Qualified persons wanting to move to the US

[bellybell]

Hi,

A friend of mine and myself are considering a move to the US. We are both degree qualified, myself in Building Services Engineering and the other in Building Surveying. I have almost 6 years of industry experience and my friend is close to 3 years experience. However, we really have no idea what the best way to approach our hoped move to the US would be.

Is it worth us applying for jobs that would be willing to sponsor a move or are we better off applying for visas first and then applying for jobs? Unforutnately neither of the positions we are currently employed in are international companies hence a transfer to a US office isn't on the cards

Any information would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[Bevdeforges]

If you're looking to work in the US, there is no way to get a visa first and then look for jobs, unless you're coming in on a spouse visa or with family member sponsorship (which takes years, even decades). Be advised, too, that sponsoring someone for a work visa costs the employer time and money, so you need to be able to offer something not readily available in the US work force.
Cheers,
Bev

[BlackBelt]

That is not how it works. You have to find an employer willing to hire and sponsor your work visa. This is an expensive and time-consuming process, and must be done while you are outside the country. It may take years (in my case it took around 2 years). Only if the company cannot fill the spot with an American employee they can petition your work visa.

Cheers,
Gabriel.

[twostep]

You can apply for visas yourself - as investor. A US employer not only has to be interested in hiring you but he has to go through a number of steps to show that he had no qualified candidate legally able to work in the US for a specific position. Read up in visa requirements. Start with the stikies at the US Forum here. A degree is one part of the visa.

[Weebie]

My Australian mate who works in the O&G field and even with the advantage of an E-3 visa assures me that foreign engineers won't find work in America atm.

[twostep]

Originally Posted by Weebie

My Australian mate who works in the O&G field and even with the advantage of an E-3 visa assures me that foreign engineers won't find work in America atm.

It really depends on their skill set. In the building industry I seriously doubt it.