iainpat

I have read alot of threads and advice from websites and searches on this site regarding immigration to the USA and also attended a show once in Sandown. I work as a degree qualified engineer here in the UK for a british company (although we do have an office in NY) and would like advice about obtaining a h1b to live and work in the USA. After reading up i think this is the only visa available to me. Is it fair to say that the best way to obtain this visa is to already be in the US or can this be done from the UK? Does anyone know companies specialising in helping people obtain these visas? I have seen a couple of sites after searches but they tend to offer 'kits' and not alot else. I think most USA companies that recieve CVs and letters regarding this visa would be likely to bin them so any advice would be appreciated.

Bob

if you've read up on this site, you'd know to post in the visa section where you'd get decent help....

your best bet would be the L1 company transfer visa if they want to transfer you because the H1B for this year at least is a no goer unless your in a uni related job basically, because the quota has long been met, and won't be able to apply for a new H1B visa till April next year, and if granted, wouldn't get a visa till next Oct at earliest...also it is the employer that applies for the visa...it also all told will end up being a couple grand so it ain't easy to get as you'll really have to offer something to the employer...also you can't be in the US to get the visa...but you can come to the US on the VWP to look for work and do interviews, you just won't be allowed to accept anything till you get the visa in a gist.

dbj1000

Ian, I've read some of your past posts, and it looks like you were originally looking at emigrating to Oz. In your posts, you seemed concerned that your degree did not give you enough points on the Australian system. If that is the case then you stand far less chance of being granted an H1-B visa, even if you can find a company to sponsor you by April of 2006 and can wait until October to start work.

As Bob said, your only real chance is to get a company transfer to their US offices on an L1 visa, assuming you've worked for your company for at least a year and your current position is managerial, executive or requires particular scarce skills.

Generally, in recent years H1-B visas have become dramatically harder to get, as the numbers have been cut to only 65,000 per year for the whole country.

What is your field of Engineering, and what is your experience level? Do you have >12 years experience in your specialist field? Do you have a particular skill set in your field that is scarce in the US? Could you prove that a US company would be unable to find an appropriately skilled and qualified Engineer from the US workforce to fit their particular vacancy? These are some of the questions you need to consider if you're looking at the H1-B route.

NC Penguin

The legal routes living and working in the US are summed up in this article put together by a number of BE members.

There's also a sticky thread at the top of this very forum that addresses immigration to the US.

Also, if you're looking for an attorney who specializes in US immigration, you should identify those who belong to AILA.



NC Penguin

iainpat

Yes your right I originally looked at moving to Australia and realised that this was probably a compromise and the USA was where we would really like to go. Both countries are difficult to move to but i do feel the USA has more to offer. I have been an engineer for the last 24 years and have moved into Project Management, although i could move back into a more hands on role with skills such as cnc programming, cadcam, 3d cad. I've also looked into maybe doing an MBA degree in the states. Anyway thanks for all your replies.

BritGuyTN

I got quoted $38k a year for my local good university (tutition only) 2 yr course