“We Speak Horse”

Partner Susan E. Hill competed horses among national and FEI-level riders in hunters, equitation and showjumping for most of her life. Unlike some attorneys without horse experience, she understands and distinguishes among all disciplines in the horse industry: racing, showing, polo, western and more. Many times an equestrian case comes down to nuances in the art of horsemanship. Not only can she can explain your case in a way that immigration officials apprehend, her expertise can help you develop a strong case where other attorneys failed to recognize your achievements or your potential. Whether it’s a job involving competition, breeding, sales or ranch care, her insight makes a difference. Among her clientele are Olympians, World Champions, leaders in the breeding field, stewards, judges and more.

What Do I Need to Work in the U.S. Equestrian Industry?

• An offer of employment from a U.S.-based employer or client-- please note: Hill & Piibe does not locate employment for you
• The employer/client must file a petition on your behalf -- if they are unwilling, you can use an agent to file the petition
• You must qualify for one of the visa or green card work categories
• You must be able to document your eligibility with competition records, media links, support letters, and more

Fill out our screening questionnaire and follow the instructions to return it. Partner Susan E. Hill will review it for free and let you know if we might be able to assist. In some cases, you may need a paid consultation to thoroughly review your circumstances, and you will be given that option.

How Long Does It Take For a Temporary Visa?

Most equestrian cases take between 1-2 months to prepare a petition, and once filed, you can get an answer in as little as 15 days if you pay the government expedite fee. Otherwise, the government processing times change constantly and can vary from a few weeks to several months. Consulate appointments for the visa interview can also take anywhere from a few days to several weeks.

How Long Does It Take for a Permanent Residency Green Card?

It depends on your green card category, and it can be as short as 6-7 months or up to several years.

Can I Work in the U.S. While Waiting for my Green Card Petition?

A pending green card application does not give you authorization to work in the U.S. while you wait. Depending on where you are in the green card process, you will need either a temporary visa or a work permit that is granted because you are waiting for your green card interview. Green cards and visas are completely independent of each other and a visa never leads to a green card; you must apply separately for each one.

What About Work Permits?

Work permits are only granted in connection with some other type of immigration application, usually for permanent residency. There is no such thing as a stand-alone work permit.

How Do I Find an Agent for Self-Employment in the U.S. Equestrian Field?

Please note, first you must find a U.S. employer(s) or client(s) who will hire you-- Hill & Piibe does not locate employers/clients for you. Your employer/client usually files the immigration paperwork on your behalf. But for some temporary visas, you can have an agent file on your behalf as "self-employed." Any U.S. citizen, permanent resident or business can do this for you, or Hill & Piibe can refer you to an agent. Due to potential ethical issues, we do not file petitions as both agent and attorney, since an agent is responsible for your employment.

Read Our Article On Equestrian Immigration (click here)

Based in Los Angeles and Orange County, California, our immigration attorneys serve clients of all nationalities.