Go Back  British Expats > Living & Moving Abroad > USA
Reload this Page >

Visa to work in Houston

Visa to work in Houston

Old May 16th 2012, 5:56 pm
  #31  
Account Closed
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
scrubbedexpat099 is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Re: Visa to work in Houston

Start in 6 months.

Why not?
scrubbedexpat099 is offline  
Old May 18th 2012, 11:34 am
  #32  
Just Joined
Thread Starter
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 5
DoubleDD is an unknown quantity at this point
Talking Re: Visa to work in Houston

hello all,

thanks again for all the replies.

lots to talk about here.

ok

1) Tax expert- so I need to seek some legal advice on this then, is it common for companies to help me pay for someone to do this? Not something I have considered but an excellent point, any further advise would be appreciarted

2) Commission- please dont worry about this, my basic here is 25k and I earnt 48k last year (that was in my first year also, so some months were spent training, I am good at what I do) and I like to be in control of what I earn.

3) E2 visa- my research (i am no expert) has told me this is investment related, judging on what people are saying here it is possible for it to work in my case, not sure how however- perhaps they will hire me on a UK payroll (they have offices here) for a month and then shift me over to the US. Re other american applicants, they have interviewed plenty and not found what they need- they hire brits for this role all the time according to them.

4) EB3- I assume this is a route to greencard? as in, a subdivision of E2 which leads to green card status? Appreciate my language here may be hazy, will research it now, any more info is appreciated

5) Clarification on visas- I am seeking this, I have yet to see anything in writing and will not be accepting anything until I do.

6) Agency or direct contact. I am going through an agency but I have had direct contact with the client through telephone interviews. What are your suspicions around this if you dont mind me asking?

7) Medical package- again, not seen a written contract so dont know the details, what am I aiming for here? I am not entierly sure how it works in the US, I see it working as an insurance policy with an excess? Is this wildly incorrect?

8) Perdiem- yorkshireabroad, yes that is how it has been expalined to me ($180 a day tax free out of my salary for everyday I work) and it sounds outrageously good. I dont know if I have to claim this back or if it is already accounted for.


Common theme here is that I have not seen anything in writing. I am not naive and I will not be accepting anything until I have the answers to all my questions, and until I know exactly what my outgoings will be every month, so I can provide a comparison to my setup at the moment.

My worry, as is every salespersons, is that I am getting sold the dream. However, talk is cheap and I will not base a decision on anything other than what is in the contract. The advice people can give me on here is much appreciated for its impartial opinions, please dont worry and think I will make a rash decision here.

Further help would be much appreciated folks.

Cheers
DoubleDD is offline  
Old May 18th 2012, 2:44 pm
  #33  
BE Enthusiast
 
Awesome Welles's Avatar
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Belle Isle, Florida
Posts: 594
Awesome Welles has a reputation beyond reputeAwesome Welles has a reputation beyond reputeAwesome Welles has a reputation beyond reputeAwesome Welles has a reputation beyond reputeAwesome Welles has a reputation beyond reputeAwesome Welles has a reputation beyond reputeAwesome Welles has a reputation beyond reputeAwesome Welles has a reputation beyond reputeAwesome Welles has a reputation beyond reputeAwesome Welles has a reputation beyond reputeAwesome Welles has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Visa to work in Houston

Here's my concern - convincing USCIS that a US based company needs to import any kind of commission-based salesperson (versus hiring one from the domestic applicant pool - or should that be 'ocean') is potentially something of a stretch.
I have been both sponsor and beneficiary of L1-A, B1, E1 and H1-B and established two successful businesses here. Much as I'd have liked to, hiring UK based sales people to come over and work in the US just was not an option.
I am deeply suspicious about this concept, I'm afraid. When you mentioned the "A" word (agency), that tipped me over the edge.
Has anyone asked you to hand over any money yet?
Awesome Welles is offline  
Old May 18th 2012, 3:47 pm
  #34  
MODERATOR
 
Noorah101's Avatar
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 58,679
Noorah101 has a reputation beyond reputeNoorah101 has a reputation beyond reputeNoorah101 has a reputation beyond reputeNoorah101 has a reputation beyond reputeNoorah101 has a reputation beyond reputeNoorah101 has a reputation beyond reputeNoorah101 has a reputation beyond reputeNoorah101 has a reputation beyond reputeNoorah101 has a reputation beyond reputeNoorah101 has a reputation beyond reputeNoorah101 has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Visa to work in Houston

Originally Posted by DoubleDD
6) Agency or direct contact. I am going through an agency but I have had direct contact with the client through telephone interviews. What are your suspicions around this if you dont mind me asking?
Is this some sort of Agency who "gets the visa for you"? Are they a liaison between you and the US employer? You should not use such an agency. Don't pay the agency anything. These types of agencies are known for promising a US visa, taking your money, and then running off with it.

I would take out the middleman "agency", and deal directly with the US employer. If the US employer has hired foreign workers before, then they should have an immigration attorney working for them who handles the visa situation.

Since you have direct contact with the employer, I would stop dealing with the agency from now on, and just continue on with the employer.

Rene
Noorah101 is offline  
Old May 19th 2012, 1:23 am
  #35  
Bob
BE Site Lead
 
Bob's Avatar
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,167
Bob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond reputeBob has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Visa to work in Houston

Originally Posted by DoubleDD

1) Tax expert- so I need to seek some legal advice on this then, is it common for companies to help me pay for someone to do this? Not something I have considered but an excellent point, any further advise would be appreciarted
This and point 7, lot of advice covered in the wiki. Well worth having a look at it, it's up top. Also lot of advice in relocation package in general too.
Bob is offline  
Old May 21st 2012, 6:01 pm
  #36  
Grumpy Know-it-all
 
Steve_'s Avatar
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 8,928
Steve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond reputeSteve_ has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Visa to work in Houston

Originally Posted by DoubleDD
1) What type of visa is it that I will likely be on? I think its an E-1? How long would i have to stay/ what would i have to do to gain nationality/permanent residency? My understanding is that if i leave my job, I have to leave the country as the visa is tied to my employer, whilst I cannot see myself leaving them for at least 2 years, I would be interested to know what other options I have for the future.

2) I have a girlfriend who I would like to come with me. I have been told that whilst my employer can get me a visa, they can only get one for her which would mean she cannot work- basically a no go as she would drive herself, and then me, mad. What options does she have here? Can she come over on a VWP and then job hunt? Or does she have to secure a job first like I have?

2) What does this visa entitle me to? Obviously guessing cannot vote, but can I own/shoot a gun?
From the sounds of it you need to get a a job with a US company abroad and then transfer in on L-1B. That is the only category that would satisfy your requirements from what you've said there that you would be likely to get. Plus you would need to marry your girlfriend for her to get L-2 and be authorized to work.

The gun question is interesting, the DoJ basically forced ATF to change the rules recently, if you enter on a non-immigrant visa (as opposed to a non-immigrant category) then you must have a hunting licence issued by any State in order to legally possess a firearm (generally, there are other exemptions but the hunting licence is the only relevant one). To buy one, you need to be a resident of the State where the acquisition is made, usually.
Steve_ is offline  
Old May 21st 2012, 7:34 pm
  #37  
Account Closed
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
scrubbedexpat099 is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Re: Visa to work in Houston

Originally Posted by Steve_
From the sounds of it you need to get a a job with a US company abroad and then transfer in on L-1B. That is the only category that would satisfy your requirements from what you've said there that you would be likely to get. Plus you would need to marry your girlfriend for her to get L-2 and be authorized to work.

The gun question is interesting, the DoJ basically forced ATF to change the rules recently, if you enter on a non-immigrant visa (as opposed to a non-immigrant category) then you must have a hunting licence issued by any State in order to legally possess a firearm (generally, there are other exemptions but the hunting licence is the only relevant one). To buy one, you need to be a resident of the State where the acquisition is made, usually.
In Colorado they charge those not resident in Colorado more.

The application period has closed now for most things you would want to shoot, it is a lottery but you get bonus points for previous missed applications.
scrubbedexpat099 is offline  
Old May 21st 2012, 8:43 pm
  #38  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
Duncan Roberts's Avatar
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Avon Lake, OH
Posts: 5,270
Duncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond reputeDuncan Roberts has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Visa to work in Houston

Medical insurance, you are incorrect about how it works.
1. Your employer may or may not cover the cost or they may cover a %. That could mean $0-$1000+ a month from your pay.
2. The policy may not cover things. That could mean essentially an unlimited cost to you should something unexpected happen.
3. Even if it does cover most things, it may not kick in until you pay a certain amount or it may require you to pay a % of every charge. At $100 or so per doctors appointment, several thousand for basic emergency care and tens of thousands for serious emergency care, it can add up quickly with a poor policy. Health insurance will be the single moat complicated thing you have to deal with so spend the time researching it and how the healthcare system works.
Duncan Roberts is offline  
Old May 22nd 2012, 2:30 am
  #39  
Arrogant ****
 
dbj1000's Avatar
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 4,323
dbj1000 has a reputation beyond reputedbj1000 has a reputation beyond reputedbj1000 has a reputation beyond reputedbj1000 has a reputation beyond reputedbj1000 has a reputation beyond reputedbj1000 has a reputation beyond reputedbj1000 has a reputation beyond reputedbj1000 has a reputation beyond reputedbj1000 has a reputation beyond reputedbj1000 has a reputation beyond reputedbj1000 has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Visa to work in Houston

I smell a large, particularly odoriferous rat here.
dbj1000 is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.