Trent

JJ, I completely agree with you on this. What I meant was that it used to be easier for employers to "cheat" like they once did when there were plenty of jobs and fewer workers but in the current economy, it will be hard for them to do so. I have hardly seen any newer H-1Bs in my own company - those that are there, are ones that came in 2000-2001. This is good because I personally think they have no right to hire an H-1B when they can hire an American for a similar job/salary. There are many "specialty" holders jobless - (nothing personal to the OP)

L D Jones

Andy_LongIsland wrote:
    >>I think you need a reality check. It's very difficult to migrate to
    >>the US on skilled grounds. Paying a fortune in consultation fees
    >>won't change this.
    >>Why not see if Australia, Canada or New Zealand will let you immigrate
    >>if you want a change? These are not easy options either, but much
    >>more accessible than the US.
    >>Jeremy
    >
    >
    > Yeah the dti brought out some legislation about 2 years ago to stop
    > employment agencies advertising jobs that didn't exist. Probably is the
    > case that the US don't have such a thing though.
    >
    >
    >
    > Jeremy thanks for the advise. I am trying a 3 pronged attack on applying
    > for jobs. I'm gonna go for an H1B sponsor list which shows the firms in
    > long island that are willing to take h1bs, i'm gonna bust a gut with my
    > existing company that have an office down the road in long island from
    > where I want to be and I'm gonna keep applying on monster with an offer
    > of financing the visa myself.
    >
    > I am set I want to go to Long island, not really a question of just
    > getting away, I have a girlfriend who's at uni there, I have friends
    > there and family (not immediate) so I really want to get my butt out
    > there so I can enjoy those three things in addition to the getting away.
    >
    > I just wanted to know if anyone had any experience in using migration
    > agents to help out with jobs or did everyone just find their own. Reason
    > for going to the consultant is purely to get advice and affirm I can get
    > in on an h1b and there aren't any other routes I'm forgetting :)

I'm not sure what "migration agents" do. If your girlfriend is a US
citizen and you think you may marry, become engaged and apply for a K-1.
Based on your posts this is probably your best option. I don't think
there is any way your job could be considered a specialist occupation

I used to live on Long Island. What area are you planning to move to?

Trent

How about getting your girlfriend and yourself to apply for either Canadian and NZ immigration and see what comes along? Just a suggestion because I can tell you, I have many friends (Americans) who are in IT and they have no work. I can bet on it that in the current economy, you won't find a single employer (including those those who once cheated the system) willing to go through what they had to go through to get an H-1B slave (excuse the word but this was true). The only attraction an American employer had in the H-1B was that the employee was sort of bound to work for the company (and not resign and find another employer) for at least a couple of years. Though legally the employee could find another job and change the H-1B, who would want to go through all the paperwork and attorney fees involved? (This was back in 1997-2001, but not anymore).

Andy_LongIsland

trouble is, my girlfriend who is a US citizen (met when she was over here about a year ago) is at uni. She's gonna be doing that for another year or so and then maybe masters after.

I don't work in IT as such. I am a business analyst that works in IT systems, so therefore a systems analyst. It is quite a specialist role by nature so my hope would be that they would find it difficult to find someone with the desired skill set.. maybe I'm being naive here..

So.. my situation is we (girlfriend and I) want to stay in Long Island until she's done with her study then we don't care, maybe go somewhere else (in the USA). As that could be up to 3 years by which time my thoughts are if I can get in on an H1b and apply for a green card right away, or even get married after a year or so then that wouldn't be a problem. I'm just trying to make that initial leap. I'm sure it's possible especially in NY. I need to see this consultant I think and gauge if there's any other routes to go in on.. even if it's teaching - don't care!

Doesn't matter if it's October as we've waited ages, we still get to see each other etc so whets a few more months.. but I just really wanted to see how those who got h1b's got their jobs - if they went over there and gave their cvs to everyone, if they applied through job agencies etc..

I know it's not going to be easy but gonna work my ass off and at least try. And if all else fails and it takes ages I maybe ready to marry my gf in which case no problem hehe (just joking)

Not interested in Canada or NZ for the time being, as I say I know exactly where I want to go and it's not a case of just going somewhere new.

Thanks for the advise though, it really is appreciated. Even if it's not what I wanted to hear it'll keep me realistic about the hardship, so I hope I don't come across as ungrateful

Manc

marry her now. (via K1 or K3)
get a co-sponsor and you're all set.

Andy_LongIsland

hehe she said she would if I asked her but I don't think I could stand the family thinking "he married her for a greencard"

If it takes ages... chances are we probably will anyway but I just thought i'd do the decent thing and try and get in without marrying the girl (rather do it when I'm there)

Manc

Well some people do think that, but lets face it, the UK isn't some third world shithole you're seeking asylum from.

I've been with my misses 5 years now, People said I was only after entering the country/escaping the UK blah blah blah.

But after 5 years or so what can they do/say with that respect.

Andy_LongIsland

that's true matey.. this maybe the option I go too

Gonna explore other possibilities too though. Just been writing / phoning our offices in long island too

Good place to go Michigan, spent a few months out there in Rochester and loved it

Manc

I'm up north. near Traverse City
a lot worse places in the world to be