stve101

Hi guys,

I am currently a 19 year old student studying for a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interactive Media Production (video, web design etc), which is a 3 year course. Currently in my second year, I am set to finish the course when I’m 21.

For a time now I have been reading over these forums and various websites on immigrating to the USA, getting an idea on what I need to do in order to (potentially) apply for a green card.

I am thinking of applying for the BUNAC Work America 2011 programme, giving me a maximum of 4 months work experience/internship over the summer (hopefully) in the Film/TV/Web Design area of expertise. I’m hoping it’ll also give me an insight into living in the US and whether or not it’s for me.

Although I haven’t made a firm decision on immigrating, I thought it wouldn’t do any harm in mapping out/planning my path once I’d finished university if I was certain I wanted to live in the states. From the information given in the Pulaski's Ways wiki article, the only openings I can see are marrying an American and getting a company to transfer me over with an L1 visa or H1B. From the position I’m at in my life so far, this seems like a big mountain to climb. I feel I do need to research into what companies in the area of work I’m going into actually transfer employees country to country. The other option (which appears difficult) is where I would try and land myself a job in the USA with an American company.

Once I’d attained one of these visas and would be living at working in the US, to my own knowledge to achieve green card status I would have to apply for this H1B or L1 visa again after 3 years? Would this then mean after six years of working I would be able to apply for a green card?

This is as far as I have got in terms of researching pathways to working in America, green cards etc. I am hoping that this three year degree I’m on at the moment would prove somewhat significant on this journey I may take up. The reason I’m writing here is because I have seen there are members on this board that have taken this journey and/or have a better understanding on this pathway than I do.

I understand you guys must get countless numbers of these individual "Help me" threads but any helpful pointers and advice concerning my own journey would be greatly appreciated! I look forward to hearing from you.

christmasoompa

No advice to offer I'm afraid, but karma coming your way for actually bothering to do a bit of research and read the Stickies!

Good luck.

stve101

Thankyou! First post and a bit of Karma's always nice

Ray

Try to think of the reason a US employers wold want to spend $5000 plus to get you a visa against the thousand of americans with the same degree
looking for a job but will cost them nothing

Sally Redux

The L1 would be a transfer within a company from the the UK, the H1B would be a US company sponsoring you for a position. We came over on my husband's H1B and renewing it after 3 years was a straightforward matter of visiting the US Embassy in London. Around that time his application for Green Cards was approved. However, as Ray says, there has to be a reason why a company would go to the trouble and expense of the H1B route.

It is certainly refreshing to see a post by someone who is looking into the matter in an informed way. The BUNAC idea seems a good starting-point.

PS are you studying at Bournemouth? My son is looking at possibly studying there, moving in the opposite direction!

stve101

Thanks guys. Like I've said in my first post, it does appear extremely difficult to attain a visa through an American company, especially in the tv/website field I'm looking to go into. I know it's early days since I haven't even got a degree yet, but feel I don't know where to start when it comes to looking for a job and working my way along this pathway for a H1B or L1!

Yes Sally I am studying at Bournemouth University! I do recommend it to your son especially if he wants to work in TV, Radio, Graphic Design etc as the university has rather a good reputation in that field of work! Not only is it right on my doorstep but the rep it has for art/film/design is what drew me there

Sally Redux

Thanks, that's very interesting. He is looking into that area of study.

Duncan Roberts

I doubt you will get any sort of work visa based on your degree and no experience but don't even think twice about doing the BUNAC work America program just do it, you wont regret it. It will be the easiest and most flexible work visa you will be likely to get and if you do it right you will have a summer that will rival your best.

MsElui

if you arrive on a L visa - the sponsoring company could apply for a green card for you on day one if they so choose. The hard bit is persuading them to make the application because once you have a green card you are no longer tied to working for them. If you are an L1A the process is quite fast - we got green cards from L1A's in about 6 months in 2009. L1B takes much longer to get a GC as does H1B as labor certification is required. your mileage may vary.

Brit3964

Are they still doing the weird interviews there? I heard of ones where the interviewer dressed up in monkey suit and threw paper darts at the applicant LOL I interviewed there back in 1983 when they did the HND/PQE photography course. I didn't get the weird interview though (shame really!).

hobbes79

Not a bad way to get your foot in the door.

Back when I did the same thing (in 2001) you could go for a year internship, and I did enough in that time for the company to consider it worthwhile getting me an H1B visa.

And as Duncan says, great experience regardless of what happens.

stve101

Yeah, I just wonder if you could impress a company enough for them to offer you a H1B or similar within 4 months of work experience? I expect it's do-able, if not a little unlikely.

The BUNAC programme opens again in October and I know they're attending an exhibition at my University beginning of next month, so i might just pop down and have a talk to them.

Brit3964, from what I've heard/ witnessed myself, Bournemouth Uni don't do fancy dress for interviews nowadays!

At this stage, it's hard to even know what visa would be better aiming for. Taking onboard what Duncan has said, it does look apparent that I would need more experience on top of my degree before even venturing out to obtaining a work visa.

For reference; the openings I can say 'yes' to (only if i complete my degree) on the Pulaski Simplified article are:
- Are you a student or recent graduate in your home country?
- Do you have an academic degree?
- Do you have specialist skills?

Thanks again for your replies! Again, advice and tips concerning anything discussed here would be most appreciated!

fatbrit

- Are you a student or recent graduate in your home country?
Get your arse over here every summer on a J program and network like crazy.

- Do you have an academic degree?
This includes you in categories that require such academic qualifications.

- Do you have specialist skills?
You haven't mentioned any, yet.

stve101

Thanks for this!

For the specialist skills... i don't think i can really count that until after the (hopeful) completion of my degree. By the end of that it could result in me taking a path towards being a specialist in web/film etc, but of course needs experience.

Sue

Seconded. Thanks stve101 for taking the time to read the wiki and find your way around BE prior to posting. It is much appreciated. I can tell you will go far in life

Oh and welcome to BE

(PS Sorry for taking this off-topic)