British Expatriate Network

Hey,

I'm currently working for an academic institute in the US and I want to change jobs to an industry position. I'm not having much luck in the job search and I wonder if this is visa related?

I can't seem to get a straight answer anywhere, some sites say all you have to do is transfer your existing visa, whereas others say you have to apply for a new one. I know industry visas are subject to a cap, but academic ones aren't (hence the legions of foreign workers here!).

Has anyone had experience of this and can give me a straight answer? Should I look into other visas?

thanks

When I came to the US originally, my H1b was with a software organization. I moved out of consulting into an business role with out any problems.

Not the exact same, but I do not see why it would be an issue. The business will just have to justify why they are employing an H1b candidate rather than a US Citizen / Permanent Resident.

Its a big problem and one I have had to deal with.
As your H1B you have now isn't subject to the cap and the job you want would be subject to it, you would have to apply for a new H1B in April with probably a less than 50% of getting one judging by last year and wouldn't be able to start until October.

The other option is an O-1 visa. This isn't an easy one to get as you have to prove that you are the top of your field. I don't know what level you are at your job and how easy this would be.

I found when I was looking, that most companies won't look at you anymore unless you already have work authorization as it is too much time, effort and money to get you the visa. You really have to have good contacts at a company and bypass HR.

Yeah it's a pain. I looked at O visas, one of the categories is 'has won a Nobel prize', erm mebbes not! It seems like its for professor grade people. I have 2 years post-doc experience.

So it looks like I will be heading home in the autumn barring some kind of miracle. The only alternative would be to marry my boyfriend..reminds me too much of that movie Green Card..