like that.

I cant find much information on visas or even what type of visa id need

many thanks,

Aidan Hackwood.

ian-mstm

Sorry, but money isn't the only consideration. You can't work in the US without permission.


Sorry - but you can't "work for free". You can't do for free, something that someone else would be paid for.


That's not how it works. If you want an employment-based visa, you must be sponsored by a US company... and they - not you - must start the visa process on your behalf. You can't apply for a visa independent of a sponsor.


It is not, and it does not.


First, read this. If there's a visa available, do some research. Read, digest, read again, and then ask questions. Keep in mind that most people will never come to the US as anything other than a visitor.

Ian

Pulaski

(i) You can't apply for a visa from within the US, ever.

(ii) You can't apply for a working visa for yourself, an employer has to do it for you.

(iii) "Work" is any activity for which it is usual to pay for. Just because you aren't being paid does mean it isn't work.

(iv) Your electrician's qualifications aren't worth squat in the US and you would have to start over, virtually from scratch, including 2+ years of practical supervised experience as a trainee.

(v) There is no US visa applicable for skilled trades.

(vi) There is no temporary working visa/ working holiday visa for the US, comparable to such visas that Canada, Australia, and NZ issue.

Otherwise, your plan will work just fine.

AidanJHackwood

I see now this is the kind of information I was looking for, thanks a lot for your replies.

I've been looking and looking for this kind of information so I really appreciate it.

Looks like I'm going to be emailing a lot of companies

christmasoompa

Did you read the link given above? Which of those visas do you think you would be eligible for? An electrician wouldn't normally qualify for any US employment based visa, so it would be helpful to know which you were thinking of so that people can give you more specific advice.

Best of luck.

AidanJHackwood

Not yet, I had just finished shopping and heading to the car.

Will take a look.

Pulaski

I'm not trying to rain on your parade, but did you read my point (v)?

Hypothetically, even if there was a visa type for you, it would cost the prospective employer $5,000-$10,000 in visa and legal fees. Why would they do that when they can hire locally for free? Those fees can make sense for a scientist, engineer, IT specialist, doctor, etc, but not for more run-of-the-mill jobs).

Even if you have a visa that gives you the right to work (e.g. through marriage), or are a US citizen, if you're applying for jobs from outside the US it is extremely difficult to get anyone to even consider you. Most contacts/ applications are just ignored entirely, I know, as I was in that position myself in 2001. When I hire (I don't hire electricians/maintenance staff) I rarely even look at applications from people further away than an adjacent state.

ian-mstm

With respect - that'll be a complete waste of time. If you're not already in the US, your email will likely get sent to the recycle bin.

Ask yourself this question: What skills do I have that would make me stand out above the crowd, when my competition for jobs consists of thousands of unemployed US citizens, who are equally trained, can start work tomorrow if asked, and will not cost a company many thousands of dollars for sponsorship?

If you're honest with yourself, you'll come to realize that you have almost no chance of making this work for you.

Ian

AidanJHackwood

Yeah I know what you're saying and I know it's not impossible for it to happen so I'm just going to stay focused and figure out how I'm going to go about it.

Thank you again for your input.

AidanJHackwood

Yeah almost, there has got to be a way of doing it. One way or another.

ian-mstm

Actually, it is pretty much impossible given your existing skills.


Good luck... but keep in mind that your strong focus isn't going to change US rules and regulations.

Ian

christmasoompa

It's definitely not impossible if you're prepared to work towards it i.e. get a degree (if you've not already got one) and change careers, working your way towards becoming specialist enough to qualify for a visa and/or a transfer with a multinational company. It'll take a while, but it's doable.

Alternatively, other countries such as Canada are much more welcoming towards skilled trades, so perhaps that's an option?

Good luck.

AidanJHackwood

Yeah rules are made to be broken! (just kidding)

I'm currently employed by Doosan Babcock, well I start Tuesday, they're a massive company turning over billions, operating in around 20 countries so maybe that could be my way in

christmasoompa

If you can work your way up to some kind of management or more specialist role, then that's a possibility. Bear in mind that to transfer you they'll still need to spend thousands of dollars on your visa etc, so again you'll need to be senior enough to warrant that.

Good luck!

Guindalf

While you're trying to find a route into the US, buy yourself a lottery ticket, because you've got more chance of winning that than getting in!

There is one other possibility. Find yourself a USC girlfriend, fall in love and get married. Do NOT consider doing this just to get a green card, but if it works, it's the easiest way!

Read the Wiki link already given first and go from there, but forget the 'work' route, at least for the next 8-10 years.