Working Holiday.

[MotorsportTom]

Not sure if this is the right place to post but mods feel free to move.

Basically I would love to go to some part of the USA (undecided as yet) and work and then perhaps travel/see sights in my free time.

I've looked at temporary visa's and it seems you need a company or employer ready to take you on before you can apply for this. Is that correct?

It's still a dream for now but i'd be looking at doing it next year over the summer, also I'd be looking for the motorsport teams to take me on as having done a course at college and contemplating university I think it would look very good on a CV and also I think it'd be an incredible experience.


So has anyone done anything remotely like this or have any things I should look out for? Any hints/tips or anything helpful at all?

Thanks in advance!

[Matt Harper]

This is a difficult, but not impossible proposition (depending on your circumstances, level of education and financial capabilities).
Google: BUNAC, j1 visa and f1 visa. There are no circumstances where you can legally take employment whilst in the US in the visa waiver program.

[MotorsportTom]

Matt Harper said:

This is a difficult, but not impossible proposition (depending on your circumstances, level of education and financial capabilities).
Google: BUNAC, j1 visa and f1 visa. There are no circumstances where you can legally take employment whilst in the US in the visa waiver program.

Thank you very much for that, everything I had read was pointing towards the visa waiver programme so looks like I have some searching to do.

And I understand that it's not a simple thing to do but nothing worth having ever came easy.

[MotorsportTom]

After having another quick google it seems via the bunac website that if i'm not a student already (which i'm not) then I wouldn't be allowed to have a j-1 or f-1 visa for America, however I could get visas for Canada, Australia or New Zealand.

Are there any types of visas I would be eligible for whilst i'm not a student?

[Matt Harper]

MotorsportTom said:

After having another quick google it seems via the bunac website that if i'm not a student already (which i'm not) then I wouldn't be allowed to have a j-1 or f-1 visa for America, however I could get visas for Canada, Australia or New Zealand.

Are there any types of visas I would be eligible for whilst i'm not a student?

Eligibility is a difficult question to answer without knowing a lot more about your qualifications, experience and expertise.
There are 3 commonly used employment based visa options - L category, which is an intra-company transfer, O, being persons with exceptional ability and H, being specialized knowledge and expertise.

Based on what you have shared, L1-A/B is not an option, but is probably the least difficult to qualify for. You really have to be internationally reknowned in your field to qualify for an O1 and H1-B requires proof that your prospective employer cannot reasonably or practicaly employ a USC for the position - and here's the rub, I'm afraid.

All employment based visas are petitioned by the employer, not the employee. You would need to find an employer prepared to go through the expense (several thousand $) and ball-ache of petitioning for you, when there is a huge pool of prospective employees, who do not require visa sponsorship - the USC unemployed - and who would be happy to do this for a very temporary assignment.

There is nothing to stop you entering the US via the VWP and canvassing for employment (just don't tell Customs and Border Patrol that is your reason for visiting), but you can only accept a formal offer of sponsorship/employment from outside the US - i.e. you cannot adjust your status on VWP whilst in the US.

The problem is that the words, "Working" and "Holiday" are two very, very separate concepts, as far as USCIS is concerned. Mentioning the "W" word to immigration officials at port of entry with VWP or a visitors (B category) visa, will earn you a same day return trip, from whence you came - and a denial of admission can cause all manner of problems for future applications.

The more you investigate, the more difficult you will find this to be, I'm afraid. Marrying a USC or gaining employment with a company that has US offices, are the easiest means of making it over here legally.

Sorry to be so pessemistic - don't shoot the messenger!

[MotorsportTom]

Matt Harper said:

Alot of helpful stuff and then...
Sorry to be so pessemistic - don't shoot the messenger!

Don't worry I won't "shoot the messenger", far from it in fact, I thank you for all the help you have given so far.

Basically I have completed a BTEC National Diploma in Motorsport Engineering which is a level 3 qualification (below a foundation degree) so it looks as though trying to get into the U.S whilst being completely honest is going to be very difficult.

Thanks again you've given me alot to think about and search for.

[Matt Harper]

H1-B requires a Bachelors degree or equivilant - or a minimum of 12 years of relevant and progressive experience in the field. I have no idea if your qualification meets that.

Motorsports careers will be based around Charlotte NC, Indianapolis IN and Detroit MI.
Check-out the career opportunities page at this company. many would consider it heaven to work for them.
www.prattmiller.com
They are the guys behind

and...

[MotorsportTom]

Matt Harper said:

H1-B requires a Bachelors degree or equivilant - or a minimum of 12 years of relevant and progressive experience in the field. I have no idea if your qualification meets that.

Motorsports careers will be based around Charlotte NC, Indianapolis IN and Detroit MI.
Check-out the career opportunities page at this company. many would consider it heaven to work for them.
www.prattmiller.com
They are the guys behind

and...

Wow thanks again, you certainly seem to be a fountain of knowledge and i'm grateful for all the info you've passed on. Honestly thank you so much, without this kind of info i'd have been stranded without a clue

[Smashed]

Can't help on the motorsport front but a few of my friends have gone for a working holiday working at kids summer camps in the states for a couple months then going off travelling once they're done. Seems like a great idea to me, I just don't like kids that much :P