tylercoombes

Hi All, I am currently desperate to immigrate to Los Angeles, I currently live in UK and so far am only aware of the visa waiver programme, in terms of actually immigrating permanently it seems impossible! I was reading up on any blog/website I could find. On this website How to Get a U.S. Green Card: 10 Things to Know | Mind The Gap | BBC America it says "If you do not qualify for any of the above, just jump on a plane. Your visa waiver lasts 90 days and, without breaking the law, you can start looking for a job. Then take it step by step, from employment visa to Green Card. It might take a few years, but persistence takes you a long way in the U.S." I just wanted to check if this is true, can I fly to LA on the visa waiver programme and then start looking for jobs whilst being there? how likely is it to obtain a job? I have got all funds neccesary just need a route to get there. Any ex UK to Los Angeles migrators or anyone currently in Los Angeles please help!

Thanks

christmasoompa

Yes, that's true, you can job hunt on the VWP.

As to how likely it is that an employer would go to the hassle, spend the thousands of dollars, and wait enough time for you to be able to start work, it's impossible to say without knowing what you do and what specialist skills you have to offer.

Good luck and welcome to the forum.

Pulaski

I'd be interested to hear what happens when you arrive at LAX and tell the immigration officer that you're here to look for a job.

In practice the chances of this working is almost zero. The exceptions being people who could have got a visa anyway but for whatever reason didn't.

tylercoombes

Hi,
thanks for the swift reply, thats great news! ive seen the maxium stay on VWP is around 3months is it true that in order to get the 3months you have to satisfy the border agent? Specialist skills? as in a degree etc? My main area of expertise within customer service roles. Thanks for the warm welcome!

Noorah101

Yes, you are allowed to job hunt while visiting the USA. Without knowing what you do for a living, it's hard to say how successful you'll be in finding an employer to sponsor a work visa for you. You might get lots of job offers, only to fall apart when they realize you need a work visa.

One popular route to the USA is to first work in the UK for an employer who has offices in the USA, then after 1 year, ask for a transfer.

May I ask why you are so desperate, though?

Rene

Pulaski

You work in a shop? ..... There is no visa eligibility for that sort of job. Most retail jobs are low paid, if not close to minimum wage, and increasingly are part time with no benefits i.e. no provision for health insurance.

christmasoompa

Customer service is very unlikely to qualify you for any kind of employment based visa, even if you can find a job offer. Generally a degree is needed as a minimum, yes.

Have a look at this and let us know if you think you'd qualify for any of the visa routes outlined in it? Pulaski's Ways: How to Live and Work in the USA : British Expat Wiki

Hotscot

How did your desperation develop?

What specifically attracts you to Los Angeles?

What specific, hard to get here, job skills do you have?

What's your degree in?

Do you have plenty of money?

ian-mstm

I'll warn you now... when people are desperate, they tend to make very poor decisions.


This much, at least, is correct. You are allowed to look for a job while on the VWP. Should you find an employer willing to sponsor you for a visa, you'd need to return home and the employer would start the paperwork on your behalf. You must not sign any employment contract or other document related to working while you're in the US - because in that moment you'd become a de facto employee... and that is not allowed on the VWP. You can verbally accept employment - but that's it. Once you're back home, you can sign whatever documents as are required.


Indeed - it can take 5-10 years, but if you're persistent, then it's quite doable.


Yes.


Very unlikely. Employers must spend many thousands of $$ to sponsor you for a visa. Since you've chosen not to write about any skills, degrees, or qualifications you might have - no one can say whether or not this avenue is actually viable for you. Further, keep in mind that there are currently many thousands of unemployed people in the US, who are as qualified as you, can start work tomorrow if asked, and who don't need visa sponsorship. They are your competition for jobs... so the question you need to ask yourself is: "Why would an employer spend money to sponsor me?" You need to examine this objectively... because anything other than absolute honesty with yourself is likely to lead to heartbreak!

Ian

Sally Redux

Welcome.

What's the big rush to get to LA? (or who)

Noorah101

Maximum stay is 90 days. The only thing you have to convince him of, is that you do not intend to overstay, and do not intend to work. If you start talking about jobs and degrees, it will put up red flags. You are coming for a vacation.

Don't show up with a bunch of resumes and contact info for jobs.

Make sure you can prove you have a reason to return home... job, home, school. ..

Rene

tylercoombes

is it possible to come under the visa waiver programme and extend it or do you have to leave again and then fly back?

Hotscot

A few of us live in the LA area, have you ever been?

Please address my questions from earlier.

limeynus

It cannot be extended. General rule of thumb is to spend as much or more time out of the US before returning.

Sally Redux

Easy, Tiger. Tell us what's going on.