jezek2003

Hey there. I got a J1 visa for 18 months. I got here in April and
started work. I was working in IT for a small company and things went
quiet so they let me go. Since then, I got another job with a different
company. Great job and great pay. I just started monday and today HR
inform me that I cant legally work there anymore. I called the company
that issued my visa a few weeks ago and told them what happened. They
told me I could change jobs, but it would cost me $250. I didnt pay but
heard nothing more from them.

Where do i stand now?? Can I still work with this visa. How will I
become legal in my new job. This is a great job and such a good
opportunity. Has anyone any experience or advice to give me?????

thanx

kevin

MizzMaddie

well Kevin, I'm certainly not an immigration attorney, so no guarantee on my reply.

There are in general only a few ways to obtain a visa or even a permanent residency.

Family sponsored
Company sponsored. (includes college attendance)
Visitor visas (does not allow employment but you can do business)

Yours is obviously company sponsored. That means the company arranged the visa for you which does not only cost money but also they had to justify why YOU are the only one and not an American apt to work here.

When they let you go you are out of here. The other company would have to obtain permission to employ you. Once they obtain their permission you can file for a visa.

Sorry that's the way visa crumble. Maybe someone has a better explanation or advise.

Jozef

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected] oups.com...
    > Hey there. I got a J1 visa for 18 months. I got here in April and
    > started work. I was working in IT for a small company and things went
    > quiet so they let me go. Since then, I got another job with a different
    > company. Great job and great pay. I just started monday and today HR
    > inform me that I cant legally work there anymore. I called the company
    > that issued my visa a few weeks ago and told them what happened. They
    > told me I could change jobs, but it would cost me $250. I didnt pay but
    > heard nothing more from them.
    > Where do i stand now?? Can I still work with this visa. How will I
    > become legal in my new job. This is a great job and such a good
    > opportunity. Has anyone any experience or advice to give me?????

The J-1 visa is job-specific. Your new employer has to sponsor you for
another one. Ideally, this should have been done before changing jobs. Talk
to the department that handles immigration matters. If they don't have one,
consult an immigration attorney.

Jozef