kjmcass100

Hi, My colleague has a number of Spas in UK/Ireland and is interested in expanding into USA. He operates a Thai spa here where trained Therapists from Thailand come here on a rotational basis staying 2-3 years and then return home.
If he were interested in opening the same Thai Spa in USA, what visa implications would there be for the staff (Thai therapists)? Would they be able to obtain a working visa if they were even temporary?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

(And yes from my previous threads you will see im still trying to get into USA but doesnt look likely - fingers crossed for green card lotto! :-)

Thanks

Kevin

SusanPai

L-1B visas.

kjmcass100

Hi Susan,
Thanks for your assistance. The Thai therapists won't be transferring from his Spas here. He will require new therapists or experienced therapists from Thailand therefore I don't think this visa will work. Is there any other options?

Thanks
Kevin

Marocco

Sounds like H1B is the way to go, if they qualify.

lisa67

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Pulask...ork_in_the_USA

read the above....I doubt very, very much if they'll qualify for an H1b !

A I

Maybe they can tour her UK office first for a year, thus making them elegible for L1B ? Pick from existing UK pool of workers, and replace those with Thai ?

Perhaps a J-1 Masseuse oriente organization exists, Which could sponsor Thai Masseuse Exchange ? (Sounds extremely far fetched)

kjmcass100

Hi Folks, I think the H1-b visa will be too difficult to obtain for this. I think the best option will be the L1-B however I think this is a new venture in the USA and is seperate from the business in UK/Ireland.
Possibly an option is to seek to employ existing Thai therapists that are in the USA legally.
Any other ideas? Thanks everyone!

Marocco

Why?

kjmcass100

Is the H1-B visa not a lottery aswell? However, possibly this is the direct route to go down. Im just not sure which would be the most successful.??

ian-mstm

Not right now it isn't.

Ian

lisa67

correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that H1bs had to have at least a BA or equivelant and if they were in the "cosmetic" services then, depending on the State you're in, they will also need US licensing
Maybe Thai therapists are highly educated and I'm just being naiive here?

Marocco

Don't know about licensing laws for "therapists", but you can substitute work experience for education (IIRC, 12 years' work experience can be considered equivalent to a 4 year degree).

lisa67

I understand that...12 years of documented work could be considered equivalent, but it has to be deemed a "specialist" occupation

http://www.immspec.com/h-1b-visa.htm

Marocco

If the reason for hiring a Thai therapist is that their skills are in short supply in the US, then it seems to me that it fits the definition of a specialist occupation. If the reason is that they are cheap, it probably won't work.

tamms_1965

But they still have to get licensed here which requires going through an accredited school/program and taking state tests.