Some General Visa Questions

darkcity

Registered Users (C)
(Hopefully I'm posting this in the correct forum.)

I'm currently pursuing a job opportunity to work as an assistant for a commercial director in Los Angeles. I haven't received an official offer yet, but I did want to find out as much as I can regarding the visa in the meantime.

The position will be a full time salaried job and involves writing treatments, graphic design work, editing, photography etc.

Being that I ultimately want to immigrate to the U.S., what would be the best way for me to go about this? I'm trying to find out which visa would be the best fit and what the general process of application is; what materials I will need to gather; what's involved for the production company sponsoring the visa etc. etc.

I should note that I'm an Australian, so the E-3 visa is a possibility. Also, I have a Master's degree from a U.S. college.

Please feel free to ask any questions if they would help provide a more detailed response.

Thanks in advance for the help.
 
You should pursue an H1B1 visa with your employer. Once you establish yourself, your employer should be willing to sponsor your permanent residence. H1 visa allows you to work in the US (for a specific employer who sponsors you) for up to 6 years.

Your employer has to file "I-129 petition for a non-immigrant worker" and once approved, you can apply for an H1 visa at a US consulate in Australia. For more information on this process please see http://www.uscis.gov/i-129 and http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Resources/E1en.pdf

Since you are an Australian, E-3 is also a possibility but H1B1 allows one to become a permanent resident easily, not so sure about E-3.
 
Thanks for that, nkm.

Am I correct in assuming that - were I to get an H1 - I would have to wait until October before I could begin work?

Reason I ask is I'd probably be required to start before then, so I'm curious to know if there's a way to bridge that gap?
 
Thanks for that, nkm.

Am I correct in assuming that - were I to get an H1 - I would have to wait until October before I could begin work?

Reason I ask is I'd probably be required to start before then, so I'm curious to know if there's a way to bridge that gap?

Yes, that is a complication. I think this year's (year ends Sept 30 2011) quota of H1 has run out. In that case E-3 might be a better option for you.
 
(Hopefully I'm posting this in the correct forum.)

I'm currently pursuing a job opportunity to work as an assistant for a commercial director in Los Angeles. I haven't received an official offer yet, but I did want to find out as much as I can regarding the visa in the meantime.

The position will be a full time salaried job and involves writing treatments, graphic design work, editing, photography etc.

Being that I ultimately want to immigrate to the U.S., what would be the best way for me to go about this? I'm trying to find out which visa would be the best fit and what the general process of application is; what materials I will need to gather; what's involved for the production company sponsoring the visa etc. etc.

I should note that I'm an Australian, so the E-3 visa is a possibility. Also, I have a Master's degree from a U.S. college.

Please feel free to ask any questions if they would help provide a more detailed response.

Thanks in advance for the help.
Employer can file H1 for you. if you belong to Motion Picture and Television Art you may be eligible for O-1B Visa.
 
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