Coming Back to Work in US

[sra101 0]

Great work you guys are doing for the community. Really appreciate it!

A little background about myself. I have an MS degree from a reputable US university in computer science and I also worked for about 1 year in Silicon Valley. Unfortunately, due to family issues, I had to go back home. It has been 2 years since I left US and I am planning to go back again. What would be the best way of going back?

I have contacted some recruiters and they suggested that my profile is strong but the companies they are dealing with need urgent placements and not willing to wait for so long for H1B to get processed. I have heard that even if I apply right away and got approved by the company, I will NOT be able to work before Oct 2014, is that true? Are companies willing to wait for so long?

The other option I was thinking about is to go back to school to take another MS or PhD in the field and then utilize CPT or OPT to work for a company and file for H1B visa afterwards, do you guys think that would be a good option?

I hope my current situation is understandable and I am seeking your help for the best option to come back.

Thanks

[lost_at_sea 995]

What visa were you on when you worked there before? The process is likely similar.

As a tech person, you're probably looking for a job that will provide a H1B or maybe an L1 (I think, someone else will hop and and clarify).

Your first step is to find an employer who is willing to do this for you. All US work visas begin with a job offer and petition by the us employer.

Whether they will wait for the processing - well, you won't know til you talk to them. Tech jobs move fast, but if you're particularly good or well known, they'll wait or work out something that accommodates you both (my husband and I both work in tech in SF).

And yeah - if more school is what you want to do, you are probably already pretty familiar with that process.

[sra101 0]

I was on F1 visa and worked using OPT (offered after graduation). Then the company filed for H1B for me which got approved but then I had to leave so the whole process stopped!

Actually, I already started talking to recruiters and companies and the waiting time sounds to be the major obstacle! I am thinking if someone knows a solution for this issue? Anything that shortens the waiting time?

One of the reasons I was thinking to go back to school (other than the degree) was that companies tend to favor people studying in US as they can start working immediately after graduation using OPT (with no lag as the case of hiring someone from abroad) and while the process of H1B continues, the employee can legally work on CPT/OPT.

[Boiler 45,319]

H1b has become again a lottery, that is the short route

Does you current employer have US offices that would allow a transfer.

[sra101 0]

True but the waiting time before the start date is the major issue.

Unfortunately, my current employer does not have offices in USA.

[Harsh_77 718]

There is no alternative to the time aspect of the process, earliest any employeer can apply for H1b would be in April and if it got approved you would be able to work from Oct that is correct.

[Boiler 45,319]

True but the waiting time before the start date is the major issue.

Unfortunately, my current employer does not have offices in USA.

would they be interested in opening a US Office?

[sra101 0]

Probably not. It is a well established company and I don't have any interference in their office locations.

[jaycali 415]

Probably not. It is a well established company and I don't have any interference in their office locations.

If you can afford the phD, getting an H1b is usually a lot less tricky through OPT or CPT.

[sra101 0]

Actually I got to know that I may not need to wait for April 2014 for filing and for Oct 2014 to start working. The reason is because I already had an H1B before when I was working in 2011. So, if I get an offer from the new company, they can file any time and I can start working any time as well. Can someone confirm?