UK citizen moving to work in USA

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Skids

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Hi there. My 18yo daughter, currently working in a racing yard in the UK, has been offered a job as a rider in a yard in the USA. Clearly this would be a fantastic opportunity for her to undertake, but there are a lot of hoops to jump through first.

My question is; has anyone else on the forum (or anyone that you know) done this before and could point out any potential pitfalls or things to watch out for before we start on this.

I have searched the site but couldn't find anything specific that answered this.

Thank you in advance.
 
I havn't but just wanted to say she could definitely go. Just make sure a contract is written up that covers accommodation, pay and flights (ie do they pay) and what happens if she wants to come home quickly.
Where abouts in the US is it?
 
It's in California.

I get the impression the trainer has no idea about the requirements (visa & supporting documentation), and we have a lot to sort out yet; accommodation, transport to/from accommodation, medical & dental insurance cover and I am concerned that they don't have as much employee protection legislation as we do in the UK, but as I said, it's early days yet.

Thanks for the prompt reply.
 
This website might be of help. Though kind of like HHO you get some different opinions at times!

http://immigrationboards.com/viewforum.php?f=24&sid=adc9c917eeac92669ec261b00495897d


Also, California is a very different state that the other 49 in legal terms. It has more employee protections (though perhaps not quite the same as Europe) than other states. Much more health and safety rules, more stringent automobile smog emissions rules than even the EU, etc etc.

Getting all the working permits in order is the thing to really chase.

Where 'bouts in California is the yard?
 
I was living in the US a while ago and looked into staying and working but the visa rules are tough to get through. Basically the employer has to prove that there isn't a skilled American that can do the job within so many miles radius, job has to be advertised etc for a certain amount of time etc. The employer has to have exhausted all possibilities of local employees, and then from recollection has to agree to sponsor a visa to work, and these are like gold dust. They release a set number each year and it varies on the numbers allocated to each country of origin.

It would be a fantastic opportunity but be aware there is a LOT of paperwork and bureaucracy involved which can take many months. Trying to work over there without the correct paperwork (a friend of mine did this working as a nanny) can lead to huge problems and not being allowed back in the US again after being deported.
 
ludlow said:
I was living in the US a while ago and looked into staying and working but the visa rules are tough to get through. Basically the employer has to prove that there isn't a skilled American that can do the job within so many miles radius, job has to be advertised etc for a certain amount of time etc. The employer has to have exhausted all possibilities of local employees, and then from recollection has to agree to sponsor a visa to work, and these are like gold dust. They release a set number each year and it varies on the numbers allocated to each country of origin.

It would be a fantastic opportunity but be aware there is a LOT of paperwork and bureaucracy involved which can take many months. Trying to work over there without the correct paperwork (a friend of mine did this working as a nanny) can lead to huge problems and not being allowed back in the US again after being deported.
Click to expand...

Sage advice Ludlow, thanks.

I don't think the employer realises what he has to do, and I'm sure my daughter doesn't either.
 
If its casual work, the employee usually has to pay for something like medical insurance if they don't have a co-pay scheme (a lot of small businesses don't) and it isn't cheap - several hundred $$ a month, and then you have to pay for doctor's appointments, prescriptions etc on top. I managed to injure myself whilst working in the caribbean and the nearest MRI scanner unit was in the US Virgin Islands...1 scan alone cost me over $1500 (10 years ago!).

Depending on how long your daughter was in the US, a sort of Gap Year health insurance would be a definite investment otherwise even a slight injury can prove very costly.

My sister in law recruits seasonal workers for an upmarket ski resort (she's an HR manager there) in Utah and they can't get permits for European workers these days, so hard to get the visas so they recruit from South America instead.
 
Medical Insurance is on my list of things to investigate, but thanks for confirming that.

@Ludlow - you raise a concerning point about European workers there; hopefully it is not an issue in CA, but we'll only find out when we apply for the visa I guess. :(

Thanks all for the replies.....keep 'em coming!
 
Is it a permanent position or a short term (less than 4 months)? if less than 4 months and she's under 25 she can apply for a J-1 visa maybe - which is a student working visa. I've had several of these over the years and are relatively simple to get hold of - you still need to visit the embassy in London or Belfast for an interview though.

Getting a full time permanent working visa is VERY difficult unless the company shes going to be working for are willing to sponsor her - it cost an awful lot and there are masses of hoops to jump etc...
 
Have you tried calling the American Embassy here in London? They have a department especially for answering your sorts of questions although it's a expensive phone line (I called them off my works phone :P). They are good and will give you the correct info and what forms you need. The forms can be printed off the internet.
I'm in the process of getting a green card at the moment. I have a US husband and he has to sponsor me (like the employer will have to sponsor your daughter). I'm having a baby and my baby although being born in the UK will get American citizenship as standard through his dad. Obviously I'm married to dad but I still have to jump through hoops. They told me it could take up to 10 months and I have to get police records, birth certs, medical, interview. It is a pain!
It's not an easy process I warn you but the employer will have to do a lot of it.
 
@BlairandAzria - I don't think it's going to be less than 4 months...again, I don't think the trainer in CA has any experience of employing a foreigner so hasn't looked into the requirements. This may end up being a showstopper when he realises what he has to do, but we'll come to that soon I think. Do you know what costs are associated with being a sponsor?

@Firewell - Not yet, but I'll hoist that on board and as each day passes, I'm realising just how hard this may be and what's worse is going to be managing my daughter's expectations as she's determined to go through with this.

Thanks again all.

Is there anyone, or anyone members know who has actually done this, gone to the US to work in a yard?
 
http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/immigrants_1340.html

The link to the US Govt visa website...its not overly user friendly but gives some idea of timescales, visas available etc. The US embassy in London has a site too to give some info.

The J1 visa is only available for students/exchange programme type workers on short term or seasonal contracts e.g a ski season or summer job. It depends on the state (I was looking to move to Hawaii or Texas at the time) as they sometimes have differing requirements for work on a state by state basis, but overall the visa process has been tightened up considerably and UK/Irish citizens generally get very little allocation on the annual green card lottery issues.

I was told the only "easy" way to get in and get a green card or a visa was to marry my then boyfriend who was American!
 
I would definatley reccomend speaking to the US embassy in London if you haven't already, they should be able to give you as much information you need regarding the visa and working abroad.

I would also reccomend your daughter definatley goes for the job if it all works out well. I worked in America for 3 months at a riding camp through 'Camp America' and loved every minute of it - Would of stayed out there if I didn't have horses to come back to! And I'm sure working in LA will be amazing - I'm actually quite jealous! I was over in New Hampshire so very different to the west coast!

Hope it all works out well for her!
 
Yes, as others have said, if this is a long term 'permanent' type of position, then there are MANY hoops to jump through, most of which would be showstoppers to the average person. To make this type of international move takes dedication and resilience, much like working in the equine field itself.

I eventually made the move in the opposite direction, from the USA to the UK.
Even though I grew up here in the UK as a child, it took me 15+ years of back and forth to stay in this country with more than just a tourist stamp once I was an adult.

I know you have asked if there is anyone here who has done this exact move to an American yard for helpful tips, but I think that each case is different - so reading up on all the visa options is the first place to start. Also, as you have said, the sponsor needs to know what their responsibilities and costs involved will be.

When I was living in the states, I dated girl or two from Europe who were looking to stay in the usa. I certainly wasn't ready to get married then, but it was discussed as an option due to the visa situations. Luckily they did get work sponsors eventually...
 
Thanks again all for your replies.

I have spoken to the US Embassy (a very helpful Scottish gentleman) who has cleared things up a lot.

We are applying for a Non-Immigrant Visa as this is easier, quicker & cheaper to obtain. Her prospective employer has agreed to contact the Dept of Labor (sic) and then the USCIS but he's away on holiday atm. If she decides her career lies over there, then at least she will have some time to process the application whilst working there.

Thanks again. :)
 
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