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Finding Work in America

It is notoriously difficult to find casual work in America legally. If you want to be official the best idea is BUNAC's Work America scheme.

Other than this, unless you can arrange an H1-B Temporary Worker Visa (which has to be done through an American employer before you enter the country and can take up to eight months), a B-1 Voluntary Work Visa or a Q Visa (an International Cultural Exchange Visa which is valid for up to 15 months) you can only work illegally. Due to the range of job opportunities - from barman in Disney World to ski instructor in Colorado - a lot of people do this. However, there are a few points to consider:

• Make sure you have adequate funds when you enter the country: at least $500 for every month of your proposed stay plus credit cards. Immigration officers are always on the lookout for impoverished travellers who are hoping to finance their time in America through casual work.
• Due to new laws social security cards now need to be physically inspected by employers so you cannot just think up a number. Some people may be willing to take your word for it though.
• Be on the look-out for immigration officials, particularly if you are in an area where there are large numbers of illegal workers - such as Florida and Texas.
• If employers are unscrupulous enough to take on illegal labour they may be unscrupulous in other ways too.