Alexander K. Hi

Hi,

is it possible to get a Green Card without this lottery? I would like to work
(perhaps 2 years long) in the u.s. as a computer scientist (software
engineer/architect).

Are there other ways to get this card for highly demanded labors?

Thanks in advance, Alex

Alexander K. Hi

Hi,

    > Are there other ways to get this card for highly demanded labors?

I forgot: i'm a german citizen.

Cheers, Alex

icantthink

You can get an H1-B visa to work in the US for up to 6 years.

First you need to find a company that will give you a job and then sponsor you for the visa. Once the visa is approved, you can go to the US Consulate and get your passport stamped, land in the US and start work. The visa is approved for 3 years and you can apply for a 3-year extension at the end of that period.

Remember that the visa belongs to the company, so if you leave their employment, you will either need to go back home or find another employer who will apply for another H1.

James Donovan

First of all, you don't need the green card lottery to get a green card. Second of
all, the usual path taken is than an employer will sponsor you for an H-1B visa then
they will sponsor your green card. They can sponsor your green card without doing
H-1B, but you will have a very long wait.

That being said, I.T. or computer science is no longer a "high demand profession", at
least not in this economy. Therefore you will find that it will be hard for anyone to
get a job, and even harder for non US citizens who need sponsorship.

James Donovan

But unfortunately the US job market is really tight now so employers may be less
willing to sponsor for H-1B visas.