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I'd have to move to get another option. I haven't done any real research into the whole visa-business, but I really should do that soon;) Is it not true that i

I'd have to move to get another option. I haven't done any real research into the whole visa-business, but I really should do that soon;) Is it not true that it's easier to get a visa if you already have a company that has agreed to let you work with them?

hga 16y ago
I think that's the only way to get a visa that legally allows you to work in the US (ignoring visas associated with going to schools), but being a US native I don't know; as you say, you need to research that. One thing I do know is that the last time I checked this year's quota of H-1B visas is not even close to being used up. Normally they're all used up on the first day which is sometime in April.
jasonlotito 16y ago
Get a degree. I've been in this situation (from the US to Canada), and having a degree helps. It's easy to have a company say they want you to work for them. The thing is, visa's aren't just approved because a company says they need you. They also need to demonstrate why they need "you" in particular, and why someone local can't help them. Why can't they hire an American, or a Canadian? Why are they hiring a foreigner? These are questions that need to be addressed. Having a degree goes toward helping demonstrate that. To put it another way, I've never seen education shut doors for me. It has, however, given my opportunities I wouldn't have had otherwise.
unexpected 16y ago
It will be incredibly hard for you to get a visa without a degree. Damn near impossible, even. You DEFINITELY need a degree, especially if you're a foreigner and want to come to the United States. Very few companies, let alone startups, are going to hire you as an employee if you don't have a degree. My advice would be to get a 4.0, get a degree, and try to go to graduate school at CMU/Boston/San Francisco area. It's not going to be as simple as hopping on a plane and getting hired. You have a whole host of visa issues to work out, and if you do it incorrectly, you could jeopardize your chances of staying here long term forever.

hga 16y ago

I think that's the only way to get a visa that legally allows you to work in the US (ignoring visas associated with going to schools), but being a US native I don't know; as you say, you need to research that. One thing I do know is that the last time I checked this year's quota of H-1B visas is not even close to being used up. Normally they're all used up on the first day which is sometime in April.

jasonlotito 16y ago

Get a degree. I've been in this situation (from the US to Canada), and having a degree helps. It's easy to have a company say they want you to work for them. The thing is, visa's aren't just approved because a company says they need you. They also need to demonstrate why they need "you" in particular, and why someone local can't help them. Why can't they hire an American, or a Canadian? Why are they hiring a foreigner? These are questions that need to be addressed. Having a degree goes toward helping demonstrate that. To put it another way, I've never seen education shut doors for me. It has, however, given my opportunities I wouldn't have had otherwise.

unexpected 16y ago

It will be incredibly hard for you to get a visa without a degree. Damn near impossible, even. You DEFINITELY need a degree, especially if you're a foreigner and want to come to the United States. Very few companies, let alone startups, are going to hire you as an employee if you don't have a degree. My advice would be to get a 4.0, get a degree, and try to go to graduate school at CMU/Boston/San Francisco area. It's not going to be as simple as hopping on a plane and getting hired. You have a whole host of visa issues to work out, and if you do it incorrectly, you could jeopardize your chances of staying here long term forever.