Engineer's Guide to US Visas

#1

Post by maccman » Tue, Mar 04, 2014, 8:57 AM UTC

Engineer's Guide to US Visas
blog.sourcing.io

Re: Engineer's Guide to US Visas

#2

Post by jval » Tue, Mar 04, 2014, 9:23 AM UTC

Cool guide, but I think the E-3's dual intent rules are a bit weird:

http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/Laws/Memorand...

"An application for initial admission, change of status or extension of stay in E-3 classification, however, may not be denied solely on the basis of an approved request for permanent labor certification or a filed or approved immigrant visa preference petition."

It's not explicitly dual intent but the memo makes it clear that they won't kick you out for pursuing PR.

Re: Engineer's Guide to US Visas

#3

Post by thomseddon » Tue, Mar 04, 2014, 9:36 AM UTC

To anyone with experience with a H1-B: How closely related does your degree have to be?

I get the impression this is a relatively grey area - I have a BEng in Civil Engineering, in my opinion it's somewhat related, I just wondered if there is a clear guidance on this?

Re: Engineer's Guide to US Visas

#4

Post by Stratego » Tue, Mar 04, 2014, 9:38 AM UTC

thomseddon wrote: post #3

To anyone with experience with a H1-B: How closely related does your degree have to be? I get the impression this is a relatively grey area - I have a BEng in Civil Engineering, in my opinion it's somewhat related, I just wondered if there is a clear guidance on this?

It has to be STEM degree: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/stemlist.htm

Re: Engineer's Guide to US Visas

#5

Post by dhfromkorea » Tue, Mar 04, 2014, 9:47 AM UTC

This is a nice run-down for those looking to swerve into the U.S. for a valid reason (work/study)

If anyone seeks less-than-a-year-long work, J-1 Visas are arguably the easiest to get if one has some affiliation with a university. (i.e. students)

Proof of concept: I have co-run a non-profit program which connected people in Finland with startups in the Bay Area. I wish there would be more programs similar to http://startuplife.fi (sent close to 100 so far and more than a dozen YC companies have signed up for the program last batch.)

Another related blogpost for the J1 track: http://blog.sendtoinc.com/2013/12/11/silicon-valley-internsh...

Re: Engineer's Guide to US Visas

#6

Post by hackerboos » Tue, Mar 04, 2014, 9:47 AM UTC

"It's for this reason I suggest coming out to SF on your own accord, staying for a short while, and lining up a bunch of interviews with all the companies you're interested in."

I believe this is only for B1/B2 visa holders and those who are part of the Visa Waiver Program (UK/Aus etc.).

You're not supposed to look for work or attend interviews on a tourist visa.

Re: Engineer's Guide to US Visas

#7

Post by ivanca » Tue, Mar 04, 2014, 9:51 AM UTC

hackerboos wrote: post #6

"It's for this reason I suggest coming out to SF on your own accord, staying for a short while, and lining up a bunch of interviews with all the companies you're interested in." I believe this is only for B1/B2 visa holders and those who are part of the Visa Waiver Program (UK/Aus etc.). You're not supposed to look for work or attend interviews on a tourist visa.

And you are not supposed to spy on the emails of all the other countries including their prime ministers and senators... but who are we to judge?

Re: Engineer's Guide to US Visas

#8

Post by logicallee » Tue, Mar 04, 2014, 9:51 AM UTC

Stratego wrote: post #4

thomseddon wrote: post #3

To anyone with experience with a H1-B: How closely related does your degree have to be? I get the impression this is a relatively grey area - I have a BEng in Civil Engineering, in my opinion it's somewhat related, I just wondered if there is a clear guidance on this?

It has to be STEM degree: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/stemlist.htm

"Civil Engineering" is listed in your linked STEM-Designated Degree Program List.

Re: Engineer's Guide to US Visas

#9

Post by NhanH » Tue, Mar 04, 2014, 9:52 AM UTC

thomseddon wrote: post #3

To anyone with experience with a H1-B: How closely related does your degree have to be? I get the impression this is a relatively grey area - I have a BEng in Civil Engineering, in my opinion it's somewhat related, I just wondered if there is a clear guidance on this?

Another question regard the H1-B: is it a bad idea trying to file H1-B without a lawyer? I'm working for a startup, and in the spirit of not-wasting-money, we're trying to file the H1B by ourselves, would that be too risky?

Re: Engineer's Guide to US Visas

#10

Post by hackerboos » Tue, Mar 04, 2014, 9:54 AM UTC

ivanca wrote: post #7

hackerboos wrote: post #6

"It's for this reason I suggest coming out to SF on your own accord, staying for a short while, and lining up a bunch of interviews with all the companies you're interested in." I believe this is only for B1/B2 visa holders and those who are part of the Visa Waiver Program (UK/Aus etc.). You're not supposed to look for work or attend interviews on a tourist visa.

And you are not supposed to spy on the emails of all the other countries including their prime ministers and senators... but who are we to judge?

Hardly relevant.