5 ms·

I would argue that this is adding to the local talent pool. And where did you get the idea that you save " saving tens of thousands of dollars " by hiring an

I would argue that this is adding to the local talent pool. And where did you get the idea that you save " saving tens of thousands of dollars " by hiring an H-1B ? I originally came to US on H-1B and I can assure you that within months I was among highest paid developers in my company; anything less and I would have walked nextdoor to my next job.

CaveTech 13y ago
Would be quite the risky move. You have no guarantee that you'll be granted a new Visa, and if you don't get it then you'll quickly be on your flight home. This can easily be used as leverage against an H1-B Visa holder in most situations.
- manishsharan 13y ago
  You are wrong. Once you have an H1B -- you do not need a new H1B visa for a new job -- it can be transferred easily to your new employer. There is a grace period of about one month ( maybe more now) and you new employer has to file your paperwork within that time. Been there and done that ! edit: what I meant by transfer is that your new petition is not subject to H1B caps and you don't have to appear before a US embassy right away as one has to for the first time.
  - wavefunction 13y ago
    http://www.immihelp.com/visas/h1b/h1-transfer.html http://www.immihelp.com/visas/h1b/h1-transfer.html This seems to contradict what you're saying.
    - potatolicious 13y ago
      It's a bit more complicated: http://www.hooyou.com/h-1b/h1b_portability.html http://www.hooyou.com/h-1b/h1b_portability.html
    - pavanky 13y ago
      It is a matter of semantics. Once you have an H1B, the new employer does need to make a petition. In immigrant speak, this is usually called a transfer. The transfer does not usually fall under the quotas that the original application falls under. It is also slightly cheaper and is processed more quickly. So an employee can move freely any time they want if the new company is willing to spend a thousand dollars or so.
- potatolicious 13y ago
  H-1Bs are transferable. There are in fact many companies who specifically mention they will hire H-1B transfers, but not sponsor new applications.
- untog 13y ago
  It is not risky at all. I have done it two times myself.
- ojbyrne 13y ago
  I've done it 3 times. It's a little nerve-wracking, but I haven't actually had problems.
- hpagey 13y ago
  H1bs can be transferred easily. I have transferred it 2 times myself. Once your 140 is filed you can extend H1b 3 years at a time indefinitely until you obtain your GC. So, whats the risk that you talk about? Most of the H1bs that are denied are ones where the candidate work as a consultant (or a body shopper). I have never heard of H1bs of reputed technology companies being denied.
wavefunction 13y ago
How does it add to the local talent pool? The visa is given to the company, not the programmer, so it's not like the programmer can suddenly work for another local company. I'm interested to hear your argument about adding to the local talent pool and how you would have just "walked next door" unless the next company had an open h1b position.
- eshvk 13y ago
  An H1B is transferable to a different company. It is not that hard to do. Of course, if OP was applying for a new H1B, it gets harder.
- manishsharan 13y ago
  Visa is granted to the foreigner. The employer has to pass some sort of qualifying regulations and job opening must be first offered to residents and citizens. Once the foreigner has the visa , he /she can transfer it to any local qualified job posting. I would also like to point out that an H1b hire should be the last resort for most employers ; there is very little cost savings and the legal fees eats into that. Not to mention that once you hire an H1B , the native employees often feel ill at ease and will typically demand a raise. Team cohesion will be at risk. The H1B hire must have enough talent to justify all the hassle. If an employer just wants to get work done for cheap, they should simply outsource tasks to Elance or oDesk.
  - wavefunction 13y ago
    If the H1B visa was granted to you the individual, you could just go work for a new company without the new company having to sponsor a petition or without you having to file an emergency extension if your employer decided to let you go suddenly. My main point is that the h1B system treats you like a second class resident at the whims of corporations, contrary to its stated claims to just exist to bring in talented individuals to fill positions that cannot otherwise be filled by locals. I certainly agree with the "should" you've posted, but I get contacted by companies looking for people to do PHP for $12 an hour. Sure it's maybe an ok option for some person from another country with more limited opportunities, but it ultimately hurts all of us by weakening our collective bargaining position vs the outsourcers.

CaveTech 13y ago

Would be quite the risky move. You have no guarantee that you'll be granted a new Visa, and if you don't get it then you'll quickly be on your flight home. This can easily be used as leverage against an H1-B Visa holder in most situations.

manishsharan 13y ago
You are wrong. Once you have an H1B -- you do not need a new H1B visa for a new job -- it can be transferred easily to your new employer. There is a grace period of about one month ( maybe more now) and you new employer has to file your paperwork within that time. Been there and done that ! edit: what I meant by transfer is that your new petition is not subject to H1B caps and you don't have to appear before a US embassy right away as one has to for the first time.
- wavefunction 13y ago
  http://www.immihelp.com/visas/h1b/h1-transfer.html http://www.immihelp.com/visas/h1b/h1-transfer.html This seems to contradict what you're saying.
  - potatolicious 13y ago
    It's a bit more complicated: http://www.hooyou.com/h-1b/h1b_portability.html http://www.hooyou.com/h-1b/h1b_portability.html
  - pavanky 13y ago
    It is a matter of semantics. Once you have an H1B, the new employer does need to make a petition. In immigrant speak, this is usually called a transfer. The transfer does not usually fall under the quotas that the original application falls under. It is also slightly cheaper and is processed more quickly. So an employee can move freely any time they want if the new company is willing to spend a thousand dollars or so.
potatolicious 13y ago
H-1Bs are transferable. There are in fact many companies who specifically mention they will hire H-1B transfers, but not sponsor new applications.
untog 13y ago
It is not risky at all. I have done it two times myself.
ojbyrne 13y ago
I've done it 3 times. It's a little nerve-wracking, but I haven't actually had problems.
hpagey 13y ago
H1bs can be transferred easily. I have transferred it 2 times myself. Once your 140 is filed you can extend H1b 3 years at a time indefinitely until you obtain your GC. So, whats the risk that you talk about? Most of the H1bs that are denied are ones where the candidate work as a consultant (or a body shopper). I have never heard of H1bs of reputed technology companies being denied.

wavefunction 13y ago

How does it add to the local talent pool? The visa is given to the company, not the programmer, so it's not like the programmer can suddenly work for another local company. I'm interested to hear your argument about adding to the local talent pool and how you would have just "walked next door" unless the next company had an open h1b position.

eshvk 13y ago
An H1B is transferable to a different company. It is not that hard to do. Of course, if OP was applying for a new H1B, it gets harder.
manishsharan 13y ago
Visa is granted to the foreigner. The employer has to pass some sort of qualifying regulations and job opening must be first offered to residents and citizens. Once the foreigner has the visa , he /she can transfer it to any local qualified job posting. I would also like to point out that an H1b hire should be the last resort for most employers ; there is very little cost savings and the legal fees eats into that. Not to mention that once you hire an H1B , the native employees often feel ill at ease and will typically demand a raise. Team cohesion will be at risk. The H1B hire must have enough talent to justify all the hassle. If an employer just wants to get work done for cheap, they should simply outsource tasks to Elance or oDesk.
- wavefunction 13y ago
  If the H1B visa was granted to you the individual, you could just go work for a new company without the new company having to sponsor a petition or without you having to file an emergency extension if your employer decided to let you go suddenly. My main point is that the h1B system treats you like a second class resident at the whims of corporations, contrary to its stated claims to just exist to bring in talented individuals to fill positions that cannot otherwise be filled by locals. I certainly agree with the "should" you've posted, but I get contacted by companies looking for people to do PHP for $12 an hour. Sure it's maybe an ok option for some person from another country with more limited opportunities, but it ultimately hurts all of us by weakening our collective bargaining position vs the outsourcers.