Potential job in the USA
Jun 27th 2007, 6:40 pm
#16
Homebody
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: HOME
Posts: 23,181
Re: Potential job in the USA
Something to note: if the company hires an attorney for your immigration paperwork (which they probably will) then the COMPANY is the client--NOT YOU. That means that legally, there are some things that the lawyer simply cannot tell you due to lawyer-client privilege issues.
Generally, this is not a big deal, as you are both working for the same thing (i.e. you getting a visa). But as you move forward (if) and consider a green card / citizenship, then there may come an issue where the lawyer and the client (company) might not be as interested in pushing something for you as an independent lawyer would be (i.e. the company realizes it will cost $x,000 for your green card and decides, without telling you, to just drop it--you're stuck in a lurch because many of the documents would be protected and unreleasable to you as you are not the client).
Anyway--just an anecdote but something to consider.
Generally, this is not a big deal, as you are both working for the same thing (i.e. you getting a visa). But as you move forward (if) and consider a green card / citizenship, then there may come an issue where the lawyer and the client (company) might not be as interested in pushing something for you as an independent lawyer would be (i.e. the company realizes it will cost $x,000 for your green card and decides, without telling you, to just drop it--you're stuck in a lurch because many of the documents would be protected and unreleasable to you as you are not the client).
Anyway--just an anecdote but something to consider.
And they certainly don't give a flying fig for your wife...
Jun 27th 2007, 6:42 pm
#17
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,023
Re: Potential job in the USA
. Still its an experience, and currently I don't think i'd have it any other way
Jun 27th 2007, 6:44 pm
#18
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,023
Re: Potential job in the USA
Seriously...I know there are plenty of OH's on here who have had tremendous problems obtaining a work visa.
Jun 27th 2007, 6:45 pm
#19
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Joined: Jun 2007
Location: UK-Indonesia-US
Posts: 1,828
Re: Potential job in the USA
Something to note: if the company hires an attorney for your immigration paperwork (which they probably will) then the COMPANY is the client--NOT YOU. That means that legally, there are some things that the lawyer simply cannot tell you due to lawyer-client privilege issues.
Generally, this is not a big deal, as you are both working for the same thing (i.e. you getting a visa). But as you move forward (if) and consider a green card / citizenship, then there may come an issue where the lawyer and the client (company) might not be as interested in pushing something for you as an independent lawyer would be (i.e. the company realizes it will cost $x,000 for your green card and decides, without telling you, to just drop it--you're stuck in a lurch because many of the documents would be protected and unreleasable to you as you are not the client).
Anyway--just an anecdote but something to consider.
Generally, this is not a big deal, as you are both working for the same thing (i.e. you getting a visa). But as you move forward (if) and consider a green card / citizenship, then there may come an issue where the lawyer and the client (company) might not be as interested in pushing something for you as an independent lawyer would be (i.e. the company realizes it will cost $x,000 for your green card and decides, without telling you, to just drop it--you're stuck in a lurch because many of the documents would be protected and unreleasable to you as you are not the client).
Anyway--just an anecdote but something to consider.
Jun 27th 2007, 6:46 pm
#20
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Re: Potential job in the USA
Jun 27th 2007, 6:49 pm
#21
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,023
Re: Potential job in the USA
The OP wouldn't be able to come here straight away in that case...he would have to work for the UK company for a year or two before he would be eligible for a L1...in which time one or both parties may change their minds.
Jun 27th 2007, 6:56 pm
#22
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Re: Potential job in the USA
Yep, I know but then at least his wife wouldnt be stuck in visa limbo for ever and a day.
Jun 27th 2007, 7:02 pm
#23
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Potential job in the USA
Not sure I have seeen a post from somebody with one of those.
Thought you needed at least a Nobel Prize. Or equivalent.
Actually if you can get a O1 you should be able to ask for pretty much anything you want.
Last edited by scrubbedexpat099; Jun 27th 2007 at 7:06 pm.
Jun 27th 2007, 7:37 pm
#24
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: Potential job in the USA
Anyway, welcome to BE...and make sure you get decent holiday allowance, with sick time on top of that.
Jun 27th 2007, 8:20 pm
#25
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Northern California
Posts: 872
Re: Potential job in the USA
Hi,
You don't say where you live right now but as a very rough guide we have found that SF is about the same cost of living as London and the areas that you may commute into SF from are similar to the better London commuter belt. (This is very rough but will give you an idea).
Your list is a good start - I'd add asking for the company to pay someone to prepare your taxes (UK and US) as these can get very complicated. It's worth getting some tax advice in the UK too before you leave - the timing of certain payments (especially stock grants, bonuses and relocation payments) can make a difference to your tax liability for them.
The Bay Area is a great place to live if you get a sufficient salary to enjoy it. Good luck.
You don't say where you live right now but as a very rough guide we have found that SF is about the same cost of living as London and the areas that you may commute into SF from are similar to the better London commuter belt. (This is very rough but will give you an idea).
Your list is a good start - I'd add asking for the company to pay someone to prepare your taxes (UK and US) as these can get very complicated. It's worth getting some tax advice in the UK too before you leave - the timing of certain payments (especially stock grants, bonuses and relocation payments) can make a difference to your tax liability for them.
The Bay Area is a great place to live if you get a sufficient salary to enjoy it. Good luck.
Jun 28th 2007, 12:40 am
#26
Not living a 9 to 5 life
Joined: Jun 2002
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 11,061
Re: Potential job in the USA
Hi there!
I'm a Brit with a potential job offer in the USA (NoCal). I've been to the USA a few times, and I've got quite a few friends out there both British and American. My wife is also quite eager to go, so we'd like to try it out - if things don't work out then we can always move back. However, I have some questions to ask about negociation of the package.
The things I can think about at the moment are:
* Possibility of wife not working - so we lose a second income stream
* Is it feasible to ask for a flight or two each back to the UK a year?
* Temporary accomodation - 3 months sound reasonable?
* Moving all of our personal belongings over
* Medical and dental care
* Perhaps a car being rented on their dime for a month, until we can source one
* Maybe some extra time for compassionate leave
* A certain percentage of back-relocation costs if we get over there on a particular visa (say J1), and an application for an O1 doesn't work out
* Life assurance
* Some help in getting new white goods (either that or supplying a lot of 240-110 volt power adapters
)
Can anyone else think of some pertinent points to raise? This job sounds like a great oppourtinity for me and my wife, but we don't want to do ourselves over financially if we decide to make the move. Job is in SF, and I'm also unsure about taxes/utilities/phone costs etc. Basically the cost of living.
Thanks a bunch!
I'm a Brit with a potential job offer in the USA (NoCal). I've been to the USA a few times, and I've got quite a few friends out there both British and American. My wife is also quite eager to go, so we'd like to try it out - if things don't work out then we can always move back. However, I have some questions to ask about negociation of the package.
The things I can think about at the moment are:
* Possibility of wife not working - so we lose a second income stream
* Is it feasible to ask for a flight or two each back to the UK a year?
* Temporary accomodation - 3 months sound reasonable?
* Moving all of our personal belongings over
* Medical and dental care
* Perhaps a car being rented on their dime for a month, until we can source one
* Maybe some extra time for compassionate leave
* A certain percentage of back-relocation costs if we get over there on a particular visa (say J1), and an application for an O1 doesn't work out
* Life assurance
* Some help in getting new white goods (either that or supplying a lot of 240-110 volt power adapters
)Can anyone else think of some pertinent points to raise? This job sounds like a great oppourtinity for me and my wife, but we don't want to do ourselves over financially if we decide to make the move. Job is in SF, and I'm also unsure about taxes/utilities/phone costs etc. Basically the cost of living.
Thanks a bunch!
BTW, asking for 3 months temporary accommodation is a little much. It's not like you can't speak the lingo.
I would suggest renting at first and in most? apartment complexes, the management company can rent you a washer and dryer (fridge/freezer and cooker usually come anyway).
Jun 28th 2007, 1:03 am
#27
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 21
Re: Potential job in the USA
. She is the most important person in the world to me and if it turns out we have to return to the UK to be happy then so be it. It isn't just about the money/career though - its about life experience. At this time in our lives (late 20s) it seems like a good time to do something that may well otherwise be off limits further down the line. You only live once!
Jun 28th 2007, 2:56 am
#28
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 15,455
Re: Potential job in the USA
I know 2 people in fairly junior positions who have moved from J1 to O1 - surprising.
Jun 28th 2007, 9:45 pm
#29
Democracy advocate
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 12,460
Re: Potential job in the USA
Don't get me wrong; It is a natural worry that she may become isolated when I'm at work all the time. I have a friend in San Diego who split with his wife for similar reasons (back together now though). She insists that she'll be fine though and she's more excited about the possibility than I am . She is the most important person in the world to me and if it turns out we have to return to the UK to be happy then so be it.
It isn't just about the money/career though - its about life experience. At this time in our lives (late 20s) it seems like a good time to do something that may well otherwise be off limits further down the line. You only live once!
. She is the most important person in the world to me and if it turns out we have to return to the UK to be happy then so be it. It isn't just about the money/career though - its about life experience. At this time in our lives (late 20s) it seems like a good time to do something that may well otherwise be off limits further down the line. You only live once!
My partner went back to college when in the same circumstances as yours and learnt Spanish and trained as a journalist (went over the bridge to College of Marin each day) - both of which came in pretty useful when we moved to Spain.
Reiterate what others say about the holiday (vacation) entitlement - push for your UK terms. Most apartments in SF come with white goods (cooker/fridge,dishwasher), but few with a washing machine. Push for fully-paid health cover, I am sure there are threads on BE as to which is best (HMO, PPO,etc).
Good luck, it will be a great experience.
Jul 1st 2007, 11:38 am
#30
Just Joined
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 21
Re: Potential job in the USA
Well I got made a very nice offer with a really good relocation package. I think we're going to go for it! I double-checked the contract about GC process and they start doing it ASAP, including for my wife.
...all of which means I may be hanging around on these boards for a while yet
...all of which means I may be hanging around on these boards for a while yet