coming to boston

[Bevdeforges]

Well, the first thing to know about an H1B visa is that you have to find the job first - before you even apply for the visa. So you wind up going wherever the job opens up that will have you. You can certainly limit your job search to a city or an area - but that just limits your chances of getting a job offer.

And just a word of advice - you'll be in a far better position to apply for jobs in the US with a couple of years of experience under your belt. The job market there is very competitive, and in most fields (especially business and computing) your experience is probably far more important than your "pedigree" (i.e. your academic credentials).

There are zillions of people in the US looking for work fresh out of school - with degrees in business and computing. It costs an employer alot of time and money to petition for an H1B candidate, so you've got to be able to offer an employer something the local job candidates don't have. And usually, that's experience.

Working for the NHS is a good start, because the Americans are just starting to realize the sorts of overhaul they are going to have to start making to their health care system. If you can manage a few more contracts with the NHS or a job with health care overtones, then you have something of a "specialty" and some unique experience to bring to a US employer.

It may well also be worthwhile to take your time gathering some relevant experience, too, as H1B visas are currently in very limited supply and even big name US firms are having trouble getting visas for the people they would like to hire. After this next election and depending on how the upcoming (or ongoing) recession goes, there's some chance the visa requirements may change for the better.
Cheers,
Bev

[ChungyUK]

Thanks a lot for the useful information. Just wondering is the H1B Visa the only chance of entering the US on work basis or is there any other visas?

[Bevdeforges]

There are lots of other sorts of visas, but in general you need to be sponsored either by an employer or by a direct family member (parent, child, brother or sister).

Probably the "best" visa (in terms of flexibility, at least) is the L type visa - which is when an international company transfers you (usually at a managerial level) to the US as part of their ongoing employee moves. But you have to have worked at least a year (I think it is) for the company before you are eligible for an L visa.

Take a look at the US Embassy in London website for a full listing of the various visa types.
Cheers,
Bev

[IdoL]

Thanks for the info...

[twostep]

As your actual work experience is very limited and you are young - have you considered an internship? Yes, it is very limited but would give you some insight of work/life in the US.

[synthia]

I just read an article in the New York Times that made an interesting point. While the total unemployment figure is not historically high, the unemployment figures for people in their prime working years is.