Aquaman92

Hi Folks,

I have just returned from working at a Summer Camp in Texas coaching swimming. Whilst in the Country I approached several coaches and applied for some jobs, fortunately for me a few coaches are interested in hiring me however I have been asked to research visas and information whilst said coaches are on vacation before we meet in person as they wasn't too sure on the category and classification required given they haven't recruited from the UK before. So my question for the good people of BritishExpats is hypothetically speaking if I got offered one of these jobs/had one lined up which Visa would I require ? would it be a sponsorship or one of the H category visas ?

I have previously been offered a 9 month job with the view to extend and that was if memory serves correctly a H1 however I may be wrong. Could it be a similar one ?

Thank you all in advance

Noorah101

All work visas need sponsorship. It really is up to the employer to determine which visa to petition you for.

Perhaps you could qualify for an O visa, that would be one to research.

Rene

ian-mstm

This is something their immigration attorney needs to research. I understand you want to help, but it's not your job to do their research for them.


The one for which they sponsor you.


Your comment makes it sound as though you're choosing between two mutually exclusive options. Almost all employment-based visas need sponsorship... even the H ones!

Ian

az2014

What visa were you on while teaching swimming...?

scrubbedexpat099

Seems odd that somebody would ask a Swimming Coach for Immigration advise and not an Immigration Lawyer.

Shirtback

OP, you may have received a "polite brush-off".

An organization/company with no clue about visa requirements might have enthusiastically said "hey, yeah!!!".

An organization/company with even the slightest clue about immigration, *truly interested* in hiring you, might have said " let's look at that".

Organisation/company with even the slightest clue etc ..., not really bothered about hiring you even if they like you: "go find yourself a visa".


(I used to have hiring privileges; Canada not U.S., and if a really good but not indispensable candidate appeared without a WP of some sort, my standard answer was "go find a WP then come back & we'll talk". The company I worked for only ever sponsored WPs when we were in really dire straits.)

Aquaman92

I apologise for my lack of clarity, I'm aware all visas require sponsorship. In hindsight what I was trying to ask is if there is a cost difference between different visa categories for the employer ? for instance would an employer find the cheapest route to sponsor a visa or the best fit ?

Aquaman92

An O visa is for outstanding people within a given field of memory serves correct which is a bit of stretch reading some of the requirements although there is one that I could perhaps satisfy and that would be working for an esteemed institution although it depends on how they classify esteemed! Hah

Aquaman92

I was using them as an example as they're the ones I have experience with although limited. I may have been naive and not 100% clear in regards to sponsorship and if there is any difference between visa classes for this.

Aquaman92

Hi, I was on a J1 visa, as far as I'm aware this visa class cannot be extended (I could very well be wrong) although if it could that could be an option as I have a few weeks until it expires.

Aquaman92

On reflection I agree. In the moment I just wanted to help and be an asset so willingly went and agreed to have a look into it as it could potentially help my chances and that's the end goal. Either that or it's a genuine question for the time being.

Aquaman92

All very true although me looking into some stuff was while said parties are on vacation before they can get back and take a look into it personally. I agree there's a large chance it could be a case of thanks but no thanks I'll just have to wait and see when I have another Skype interview this week.

Noorah101

Perfect! During the Skype interview, if/when they ask if you did any visa research, this is what I'd say to them:

"yes, I took a look around, and it seems there are a few different visa options out there. Which one are you planning to pursue on my behalf?"

Then if they say "We don't know, we've never done this before", then your next statement should be: "I would be honored to be your first international employee! I'm looking forward to hearing back from you after you've discussed my visa options with an immigration attorney".

Don't let them put this all back on you.

Rene

p.s. - An immigration lawyer can help put the right spin on your experience to have a better chance at an O visa.

SanDiegogirl

Sounds like you were on a J-1 visa, organised from the UK by one of several companies that set up groups of youths to fly to the US to do football/swimming/ camp counselor type of work for up to three months at a time.

The company in the UK usually has a sponsoring contact in the US - school districts, towns, sports associations etc.

While you may have had several interested individual coaches, unless they are able to sponsor you for a visa (J-1 or H2B comes to mind) you are not going to be able to obtain a visa on your own. Especially since this is a seasonal job - with a maybe extention.

As others have said when you next speak to these coaches you have to discuss what visa they can get for you. You might find they know nothing about visa processes.

Aquaman92

As usual all very helpful so thank you! I will definitely use this advise

To digress slightly would it be worth speaking to an immigration attorney myself to discuss options? I was fortunate to meet a few good ones this summer. I know theres some kind of rule where an alien cannot be employed if an able bodied USC can do the job within 50miles or similar which is why I believe coaching is my best bet given the specialised nature and my background within the sport. I am at University in England but would hopefully finish School in the U.S after 1 year in state (lower tuition feels) sorry for the ramble!