Want H1B visa Job should I move first then find job?

Cherelle
Junior Member



Joined: 01 Mar 2008
Posts: 13
Location: Canada (for now)

Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 1:28 pm

 

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Can I move to the US (Texas) before I find a job and look for a company that will sponsor an H1B Visa? I am not having much luck finding a job from Canada and was wondering if you move there do you get better responses. Also, How long would it be before I could actually work? I heard the 2008 cap for H1B's is done this year. I thought I could afford to live there 3 months without a job but if I can't start till October, that's not going to work. What do you suggest? Just staying in Canada till I find a sponsor? Also If I decide to go, how long can I stay without a job and what do I tell the people at the border? Can I say I'm looking for a job?

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Steven
CanuckAbroad VIP



Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Posts: 1122
Location: Calgary

Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 4:43 pm

 

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Getting an H-1B is really tough, the quota is 65,000 and they had 150,000 applications, IIRC. I wouldn't plan on doing anything permanent on the basis of getting one. My past experience of finding someone to do the paperwork for an H-1B is that it's really hard. The companies that tend to be fondest using them are companies looking for someone to do the job for less money than someone locally, imx.

Given the mess the US economy is in I don't rate your chances. Possibly the number of applications might drop because of that, that's the only silver lining.

If you really want a job there are tons going in Alberta!
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Steve.

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Cherelle
Junior Member



Joined: 01 Mar 2008
Posts: 13
Location: Canada (for now)

Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 5:05 pm

 

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I hate Alberta I lived in Saskatchewan for 30 years and the cost of living and cold in Alberta forget about it. But thanks for your input.

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Reba
Moderator


Canuck in NC

Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 1174
Location: North Carolina

Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 7:07 am

 

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Techncially you can't just up and move to the US to go look for a job. Its not legal. The border guards probably wouldn't even let you in if you told them you're going to look for a job.

Not to mention all the H1Bs are all gone already for this year anyhow.

Are you qualified for a TN in any category?
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Cherelle
Junior Member



Joined: 01 Mar 2008
Posts: 13
Location: Canada (for now)

Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 9:50 am

 

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Yes I am an accountant (degree+5 yrs exp). I would not tell them I was looking for a job, though. How do you know all the H1B's are gone? Is there some website that tells you? If I find a company to sponsor me, don't they apply this April 1 and then I could start in October? Is that how it works?

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jennbug
New Member



Joined: 22 Oct 2007
Posts: 9

Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 7:06 pm

 

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Every year on April 1st, US Immigration starts accepting H1-B applications. There is a quota of approx. 65,000 visa lottery spots. (There are other spots that apply to certain countries and educational qualifications. For example, if you did your Masters degree at a US school, there is a separate 20,000 quota). In 2007, the 65,000 visa spots filled on the very first day as approx. 150,000 applications were taken. Immigration takes the 150K applications and picks them at random by lottery up to the 65K quota. If you don't get one of the lottery spots, too bad for you. If you got one of the lottery spots, they evaluate your application. If they accept it, your H1-B visa kicks in on October 1 of the year you applied (so if you applied on April 1, 2007, your approved visa kicks in October 1, 2007). All the 2007 spots are gone. Applications for H1-B visas for 2008 will be taken on April 1, 2008 and would kick in on October 1, 2008.

The US Immigration website gives all the quota info (and anything related to ANY visa). And yes, if a company was going to sponsor you, they would apply for the H1-B visa on April 1st for it to start October 1, 2008. You would need to be hired in the next two weeks though in order to get all the paperwork together for the April 1st date. Reba recommended the TN visa. It would be a better bet I think.

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TNVisaExpert
Moderator


Canadians helping Canadians

Joined: 02 Apr 2007
Posts: 139
Location: San Diego, California

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 9:06 pm

 

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Your best bet will be to find a job as an accountant and apply for the TN visa. As explained by jennbug - your chances for an H1-B are unlikely.

Make sure you understand the TN Visa documentation requirements, the application process etc. This is not a sponsorship visa and when you can explain it to an employer in the interview (many employers do not know a lot about the TN Visa) and answer their concerns - most employers will not disqualify you as a potential candidate due to the visa.

Good Luck!
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Steven
CanuckAbroad VIP



Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Posts: 1122
Location: Calgary

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 11:18 am

 

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I wouldn't even tell them it's a visa, because it's not, it's an entry category, just tell them you need a letter.
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Steve.

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