How did you get in??
Feb 28th 2008, 11:01 am
#1
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Takapuna, New Zealand
Posts: 913
How did you get in??
Just wondering how so many people seem to be able to move the USA?
I have always wanted to live there and the longest I manged this was in 2003 when I spent 6 months on a professional sports visa. Ever since then each year I have tried to find work via a H1B (IT Systems Analyst) but have had no luck. I changed companies to one with a US office and after a year of being there I tried to transfer and they wouldn't do it so I left. Joined one of the largest IT companies which also has 25+ offices in the USA. I applied for several roles internally and all of them have been turned down as they don't do internal transfers!!
So how do you do it? I've spent 9 years in total now trying to get in and its just not happened. I've ended up now applying for a perm visa to Australia but thats only because the USA doesn't seem to like me.
Very envious of everyone that does make the move.....
I have always wanted to live there and the longest I manged this was in 2003 when I spent 6 months on a professional sports visa. Ever since then each year I have tried to find work via a H1B (IT Systems Analyst) but have had no luck. I changed companies to one with a US office and after a year of being there I tried to transfer and they wouldn't do it so I left. Joined one of the largest IT companies which also has 25+ offices in the USA. I applied for several roles internally and all of them have been turned down as they don't do internal transfers!!
So how do you do it? I've spent 9 years in total now trying to get in and its just not happened. I've ended up now applying for a perm visa to Australia but thats only because the USA doesn't seem to like me.
Very envious of everyone that does make the move.....
Feb 28th 2008, 11:21 am
#2
Queen of my house
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 5,043
Re: How did you get in??
My UK husband married me, a USC.
We met on a game site, not a matchmaker site, which was nice because either one of us was "looking."
We met on a game site, not a matchmaker site, which was nice because either one of us was "looking."
Last edited by tamms_1965; Feb 28th 2008 at 11:31 am. Reason: more info
Feb 28th 2008, 11:23 am
#3
MODERATOR
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Hong Kong, mostly.
Posts: 5,214
Re: How did you get in??
Match.com & marriage to a USC is a popular way (seriously). Others have family who by whatever way (often marriage) became US citizens and sponsored them over.
Education, if you can afford it, is an option to get over for a year or two and then do all that you can to get a job after school (you have a 1 year grace period, basically). Makes hunting for an H1 easier.
After that, internal transfers and the investment visas come up quite a bit.
It's tough (as you know). But it's also tough in ways you might not have thought about. This board, as well as the Canadian and Australian boards, are littered with people's broken dreams and false expectations. The grass is not always greener.
Education, if you can afford it, is an option to get over for a year or two and then do all that you can to get a job after school (you have a 1 year grace period, basically). Makes hunting for an H1 easier.
After that, internal transfers and the investment visas come up quite a bit.
It's tough (as you know). But it's also tough in ways you might not have thought about. This board, as well as the Canadian and Australian boards, are littered with people's broken dreams and false expectations. The grass is not always greener.
Feb 28th 2008, 11:50 am
#4
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Takapuna, New Zealand
Posts: 913
Re: How did you get in??
Match.com & marriage to a USC is a popular way (seriously). Others have family who by whatever way (often marriage) became US citizens and sponsored them over.
Education, if you can afford it, is an option to get over for a year or two and then do all that you can to get a job after school (you have a 1 year grace period, basically). Makes hunting for an H1 easier.
After that, internal transfers and the investment visas come up quite a bit.
It's tough (as you know). But it's also tough in ways you might not have thought about. This board, as well as the Canadian and Australian boards, are littered with people's broken dreams and false expectations. The grass is not always greener.
Education, if you can afford it, is an option to get over for a year or two and then do all that you can to get a job after school (you have a 1 year grace period, basically). Makes hunting for an H1 easier.
After that, internal transfers and the investment visas come up quite a bit.
It's tough (as you know). But it's also tough in ways you might not have thought about. This board, as well as the Canadian and Australian boards, are littered with people's broken dreams and false expectations. The grass is not always greener.
Oh well, sorry to whinge, congrats to everyone that has made it though! Guess I'll still be trying even when I've moved to Oz
Feb 28th 2008, 11:51 am
#5
now I know my J,C,B's
Joined: Feb 2005
Location: NE Ohio
Posts: 2,215
Re: How did you get in??
I got lucky. Company over here came after me about 3 years ago (been here just over 2 years)
Mined ewe I have known the owner of the company for about 13 years or so, and we got in just before H1B availability went barking mad
Feb 28th 2008, 11:59 am
#6
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: In a darkened room somewhere.............
Posts: 34,029
Re: How did you get in??
Just wondering how so many people seem to be able to move the USA?
I have always wanted to live there and the longest I manged this was in 2003 when I spent 6 months on a professional sports visa. Ever since then each year I have tried to find work via a H1B (IT Systems Analyst) but have had no luck. I changed companies to one with a US office and after a year of being there I tried to transfer and they wouldn't do it so I left. Joined one of the largest IT companies which also has 25+ offices in the USA. I applied for several roles internally and all of them have been turned down as they don't do internal transfers!!
So how do you do it? I've spent 9 years in total now trying to get in and its just not happened. I've ended up now applying for a perm visa to Australia but thats only because the USA doesn't seem to like me.
Very envious of everyone that does make the move.....
I have always wanted to live there and the longest I manged this was in 2003 when I spent 6 months on a professional sports visa. Ever since then each year I have tried to find work via a H1B (IT Systems Analyst) but have had no luck. I changed companies to one with a US office and after a year of being there I tried to transfer and they wouldn't do it so I left. Joined one of the largest IT companies which also has 25+ offices in the USA. I applied for several roles internally and all of them have been turned down as they don't do internal transfers!!
So how do you do it? I've spent 9 years in total now trying to get in and its just not happened. I've ended up now applying for a perm visa to Australia but thats only because the USA doesn't seem to like me.
Very envious of everyone that does make the move.....
As for your question, if we end up going to the US (still umming and ahhing over the choice of US/Canada) it'll be because hubby has very specialist skills in his industry and is in demand over there.
Best of luck whatever you decide and wherever you go.
Feb 28th 2008, 12:25 pm
#7
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: How did you get in??
marry a local bird...or stick at a company for a few more years, they ain't going to bother transfer someone low on the totem pole, you've got to have more value, or get some niche skills to make getting an H1 more pleasing for an employer to try bother with...
Feb 28th 2008, 12:48 pm
#9
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: In a darkened room somewhere.............
Posts: 34,029
Re: How did you get in??
Yes, if somebody has to go the skilled worker permanent residency route which is taking around 5 years + to process at the moment.
However, the OP's occupation is on the 'occupations under pressure' list which means that he could get a job & temporary work permit fairly easily and quickly (a matter of weeks rather than years) and then apply for skilled worker permanent residency once there which would be fasttracked due to him already being in Canada and employed there.
However, the OP's occupation is on the 'occupations under pressure' list which means that he could get a job & temporary work permit fairly easily and quickly (a matter of weeks rather than years) and then apply for skilled worker permanent residency once there which would be fasttracked due to him already being in Canada and employed there.
Feb 28th 2008, 12:54 pm
#10
Pleasant Pheasant Plucker
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Palm Bay
Posts: 249
Re: How did you get in??
I got a PhD in astrophysics, which pretty much means I can work anywhere in the world So I came over on a J1 and am now H1B. Been shacked up with a USC for 3 years so I think I'm "all set", as they say.
So I came over on a J1 and am now H1B. Been shacked up with a USC for 3 years so I think I'm "all set", as they say.
Feb 28th 2008, 1:36 pm
#12
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Maine
Posts: 2,043
Re: How did you get in??
I first came here on a J1 on a student exchange scheme.
Next time I came here as a fiance of a USC, and converted my status to green card, then left the country and lost the green card.
This time I got a green card as wife of a USC and plan to keep it.
I have friends who've come over as bankers, IT staff, PR staff - mostly through internal transfers. But they all arrived a few years ago when it was easier.
Also have a friend who worked for a British yacht that was moored in Florida for quite a while.
Next time I came here as a fiance of a USC, and converted my status to green card, then left the country and lost the green card.
This time I got a green card as wife of a USC and plan to keep it.
I have friends who've come over as bankers, IT staff, PR staff - mostly through internal transfers. But they all arrived a few years ago when it was easier.
Also have a friend who worked for a British yacht that was moored in Florida for quite a while.
Feb 28th 2008, 1:39 pm
#13
Not here much
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Highland Park, NJ
Posts: 2,452
Re: How did you get in??
I came on an L1 company transfer with the intention of staying just a year for the experience; that turned into 3 years during which time I met and married a USC.
Feb 28th 2008, 1:49 pm
#14
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,019
Re: How did you get in??
hey and don't be too envious, remember one never knows a place until they live in it.
