How did you get a visa?
Jul 5th 2016, 1:52 pm
#31
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2016
Location: London
Posts: 49
Re: How did you get a visa?
Originally Posted by mproudfoot
I've been a consultant with a US software company for several years now (indirectly via a UK partner at first, and now directly), working remotely from the UK but covering clients around the world. They sponsored me for a H1B this year - paperwork went in by end of March, selected in the lottery in within a few weeks (mid-April), and the application was approved by UCSIC by the first week of May. Was quite surprised at how quickly it happened given that I have no degree education (but over 16 years of experience in the field).
Jul 5th 2016, 3:01 pm
#32
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Joined: Dec 2005
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 1,195
Re: How did you get a visa?
TN route via 12 years of Canadian TWV, Permanent residence and Citizenship, and qualifying under the "Engineer" category of TN.
Jul 5th 2016, 10:15 pm
#33
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Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Posts: 4,913
Re: How did you get a visa?
This won't help you at all but, since you asked ...
- For several years I worked as a software engineer for a company in the UK which had a business relationship with a small US software company.
- During this time I got to know the founders of the US company. They, apparently, got the idea that I was very good at what I did, and they offered me a job, working for them in the US.
- I had a lot of accrued vacation and used some of it to go and visit the US for 4 weeks to try to decide whether or not I wanted to move there.
- Once I made my decision, the US company and their attorney started the necessary paperwork for an H1-B visa application.
- Since this was back in the "good old days" the whole H1-B visa process took less than 8 weeks (it started at the beginning of December 1986 and I had the visa in my passport before the end of January 1987)
Jul 6th 2016, 1:11 am
#34
Account Closed
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 0
Re: How did you get a visa?
Applied in 1988 for a green card on the basis of husband having family (close family) in the US. Green card approved in 1989 for us all, hubby,me and two kids. Still here 27 years later.
This wouldn't happen now. Family visa's take much longer to get.
This wouldn't happen now. Family visa's take much longer to get.
Jul 6th 2016, 5:39 pm
#35
Just Joined
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 15
Re: How did you get a visa?
Originally Posted by plums
I have a degree in Animation and ran my own freelance business for 5 years after graduating. I was approached by a US non profit association looking for a certain type of animation for their video and wanted to replicate something similar to what I had on my website. Worked with them freelance from the U.K. . They loved my work and offered to take me on as an intern/trainee in their design department.
I was sponsored for a J1 moved to the US for a one year training plan.
They extended the training plan to 18 months. Impressed with my training and work ethic.
Towards the end of my internship I was offered a job and they sponsored me for an H1b visa, I was very fortunate to intern with a non profit as they are H1b cap exempt and were able to file at any time.
I currently work for this associations publications department as a graphic designer and digital content creator.
No perminant plans in my future, but enjoying my time here.
I haven't read many design related profession visa routes. Thanks for allowing me to share my journey.
I was sponsored for a J1 moved to the US for a one year training plan.
They extended the training plan to 18 months. Impressed with my training and work ethic.
Towards the end of my internship I was offered a job and they sponsored me for an H1b visa, I was very fortunate to intern with a non profit as they are H1b cap exempt and were able to file at any time.
I currently work for this associations publications department as a graphic designer and digital content creator.
No perminant plans in my future, but enjoying my time here.
I haven't read many design related profession visa routes. Thanks for allowing me to share my journey.
Jul 6th 2016, 10:49 pm
#36
Just Joined
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 17
Re: How did you get a visa?
Came over on an H4 visa, applied for a job and got sponsored for an H1B in the next cycle. I work in insurance and had three years' experience when I moved over.
Last edited by shen050; Jul 6th 2016 at 10:54 pm.
Jul 7th 2016, 12:41 am
#37
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Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 58,639
Re: How did you get a visa?
Originally Posted by callmetoots
Thank you for sharing. I thought the non profits which were h1b exempt were universities and research orgs that are affiliated with them?
Rene
Jul 7th 2016, 3:05 am
#38
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,146
Re: How did you get a visa?
Originally Posted by Noorah101
All non-profits are exempt from the H1B cap.
Rene
Rene
Not quite.
A not for profit institution of higher education
A not for profit entity related or affiliated to an institution of higher education
A not for profit research organization or a governmental research organization
A not for profit entity related or affiliated to an institution of higher education
A not for profit research organization or a governmental research organization
Jul 7th 2016, 7:49 pm
#39
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 35
Re: How did you get a visa?
Originally Posted by 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
Not a permanent solution to living here, but I'm enjoying the 5 years I have got
Jul 7th 2016, 11:43 pm
#40
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Re: How did you get a visa?
Originally Posted by Eggx
Is there any way to tell, which companies have E2 status?
Can i assume that all British companies would have this facility?
Ian
Jul 9th 2016, 11:05 am
#41
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 52
Re: How did you get a visa?
Worked for a company in Europe for a year and a half I started the company internet division.
Applied for L1A got refused twice.
Company applied for blanket permission. This was approved.
Transferred to NYC.
3 years of gnashing of teeth I have my Green card.
Now finding it impossible to get another job. NYC brutally competitive.
Good luck. Not easy.
Applied for L1A got refused twice.
Company applied for blanket permission. This was approved.
Transferred to NYC.
3 years of gnashing of teeth I have my Green card.
Now finding it impossible to get another job. NYC brutally competitive.
Good luck. Not easy.
Last edited by PeterFrank; Jul 9th 2016 at 11:08 am.
Jul 11th 2016, 7:33 pm
#42
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Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 1,455
Re: How did you get a visa?
Originally Posted by ZoeT90
Hi Sarah, thanks for your reply.
May I ask what job? Sorry to be nosey - its just nice to find out all the different jobs that people have applied for.
How did you apply for the job?
Thanks,
Z
May I ask what job? Sorry to be nosey - its just nice to find out all the different jobs that people have applied for.
How did you apply for the job?
Thanks,
Z
Jul 12th 2016, 4:30 am
#43
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 97
Re: How did you get a visa?
Was with my company in London for 4 years when they asked if I wanted to move to NYC. That was 2007. I moved over on an L1B in 2008, and then switched to an H1B in 2010ish (I think)...I was lucky, the financial crisis meant H1B was nowhere near as subscribed as it usually is. 2012/2013 my company started the GC process. I was EB3 category, and I got the GC in early summer '15. Left school after failing A-Levels at the age of 17, and I have no professional qualifications. Not saying it's common, but you'll get a lot of people here who make out that you don't stand a chance unless you're a rocket scientist. It's a lot more nuanced than that.
Jul 26th 2016, 7:12 pm
#44
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,966
Re: How did you get a visa?
Came on E3 visa for Australians, worked in healthcare, specialized field. Renewed 3 or 4 times. Now on green card due to marriage to US citizen.
Jul 26th 2016, 10:45 pm
#45
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 574
Re: How did you get a visa?
H1B sponsored by a medical residency program, then sponsored for an EB-2 green card by an academic medical center.
