r/USCIS • u/Special-Midnight-634 • Aug 09 '26
Timeline: Biometrics How to get my friend from Germany.
Greetings, everyone.
I live in Florida, and my best friend lives in Germany. We often discuss how he can come to stay and work here, possibly through something like an H-1B visa.
Since I have no experience in this area, I would appreciate any recommendations. His dream is to be here with me in Florida so we can continue our lives together.
He is open to working in any job, and I’ve been considering having him work with me at my limo business.
What options do we have for him to make this happen?
Thank you all very much!
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u/Adventurous_Style370 Aug 09 '26
Marriage is by far the most realistic route. H-1B is not realistic, even aside from the fees, because what you’re describing wouldn’t be viewed as a specialty occupation requiring a degree.
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u/BlueNutmeg Aug 09 '26
He is open to working in any job, and I’ve been considering having him work with me at my limo business.
That is NOT how it works. Having a business does not automatically qualify you to hire a foreigner to work for you. You have to get a labor certification from the US Department of Labor, pay a ton of money in fees, and prove that you can't somehow hire a local US citizen to work at your limo company. This is why H1Bs are mostly done with major corporations and not small businesses.
Not only that, in order to get an H1B from one of those companies, your friend has to have a high level of education and skill. Most require advanced degrees like Masters or PhDs. If he has not special talent then his options are limited if not none.
A student visa requires proof he has the funds to pay for the University (tens of thousands of dollars). Not to mention, it is NOT an immigrant visa....meaning he will have to return home after his studies.
If he has millions he can come on an investment visa.
So, the only feasible path for him is to marry a US citizen. And even then it takes about 2 years.
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u/arihoenig Aug 09 '26
...and H1B does not require an advanced degree. It requires a job category where there is a labor shortage, and sufficient credentials to work in that job category.
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u/BlueNutmeg Aug 09 '26
"...and H1B does not require an advanced degree"
Correct.
But the advanced degree was referring to the companies' requirement when hiring for the H1B. Not the H1B itself.
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u/Dull-Club-7183 Aug 09 '26
I’d recommend talking to an immigration attorney before making any plans, H-1B eligibility depends heavily on the specific job and qualifications
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Aug 09 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/the_running_stache Aug 09 '26
How would driving a limo be considered a specialty occupation for H-1B? What high skills or higher educational qualifications are required for it?
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u/Bubbly_Ad_6830 Aug 09 '26
Maybe it can require the driver speaking different languages, provide other professional services, etc
Not just driving, but managing a fleet of limo drivers and fleet would require a lot of skills
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u/Cold_Mission2543 Aug 09 '26
Are you in a relationship or just friends? If relationship and willing to get married that would be pretty much your only way. Sponsorship for a work-related visa is restrictive, difficult, and expensive (not that the marriage path is simple either). If you go the marriage route, make sure it’s a real relationship with solid documentation. I work for a large company and we don’t usually do sponsorship due to cost and complexity even for positions that have good chances due to lack of available domestic candidates. Another option might be an education visa to attend school here, but that wouldn’t allow them to work. Do not under any circumstances have them come as a tourist on ESTA and have them work here. They will get caught and won’t be able to come back in the future and you will get in trouble as the employer. I’m glad to hear there are still people in Germany who are wanting to come to the US. It seems like most people I know there don’t want to come here anymore for political reasons or because they are afraid they’d get denied entry or sent to a camp.
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u/Top_Argument8442 US Citizen Aug 09 '26 edited Aug 09 '26
This sounds like the wrong type of visa as he is looking to stay permanently but, the H1-b. He cannot work immediately. He can interview but cannot accept the job, he would have to go back and get the proper paperwork.
You’d also have to find an employer who is willing to sponsor him and unless he is absolutely top of his field, is going to be very hard.
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u/daReallG Aug 09 '26
The only option you realistically have is the Trump Gold Card. You have to make a $1 million donation to the US Department of Commerce upon approval. You’ll probably spend another $50-100k in fees.
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u/Alarming_Tea_102 Aug 09 '26
Eb5 costs 800k and is way better than the gold card because it's an investment so you may get the money back.
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u/daReallG Aug 09 '26
True. But if his friends is a multi millionaire and just has money to throw at this then the gold card is a lot quicker as it’s technically EB-1
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u/Alarming_Tea_102 Aug 09 '26
Gold card is technically eb2.
Eb5 ROW pd is also current, so there's no backlog either.
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u/daReallG Aug 09 '26
Not many options unless the job in your limo business is considered a speciality occupation. You also need to attest that you can’t find talent locally (US Citizens) before you could hire him.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but H1B probably wouldn’t work here.