Any idea what potential I have gaining access? I have a very specific skilled job atm and I want to move over to the US.
I work in the Aerospace industry.
Living in California...
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Any idea what potential I have gaining access? I have a very specific skilled job atm and I want to move over to the US.
I work in the Aerospace industry.
True, but there is no reason for an EU citizen to stick around. Get a good job and visa and reap the benefits, loose you job and just move on. There are many amazing places in the world to live.
[TW]Fox;25758475 said:
probably - we've got quite a few brits working in our NYC office so it presumably isn't too hard for companies to send over existing staff members
I think doing a degree over there buys you some time to stay afterwards and attempt to find employment. If you can get into an MSc at a top US university (lets face it they've got a dozen or so that are equivalent to Oxford/Cambridge) then it could be very much worthwhile.
H1B visas have a quota and it can take a long time to get them (apply in April, granted in October, for example). The L series of visas are easier to apply for, have no quota and green cards are easier to get afterwards apparently, although you have to have worked for the company for a while before applying.
My company is headquartered in San Diego and has said that it'd be happy to bring me over to SD. If I did, I would come over on an L1A as I have direct management responsibilities. L1A would allow me to bring over a wife (if I have one) and she would automatically be eligible to work by applying for an L2. If I did move, I'd likely choose to be seconded, meaning that I would keep my UK contract. I'd be paid 30% less than the guys in SD but I would keep my UK contract (giving me 25 days holiday vs 15 days), and have all rent (worth at least $2000 - 3000 /month) and lease on an intermediate car (VW Passat, for example) paid for, plus full medical insurance, with no excess.
Also, apparently I could get a green card in (less than) two years.
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Working in aerospace is definitely skilled and specific, I assume you have a bachelor degree or more? If so then you have met all visa requirements. Your big task will be getting employment. A neighbor of my parents recently got a job at Boeing- check out the Boeing website for jobs.
The American dream only extends to the amount of zeros in your bank account.
H1B visas have a quota and it can take a long time to get them (apply in April, granted in October, for example). The L series of visas are easier to apply for, have no quota and green cards are easier to get afterwards apparently, although you have to have worked for the company for a while before applying.
My company is headquartered in San Diego and has said that it'd be happy to bring me over to SD. If I did, I would come over on an L1A as I have direct management responsibilities. L1A would allow me to bring over a wife (if I have one) and she would automatically be eligible to work by applying for an L2. If I did move, I'd likely choose to be seconded, meaning that I would keep my UK contract. I'd be paid 30% less than the guys in SD but I would keep my UK contract (giving me 25 days holiday vs 15 days), and have all rent (worth at least $2000 - 3000 /month) and lease on an intermediate car (VW Passat, for example) paid for, plus full medical insurance, with no excess.
L1A is harder to get than an H1B because you need to be in a more important role with higher responsibilities (and I think this is for internal transfer?), but it certainly an option. An H1B is accessible for most people, especially someone with a degree in CS and a few years experience.
You could consider getting the US contract and arrange to have a certain amount of unpaid leave. That is fairly common in the US, you get a lower amount of paid leave, a higher salary and then have the choice of trading money for free time. The standard US paid leave is definitely shorter than in Europe overall but you can make it work. Taking long weekends rather than 2weeks vacation is the way to go, exploit all the public holidays also. You get 11-12 compared to the auks 7 or 8.
Some large companies also have a seasonal closure in the summer or Christmas for 1 week that is not counted as vacation and is not a standard holiday. O
No, it's about having one of the highest quality of life factors in the world, great opertunities and career potential, stunning scenery, big houses with a large yard, nice cars that are affordable, friendly neighbors, etc.
No qualifications, started as an apprentice and now have the highest level grade possible. I have roughly 20 certificates for training in the highest level, chemical milling, I do all the landing gear for Boeing, propeller blades and a lot of military gear such as tank wheels etc.
We have partnerships with around 40 companies in the US, maybe I could get in touch with them about a possible sponsorship? Can that work?
Yeah, I imagine that it would be harder to get the L1A, but my company does it all the time (H1Bs, L1As and L1Bs) so is well aware of the processes. It probably helps that it has specialist immigration lawyers on retainer as well.
Interesting, I hadn't thought about the unpaid leave idea. A lot of my US colleagues take long weekends, which seems to be a better use of holiday than taking full weeks like I do now.
With all of that said, I'm interested in a girl who lives in Canada so if things continue to go well over the next year, I could end up going to Canada instead. If it wasn't for my company, I think that I would (much) prefer to live in Canada than USA. Kamloops, for example, looks awesome.
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I always thought I would prefer Canada but after spending significant amounts of time in the US and 4 weeks in Canada, and knowing many Canadians and Americans, I really prefer the US. I guess I need to have more time in Canada for it to grow on me. Not a fan of most Canadians, despite one being my best friend.
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Thanks a bunch for calling me a liar
Difference between you and me is that I talk about general life in USA for ordinary people and not being sent on a contract which includes everything even condoms.Your case is more of an exception than a rule, average American would never even dream of an insurance which will sponsor their condoms.
It is true that in-state tuition is around 12k a year, but you are limited within your state, if university in your state is a poo-hole, tough luck. Its like saying you can only attend university in your own county in UK or pay x3 more if you dont....
State universities mostly are all crap anyway, again your kid will be limited by money and not knowledge... Oxbridge tuition is 9k and used to be 3k all you need is to have brains, money is not an issue.
You can argue that people get grants here etc, yeah they do... but you will have to be super smart to get them.
Saying how America is amazing because you got a contract which does everything for you, is truly stupid and far more mythical than what I say.
Bottom line, you can get a contract and get sent to bloody Africa you will be living the "African Dream".... Doesnt mean Africa is a great place to live.
P.S.
About big houses, you seem to forget to add a major issue... I can buy a house here for same price as one we have in UK and it will be around 5,000 s*** instead of miserly 1200 we lived in UK...
Only issue is that, most houses like this been on market for about 6+ months so its not easy to sell them if you want, almost all of them lose value all the time... Get prepared to pay around 1.5k a month in taxes for having such nice house.
At least our house in UK even during financial crash was steadily gaining around 5-8k a year and if we were to sell it, it would be gone in matter of weeks.
Big houses, yes but they are nowhere near financially good investment as those in UK
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Interesting. I've been to parts of Canada and America several times, and have friends in both countries. I think Canada would be a nicer place to live personally. Might be wrong though.
Interesting. I've been to parts of Canada and America several times, and have friends in both countries. I think Canada would be a nicer place to live personally. Might be wrong though.
Canada seems a lovely place, but some cities like Toronto have really cold winters. Definitely not for everyone.
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I'd only move if I'd get an FTE like $180k tbh or a decent contract so I'd say DP is mentioning not far off what I'd expect. Or aim for.
I looked at going last year, a business Visa was not a huge issue but I am lucky in we had money to invest (we where looking at buying a failing business) however it did not work out in the end.
To be quite honest I think the quality of life in Australia may be better. I am itching to get out of the uk but my wife is a GP so there are not many countries where she can work.
Cali is really nice, I stayed in Orange for a few months and loved it but its VERY expensive.
To be quite honest I think the quality of life in Australia may be better. I am itching to get out of the uk but my wife is a GP so there are not many countries where she can work.
Cali is really nice, I stayed in Orange for a few months and loved it but its VERY expensive.
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I think you're either underestimating what a good software dev can earn in London or you're getting paid silly money out there.
I've looked into moving to the west coast, but the numbers have never stacked up compared to what I can make here.
If you think its VERY expensive then what hope is there for us mortals
Well it was more the cost of property that made me feel it was so expensive. The cost of living was still comparable to London.