A
female
age
22-25,
anonymous
writes:im 23, from the UK and work full time but i am really interested in working in America for a few months. But every site i see that offers it is for students on gap years or who work abroad during the summer. does anyone know how to do it? i am almost completely broke so it would definitely have to be a working to support myself over there kind of thing, not a backpacking for a few months thing. do you think i am too old? i suppose most people who do this kind of thing do it when they are 17 or 18 and straight out of high school. Reply to this Question
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female
reader, PeanutButter  + ♥, writes (16 November 2009):
 Firstly, you are never too old!! :)
Getting over to America to work is going to be very difficult. You would need to find an employer that is willing and able to sponsor a visa for you before you travel or else you will not be able to work when you arrive.
The problem that you're going to have when looking for such an employer is that in America most employers will not employ a non-US citizen if a US citizen is ready, willing and able to fill the job requirement instead. The key to getting a job in America is to have a qualification which sets you aside from the rest in order for them to consider you for the post rather than an American.
Of course, another problem you're going to face is finding that employer in the first place when you're in a different country. The liklihood of finding a job online is slim.
The good news is, though, there isn't a complete lack of hope - if you are a UK citizen, you can travel to America on a Visa Waiver. This would mean you can board a plane without a visa and stay on a holiday for no more than 3 months. I wouldn't declare that you're looking for work, you're merely on a holiday, which would actually be good for you to look around and see if America is actually somewhere you would want to base yourself for a few months before going for a longer period of time to live and work.
While you are on your holiday there is no reason why you cannot scope out some local jobs and opportunities - you just won't be able to apply for them or accept a position while in the country on the visa waiver.
You must have a valid return ticket as part of the requirement for using the visa waiver program and you should use it to leave the country before applying for the jobs that you have seen and are interested in - you could speak to the employers before hand to see if they can sponsor your visa requirements and if they're able to take you on.
If you have no money to go for a holiday, and cannot find an employer online, you could always consider studying in America instead? You could write to several collages etc and see what they have as an entry fee and apply to attend for the next year. You could then apply for a student visa and a work permit, which will mean that you will be able to live, study and work in the US for a period of time. You may then be able to extend your visa should you want to after that time - there are several different student visas and you would need to apply for the right one specific to your needs.
You can find a list of visas on the US embassy site and by google searching USA VISAS.
If you really want to do this, it might take some time to save up a required amount of money - sometimes you will have to have a support net of cash before they allow you to travel to the US to work (they need to know you can support yourself).
If it does take a while, don't be put off. You're still young and all good things come to those who wait, and plan :)
Give the US embassy a call, they may be able to verbally help.
I hope you get to where you want to be! Lots and lots of luck xxx
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