Moving to Florida
 

Hi all,

First off I would like to apologise if I sound clueless at times. I'm new to the forum and new to this whole moving to Florida business.

Now I got that out of the way I would like to ask about any information we should consider with this move. I am particularly uncertain with the visa application process and would greatly appreciate if anyone could tell me about the steps. My husband will be applying for a job in the Florida office of the same company he is in now so finding work shouldn't be an issue.

We will also be taking our cat with us (ideally on cabin when that day comes) so if anyone has any idea on which airlines and rules and regulations it would be greatly appreciated.

Also regarding relocation packages, what should he consider when negotiating one (average relocation package etc)?

Thank you in advance. :decision:

Re: Moving to Florida
 

If your husband's employer is willing to transfer him, then he would probably be eligible for an L-1x (x= A or B), and the process is started and managed by the employer.

If he is "applying" for a job then there is no guarantee that he would be visa-eligible, and if the employer can't or won't apply for a visa there is nothing that your husband can do about it.

You cannot fly an animal in the cabin from an airport in the UK. It is reportedly possible by flying on French, Dutch, or German airlines flying from their respective countries.

Re: Moving to Florida
 

Hello and thank you for your response

He won't be transferring as it is technically a different job

He will be applying for a job there and we know the company would help out in terms of paperwork etc. We just don't know what we would need to do. Also I am uncertain on the type of visa I would need.

Re: Moving to Florida
 

If your husband is wanting to transfer with his current company, then he approaches his employer with that idea, they negotiate a relocation package, and the employer takes care of the L visas for you both.

Rene

Re: Moving to Florida
 

Ah, in that case it would be an H1B visa for him. Earliest the employer can petition is April 2017, for a start date of October 2017.

If successful, you would get an H4 visa which does not allow you to work in the USA.

Rene

Re: Moving to Florida
 

Then he will not be coming to the US unless they are willing to apply for an H-1B work visa for him and there is no way for us to know if the employment falls under the guidelines of that visa or if your husband has the education and/or work experience to meet the qualifications necessary for that visa. If he qualified, you would get the H-4B visa and would not be eligible to work inside of the US.

You cannot just waltz into the US, baggage in hand and apply for employment. You need a viable visa issued by the US Consulate in London and unless it is a family sponsored visa, the visa must be applied for by the future employer.

Re: Moving to Florida
 

As I said above, the process is managed entirely by the employer and their lawyers, no exceptions, so there is nothing he needs to do, and nothing he can do ahead of or independently from his employer.

As Rete said, if he can't be transferred then he would likely need an H-1B, which is much harder to obtain - the quota has already been fully used up for 2016. Applications for 2017's quota will open in early April for jobs starting no earlier than October 2017. Based on the large numbers of applications for 2016, I anticipate that there will be around four times more applications than there will be visas available. Again, it must be the employer who applies.

Your visa as a trailing spouse is little more than a formality. For an L-1x, the trailing spouse gets an L-2, which does allow you to work once you have received your Employment Authorisation Document (EAD). For an H-1B, the trailing spouse gets at H-4, which does not allow work.

Re: Moving to Florida
 

Thank you for your response.

He will be applying for the position quite soon and he was told by a colleague who is doing the same thing that though he would need to claim expenses for the move, he can ask for something upfront. Was just wondering what is the average so he knows what to ask for.

Re: Moving to Florida
 

I've heard of people having some rent paid for to get them on their feet, perhaps a car hire, vacation days (US typically has far fewer vacation days than a UK counterpart), flights back to the UK.

Re: Moving to Florida
 

You have given no indication of what your husband does for a living. Unless he is working in a managerial position with his present company and in that capacity for at least one year during the last three years, then he is not eligible for an L visa.

Your information is very sketchy and it is difficult to give accurate information without knowing full details.

Re: Moving to Florida
 

What kind of job is it? Managerial? Specialist?

Has he had anything in writing indicating they would be interested?
Is the company currently aware that he would need permission to work in the US and would need to apply for a visa for him?

You need to get these points on the table before you can get the ball rolling.

Re: Moving to Florida
 

I think my response below answers your post too. Though out of curiosity if it is not the L-1X visa he would need, what would be the education and/or work experience needed to meet the qualifications necessary for H-1B visa? He has a Masters degree and 5 years of work experience.


Sorry I just checked with my husband and quickly read up on the L-1x visa. It looks like that would be the correct one based on his former colleagues' experience.

Re: Moving to Florida
 

A "specialist" is eligible for an L-1B.

Re: Moving to Florida
 

He is currently a software engineer and been in the company 5 years.

It is specialist. They are looking for software engineers.

Yes and Yes to the second and third question. :)

Re: Moving to Florida
 

Ok, sounds like he needs to successfully apply for the job.
The company has the responsibility of getting the visa if your husband accepts.
There's not a lot you guys can do except provide information/documentation when requested.