woodcol

Hey. I am hopeful that someone will be able to help. I am 42 year old male. I have worked in Tampa for 3 months in 2009. I enjoyed it so much I want to leave the UK and begin a new life in Tampa. Have just taken redundancy its given me the kick and motivation to move. I thought the best way would be to secure a permanent role and apply for a job visa. I am finding it challenging getting a role in Tampa (Project Manager), as no one will interview me while I am in the UK. Is it possible for me to move out to Tampa and get a job and then a visa? Is it possible to get a VISA that allows me to come and find work ? I would welcome any guidance that you might be able to provide. More importantly I don't suppose anyone has a job opening in the Tampa area??

civilservant

In a word, No. You can visit on the VWP and look for work (but you cannot sign a contract) but that's your only option.

To add, you cannot apply for a 'work visa' you must be sponsored by the prospective employer who must pay the fees. This will be several thousands. What is your standard of eduction? What field do you work in? You must also be aware that not having work authorization puts you at a significant disadvantage to competitors who can start the work the following day and not cost alot of $$$$ to employ.

Start here.

woodcol

Thanks for the quick response. I can not be the first person to want to move without a job. Has anyone else managed this? I have a number of friends who would sponsor me but they are not family.

So assuming I go over and get someone to agree to hire me, I have a couple of questions ...

what is the normal time frame for a job visa application ?
what's the cost of the application ? something I would be willing to discuss as a deduction from my initial salary.

I left school after GCE but will be Prince and Agile quailifed in next month ... I have specialised skills in Global Corporate Banking - Treasury, Derivatives, Investment and FX - European Corporate Leasing - Asset management, off balance sheet and pricing - and UK insurance - pricing and claims. Global strategic management experiencing across USA, EMEA and Asia.

Noorah101

You are not the first one, and yes, others have managed it. You might, too, we just have no idea since we don't know your education, experience, whether your job is in high demand in the USA, whether you are worth the money for an employer to spend, etc.

It depends on the visa. If you are starting out fresh with a new employer in the USA, it's most likely an H1B visa. The employer files the petition in April, for a start date in October. This is not negotiable, unless the job is for an educational or non-profit institution.

You cannot do this. The law says the employer pays 100%. It is illegal for the employer to take money from you to pay for this.

Perhaps you could find a job in the UK with an international bank which has offices in the USA, work for them for a year, and then ask to be transferred to the USA. This would be an L visa and is not subject to the April/October scenario as with the H1B. But you have to have worked for the UK side (or a branch outside the USA) for minimum 1 year before you can be transferred.

Rene

Pulaski

Yes, millions of Mexicans! ... Do you have kitchen experience or fancy a career in landscaping?

Honestly though, no visa means no job. Full stop. There are plenty of people who can get a visa through family or marriage who struggle to find work even after they arrive in the US. Why, with sky-high unemployment do you think anyone would hire you when you aren't legally permitted to work in the US?

Noorah101

No, it's the other way around...visa first, then the job. Or rather, find an employer who wants to offer you a job and will sponsor your visa...obtain visa...move to USA and start working.

You can search for work while visiting on the VWP.

Rene

Bob

They can ask for you to pay the lawyers fee and premium processing though....but considering the cost of bringing some one over, that's a fairly trivial sum, so would immediately set off alarm bells about the employer if they were to do this...

fatbrit

Oh gawd! Reality check time!

GeoffM

What visa did you do this on?

Scouse Express

Barclaycard

Scouse Express

READ THIS Woodcol;

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=585898

mikelincs

What's the betting he didn't have one and just worked cash in hand.

Noorah101

His company might have sent him over to do some "business related activities", which is allowed on the VWP as long as it's declared at the POE. But since it was also "3 months", that sounds a lot like a 90-day VWP, which could have just been for tourism. If the OP worked illegally in the USA at any time, that puts a further damper on any future work visas.

Rene

GeoffM

It was a bit of a rhetorical question - but Rene has been kinder!

Pulaski

Given his stated experience and previous time spent working in Tampa, I'd bet heavily on him having been employed by Citibank or JPM Chase, which both have large offices in London and in Tampa. Ironically it looks like he probably took redundancy from one of relatively few transatlantic businesses that has the size and money to move employees internationally, (though not necessarily any willingness to do so.)