Louise3000

Hi,

Is there anyone out there who has been through the imagration process when moving to San Fran? and know of any companies that are known sponsers of the H1B/H2B Visa's?. My partner and i are wanting to make the move but as we are classed as unskilled workers its seems an impossible dream. There seems to be a lot of conflicting info out there and any help would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks
Lou

penguinsix

Depends on what you want to do. The H1 visas were basically designed for the Silicon Valley technology area, which is 30 minutes from San Francisco, but H1s generally require an advance degree or some experience in the field. What field are you in?

San Fran is one of the most expensive cities in the US, by the way.

If you have done university, you could consider applying to a graduate program at one of the schools out there, getting a one or two year advanced degree, which is followed by a 'one year' practical work trainning program (i.e. you can work for one year after your studies). From there the company may be willing to sponsor you for something longer.

Ray

In your position as unskilled workers it is an impossible dream
only real option is too buy a business

There are basically NINE ways that you can get a visa to live and work in the US:
(1) Marriage (or engagement in anticipation of marriage) to a US citizen.

(2) You have skills that are in short supply in the US e.g. scientific or medical training. A degree is normally a must. Or you have superior specialist skills with at least 12 years experience.

(3) You have an Employer who is willing to transfer you - but even the employer has to make a good case for you - so you have to be a manager unless you fall under category (2) above.

(4) You may get a Green card in the diversity lottery (UK citizens, except N.Ireland, are not generally eligible unless you, your spouse or parents were born abroad or held a different citizenship.

(5)You own or buy business (does not get you permanent resident status i.e. no green card)You must be a national of a qualifying Treaty countries
The business must have a minimum value of around $150k (more the better) bearing in mind you will need somewhere to live and with any startup business you will need at least 2 years living money as back up. So a figure of $350k would be a nearer minimum

(6)You are an "investor" i.e. you have at least US $1m in assets to bring with you. half of that in a few areas. And your background will be investigated to the hilt.

(7)You have a close relative (mother, father, brother, sister and no further) who is an US citizen who would sponsor you, approx time this take 2-12 years…

(8.The R1 visa is available to foreign members of religious denominations, having bona fide non-profit religious organizations in the U.S., for entering the U.S. to carry on the activities of a minister or religious worker as a profession, occupation or vocation

(9)THE UNUSUAL You are in a position to claim refugee status/political asylum. or You get a member of Congress to sponsor a private bill with legislation that applies just to you.
The S visa issued to persons who assist US law enforcement to investigate and prosecute crimes and terrorist activities such as money laundering and organized crime


Recruitment agent will not take you seriously if you are not already in the US. Writing for jobs is really a waste of time; likewise US employers have no idea what foreign qualification are or mean (except Degrees) it may pay you to get your qualification translated into a US equivalent, there are Companies that do this ..
But if you are getting a visa under (2) above then you need a job offer before you can get the visa. Your Employer will be your sponsor this will cost them upward of $5k. So you can see you have to be offering something really special to get considered They may also have to prove to the Dept of labor that there is no American who can do the job if the position is to be permanent
© Originator.. Pulaski
Updater.. Ray 7/23/05

Bob

If you don't have a degree, or any experience in a field that would ordinarily require one, then your SOL for the H1B....if you work for a company that has a US office, you could try blagging an L1 company transfer...otherwise invest heavily....

The US ain't easy to get into, and San Fran is ridiculously expensive

Louise3000

Thanks for your help - looks like we may have to look at going elsewhere i think...

Louise3000

Hi Penguinsix

Thanks for the info.

Im in the IT field as helpdesk support for a major Mobile communcations company and judging by what i have seen on monster jobs , there are quite a few call centres where i could do this job in San Fran and tbh i'd probably take a csr job just to get there but its finding a sponser and that wont be easy as im clueless on where/how to look for possible companies. The H2B visa is an option to get me there but the work choices are too good i think.

penguinsix

To get basically any work related visa, you have to prove that your skills are great and that there is basically no American available to do the job. For example, you are an attorney from Mongolia who speaks Mongolian and no mongolian-speaking Americans are available (an exaggeration but helps demonstrates the point).

Have you considered coming to the US get an advanced degree? Some technical course or something? It's a good way to get your foot in the door of the US, and once you are here you can look around for work.

Louise3000

Well that may be an option for me but the not being being able to work may be a problem but if it gets me there it's worth looking into i guess

Do you know where i could find info on that kinda stuff , its a minefield!!!

another bloody yank

Have you thought of India? I've heard the Curry there is decent.

Bob

Call sales, that wouldn't get you an H1B.

As for a student visa, you'd have to show funds to cover cost of course and living as you aren't allowed to work for the first semester, and when you are allowed to work, it's part time, on campus work only.

Cost of study isn't cheap either, but a lot depends on the course and college.

penguinsix

But if you did something like a one year degree, after that don't you get 1 year 'practical work training' in which you can work fulltime? Basically, that one year of 'work' is a chance to a) find a person who will sponsor you and/or b) convince your employer to sponsor you.

scrubbedexpat099

H2 is seasonal work visa

If you work for a Major, why not to look to get them to transfer you to their US operation?

BritGuyTN

Helpdesk support? You are SOL with regards to a H1b visa - no ifs and buts.

forget about nvqs and stuff, in the first place the job has to be one that you need a degree for. Helpdesk support does not fit into that category.

Why on earth would a potential employer sponser someone from overseas for a job where there is a surplus of available labour?

Bob

OPT...yeah, could also get a J1...but then depending on the course, there might be a 2 year HRR, which would be a killer....and a one year degree still wouldn't be enough to get you an H1B, so a waste of money...unless it was a masters.

Bob

Unless your upper management, they wouldn't bother...saying that, MBNA would transfer call staff if they needed to, but BOA won't.