NJL

A minimal living wage $xxx per week until the exams are passed (time frame as a trainee can last from <1 month - 3 months)

Rete

My niece was paid as a trainee for ML. She now has her license to sell as a broker.

I have to say that when I worked on Park Avenue in NYC, the building houses the offices of Blackstone and KPMG. Each spring there were busloads of college students coming from their respective colleges and universities applying for summer internships. There is no shortage of American citizens qualified for these positions.

In light of that, I find it difficult to believe that a brokerage firm would spend the time and money to sponsor someone from outside of the US to take a position readily filled by someone who is already authorized to work in the US.

scrubbedexpat099

So you need a work visa.

scrubbedexpat099

Does seem odd.

NJL

Interesting post! Thanks for the info. I completely agree with you; however, this firm has posted numerous advertisements for the vacancy and having interviewed over the phone they were very willing to accept me for the vacancy?

yellowroom

its three years experience per year of study, so four year degree = 12 years experience needed.

NJL

I should add, having researched the firm, they are legit. They have numerous international offices and all licenced brokers

scrubbedexpat099

Work for the UK operation for a year and then get a transfer.

NJL

Thats a fair idea. However, the Investment Banking arms are based outside the USA, the brokerage arm is based soley in the USA.

scrubbedexpat099

Well let us know what they propose.

NJL

They proposed that I meet with management in the NYC office. I can do that under an ESTA Visa. Its just a question of getting a more permanent measure

Wintersong

But it doesn't sound as though they were at all versed in the process of applying for a visa for you to be able to fill that vacancy, how much the process would cost them and how long it would take before you were able to fill the vacancy.

Unfortunately, getting a visa is not as simple as finding a company which is willing to hire you - they also need to be willing to sponsor the visa process and there needs to be a visa category for which you are qualified.

As Boiler said, the L1 visa is likely to be your best bet if the company has an office in the UK.

NJL

My contact acknowledged the same.
Unfortunately that seems to be the case. Unfortunately they dont have a UK office.

scrubbedexpat099

As has been said many many time the Visa is the Employers call, or more likely their Immigration Lawyers.

Wintersong

If I were you, I'd propose to them that they consult with an immigration attorney before you head off to the NYC office for more interviews - they don't appear to realise that there's a lengthy and expensive immigration process before they can hire a foreign national.