nudda

I heard ots $5k for applying for visas, which I dont think is that much for a company who has found the right person. I will look into it though, thanks for your view.

nudda

Yes, quite right there. I had noticed quite a few gov jobs that have come up but which require you to have clearance and for clearance you need a green card so that ones out of the window!

nudda

Just to be clear, I'm not moving for a lady friend Its for other personal family related issues. So, no one to marry

Dan725

I'm in a similar field. More specialized it might be, however, it ain't that special that (unless you are a recognized industry expert) any right minded US firm would sponsor you over for a visa, especially right now; there's a glut of out of work IT Security people too.

IMO the best route would be to find a local UK position with a large US company with a substantial presence in the UK, and then express an interest in transferring over to the US at some point.

nudda

Thanks. Facts they may all be but I still want to give it a go. Will be trying directly with US companies ... while also applying in the UK, but main effort on US companies in the US.

I dont believe in recession and lack of jobs ... if you are good as what you do, know what you are talking about and can sell yourself ... there is ALWAYS a job for you. Optimistic ? Maybe. But if you dont ask you dont get

caleyjag

That's probably fair.

Give it a shot, but I would aim some of your applications at countries other than the US just in case. It is very, very tough here right now, and the odds are stacked against you.

E3only

It's good to be positive but also more importantly be realistic and under ones probabilities.

Manc

do you believe in age discrimination and outsourcing?

Bob

Work your way into a company transfer or it's not likely to happen, even securities is pretty full of people.

You might have more luck in Boston, well Waltham as there's Norton, Sophos, Autodesk, Dassult Systemes and a whole host of other tech companies and banks here....so plenty of options for a company transfer.

Bob

It might not be that much cash, but there's the cost of relocating you and repatriating you if you don't work out, which is a lot of money, especially when there's hundreds of people already on the ground who are US citizens or people who don't need sponsor ship...so why would they bother with the hassle and extra expense? You'd need to be top of your game and then some, just the way it is.

Dan725

Well good luck with it - optimism never hurt anyone; as you say nothing ventured nothing gained - hope it works out for you. But if it doesn't, just remember this discussion on this board and concentrate on the company in UK > internal transfer across the pond method.

dunroving

- and other states besides AZ. Get your foot in the door first.

Englishtart

It may be 'only' $5k for the visa costs, but from what other members on here have posted about sponsored work moves to the US, the company also picks up the relocation package price, that can be in the 20-30K range, so not so much of a draw then, especially these days.

Also, not sure about the 'securities' part of your job, but most 'security related' jobs in the US require a US citizenship, not a visa. As I said, may not apply to you, but worth a mention. Good Luck.

Steerpike

I'm working in AZ right now in IT 'on loan' from the Bay Area, and there seems to be very little in the way of IT 'critical mass'. Schwab has a big operation here, and there are other 'satellite' operations, but IT does not seem to be a priority in AZ. I can't think of one technology company that actually has an HQ here (I've found some by googling around, but they aren't memorable!). My recommendation would be to target San Diego or LA, and once you are there, pursue AZ. Or simply try Silicon Valley, where I work(ed) -for every IT job in AZ, there are probably 25 or 50 in SV. It's easy and cheap to visit AZ from CA - $99 flights from San Francisco (<2 hrs), easy drive from San Diego, etc - I'm doing this most weekends.

I'd make it clear I did not expect or want any relocation, and would pay for the visa costs myself - that way, you are no more expensive than an out-of-work local. Getting someone to pay relo+legal in this economy would be too much to hope for.

===

Just how specialized are you? Infrastructure? Banking? Medical? Firewall, VPN, SSL, encryption? Silicon Valley/SF hosts Schwab, Wells Fargo; Cisco, Sonicwall, Juniper (and most of the rest of the VPN guys); PGP ...

fatbrit

There's actually a lot of IT stuff here in the Valley. But it's hardware based, not software. Intel, Motorola, On, etc.