madfrank

So I pulled enough connections and eventually got a company in Hollywood to let me intern. I contacted the US embassy and they said I need a J1 visa and to get that the employer needs to provide a DS2019 petition - he didn't know what that was but said he can't imagine it would be a problem.

Ideally I'd like this to turn into a permanent position (whether with them or they help me find another employer) I spoke to the embassy and they said they would need to sponsor me for a H1B visa for that at a cost of $350. On Pulaski's Ways it says it would cost the employer $5000? Can the H1B lead to a Green Card? How much of an issue is getting onto the H1B visa going to be as a factor for an employer whether or not they will hire me? It won't be a highly skilled job put it that way, but it's what I've always wanted, has great prospects for promotion and have a few people that say they'll help me land a permanent job over there - albeit they seem clueless about the issues a work visa may present or if an employer will be reluctant to hire in light of this additional factor.

Ray

Although, lower wages do not necessarily mean lower costs for employers. The costs for a company to apply for an H-1B visa can be significant, and it can vary between $1,440 and $5,000 as the H1B fee was increased by $2000 for petitioners who employ 50 or more employees in the United States with more than 50 percent of its employees in the United States in H-1B or L (including L-1A, L-1B and L-2) nonimmigrant status from August 14, 2010 as President Obama signed into law Public Law 111-230, depending on the attorney's fees, the number of employees in the company, and if a faster premium service is paid, without including the cost of a possible trip to the border of the country of origin, nor the renewal costs.

Yo do need a degree or 12 years experience to get a H1B visa

madfrank

Jeez - is there no other way around that? I have neither. Is there any other type of visa I could get to be employed in the US if H1B is not an option?

Brat1

Yes, the H1-B can lead to a GC as it's a dual intent visa but as Ray said, you have to have a degree or prove you have 12 years equivalent experience. My OH hasn't got a degree so we had to prove to them by letters etc from his last employer, one before that etc, that he had progressed and gained 12 years experience in his field. What kind of field are you in, that will go a long way to determining if an H1-B is going to be an option, look on the USCIS website for all the categories and see if you fit in to one. Good luck!!

Brat1

I thought you said the USCIS said you would require a J!?? I don't know what that is, but again, look it up on their website and it'll explain the criteria for that too - don't despair just yet!!!

Ray

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Pulaski's_Ways%3A_How_to_Live_and_Work_in_the_USA

madfrank

I've read that; does that mean there's no other alternatives?

Ray

that is the alternatives

scrubbedexpat099

What did you have in mind??

madfrank

Well, they said it would probably be an entry level position they could offer me - does that mean an entry level position would not qualify for a H1-B?

If a Bachelor's Degree is an absolute must to qualify for H1B then there are a few places where I could simply buy a degree from - would this suffice so long as it's an accredited college/university or do they look out for 'quickie' bought degrees?

Orangepants

What a great idea!

ian-mstm

From your previous posts, I didn't think you were all that stupid... well, until now! What an idiotic idea!

Ian

Awesome Welles

Shit! Why didn't I think of that? It's simply brilliant - I'm certain that USCIS are so thick that they wouldn't look out for a 'quickie' bought degree.
Go for it! Your new life is but a 'quickie' away!

madfrank

Please explain, if it's an accredited college it's an accredited college. Plus if it's an overseas BA then a BA is a BA. What's the issue? I can't let not having a BA hold me back.

madfrank

Right, but the degree is simply a formality requirement, no? The main thing is having an employer...