US Sponership How And Where?

SupraSonic_26

Hi all just wondering how this works and what kinda job you wuld need to have, also where would i find sites that us employeers are looking to sponser some one over there as i want to move there i do IT here in ireland so just wondering what way this would work out and where would i start thanks?

lil_lisa

Sponsorship is effectively when a company declares that they cannot find someone suitable enough to work for them and have to outsource to another country. They would have to prove that they have seeked employment from within their country and that you qualify. They then have a lot of forms and paper work to fill and it usually costs the company about $4k for the visa.

Every year there is a cap to how many H1B visas are available (usually 65k I think) but this year, just over half were taken when previous years they usually run out within the first month.

I am 100% sure there is no website or company with a list of companies looking to sponsor in IT. It is probably the worst time to sponsor and with the 10% rate of unemployment in the US already there is a lot to look through within the country alone.

The best way to find sponsorship is to apply for jobs in companies that have previously sponsored (usually large companies) and go over on the visa waiver program for some interviews.

The whole process from applying for a job to the day you start can take up to a year.

mistermister

This company issues lots of H1B visas

http://www.cyberthinkinc.com/

SupraSonic_26

Thanks for the info thats great, i missed out on the the lottery visa so just trying to work out how to go about over there and livng what my options are its a long term plan.

lonestargirl

mistermister wrote: »

This company issues lots of H1B visas

http://www.cyberthinkinc.com/

I'd be careful of somewhere like this, technically you are supposed to be an employee on a H1B and not contracted out. One of the reasons we haven't reached the cap this year is the general economy the other is that there has been a huge crackdown on contracting H1Bs (there were a lot of companies bringing Indians in this way).

SupraSonic_26

I was thinkign of saving 20k dollars and go over for the year see what happens aswell, im saving away just want a plan of action or options before i go over.

lonestargirl

SupraSonic_26 wrote: »

I was thinkign of saving 20k dollars and go over for the year see what happens aswell, im saving away just want a plan of action or options before i go over.

You can't, there is no visa option that allows you to live in the US even if you are not working. For 20k you could do a college course, some F1s allow OPT (optional practical training) which allows you to work for up to a year in a job related to your degree.

fontanalis

SupraSonic_26 wrote: »

I was thinkign of saving 20k dollars and go over for the year see what happens aswell, im saving away just want a plan of action or options before i go over.

When you are past 90 days you are illegal, you're only chance then is basically getting married and that process takes a while. Even if it panned out you couldn't leave while everything is getting processed.
If you are there illegally from the start you can't (or at the very least it's near impossible) get a job that will lead to sponsorship. Any work you do will be illegal, if you can work in a bar you can make decent money. The days of going over and doing labouring type work and doing well are gone.
Contact the crowd below. Bottom line is you are playing a dangerous game going into the US illegally, consider Canada or mainland Europe.
http://www.eiic.org/

SupraSonic_26

lets say the marriage thing could be done alright if it was a last resort just seeing is there other ways around it. I think you get a temporary working visa once your married do you?

LenaClaire

SupraSonic_26 wrote: »

lets say the marriage thing could be done alright if it was a last resort just seeing is there other ways around it. I think you get a temporary working visa once your married do you?

If you come in on a tourist visa and then get married and apply for a working visa you are going to need to be able to prove that you and the other person have a long term relationship. Also, if you get caught at this you get put on a bad list and it is almost impossible to get any kind of visa afterwards. I would strongly recommend NOT doing this.

SupraSonic_26

But if im genuinly marrying that person to be with them and live with them and work as a us citizen would this not count?

LenaClaire

There are a lot of people that get married just to get a green card so they are very strict on researching relationship history and stuff. If you have been dating a US citizen for a while and have things like email trails, phone records and plane tickets proving you have been in a relationship you should be able to get a visa.

However, they still get really twitchy if you come in on a holiday visa and get married. You should instead apply for a fiancée visa as I think (not 100% sure) that lets you work and then you have 6 months to get married. There are a lot of crazy rules around it though so I would check the website for the US department of state - http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1315.html

SupraSonic_26

thanks for that ya laws are a bit mad alright, i can understand why there so strict aswell.

lonestargirl

SupraSonic_26 wrote: »

But if im genuinly marrying that person to be with them and live with them and work as a us citizen would this not count?

Entering on the VWP with the intent to adjust status is illegal. You don't get citizenship through marriage you get a green card.

Another option would be to do a postgrad course in Ireland which would then make you eligible for a year-long J1.

SupraSonic_26

ah i see so a greencard just lets you work legally in the US but do you have to wait a cetian amount of years to get citizenship? if you get a greencard through the lottery once you move over there do you not get a different passport?

lonestargirl

SupraSonic_26 wrote: »

ah i see so a greencard just lets you work legally in the US but do you have to wait a cetian amount of years to get citizenship? if you get a greencard through the lottery once you move over there do you not get a different passport?

Greencard makes you a legal permanent resident, 5 years later you can become a citizen if you choose (assuming you have maintained your residency through this time).

SupraSonic_26

Ah i see the tricky bit is getting the ggreen card tho as the only options are, sponerhip, marriage or knowing a relative to sponser you to live there?

LenaClaire

SupraSonic_26 wrote: »

ah i see so a greencard just lets you work legally in the US but do you have to wait a cetian amount of years to get citizenship? if you get a greencard through the lottery once you move over there do you not get a different passport?

I think you have to have lived in the US for several years before you can apply for citizenship. Not sure how accurate this is but it seems comprehensive http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_nationality_law

A green card does not effect your citizenship. You would still be an Irish citizen you would just have permission to work and reside in the US. A green card is for permanent residents in the US so it is different that just a work visa.

SupraSonic_26

thanks for the help i suppose all i can do is save now and im going to do another computer coarse so i can get a good job over there next problem is getting the greencard ha.

lonestargirl

SupraSonic_26 wrote: »

thanks for the help i suppose all i can do is save now and im going to do another computer coarse so i can get a good job over there next problem is getting the greencard ha.

What are your qualifications at the moment? H1b requires a minimum of a degree and realistically you need specialized expertise over and above that.

SupraSonic_26

Ive a degree done in IT so thats where i was hoping to get work in.

Fr Tod Umptious

SupraSonic_26 wrote: »

Ive a degree done in IT so thats where i was hoping to get work in.

Put your CV together, put it on monster.com, I think there is a setting on the profile that you can specify that you require sponsorship to work in the US.

See if anyone bites

If you manage to get a H1B you can then immediately start the legal process of getting a 'green card' through the adjustment of status process
This is a long and expensive legal process.

While on a H1B you can of course apply for a 'green card' through the lottery also.

SupraSonic_26

Been on monster for 3 months still nothing applied for everything and not one palce has got back to je its depressing ha.

lonestargirl

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

If you manage to get a H1B you can then immediately start the legal process of getting a 'green card' through the adjustment of status process
This is a long and expensive legal process.

On a H1B your employer still has to sponsor you for a green card, and they are under no obligation to do so.

SupraSonic_26

Ya i was thinkign that like im on monster now lookign at jobs in miami and san diego theres so many there i could do ive applied for like 30 jobs in each state every 5 days and still heard nothing its mad.

lonestargirl

SupraSonic_26 wrote: »

Ya i was thinkign that like im on monster now lookign at jobs in miami and san diego theres so many there i could do ive applied for like 30 jobs in each state every 5 days and still heard nothing its mad.

US unemployment = 9.6%
Florida unemployment = 11.9%
California unemployment = 12.4%

You've picked two states that are must suffering in the current economic climate. Remember once a qualified US citizen applies for the same job as you you won't get it, sponsorship is for filling jobs that they can't find suitably skilled US citizens for.

dave2pvd

Plus, you'd better have a killer cover letter and resume posted.

Anything short of a highly professional presentation and perfect English will kill your chances.

CathalMc

Just an FYI about recruitment websites, most (by some accounts) of the postings for job offers are actually by head-hunting firms who are just using them to swell their database size of resumes/CV for clients. This, of course, is a great time for them to get easy access to talented people who they will use once the economy rebounds. For now, you could be better off contacting a company directly, through someone you know especially, and in person preferably, even while on a visitor visa.

GiftofGab

SupraSonic_26 wrote: »

Ah i see the tricky bit is getting the ggreen card tho as the only options are, sponerhip, marriage or knowing a relative to sponser you to live there?

What's this about getting a relative to sponser you? Any details here?

lonestargirl

GiftofGab wrote: »

What's this about getting a relative to sponser you? Any details here?

The must be an immediate relative, i.e. spouse, parent, sibling or child. Even in this case there are long waits for some categories (i.e. 8-10 years for a married child over 21) but some (e.g. spouse) have visa numbers available immediately.

MossNyc

SupraSonic_26 wrote: »

Hi all just wondering how this works and what kinda job you wuld need to have, also where would i find sites that us employeers are looking to sponser some one over there as i want to move there i do IT here in ireland so just wondering what way this would work out and where would i start thanks?

Hey everyone , i just want to add a little of my experience and perspective to this thread.

First off, everyone forget about h1b sponsorship from ireland. Unless you are working for a US company in Ireland ( then you would also have an option of an L1) or you have a friend or relative who owns a business in your field and is willing to sponsor you, forget it

The vast majority of people sponsored for a h1b are either here as a student or on a training visa or an LI. Unless you are supremely talented nobody is going to go through the burden of hiring you over a person who is already in the US legally. Also just because a company sponsors you for a h1 you still have to get approved and do the interview. This is not as simple as it sounds

The only real option is the j training visa. Getting to the US and being here legally is the first step , after that its much easier to get sponsored or transfer to another visa.

Also apply for the Greencard lotter. Apply and then forget about it

Dont even consider being illegal. I have friends here who are illegal and it makes your life so difficult. No drivers license , no health insurance and constant fear of the police. While getting married to a citizen is a path to a greencard it can be a long drawn out process which is hugely difficult for both peopel . Also the interview can be a nightmare.

If you overstay by 1 day the next time you come back to the US you will get stopped and trigger an automatic 10 year ban. Even if you found somebody to marry you could be here for years illegally and that means no trips home for weddings funerals birthdays etc. Its a tough life. I was once on b1 extensions of stay for 18 months without leaving the states. Its not easy to do.

Not trying to put you down but this is not a simple process and you need to be ready for the reality of the situation

lonestargirl

MossNyc wrote: »

The only real option is the j training visa. Getting to the US and being here legally is the first step , after that its much easier to get sponsored or transfer to another visa.

If you are in academia, science or engineering I thing graduate school in the US is also a viable option. Many come with stipends, it's a chance to experience the US and develop contacts in your field. Also F1 visas have OPT (optional practical training) which allows you to work for a year in your field post-graduation.

MossNyc wrote: »

Dont even consider being illegal. I have friends here who are illegal and it makes your life so difficult. No drivers license , no health insurance and constant fear of the police. While getting married to a citizen is a path to a greencard it can be a long drawn out process which is hugely difficult for both peopel . Also the interview can be a nightmare.

+1
Driver's licenceses in particular are becoming a big problem as the law has changed recently. A lot of illegals who currently have one will find that they won't be able to renew it when it expires.

spideog7

Hey folks, figured my questions is in the same vein so didn't start a new thread.

Currently in the US on J-visa which is up next year, my employer has mentioned getting me a H-visa but I'm not too fond of the job. Obviously with the way things are at home, it's hard to say no but at the same time I can't see myself staying in this for longer than I have too. If I was to get the H-visa and immediately seek a greencard through the company what sort of wait time would I be expecting, 2-3 years I'm thinking although I've heard they're trying to streamline the process a little bit to get it reduced?

lonestargirl

An employment based greencard is an EB visa, you've first got to figure out which category you fit in as the wait times are different. See the current visa bulletin, they are currently processing those in EB-3 with priority dates of jan 05. Once your priority date becomes current it takes up to a year to do the paperwork too.

spideog7

An EB visa is not the same as getting a H-visa and applying for a greencard through that though is it?

EDIT: So it's a matter getting the H-visa and then submitting your I-140 and moving to the EB visa correct? I'd be EB-3 which you're saying is currently almost 6 years behind?

lonestargirl

spideog7 wrote: »

An EB visa is not the same as getting a H-visa and applying for a greencard through that though is it?

EDIT: So it's a matter getting the H-visa and then submitting your I-140 and moving to the EB visa correct? I'd be EB-3 which you're saying is currently almost 6 years behind?

EB visa is an employment based greencard, often employers will file for H1B first to get you over and started while you are waiting for your priority date to become cuurent.

It's hard to guesstimate the wait as it depends on how many people are in the queue in front of you, the visa bulletin is issued every 3 months and categories can remain stagnant or jump forward s good few months.

spideog7

Ah that's grand thanks. The fact that it's in the region of years means it's something I'm not willing to do. I'd have to be taking the job for the job itself rather than as a means to an end.

GiftofGab

So is there any way I could live and work in the us for a year? Or what's the longest I could live there?

lil_lisa

GiftofGab wrote: »

So is there any way I could live and work in the us for a year? Or what's the longest I could live there?

Well it depends. As has been mentioned several times on this thread alone, there are several ways, it just depends on what you're qualified for. Are you eligible for a visa through a relative? Have you recently finished college? Do you know of a prospective US company who would be willing to hire you and sponsor you for a visa?

GiftofGab

lil_lisa wrote: »

Well it depends. As has been mentioned several times on this thread alone, there are several ways, it just depends on what you're qualified for. Are you eligible for a visa through a relative? Have you recently finished college? Do you know of a prospective US company who would be willing to hire you and sponsor you for a visa?

I have a degree in Agricultural Engineering and a Postgrad Higher Diploma in Business. By the time I'll be looking to travel I'll have a years experience in Banking. So the banking industry would be my ideal position but I'll work at anything really. Just looking to see the us really.

No, I don't have a prospective US company and I'm not keeping my hopes up really. I heard it can be near impossible to get someone to sponsor you when unemployment is so high in the us right now.

I have an uncle and some cousins in the us.

lil_lisa

If you've graduated within the last 12 months, you're eligible for the IWT visa or the internship visa. There are several companies who offer one or both of these including SAYIT, USIT, go4less, IIC, and Intrax. The other alternative, which might suit you better if you're not going for another year and you're out of the 12 months from graduating, is the training visa. There's a perfect summary of the training and internship visas here.

Also, are you looking to work or just travel? If you are Irish, you can travel up to 90 days without a visa (although you must fill out the ESTA) but you will not be able to work.

GiftofGab

lil_lisa wrote: »

If you've graduated within the last 12 months, you're eligible for the IWT visa or the internship visa. There are several companies who offer one or both of these including SAYIT, USIT, go4less, IIC, and Intrax. The other alternative, which might suit you better if you're not going for another year and you're out of the 12 months from graduating, is the training visa. There's a perfect summary of the training and internship visas here.

Also, are you looking to work or just travel? If you are Irish, you can travel up to 90 days without a visa (although you must fill out the ESTA) but you will not be able to work.

Alright thanks for that lil lisa. For the training offer that site says "must have training offer from U.S. host company" so what do you mean when you say several companies offer one of both of these? My guess is that I would still need a company to sponsor me.

Well I would be going mainly for working but I'd still like to go over there first, travel then get a job. Ideally I could stay for a year and do another bit of travelling before going home.

lonestargirl

GiftofGab wrote: »

Well I would be going mainly for working but I'd still like to go over there first, travel then get a job. Ideally I could stay for a year and do another bit of travelling before going home.

The visa can only be issued in Ireland, you can only travel over 30 days before it starts and stay 30 days after your job ends.

lil_lisa

Several companies offer one or more of the three types of one year visas. For eg, SAYIT only offer the internship and training visa but not the IWT. Basically, for the internship and training visa you must have a job before you leave, but its not necessarily a "sponsor" as such. They will complete a form (DS-7002) before you begin your work and they will fill out review sheets online every couple of months. This is all they have to do, other than hire you.

Orange69

MossNyc wrote: »

Not trying to put you down but this is not a simple process and you need to be ready for the reality of the situation

Have to second this post. Personally I would not recommend the US as a place to immigrate to unless its through marriage or you get lucky with the DV lottery. The employment immigration route is fraught with frustration, endless waiting and constant doubt.