Global Expat Forum Expat Forum

Can I bartend in the USA or Canada without the required visa?

3/23/2019 18:41 EST

Okay, so, here's the situation. I want to live and work in the USA or Canada, as a bartender, or maybe as an English teacher. Problem is, as I understand it, it's more or less not possible to get a working visa for either country.

The USA apparently doesn't really give any visas to people unless they are highly skilled or getting married to a US citizen. Canada apparently has an age limit of 30. I'm 32, male, British.

I'm prepared to fly out to either country and risk finding work without the required visa. What I'd like to know is:

As a bartender, how difficult exactly will it be for me to find work without having to prove I have the required visa? Would a bar manager demand to see it?

Will I have any problems finding accommodation wothout the required visa?

How likely is it really that I will be caught working illegally?

I'm sure many people do this in both countries, is it realistic to get away with?

Has anyone reading this done it themselves or knows anyone who has?

Please let's skip the potential moral argument here, I have my reasons for needing to do this and I'm just looking for clear answers to my questions, rather than a debate about playing by the precise rules.

Thanks in advance

Post a Reply

00 Report abuse abuse

Mynamenot

12/12/2019 11:04 EST

From my understanding there are plenty of people at bars and restaurants working in the US that are not there legally. You might even find one that pays "under the table" meaning off the books so harder to track. I wouldn't say I'd recommend that, but it certainly happens. Housing might be more difficult, not sure.

Post a Reply

00 You are reporting this! abuse

Expatriate Health Insurance Get a quote for expat health insurance in Global Expat.	International Moving Companies Moving to Global Expat? Get a moving quote.
Mail Forwarding to Global Expat Mail Forwarding to Global Expat.	Expat Tax Expat Tax Preparation, Expat Tax Professionals

Join Today (free)

Join Expat Exchange to meet expats in your area or get advice before your move. It's FREE and takes 1 minute!

Expatriate Health Insurance

Get a quote for expat health insurance in Global Expat from our partner, Cigna Global Health.
Get a Quote

An Expat Shares What it's Like Retiring in Bocas del Toro, Panama

A expat in Panama talks about what it's like being retired in Bocas del Toro - adapting to island time, building a home on Isla Solarte, the friendly people in Bocas, the lower cost of living, the new hospital and challenges traveling in and out of Bocas.

An Expat Talks about Moving to Palmas Del Mar Humacao , United States

An expat who moved from Seattle to Palmas Del Mar, Puerto Rico talks about finding a condo, learning Spanish, finding a loan through a local bank and more.

An expat who moved from Seattle to Palmas Del Mar, Puerto Rico talks about finding a condo, learning Spanish, finding a loan through a local bank and more. ...