US Immigration Visa / Job Offer - No Degree Situation
#1
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US Immigration Visa / Job Offer - No Degree Situation
Hi all
Hope you can help, I am in negotiations with a US company in San Fran. The role is very senior exec level but I am trying to understand how I would obtain a working Visa. I would need to relocate to the Bay area with my family (2x children, 3 y.o. and 5 y.o and partner).
I have 10+ years experience in my field and have professional qualifications at Level 4/5 diploma level but no Uni Degree.
What visa would I be eligible for and would I be able to start working in the US? My concern is with no degree then I might not get a visa even though I have a guaranteed high income and sponsorship from a company.
Any help would be gratefully received, Greg
Hope you can help, I am in negotiations with a US company in San Fran. The role is very senior exec level but I am trying to understand how I would obtain a working Visa. I would need to relocate to the Bay area with my family (2x children, 3 y.o. and 5 y.o and partner).
I have 10+ years experience in my field and have professional qualifications at Level 4/5 diploma level but no Uni Degree.
What visa would I be eligible for and would I be able to start working in the US? My concern is with no degree then I might not get a visa even though I have a guaranteed high income and sponsorship from a company.
Any help would be gratefully received, Greg
#2
Re: US Immigration Visa / Job Offer - No Degree Situation
Hi, welcome to BE.
The company will sort your visa, they need to consult an immi lawyer if they don't have one already, and find out what you may be eligible for - it's not something you do. Not all employment based visas require degrees.
Note that if by 'partner' you mean unmarried other half, you may want to get married first, as US visas don't recognise spouses other than those with a marriage certificate. S/he could try and get an extended visitor visa, but that's not ideal and she couldn't work on it etc.
Best of luck.
The company will sort your visa, they need to consult an immi lawyer if they don't have one already, and find out what you may be eligible for - it's not something you do. Not all employment based visas require degrees.
Note that if by 'partner' you mean unmarried other half, you may want to get married first, as US visas don't recognise spouses other than those with a marriage certificate. S/he could try and get an extended visitor visa, but that's not ideal and she couldn't work on it etc.
Best of luck.
Last edited by christmasoompa; Aug 7th 2018 at 9:21 am.
#3
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Re: US Immigration Visa / Job Offer - No Degree Situation
Thanks!
We are getting married next Weds, so that's all taken care of - unless she leaves me at the altar! I hope you don't mind me asking another question or at least point me in the right direction, I'm trying to understand the US income tax system, specific to California, a bit better so I can work out what one would be paying. Would there be a resource you'd recommend?
We are getting married next Weds, so that's all taken care of - unless she leaves me at the altar! I hope you don't mind me asking another question or at least point me in the right direction, I'm trying to understand the US income tax system, specific to California, a bit better so I can work out what one would be paying. Would there be a resource you'd recommend?
#4
Re: US Immigration Visa / Job Offer - No Degree Situation
Thanks!
We are getting married next Weds, so that's all taken care of - unless she leaves me at the altar! I hope you don't mind me asking another question or at least point me in the right direction, I'm trying to understand the US income tax system, specific to California, a bit better so I can work out what one would be paying. Would there be a resource you'd recommend?
We are getting married next Weds, so that's all taken care of - unless she leaves me at the altar! I hope you don't mind me asking another question or at least point me in the right direction, I'm trying to understand the US income tax system, specific to California, a bit better so I can work out what one would be paying. Would there be a resource you'd recommend?
Not a clue on taxes I'm afraid (I don't live in the US), but the Wiki is a really useful resource so you could check there as there's bound to be an article on taxes. It would also be worth searching the forums, as the question will no doubt have been answered before with really useful links that may help you calculate it.
For San Fran, the only thing I know is that you need to be earning a LOT to make it work! Again, the forum search will give you some useful threads to read through from others that have moved there. And it may be worth starting a new thread in the main US forums with your expected salary so that those in the know can help you work out cost of living and taxes (also do mention your medical insurance offered by the company, as that will be a big factor too).
Others with more visa know how will be along to help you later on that side of things too I'm sure.
Best of luck to you for both the wedding and the move.
#5
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Re: US Immigration Visa / Job Offer - No Degree Situation
Do you already work for that company branch in the UK? If so, that would be an intra-company transfer known as the L1 visa and a degree is not required for that. However if not, I'm not sure which visa you would qualify for and it would be best to check with the firm's immigration lawyer on that.
#7
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Re: US Immigration Visa / Job Offer - No Degree Situation
Chances are it will be H1 visa
The next lottery will be in April 2019 for an October 2019 start date
There is approximately 25% chance your name will be pulled in the lottery
I failed one year, success the next year
I had no degree but 20+ years experience
I have not kept informed whether or not a degree is now mandatory with new administration
The CA company will confirm the visa they could apply for
Good luck
The next lottery will be in April 2019 for an October 2019 start date
There is approximately 25% chance your name will be pulled in the lottery
I failed one year, success the next year
I had no degree but 20+ years experience
I have not kept informed whether or not a degree is now mandatory with new administration
The CA company will confirm the visa they could apply for
Good luck
#9
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Re: US Immigration Visa / Job Offer - No Degree Situation
Fred - one question, how did you get around working until the visa was granted? Did you work a certain amount of days per year, remotely from UK, or wait till visa was granted?
#10
Re: US Immigration Visa / Job Offer - No Degree Situation
Degrees are irrelevant if you can prove experience, and for some visa's - proprietary knowledge of the company / business systems. I have no degree, didn't affect me.
I also know several execs (CIO's) that moved to the US with zero degrees and went to LA to work for large companies.
If you already worked for the company in a UK branch, it'd be a lot easier - but as it's new employment, you'll want all that confirmed by the company and their immigration lawyers as mentioned above.
You can't work on the actual visa until it's active. Working remotely for that business whilst waiting would be a whole other matter!
I also know several execs (CIO's) that moved to the US with zero degrees and went to LA to work for large companies.
If you already worked for the company in a UK branch, it'd be a lot easier - but as it's new employment, you'll want all that confirmed by the company and their immigration lawyers as mentioned above.
Originally Posted by GregAllum
Fred - one question, how did you get around working until the visa was granted? Did you work a certain amount of days per year, remotely from UK, or wait till visa was granted?
#11
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Re: US Immigration Visa / Job Offer - No Degree Situation
If it's a company seeded from the UK, it could also be an E-2. It strikes me as unlikely that they'd put someone so senior on an H1-B given the lottery aspect of it, and they are pretty annoying for families as has been said, given only the H1-B holder can work.
SF is an extraordinarily expensive place to live. As a family of 4, I'd want my income to be a minimum of $200k if not more. Buying still wouldn't be realistic on that sort of money.
Get your offer information in writing, explaining all benefits (this is important, health insurance for 4 people might be a bit of a shock!) and the visa process they are intending on. If you can report back, we can advise how good or bad the visa aspect is.
SF is an extraordinarily expensive place to live. As a family of 4, I'd want my income to be a minimum of $200k if not more. Buying still wouldn't be realistic on that sort of money.
Get your offer information in writing, explaining all benefits (this is important, health insurance for 4 people might be a bit of a shock!) and the visa process they are intending on. If you can report back, we can advise how good or bad the visa aspect is.
#12
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Re: US Immigration Visa / Job Offer - No Degree Situation
#13
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Re: US Immigration Visa / Job Offer - No Degree Situation
This will give you a rough idea of your income: https://smartasset.com/taxes/california-tax-calculator
It will not be exact. For reference, Health insurance for two late 20s/early 30s adults in my family in LA is just over $800 a month, which can be paid by pretax dollars. It goes up as you get older, typically.
It will not be exact. For reference, Health insurance for two late 20s/early 30s adults in my family in LA is just over $800 a month, which can be paid by pretax dollars. It goes up as you get older, typically.
#14
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Re: US Immigration Visa / Job Offer - No Degree Situation
Tech companies - assuming that's the field since we're talking SF here - offer discounted healthcare plans. Every company I worked in had them. There are plans for individuals and families. It's usually quite nice, and is something worth negotiating into pay upfront, based on the benefits summary document listing the prices. There are usually PPP, EPO, HMO (Kaiser California) and HSA-HDHP options. I have the last mentioned, with a wife in medical school, and a toddler.
#15
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Re: US Immigration Visa / Job Offer - No Degree Situation
If it's a company seeded from the UK, it could also be an E-2. It strikes me as unlikely that they'd put someone so senior on an H1-B given the lottery aspect of it, and they are pretty annoying for families as has been said, given only the H1-B holder can work.
SF is an extraordinarily expensive place to live. As a family of 4, I'd want my income to be a minimum of $200k if not more. Buying still wouldn't be realistic on that sort of money.
Get your offer information in writing, explaining all benefits (this is important, health insurance for 4 people might be a bit of a shock!) and the visa process they are intending on. If you can report back, we can advise how good or bad the visa aspect is.
SF is an extraordinarily expensive place to live. As a family of 4, I'd want my income to be a minimum of $200k if not more. Buying still wouldn't be realistic on that sort of money.
Get your offer information in writing, explaining all benefits (this is important, health insurance for 4 people might be a bit of a shock!) and the visa process they are intending on. If you can report back, we can advise how good or bad the visa aspect is.