Visas to to america for non-students????

Trix007

Hey guys,

Was wondering if anyone could help me with this..

Im looking to go to America for a year with a few friends but the problem is im not a full-time student or recent graduate so im not eligible for any sort of j1.. i've recently graduated from a part-time diploma but supposidly that doesn't count as you need to be in a full time course for a duration of more then 2 years :mad:

Does anyone one know what route to take with this? i have an uncle that lives over there but from what i understand i can only get residency if im his spouse, child or parent.. another option is to look for a job in the states and try get an employer to sponsor me but not sure how difficult this will be??

On a lighter note does anyone have any advise on where to go? looking for somewhere near enough to a beach, good night life/parties and preferably a few irish so i dont get too home sick??

lonestargirl

Unfortunately for you there is no such thing as a working holiday visa for the US and no visa option that would get you there this year. The possible routes for you could be:

1) Diversity visa lottery: a lottery held annually for greencards. The lottery for 2011 closed in Nov 09. Here is the link to the site, it will open up again for 2012 in the middle of the year

2) Study in the US: you say you have a diploma, do you also have a degree? Graduate school in the US is a good way to spend some time in the country and many programs are funded.

3) Visa sponsorship: quotas for H1B visas for jobs starting up to Oct 2010 have been filled. Some jobs (healthcare and academia) are exept from the quota. To get sponsorship the company have to demonstrate that they need you and your skills. It's going to costs them min $5,000 in fees so they are really only an option for highly skilled workers.

rachrua

wow! is that right? you cant just go and find a job when your there? or not find one if you so choose? I'm in the same boat as the first poster, i was hoping to just move over there for a year just because it appealed to me, hopefully to get a job and just live there for a while. So if im not a student or extremely qualifed, theres no way i can go next year??
thanks for any info..

LighterGuy

How much are college courses in the states?

For example, over here colleges like crumlin, inchicore etc are only a few hundred euro. But are thousands if you are a non-eu citizen or something.

Anyone know what the average college fee is? I know its all depending on what you do but is it roughly the same as here?

lonestargirl

LighterGuy wrote: »

How much are college courses in the states?

For example, over here colleges like crumlin, inchicore etc are only a few hundred euro. But are thousands if you are a non-eu citizen or something.

Anyone know what the average college fee is? I know its all depending on what you do but is it roughly the same as here?

College in the US is expensive, you would be talking at least 10k a year for a non-citizen and it could be north of 50k depending on where you want to go. Also if you want a student visa you have to prove you can support yourself (tuition + living expenses + healthcare) and you can't work off campus. However if you have an undergraduate degree it can be possible to find graduate schools that have stipends (usually about 25k per year + healthcare).

lonestargirl

rachrua wrote: »

wow! is that right? you cant just go and find a job when your there? or not find one if you so choose? I'm in the same boat as the first poster, i was hoping to just move over there for a year just because it appealed to me, hopefully to get a job and just live there for a while. So if im not a student or extremely qualifed, theres no way i can go next year??
thanks for any info..

Nope, you wont be able to go for a year. Your only option is the diversity visa lottery (or marry an American, but that's a bit drastic!)

Black Swan

Also see North America forum
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=1183