job offer from the US
Jul 8th 2004, 1:55 pm
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8
job offer from the US
My wife just received a job offer from the US that she considers accepting. What are the next steps - I understand that the employer will take care of the paperwork but do we have any options, ie. shall we try for a green card (if it's possible) or for a work visa. What are the timelines. The job in in Virginia.
Jul 9th 2004, 7:47 am
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: job offer from the US
"DTPGuy71" <member21607@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My wife just received a job offer from the US that she considers
> accepting. What are the next steps - I understand that the employer will
> take care of the paperwork but do we have any options, ie. shall we try
> for a green card (if it's possible) or for a work visa. What are the
> timelines. The job in in Virginia.
Depends what type of job and what type of visa is going to be used.
You could probably go straight for a Green Card in principle, but
that would take somewhere between 2 and 6 years before you could
go to the USA. The normal procedure is to get a non-immigrant work
visa, and apply for a Green Card while in the USA.
Assuming it's a professional job of some sort, they'll probably go
for H-1B. They'll need proof of her degree and perhaps of her
previous work experience. They'll then get an equivalence check
done on her qualifications and experience to show they match what's
required. They then submit a petition for an H-1B worker for her.
If they pay an extra $1,000 they get a response to this within 15
days, otherwise if will take a few months (up to 6 or so). Either
way, the work authorization won't now start until October at the
earliest. They send her the petition approval, and she makes an
appointment for an interview at a USA Consulate in whatever country
she lives. If you or any children are planning to go with her, you
go to the interview at the same time. You all fill out the visa
application form - she applies for H-1B, dependents for H-4 - and
take them, photographs, petition approval forms and passports to
the interview. In most cases you'll get the passports back with
the visas in them within a couple of weeks. If they decide they
need to do a security check, it could be several months after the
interview before you get the visas. Once you have the visas, you
travel to the USA at most 3 days before she starts work.
news:[email protected]...
> My wife just received a job offer from the US that she considers
> accepting. What are the next steps - I understand that the employer will
> take care of the paperwork but do we have any options, ie. shall we try
> for a green card (if it's possible) or for a work visa. What are the
> timelines. The job in in Virginia.
Depends what type of job and what type of visa is going to be used.
You could probably go straight for a Green Card in principle, but
that would take somewhere between 2 and 6 years before you could
go to the USA. The normal procedure is to get a non-immigrant work
visa, and apply for a Green Card while in the USA.
Assuming it's a professional job of some sort, they'll probably go
for H-1B. They'll need proof of her degree and perhaps of her
previous work experience. They'll then get an equivalence check
done on her qualifications and experience to show they match what's
required. They then submit a petition for an H-1B worker for her.
If they pay an extra $1,000 they get a response to this within 15
days, otherwise if will take a few months (up to 6 or so). Either
way, the work authorization won't now start until October at the
earliest. They send her the petition approval, and she makes an
appointment for an interview at a USA Consulate in whatever country
she lives. If you or any children are planning to go with her, you
go to the interview at the same time. You all fill out the visa
application form - she applies for H-1B, dependents for H-4 - and
take them, photographs, petition approval forms and passports to
the interview. In most cases you'll get the passports back with
the visas in them within a couple of weeks. If they decide they
need to do a security check, it could be several months after the
interview before you get the visas. Once you have the visas, you
travel to the USA at most 3 days before she starts work.
Jul 9th 2004, 8:56 am
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: job offer from the US
"J. J. Farrell" <[email protected]> writes:
[ H-1B visa ]
> Once you have the visas, you
> travel to the USA at most 3 days before she starts work.
isn't it 10 days?
Gunnar
[ H-1B visa ]
> Once you have the visas, you
> travel to the USA at most 3 days before she starts work.
isn't it 10 days?
Gunnar
Jul 11th 2004, 6:39 pm
#4
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8
Re: job offer from the US
Wow! Thank you - it's been very informative. I have a few additional issues:
- if I get a H4 visa that means I'm not allowed to work - how to change it? Actually, I was hoping to spend this time going back to University and getting another degree - how to do it? (visa-wise of course)
- We're going there in 2 weeks for a week just to look around - if my wife likes it can she stay and change into H-B2 (or whatever)?
In the meantime if I returned home to rent out the house, etc could I get the proper visa at the local embassy? Would they care my wife's already there?
- Also, my child has a US passport because he was born there - I ussume there's no need to file any paperwork for him?
cheers
- if I get a H4 visa that means I'm not allowed to work - how to change it? Actually, I was hoping to spend this time going back to University and getting another degree - how to do it? (visa-wise of course)
- We're going there in 2 weeks for a week just to look around - if my wife likes it can she stay and change into H-B2 (or whatever)?
In the meantime if I returned home to rent out the house, etc could I get the proper visa at the local embassy? Would they care my wife's already there?
- Also, my child has a US passport because he was born there - I ussume there's no need to file any paperwork for him?
cheers
Originally posted by J. J. Farrell
"DTPGuy71" <member21607@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My wife just received a job offer from the US that she considers
> accepting. What are the next steps - I understand that the employer will
> take care of the paperwork but do we have any options, ie. shall we try
> for a green card (if it's possible) or for a work visa. What are the
> timelines. The job in in Virginia.
Depends what type of job and what type of visa is going to be used.
You could probably go straight for a Green Card in principle, but
that would take somewhere between 2 and 6 years before you could
go to the USA. The normal procedure is to get a non-immigrant work
visa, and apply for a Green Card while in the USA.
Assuming it's a professional job of some sort, they'll probably go
for H-1B. They'll need proof of her degree and perhaps of her
previous work experience. They'll then get an equivalence check
done on her qualifications and experience to show they match what's
required. They then submit a petition for an H-1B worker for her.
If they pay an extra $1,000 they get a response to this within 15
days, otherwise if will take a few months (up to 6 or so). Either
way, the work authorization won't now start until October at the
earliest. They send her the petition approval, and she makes an
appointment for an interview at a USA Consulate in whatever country
she lives. If you or any children are planning to go with her, you
go to the interview at the same time. You all fill out the visa
application form - she applies for H-1B, dependents for H-4 - and
take them, photographs, petition approval forms and passports to
the interview. In most cases you'll get the passports back with
the visas in them within a couple of weeks. If they decide they
need to do a security check, it could be several months after the
interview before you get the visas. Once you have the visas, you
travel to the USA at most 3 days before she starts work.
"DTPGuy71" <member21607@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My wife just received a job offer from the US that she considers
> accepting. What are the next steps - I understand that the employer will
> take care of the paperwork but do we have any options, ie. shall we try
> for a green card (if it's possible) or for a work visa. What are the
> timelines. The job in in Virginia.
Depends what type of job and what type of visa is going to be used.
You could probably go straight for a Green Card in principle, but
that would take somewhere between 2 and 6 years before you could
go to the USA. The normal procedure is to get a non-immigrant work
visa, and apply for a Green Card while in the USA.
Assuming it's a professional job of some sort, they'll probably go
for H-1B. They'll need proof of her degree and perhaps of her
previous work experience. They'll then get an equivalence check
done on her qualifications and experience to show they match what's
required. They then submit a petition for an H-1B worker for her.
If they pay an extra $1,000 they get a response to this within 15
days, otherwise if will take a few months (up to 6 or so). Either
way, the work authorization won't now start until October at the
earliest. They send her the petition approval, and she makes an
appointment for an interview at a USA Consulate in whatever country
she lives. If you or any children are planning to go with her, you
go to the interview at the same time. You all fill out the visa
application form - she applies for H-1B, dependents for H-4 - and
take them, photographs, petition approval forms and passports to
the interview. In most cases you'll get the passports back with
the visas in them within a couple of weeks. If they decide they
need to do a security check, it could be several months after the
interview before you get the visas. Once you have the visas, you
travel to the USA at most 3 days before she starts work.
Jul 12th 2004, 4:27 am
#5
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 68,280
Re: job offer from the US
Originally posted by DTPGuy71
Wow! Thank you - it's been very informative. I have a few additional issues:
- if I get a H4 visa that means I'm not allowed to work - how to change it? Actually, I was hoping to spend this time going back to University and getting another degree - how to do it? (visa-wise of course)- We're going there in 2 weeks for a week just to look around - if my wife likes it can she stay and change into H-B2 (or whatever)?In the meantime if I returned home to rent out the house, etc could I get the proper visa at the local embassy? Would they care my wife's already there?- Also, my child has a US passport because he was born there - I ussume there's no need to file any paperwork for him?cheers
Wow! Thank you - it's been very informative. I have a few additional issues:
- if I get a H4 visa that means I'm not allowed to work - how to change it? Actually, I was hoping to spend this time going back to University and getting another degree - how to do it? (visa-wise of course)- We're going there in 2 weeks for a week just to look around - if my wife likes it can she stay and change into H-B2 (or whatever)?In the meantime if I returned home to rent out the house, etc could I get the proper visa at the local embassy? Would they care my wife's already there?- Also, my child has a US passport because he was born there - I ussume there's no need to file any paperwork for him?cheers
Jul 12th 2004, 9:06 pm
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: job offer from the US
"DTPGuy71" <member21607@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Wow! Thank you - it's been very informative. I have a few additional
> issues:
> - if I get a H4 visa that means I'm not allowed to work - how
> to change it? Actually, I was hoping to spend this time going back to
> University and getting another degree - how to do it? (visa-wise of
> course)
You may attend school full-time in H-4 status. Your only problem may be if
you want to be employed by the school, for example as a teaching assistant
or research assistant. You would have to change to F-1 in order to be so
employed. The school could help you with obtaining F-1 status. F-1 status
requires temporary intent, and convincing USICS of temporary intent and
strong ties to your home country could also be a problem.
> - We're going there in 2 weeks for a week just to look around -
> if my wife likes it can she stay and change into H-B2 (or whatever)?
If she enters the U.S. in visa waiver status, she cannot change to any other
status within the U.S. If she happens to have a valid visitor's visa in her
passport (B-1/B-2), then theoretically she could change to H-1B. There
could be a problem with preconceived intent if she tries that change, at
least if she tries it within a couple of months of her entry to the U.S. in
B-2 status.
> In the meantime if I returned home to rent out the house, etc could I get
> the proper visa at the local embassy? Would they care my wife's already
> there?
Theoretically you could obtain the H-4 visa after your wife's H-1B petition
has been approved, even if she is not with you.
> - Also, my child has a US passport because he was born there - I
> ussume there's no need to file any paperwork for him?
Correct.
> Originally posted by J. J. Farrell
> > "DTPGuy71" <member21607@british_expats.com> wrote in message
> >
news:[email protected]"]news:[email protected]
> [/url]...
> > > My wife just received a job offer from the US that she considers
> > > accepting. What are the next steps - I understand that the employer
will
> > > take care of the paperwork but do we have any options, ie. shall we
try
> > > for a green card (if it's possible) or for a work visa. What are the
> > > timelines. The job in in Virginia.
> > Depends what type of job and what type of visa is going to be used.
> > You could probably go straight for a Green Card in principle, but
> > that would take somewhere between 2 and 6 years before you could
> > go to the USA. The normal procedure is to get a non-immigrant work
> > visa, and apply for a Green Card while in the USA.
> > Assuming it's a professional job of some sort, they'll probably go
> > for H-1B. They'll need proof of her degree and perhaps of her
> > previous work experience. They'll then get an equivalence check
> > done on her qualifications and experience to show they match what's
> > required. They then submit a petition for an H-1B worker for her.
> > If they pay an extra $1,000 they get a response to this within 15
> > days, otherwise if will take a few months (up to 6 or so). Either
> > way, the work authorization won't now start until October at the
> > earliest. They send her the petition approval, and she makes an
> > appointment for an interview at a USA Consulate in whatever country
> > she lives. If you or any children are planning to go with her, you
> > go to the interview at the same time. You all fill out the visa
> > application form - she applies for H-1B, dependents for H-4 - and
> > take them, photographs, petition approval forms and passports to
> > the interview. In most cases you'll get the passports back with
> > the visas in them within a couple of weeks. If they decide they
> > need to do a security check, it could be several months after the
> > interview before you get the visas. Once you have the visas, you
> travel to the USA at most 3 days before she starts work.
news:[email protected]...
> Wow! Thank you - it's been very informative. I have a few additional
> issues:
> - if I get a H4 visa that means I'm not allowed to work - how
> to change it? Actually, I was hoping to spend this time going back to
> University and getting another degree - how to do it? (visa-wise of
> course)
You may attend school full-time in H-4 status. Your only problem may be if
you want to be employed by the school, for example as a teaching assistant
or research assistant. You would have to change to F-1 in order to be so
employed. The school could help you with obtaining F-1 status. F-1 status
requires temporary intent, and convincing USICS of temporary intent and
strong ties to your home country could also be a problem.
> - We're going there in 2 weeks for a week just to look around -
> if my wife likes it can she stay and change into H-B2 (or whatever)?
If she enters the U.S. in visa waiver status, she cannot change to any other
status within the U.S. If she happens to have a valid visitor's visa in her
passport (B-1/B-2), then theoretically she could change to H-1B. There
could be a problem with preconceived intent if she tries that change, at
least if she tries it within a couple of months of her entry to the U.S. in
B-2 status.
> In the meantime if I returned home to rent out the house, etc could I get
> the proper visa at the local embassy? Would they care my wife's already
> there?
Theoretically you could obtain the H-4 visa after your wife's H-1B petition
has been approved, even if she is not with you.
> - Also, my child has a US passport because he was born there - I
> ussume there's no need to file any paperwork for him?
Correct.
> Originally posted by J. J. Farrell
> > "DTPGuy71" <member21607@british_expats.com> wrote in message
> >
news:[email protected]"]news:[email protected]
> [/url]...
> > > My wife just received a job offer from the US that she considers
> > > accepting. What are the next steps - I understand that the employer
will
> > > take care of the paperwork but do we have any options, ie. shall we
try
> > > for a green card (if it's possible) or for a work visa. What are the
> > > timelines. The job in in Virginia.
> > Depends what type of job and what type of visa is going to be used.
> > You could probably go straight for a Green Card in principle, but
> > that would take somewhere between 2 and 6 years before you could
> > go to the USA. The normal procedure is to get a non-immigrant work
> > visa, and apply for a Green Card while in the USA.
> > Assuming it's a professional job of some sort, they'll probably go
> > for H-1B. They'll need proof of her degree and perhaps of her
> > previous work experience. They'll then get an equivalence check
> > done on her qualifications and experience to show they match what's
> > required. They then submit a petition for an H-1B worker for her.
> > If they pay an extra $1,000 they get a response to this within 15
> > days, otherwise if will take a few months (up to 6 or so). Either
> > way, the work authorization won't now start until October at the
> > earliest. They send her the petition approval, and she makes an
> > appointment for an interview at a USA Consulate in whatever country
> > she lives. If you or any children are planning to go with her, you
> > go to the interview at the same time. You all fill out the visa
> > application form - she applies for H-1B, dependents for H-4 - and
> > take them, photographs, petition approval forms and passports to
> > the interview. In most cases you'll get the passports back with
> > the visas in them within a couple of weeks. If they decide they
> > need to do a security check, it could be several months after the
> > interview before you get the visas. Once you have the visas, you
> travel to the USA at most 3 days before she starts work.
