Considering Moving to US after Graduation (how much, lawyer, employment) - City-Data Forum

Mattze · 07-27-2007, 09:57 AM

Hello all,

I am new member to this forum, however, I have spent quite some time browsing other forums that cover the USA with regard to relocating form abroad as well as finding employment in the USA (But this board seemed to have the most activity and diversity in its members) so with a bit of luck someone will be able to give me some guidance!

I am currently a 20 year old British citizen in my final year at University studying towards a BSc in Computer Science.

For quite a few years I have wanted to live and work in the USA; not for one specific reason but simply becuase I have visted several times in the past and have liked the combination of weather, lifestyle, and cultural similarities it bears to the UK.

I know that there are a million threads about what it's like moving from the UK to this state and that state but as far as I can tell alot of it is down to personal preference so I'm not going to start asking where the best place is to live.
What I am interested in is finding out about is;

* Am I better off applying for a Visa now or once I have complete my degree?

* What are the opportunities like for employment within IT in the USA?

Thank you very much for reading and if you have any other questions then please feel free to ask.

Take care, regards Matt.

Anarchy · 07-27-2007, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattze

Hello all,

I am new member to this forum, however, I have spent quite some time browsing other forums that cover the USA with regard to relocating form abroad as well as finding employment in the USA (But this board seemed to have the most activity and diversity in its members) so with a bit of luck someone will be able to give me some guidance!

I am currently a 20 year old British citizen in my final year at University studying towards a BSc in Computer Science.

For quite a few years I have wanted to live and work in the USA; not for one specific reason but simply becuase I have visted several times in the past and have liked the combination of weather, lifestyle, and cultural similarities it bears to the UK.

I know that there are a million threads about what it's like moving from the UK to this state and that state but as far as I can tell alot of it is down to personal preference so I'm not going to start asking where the best place is to live.
What I am interested in is finding out about is;

* Am I better off applying for a Visa now or once I have complete my degree?

* What are the opportunities like for employment within IT in the USA?

Thank you very much for reading and if you have any other questions then please feel free to ask.

Take care, regards Matt.

I am in the exact same situtation as you, I have the same sort of degree in IT and I have just graduated, basically its boils down to experience, without any exerpience you wont have a chance with the immigration, I have a sponsor but I dont have enough experience so I will now lose my sponser which sucks.

The H1B visa which is to work in US quickly gets exhausted because it has a cap limit and a time frame so to apply fo this you would have to apply for 2008 as the 2007 has finished but there are thousands upon thousands trying for the same visa so its a slim chance and expensive.

If you work for a US compnay in the Uk, (most IT places in the Uk are US or have branches in the US) and you have a yr experience you can apply for the L1 visa which is a company transfer and there is no cap on this visa.

mjewell · 07-28-2007, 07:39 PM

My husband is from the UK and came here 7 years ago (before 9/11). He's not in IT so forgive me if I give you info that doesn't apply to you. He was able to get a job here through a placement agency and since his pay was sent through the agency that was based in the UK the agency was technically his employer, so he was able to bypass the need for a "green card" for the first year. After that year was up his new employer was happy to employ him directly. We were also married by then so that obviously helped the immigration process.

If you can't find a company to sponsor you directly or a UK company with a US branch then you should definitely contact an immigration lawyer to see if using a placement agency is still legal or not. Laws have definitely changed since then. And I'm not encouraging marriage for the sake of immigration, but we US girls are suckers for that accent!

Good luck.

Mattze · 07-31-2007, 08:12 AM

Thank you both for your reply!

Applying for a Visa is just on of the many things I have to consider. It's almost frustrating as there isn't a single way to apply for a Visa to live and work in the USA. Unlike many people I don't have anything against the UK but all the same I don't want to wait until I'm a lot older before making the move.

Something else that has puzzled me is what are the main differences between getting a degree in the US and a degree in the UK. I have read many post about highly skilled individuals who have graduated and spend the first few years of employment paying off their school fees.
Many people that I speak to also say that many US employers like people that have graduated from Universities in the UK.

I honestly don't know how much truth there is in any of this as it is possibly heavily influenced by bias as well as opinion. That being said does anyone know if US employers favour applicants with a degree from a UK univeristy?

Thank you for your time.

Juice13610 · 07-31-2007, 09:12 AM

I've never heard of applicants being favored, but that may be true. I can tell you that I don't believe coming from the UK is going to be a huge road block for you in employment. People would probably actually enjoy the diversity. Come on over to America. As long as you're legal, we'll welcome you with open arms

Mattze · 08-01-2007, 06:09 AM

Thanks!

If I were to move to the US how much money would I need behind me? A friend of mine is planning on moving but he isn't exactly doing it legally and has had to pay $5000 each for him and his girlfriend's visas.

Does anyone know of any good resources for information regarding moving to the USA. Most sites that I come accross are trying to offer legal services or asking for money in one way or another.

Thanks again!