*_Sweden_*

The most common work visa, H1b requires that you have at least a bachelor's degree, or at least 12 years of direct experience in a specialized occupation.

Without this, your options are either a temporary J-1, or a seasonal job in a low populated area, H2b. A typical H2b visa job would be An unskilled job in a part of the country which has seasonal high demand - Southeast Alaska is one example.

For J-1 visas, you generally need a sponsor. J-1 visas are typically sponsored through cultural and exchange organizations. Read more here http://j1visa.state.gov

If you want to work a job like Au Pair, or a cultural program in the US, a J-1 is an excellent choice.

However , if you want to stay and work in the US in a more career oriented field, I would recommend looking into getting a bachelor's degree in the US. Graduating from a US school allows you to apply for OPT (Optional Practical Training). OPT is essentially a one year work permit which does not require a sponsor. It allows you to work for up to one year, in a field related to your major field of study. Many H1b visa holders have been sponsored by their employers after having worked on OPT for some time. Unless you have immediate relatives (parents, children, siblings, spouse) in the US, or $1,000,000 to invest, OPT is virtually the only way to work in the US without first obtaining a sponsor.

Thank you so much, this answer cleared up a lot for me!

That is very true, I just meant that I find it difficult for an international worker to find work in the US. I can't find a J-1 Visa I am eligeble for or that I would want to do...Are there any other type of work visas that would fit my situation?

Thank you for the replies. No, I am not in a specialized field. I have reserached the different kind of visas and it seems like I don't qualify for almost any of them...I don't get why it should be so complicated haha I just wish to go to America and live and work there! I might look into a J-1 visa though

Hi!

I am sure this question have been asked before, but I am interested in working in the US and the first step is, of course, to get a company to sponsor a work visa. I have been looking at jobs online and my problem is that in those applications you always have to submit if you are legally able to work in the US, which in my case is no since I don't have a visa. I have not been able to complete one application since they won't let me continue if I cannot submit a social security number or work legally there. What is the best way to get in contact with a company and discuss a visa with? Here in Sweden to get a job there are always email addresses you can come in contact with a company on but the jobs I've been applying for have been through external websites and I haven't found any direct contact information.

I only have high school education, but I have been working here in Sweden for a few years. Thank you for your help!

If you stayed 3 months you overstayed, 90 day max on VWP.

You are definitely pushing it, depends on how high your risk tolerance is.

I stayed 88 days my last visit. I know visiting a week or two in October would be pushing it...I will think about what I will do!

Okay Would a denied entry on an ESTA visa create any problems with applying for a K visa in the future?

Darnell, if I should stick with the ESTA, how long do you think I should wait until I return? And what should my arguments be for coming back so often?

Because I really would like to surprise my boyfriend for his birthday the 28th of October...is that too soon considering I returned September 20th due to the 90 days period?

Yes, I arrived home the 20th. I will look at that, thank you for your help!

Okay I understand. For a J visa, what student jobs except for au pair are there?

I agree. So what reason can they have for not letting you in with an ESTA visa? What will happen if I get refused?

Thank you for your reply. I don't know, I just thought it would be difficult to enter on an ESTA visa again since I've used it so many times and spent three months there this summer. I thought they would be suspicious if went back this winter to spend another three months. My past excperience getting through immigration has been rough, they have never taken me aside to asked further questions but asked many many questions and been quite suspicious. So the chances are big of getting let in even though I recently spent three months there? I can spend another three easily without being refused?

Hi everybody!

I know there has been threads about this subject before, but I would like to tell my story and hopefully get help with applying for my visa. I am a Swedish citizen and went to America for the first time as an exchange student in high school in 2010. During my year I met an american guy who I started dating. I went home the next year and the two of us have now been doing long distance for two and a half years. I have been visiting him 7 times (every time on an ESTA visa) throughout those years and he has been visiting me in Sweden 3 times. My trips have usually been 2-3 weeks at the time due to school with the exception of this summer where I stayed as long as my visa permitted, three months. I graduated this summer. Now, as I understand, getting into the country again on an ESTA visa would be very difficult, I am thinking about applying for a B-2 visa.

I have read a lot about it and it seems like it is very difficult to get a B-2 visa approved, especially with my situation. I am a tewnty year old girl living with my parents, I have a part time job and I am not rich. My boyfriend works fulltime and would be the one providing for me while living there and my parents would as well. I would like to stay for as long as I can, is that 6 months with a B-2 visa?

I would like to get help with what arguments I could give at the interiew. What strong ties to Sweden would I have to provide? A letter from my job stating a date for my return? Maybe if I also enrolled in a class at the university? Bank statements?Also, I know it is good to have a return ticket as a proof of return, however, is it a good thing to even buy a plane ticket before I know if my visa gets approved or not? What if it gets denied and I can't go on the date I booked my ticket for?

Also, my boyfriend is only a year older than me but we have even disscussed marrige if that would mean I could live in the states for a longer period of time. I don't know if marrige is easier than this kind of visa though! I am thankful for any answers and help I could get!