US Work Visa/Permit (NYC)?

Question

Hello,

I am a cook from Montreal (i hold two passports (Canada and Italy). My long term goal is to work and maybe, eventually, live in NYC. My question is how 'hard' is it to get a work visa for the US. I don't hvae 10 000$ in the bank (i believe one of the criteria is funds to support oneself once in the US, something like that). I have a little money, just enough to get by for a few months, but my intention would be to start working immediately (get my own place and everything else that comes with that).

I do not think a cook is one of the occupations in the H1-B list (they have a list of occupations i.e engineers, teachers, scientists and so on, but cook/chef is not there).

What do I do? How do I go about it?

I'm asking here so as to save a trip to the consulate for the very basic info)

Thanks

Answer 1

Only employers can apply for work permits/employment visas to the US.  They have to prove that there are no Americans qualified for the job.  There are plenty of cooks, chefs, pastry chefs, sous chefs, executive chefs, etc. job hunting who are American citizens.  Hardly a shortage of supply!

Unless you are Michelin 5-star or "celebrity" chef invited to a top restaurant, there is little to no chance of you finding work in the US and the employer being able to get a visa for you.

Note also that work visas are temporary and there are limits on renewals, so you could not stay more than 5 or 6 years at the very most.

Answer 2

this would be VERY difficult as people of your training and work experience are numerous here and many of them are out of work.

Answer 3

Cooks/Chefs are not in short supply in the United States. So no it wouldn't be easy to do. However if you applied and got a job offer secured for a restaurant, hotel, or camp, it is possible you would qualify for an H2B visa. But again it would be thru the employer and it isn't a permanent visa.

Good Luck.