eamonn90

Hi All,

In about 5/6 months I will be graduating university (here in the UK). I'm a skilled software engineer. I have always wanted to immigrate to the San Francisco Bay Area. From my reading software engineering is a good industry to be in in order to be able to immigrate to the United States partly due to Technology companies being large applicants of H1B Visas but also other reasons. I am told that there is a strong demand for software engineers in the United States particularly in my specialist areas and this increases my chance of gaining access to the united states (am I wrong? if so please feel free to correct).

From my reading, my understanding is my best shot at immigrating would be to obtain a job or job offer from a US company this would be difficult as I prefer working for smaller companies who probably would not have the resources or time to apply for a H1B visa. (a chicken and the egg problem - job before immigration and immigration before job).

My Other questions would be:
1) Is the green card lottery worth applying for and would i even be eligible????
2) What would be my best opportunity for temporary or preferably permanent immigration. If taking a non employer based route???
3) Is it worth seeing immigration lawyers and how much do lawyers improve your chance of immigration? - (Would rather avoid this as it can be an expensive option).
4) Would it be possible to gain a short term visa easily even if for only 2/3 months and work at a company to convince them to apply for a H1B Visa?? Even if I worked for FREE for this short period would this be legal???

I greatly appreciate your inputs and opinions on any of these issues.
-Eamonn

Octang Frye

Specifically, what do you do in software, Eamonn?

For the Diversity Lottery, what country were you born in?

No, you can't come here and work for free.

Noorah101

It depends where you were born. Where, specifically, were you born?

Here are all your options: http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=585898

Possibly worth it. Perhaps a lawyer can see an option you can't easily see for yourself. Having an attorney improves your chances in that he might be able to see opportunities where you can't (because you're not as familiar with the options).

Maybe. You'll have to see if there's a visa for that...in the link provided in your Q2.

No. Unless you really really DO want to do FREE work (volunteer positions in a soup kitchen or homeless shelter, for example...but that doesn't help your software career).

Rene

eamonn90

Thanks for your help Octang and Noorah101

I'm a web based programmer mostly building back end systems that run websites (im a back end programmer NOT a website designer. I also design and build back end database and data handling systems for cloud(web) based service companies. I know many different programming languages, database packages and server Operating Systems very well, ...sorry if any of that is to technical or sounds like my CV ).

I was born in the United Kingdom, even though I am 50% Irish so wont apply for the diversity lottery (I had wrongly assumed The Green Card Lottery was a different thing to the diversity lottery)

I read Pulaski's Ways before posting here while some options partly applied to me could not find anything ideal, that's why I started this thread.

zargof

www.okcupid.com - Probably your best shot.

eamonn90

I figured as much. The situation is kind of depressing.

dreamercon

Chances of finding employment and getting a green card are much better after pursuing a graduate degree here. Doctoral programs provide excellent funding as well - and you can often leave with a master degree if you don't want to go all the way to the phd.

scrubbedexpat099

No to everything except 2.

2. Marriage.

md95065

How much experience do you have? Simply having a degree and having worked on a few projects does not make you a "skilled software engineer" in the eyes of the people who make hiring decisions. If, on the other hand you have substantial work experience and a verifiable track record that is a different matter.

There is still a strong demand for software engineers in the US, although not nearly as strong as it was a few years ago.

There is also quite a large supply of software engineers looking for work.

It's a start, but the way that you have described your experience does nothing to differentiate you from thousands of other programmers with similar experience.

E3only

Hi there,

I am glad; you have done some amount of research before posting I gather. If you have not figured already, gaining employment in this economy is extremely tough with headline CA unemployment rate something like 12+%. That being said, I have no doubt that there is still work for talented people.

I am putting 2 and 2 together and I assume you are in your early 20s. You have lots of time and therefore I would recommend you strongly consider studying here (Yes its expensive but it adds to your chances). Whilst gaining employment is certainly not impossible (with a degree), you are up against some tough competition. Not to mention people with US qualifications and lots of experience are ready to work at much lower money and hence my suggestion to study here. Alternatively, you can get some quality work experience under you build in the UK and who knows may be work for a multinational and get transferred here.

Unfortunately, like you there are plenty of young folk that want to move here however the reality is, it’s a project. I took me (no joke) best part of 2 years to get work here. I networked, worked my contacts, and visited at least 3 times before I was even close to gaining employment. This is after bachelors, masters and around 8-9 years fortune 500 experience. I don’t want to sound like a big head but it’s not easy.

Long story short – you need experience, qualification, maturity and visa all to fall in place before you get here mate. Good luck.

eamonn90

Thanks for sharing that very valuable insight.

henryh

A bunch of places in Silicon Valley are hiring.

md95065

Yes, but none of them are hiring at anything like the rate that they were 3 or 4 years ago and a new grad from the UK (unless they also have significant real world experience) is unlikely to be sufficiently interesting to get their attention.

E3only

I have to agree. I am not from the profession but let me give you an example. I am from finance and I can tell you that jobs that required not a bachelors at best, employers are now demanding CPA with 3-5 years experience. It shows they are being extremely chosey and more so also is a reflection of what type of talent is out in the market unemployed. I dare say some of that applies to almost every industry in US.

meauxna

If you read the Pulaski's Ways, did you miss the J-1 exchange programs. As a recent graduate, there are possibilities available to you that are not available to others. You can go do an internship as a way to try to get on with a company.
BUNAC is a reputable program mentioned here a lot.