Can a J1 au pair visa be converted to a working visa here in the USA
under the following circumstances:
1.  A 19-year-old Brazilian au pair is here legally on a J1 visa and
is being sponsored by an au pair agency approved by the Department of
State.
2.  She started the au pair program here in the US on April 15, 2005.
3.  She wants to leave the au pair program for good.
4.  She has received an offer of employement from a Brazilian
restaurant.  She would be a hostess for them.  They said they would be
her new "sponsor" while she works for them.
5.  She would probably live with her boyfriend while here in the USA. 
He works at the same restaurant where she has been offered a job.

Questions:
Is it possible for her to convert the visa? 
If so, how is it done?  By what date would the conversion need to take
place? Does she need an attorney?  How much does it cost?  What are
the restrictions and rules of being in the US on a working visa?  How
long can she stay in the US?  How many hours per week could she work? 
What is the Brazilian restaurant's role in the conversion process?

Thank you so much!  I am trying to help a beautiful, delightful young
Brazilian girl and I appreciate very much all your good research and
information.

---

Request for Question Clarification by hagan-ga on 29 Jun 2005 06:41 PDT

Hello mrskreke.  A quick question before I get started:
Is the prospective visa holder intending to stay here permanently, and
needing an immigrant visa, or only intending to stay temporarily?

Thanks in advance!

---

Clarification of Question by mrskreke-ga on 29 Jun 2005 07:22 PDT

She is planning on staying here only temporarily, not permanently.