Originally Posted by dbj1000

I'm an expat, as is pretty much everyone contributing to this thread. Why do you ask?

edit: Jinx, Gruff

Originally Posted by ScottMc

The reason for the sponsorship is that no-one in the US office is capable of doing the job even though it's not that senior a position.

Because quality testing (at least in their field) in the main isn't carried out in the US (boy do u get sold some dangerous stuff!!) and she has 6.5 years experience of the role, her contacts with the suppliers are current from the UK office and she is obviously familiar with the company she's in a unique position.

They need her to do the role and ensure the company complies with the new legislation coming into force in 2007, but not senior enough to command a higher salary.

Also £25k isn't a bad salary in the UK - with $40k being the equivalent all things being roughly equal (some things higher, some lower) and if I get an OK job (even better if I get a job similar to those I've done) plus the bonus of a fresh start with no credit bills makes this seem like a chance worth considering. (Oh and the fact that we love being in the US - before anyone says anything I realise living there's different to a vacation lol).

Additionally I'm assuming from the type of forum this is some of you understand our interest in a change of eenvironmentand the diversity that brings into your lives. Not all of this is based on is this a good career/financial move although of course this is very important to consider.

Identical roles to those I've done in the UK in the local area command a salary around $60k but some (not all) ads seems anal about the BA/BS requirement, which isn't the same here. My intelligence is more than enough to obtain a degree, which should be apparent from the roles I've done for the high profile company I was with. I just took a different path as I wanted (and needed) to be earning when I got to 18.

As an example it took me the last three/four weeks to get a role slightly below my previous role after I took redundancy from my last place of work. It was simply a case of have you done the job before? Examples of experience? OK, we'll get you in for an interview.

In my mind other than the benefits which we need to very careful around as they make a great deal of difference, the main issue is how quickly will I get a job and what that may be.

Originally Posted by ScottMc

Also £25k isn't a bad salary in the UK - with $40k being the equivalent all things being roughly equal (some things higher, some lower) and if I get an OK job (even better if I get a job similar to those I've done) plus the bonus of a fresh start with no credit bills makes this seem like a chance worth considering. (Oh and the fact that we love being in the US - before anyone says anything I realise living there's different to a vacation lol).

Originally Posted by Jerseygirl

Are you sure that your visa will enable you to work in the US? Most accompanying spouse visas do not? Someone earlier mentioned that if your wife leaves her present company before you obtain the GC (it could take several years) you will have to leave the US as they are your sponsors.

Originally Posted by BigDavyG

If her company is basing their offer on her UK salary that sucks ass - it is a completely different market over here.
Many people move to the US to see their salary double or treble.

And the stuff about your degree is spot on too - it will be a massive struggle for you without one.

For the record I live just down the road from Hoffman Estates, anotherlimey used to live round here and gruffbrown used to live not a million miles away too.

Originally Posted by dbj1000

Good point - I'd forgotten that I hadn't had an answer to my original question to the OP.

If she comes over on an L1 though, he'll be on an L2 and will be able to get an EAD and work even if his wife never gets sponsored for a GC (which seems likely in this particular case, given the expense and time involved).

Originally Posted by Jerseygirl

How could they possibly come here on a L1?

Originally Posted by dbj1000

What else would they come on? The OP's wife already works for the company in question, so it wouldn't be an H1-B, would it? Am I missing other options?

EDIT: She would come over on an L1-B (Employees in a specialized knowledge capacity) rather than an L1-A (Executive and Senior Managerial employees).

Originally Posted by ScottMc

L1b on the technical/specialist knowledge not managerial (L1a) although there will be some management and a chance to move up to the L1a at some point.

The company has already advised that they will put down in writing before we even set foot that after the three months if we decide to stay that they will apply for the GC.

Just wondered about the expat thing in case that affected viewpoints.

Interesting about the increase in salary - might go back with some hard bargaining then!! They might be trying to pull a fast one. They based the salary on what they think might be an equivalent role - they don't have an actual role in the business to benchmark against.

Originally Posted by ScottMc

As an example it took me the last three/four weeks to get a role slightly below my previous role after I took redundancy from my last place of work. It was simply a case of have you done the job before? Examples of experience? OK, we'll get you in for an interview.

In my mind other than the benefits which we need to very careful around as they make a great deal of difference, the main issue is how quickly will I get a job and what that may be.

Originally Posted by dbj1000

PLEASE NOTE: The L1-B visa, like the H1-B visa, means that your Permanent Residency application would be in the EB3 category, which is currently subject to Priority Date Retrogression..........
Make sure the company guarantees to pay for a good immigration lawyer!

Originally Posted by dbj1000

Make sure the company guarantees to pay for a good immigration lawyer!