Some questions about bodyguard career in USA...

[Karate_Warrior]

Hi.
I've been thinking a little bit about education and what I'm going to do for living after I have finished my education.

I live in Norway and I wanted to become a bodyguard. I've done some research and I was thinking about working in the USA as a bodyguard if possible. But I have some questions:

- Do I have to be an american citizen to work as a bodyguard in the US?
- Is it enough with a green card?
- Is it a big chance to become an american citizen if possible?
- In that case, do I have to leave my citizen"ship" as a Norwegian citizen?

More info would also be great.


Thanks.

 

[jks9199]

Hi.
I've been thinking a little bit about education and what I'm going to do for living after I have finished my education.

I live in Norway and I wanted to become a bodyguard. I've done some research and I was thinking about working in the USA as a bodyguard if possible. But I have some questions:

- Do I have to be an american citizen to work as a bodyguard in the US?
- Is it enough with a green card?
- Is it a big chance to become an american citizen if possible?
- In that case, do I have to leave my citizen"ship" as a Norwegian citizen?

More info would also be great.


Thanks.

You'll need an appropriate visa and work permit to work at all in the US. Bodyguarding gets more complicated; each state has its own rules and regulation on security services. They range from NO requirements at all in some states, to extensive regulation and training certifications in others. Your best bet for good information might be to contact an international company that provides security services in both the US and Norway, and see what they have to say. I believe that Wackenhut and Vance International, among many others, are two companies that might have a presence in both Norway and the US -- but I'm neither endorsing nor not endorsing either; I'm just listing a couple.

 

[Karate_Warrior]

Thanks. I guess that I'll be doing some research and perhaps contact one of the companies.

 

[Flying Crane]

You should also speak with a good immigration attorney. That can be a very complicated process, even if you just want a work permit and aren't looking to immigrate permanently and become a citizen.

 

[Carol]

Hi.
I've been thinking a little bit about education and what I'm going to do for living after I have finished my education.

I live in Norway and I wanted to become a bodyguard. I've done some research and I was thinking about working in the USA as a bodyguard if possible. But I have some questions:

- Do I have to be an american citizen to work as a bodyguard in the US?
- Is it enough with a green card?
- Is it a big chance to become an american citizen if possible?
- In that case, do I have to leave my citizen"ship" as a Norwegian citizen?

More info would also be great.


Thanks.

A green card, or legal permanent residency, is sufficient to work most jobs in the U.S. In terms of immigration status, it is sufficient to work any occupation where U.S. Citizenship is not a BFOQ (bona-fide occupational qualification) for the job.

To go from permanent residency to U.S. citizenship...this is NOT a do-it-yourself process. If you have U.S. permanent residency already and you wish to become a citizen, please find a well-qualified immigration attorney and follow their advice to the letter.

 

[Karate_Warrior]

Ok. Thanks, but do I have a bigger chance since that I got close relatives in the US?

 

[jks9199]

Ok. Thanks, but do I have a bigger chance since that I got close relatives in the US?

Immigration law is very, very complicated. And getting more so.

I've heard of cases where people had to work for years to bring their spouse (hard to get a closer relative than a spouse!) to the USA.

You probably could start with the US embassy in Norway for guidance -- but you'll really need to consult appropriate professionals for guidance and assistance. I'll tell you that permanent work, rather than escorting a client from Norway during a visit to the USA, would likely be a very difficult thing to get a visa for. VERY loosely and broadly speaking, the US government doesn't give out visas for people to come here and do work that there are already people who are citizens here to do.

 

[KenpoTex]

I don't know a thing about the immigration process, but I wanted to comment on your prospective career.

Right now, the bodyguard/Executive Protection world is saturated with applicants. Due to the war, there are thousands upon thousands of people with combat/high-risk operational experience in addition to all the law enforcement "special-response unit"/SWAT type guys. Bottom line, It's a very tough market to get into as the war on terror has boosted the supply of experienced personel.

Not tryin to discourage you by any means (definately go for it), but unless you have law-enforcement and/or military experience (specifically in the "high-speed" type roles) you're going to have a tough time. Just keep that in mind as you progress and consider the possibility of getting some experience in those areas (if you don't have it already). Also consider getting some emergency medical training as this can be a good supplement.