ZoeT90

This is a pretty general enquiry to all those luck enough to gain visas to live and work in America....

To those who have gone in on work visas how did you obtain your visas and what industry/job do you work in?

AlphaTangoMike

Worked for a UK-based software/tech company, they transferred me to the US on an L1-B, then switched to an L1-A (as it should have been an L1-A to begin with). Received my GC and have since moved on.

ZoeT90

Is your field of work/job in a specialist subject?

The reason I ask is I am getting a lot of people say you would only be accepted for a visa based on these requirements?

christmasoompa

We're not in the US as we have no interest in moving there, but hubby is headhunted regularly for jobs there and we could move if we wanted to. So if it helps at all, he's in the energy industry at director level, with a degree and a masters.

HTH.

Canveydave

Applied to a job with a British Company who hold E2 status, got the job, visited the embassy, got on the plane.

Not a permanent solution to living here, but I'm enjoying the 5 years I have got

ZoeT90

E2 status?

could you please expand on what you posted as its very basic?

Owen778

L1-B visa, as a technical professional in oil and gas.

I have an undergraduate degree and masters in my field from the UK, and when I transferred had 14 years experience.

I was going to move to the US to marry my now wife, who is a US citizen anyway, but transferring with the company provided financial security and was quicker. I now have my green card (US permanent residency) through marriage.

There are quite a few exceptions, but as a general rule, most large multinationals will tend to transfer specialists and senior managers. I personally doubt getting an undergraduate finance degree with get you into that group within a few years.

ZoeT90

Thanks so much for your answer.....

This is a 10 year plan, our daughter is 1, and ideally I would like to move when she finishes primary school

AlphaTangoMike

I worked for a small UK-based company (originally a startup). I had knowledge of the company and its products/services that would not have been obtainable by an outsider. I also managed teams of individuals within the firm.

Canveydave

It was a very basic answer because it was a pretty basic situation.

E-2 is a visa type. A British company that holds E-2 status in the US can employ British people and they get an E-2 Treaty Visa. It lasts for 5 years, but you have to remain employed by that company.

The reality is that once you are here, you learn about other E2 companies, and then you can move to a different company if you need/want to.

The whole process from accepting the offer to getting the visa took about 3 weeks.

ZoeT90

Wow! that quick?

Once you are over there are you then able to apply for a more permanent visa?

Canveydave

Strictly speaking no. The E-2 visa neither helps nor hinders you getting a Green Card. You still have to qualify like everyone else. The E-2 is extendable though for as long as the company holds E2 status and you are employed.

It is not a permanent solution.

That being said though in my particular situation, the company after three years, put you through the EB process, which can (if successful) give you permanent residency

ian-mstm

Hint: Google is your friend!

Ian

Pulaski

Go take a look in your other thread where I talked about an E-2 visa.

BTW my wife is a USC, so I am not on a work visa.

Jerseygirl

Hubby is a partner (retired now but still a partner) of one the world's largest accountancy companies. His career is in IT not accountancy. He came to the US on a L1a visa...I had a the spouse L2 visa which came with permission to work.