Funstuie

Just a quick one. I work for a US company and at the moment I am live in the UK (I am Irish as is my wife) but in my role I support the whole of emea and I also manage 3 different teams in India. Anyway my boss (who is based in the US) has suggested that my management style would be suited to the US and there is potentially a role managing the whole of the US support organisation (5 offices, 15+ staff). I would be based in San Francisco.

Myself and my wife would be willing to take a chance on this opportunity but we are not going to make any plans as yet.

My issue is my education - I have nothing other than a leaving cert. I started work straight after school. Now I have always been under the impression that you need at minimum a degree to move to the US on a work visa. It doesn't help that my boss thinks the same (I am in the US right now and went out for a drink with him) but he also said he has no idea.

If the company is going to sponsor me does my education matter? My job title would be Director level (currently Sr. Manager) which I think actually matters. The company lawyers will deal with all this no doubt but I wanted to check on the options before we go too far into it. Obviously its a big deal to move country with wife and kids and cats so I want to make sure it won't be stopped at the first hurdle.

ian-mstm

That would be true if you were going for an H-1B visa... but from what you describe, you wouldn't be! You'd be going for an L-1A visa (intercompany transfer), and there is no degree requirement for an L visa. See how nicely that works!

Ian

AlphaTangoMike

Just to echo what Ian has said, the L-1A visa does not have a requirement for any formal education. (Despite what your company HR department may say). - I'm on an L-1A visa and do not have a degree.

HartleyHare

Will just reiterate what the others have said.We moved here in June - my husband is here on an L1A visa and he does not have a degree either, nor does he have any professional qualifications that relate to his current role - he's currently a senior director.

Funstuie

Thanks guys. Put my mind at ease on this one at least. I will talk to my boss and he can get moving on approvals etc.

Long way down the line but can you bring cats to the US?

civilservant

Yes, of course there are requirements in many ways - especially with regards to temperature at the destination airport. You should budget each cats cost to travel in the hold to be at least as much as your own ticket.

Funstuie

We have 4 cats so that's going to be expensive!! Long way down the road but its something we will need to consider

HartleyHare

There's plenty of threads about bringing cats and dogs to the US. We bought our dog with us and it very easy - although we did use a specialist pet service to sort it all out. As part of our relocation package my husband's company paid for it, so this might be something you can negotiate too.

ian-mstm

Yes - most of that info is in the general USA forum, as it's not really immigration related. Please don't bring the cats into the cabin... those of us with severe allergies will thank you!

Ian

civilservant

Most will only allow 1 or 2 in the cabin on any given flight anyway, certainly not 4.