APPLYING FOR SHORT-TERM EMPLOYMENT IN THE U.S.
 Finding short-term employment
in the U.S. can be a time-consuming, expensive and often disappointing
procedure. American immigration law tends to discourage attempts to work
in the U.S.. Students and members of certain professions may, however,
in certain circumstances, be able to obtain short-term employment in the
U.S. if they are sponsored or invited by certain organizations, firms,
or individuals for the purpose of gaining practical experience or additional
training in their fields. Various types of visas are available for this
purpose. It must be emphasized that obtaining a visa is a time-consuming
procedure; there is no guarantee of success, and interested employers are
often reluctant to assume the responsibility of applying for a visa on
behalf of a prospective employee. For this reason it is important to gather
information, apply to sponsoring organizations, and make plans many months
in advance of the beginning of any period of practical training. The final
decision on whether to issue a visa and on what kind of visa to issue lies
with the visa officer at the respective U.S. Consulate.
PROCEDURE FOR
OBTAINING A POSITION
A.
Through sponsoring organizations
Certain organizations are
able to arrange a trainee position for you in the U.S.. Besides providing
the visa documents ("Certificate of Eligibility" or IAP-66), they may also
assist you in making travel arrangements, obtaining insurance, locating
housing, etc. Although such sponsorship by an organization is the most
popular method of obtaining a visa, there are certain problems to be considered.
First, the number of trainee positions available is very limited. Second,
the organizations are permitted to issue only a certain number of "Certificates
of Eligibility". Third, many of these organizations charge a fee for providing
their services and for issuing the visa documents.
B.
Through independent effort
The first step is to locate
an employer in the U.S. willing to hire you. Often friends or relatives
in the U.S. can be of assistance. It will probably be necessary to apply
to several firms. Each application should be typewritten in English and
contain the following information (some of this information is also necessary
for applying for positions with foreign firms located in Russia):
1. A cover letter, including:
a) Brief description of self.
This should include your special interests, reasons for wanting to work
in the U.S., what personal advantages you hope to gain from your employment,
what you can offer to your employer, etc.
b) Desired type of employment.
If you must perform certain functions, be specific. Otherwise you may risk
doing work which your school will not recognize.
c) Desired dates of employment.
d) Expected salary, if you
expect to support yourself through earnings. If you can afford to work
on a voluntary basis, without salary, your chances of finding a position
are naturally better.
e) Housing arrangements,
if already made. Generally speaking, if you are able to show that you can
act independently, supporting yourself, locating your own housing, arranging
for your own visa, insurance, etc., in short, that you will cause your
employer no problems, s/he is more likely to want to work with you.
2. Resume
An American resume should
be typewritten, concise and easily read. It should not be more than one
page.
3. If so requested, provide
letters of recommendation from professors or past employers who know you
well and can comment on your character and abilities with specific information.
4. Evidence of proficiency
in English. The best variant is a "Test of English as a Foreign Language"
(TOEFL) score of 550
(CBT - 213)
or
better.
5. Explanation of your visa
situation.
a) Some organizations can
provide an IAP-66 to persons who have found their own positions. You should
apply to these organizations as early as possible, even before locating
a position. After securing a trainee position, you can apply with the IAP-66
at the nearest consulate for an exchange visitor visa: J-1. A future employer
may be far more willing to accept your application if s/he does not have
to apply on your behalf to the INS (U.S. Immigration and Naturalization
Service). If such an effort on behalf of your employer becomes necessary,
s/he must file a petition (form I-129B) on your behalf with INS. The petition
must describe the training program and explain why such training cannot
be obtained in the trainee's home country. Only if INS gives approval (which
may take from 2-3 months), can the U.S. Consulate issue an H-3 visa for
practical trainees.
Being able to state in your
application that you will make your own arrangements for a visa will increase
your chances of employment significantly.
b) If you are unable to
obtain sponsorship for an IAP-66, you should indicate this in your letter
of application. Many employers are unwilling to make an application for
an H-3 authorization on your behalf, in particular if you only inform them
of this necessity after they have agreed to employ you. Your chances of
employment do not improve by keeping silent on this matter.
Combining academic studies
with practical training:
c) If a student under an
F-1 visa has been a full time student in the U.S. for nine months, s/he
may request permission from INS to gain practical experience in her/his
field of study either during the academic year/summer or following academic
studies. In the latter case this training may not exceed a period of 12
months. A student studying under a J-1 visa in the U.S. may request authorization
from his/her sponsor to engage in study related practical training during
the academic year/summer or to remain in the U.S. after completion of studies
for the purpose of practical training for a period not to exceed 18 months.
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