Need some advice on obtaining visa

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone help me out with some advice on the best way to obtain a US visa (I am a UK citizen). I have been looking at various sites and information for around 6 months now, and it seems very complicated I have a girlfriend in the US, and have been over to visit a few times in the last 6 months. I now wish to move over on a more permanent basis (to work in the US) so that I can be close to my girlfriend and we can give our relationship a chance. Marriage is out of the question at this time, at least until I am settled working in the US. I am really looking to obtain a visa so that I can go out to stay in the US and be elligable to work for at least a year or so.

I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science Joint Artificial Intelligence, and also have around three years work experience working on contract in the UK IT industry in fairly specialised areas (in addition to a number of IT certifications). As far as I can see, my best bet is to try and obtain a H1-B visa. I have registered on a number of job sites (such as monster.com) and have applied to a number of large IT firms...but so far have had no joy I am skilled and have experience, but it seems to be the case that no US company is going to employ someone from the UK unless they have to

Is there a better way to obtain a H1-B visa?, or perhaps a recruitment company specialising in finding UK citizens work abroad? I am just wondering if anyone can give me any advice - perhaps people who have been in similiar situations as me?

Thank you very much for your time,

Best regards
Dave

Dave,

It seems, there are 2 main ways to get work in the States. One you've already tried, and it seems you've done your best for the time being. There is no magic to it, it's just the US market is down now, and technology especially so, and thus IT firms or recruiting agencies have enough labor supply already available to them. They'd rather sponsor an H1B candidate if the person offers very specific, if not unique, skills. There is also a matter of H1B visas being capped every fiscal year - I think it's at 65,000 now. In other words, if at some point during the year there were 65K of those visas issued, no more will be granted until the next October 1st, when the new fiscal year starts. Getting employed on H1b is not an easy business especially being physically overseas, but it can be done - one just needs to be active and patient.

The second scenario is to get employed in a UK branch of a US company or any multinational. Then work your way to a transfer (L-1 visa). Of course, the problem here is that you have no certainty regarding your arrivial to the States - it could be years, and doesn't work for your current purposes.

Have you considered enrolling in some course for a year or so? Being a student is not the same as working, but if one is resourceful, it's possible to do things once you are in the States: the law allows F-1 students to work around 20 hrs a week, plus you could open a company and make money on "consultant" basis. Some agencies even prefer to work with subcontractors rather than employees.

Hope this helps.

Have you considered enrolling in some course for a year or so? Being a student is not the same as working, but if one is resourceful, it's possible to do things once you are in the States: the law allows F-1 students to work around 20 hrs a week, plus you could open a company and make money on "consultant" basis. Some agencies even prefer to work with subcontractors rather than employees.

I agree with Cosmo - that wher all else fails then getting in a country as a Student opens up many other legal opportunities. So perharps Dave UK should considr this...

..On the other the marriage option would appear to offer more benefits (assumming all else is OK)

Best of Luck - Dave

Thank you for the advice As far as I can see the best option might be to get over as a student. Another possibililty would be that I could go out for the full length of time possible under the visiting/holiday visa from uk to usa (maximum time is 90 days i believe?) and try to find an employer in person whilst there during that time...which I hope would improve my chances perhaps.

I understand that if I go over on a visiting/holiday visa for 90 days that it means I am not elligable to work in the US (no work authorisation etc) - but does this apply to working from the US via the Internet for a UK company? I am not sure whether this is illegal or not..since I would be working during the time I am in the US, but I would not actually be working for a US company or earning dollars $, i would still be working over the Internet for a UK company and being paid into a UK bank account.

Thanks

regards
DaveUK

Dave - as long as your income is earned in the UK economy (paid by UK employer in pounds to the UK account for the work that generally would be done in the UK) you are not competing in the US labor market, and are not subject to work restrictions imposed on visitors.