Vicious circle - unsure how to start HELP!

[Melbakry 0]

I am an Irish citizen, living in Qatar trying to immigrate to USA. I have a BA in Journalism and communication and have been working in Sales for the past 4 years so ideally will be continuing my career in that field. I do not have immediate family in the States or a US citizen fiancé/husband so have been looking into the H1B route or more likely the EB2/EB3 route however, I've been told that I need a job offer and then the company will go through the paperwork to sponsor me. All the companies, career websites and recruiters I have been in touch with over the past few months tell me that they can only hire green card holders so it feels like I'm going round in circles.

Does anyone have any career sites, recruiters etc that specifically deal with putting individuals in touch with companies willing to sponsor eager, driven young professionals like me?

I am open to doing a year long course/study in sales as a last resort however all the information I've read states that I would not be able to earn money during this year and may only have 30 days at the end of the course to find work (even though I have read conflicting information saying you can have 60 days to a year) has anyone been in this situation where they have done a course on a student visa not a Bachelors degree or Masters in a non STEM field and managed to stay in the US afterwards to find work?

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you,

Mariam 

[DILAW 94]

I am sorry because I don't know any sites or companies, but if you are trying to immigrate to the USA did you try to see if you can get accepted by a school? Like college/university?  I know this will cost you money and it sounds like you want to work to make money.

How's life in Qatar?  I actually thought about moving to Qatar and living/working there about 4 years ago and I am kind of glad I didn't.

[mallafri76 1,012]

Sorry but I don't see you getting a work visa to the US.

 

H1B is for special occupations and you're in sales. There are plenty of Americans and LPRs to do sales.

 

For EB2/3, you don't have an advanced degree and you don't have particularly exceptional ability.

 

Depending on your age, you can try a J1. 

 

It's extremely difficult to get a green card unless you have immediate relatives in the US.  And you're from a western country, why would you want to come here anyway without an immediate relative here??? When you're from a western country and you're used to that standard of living, the US is pretty tough to live in and extremely expensive. Trust me, it is NOTHING like you see in the movies.... If you want to live somewhere else besides Ireland, why not try somewhere else in Europe, Canada, Australia or maybe New Zealand? It's easier to get work visas to those places, plenty of job opportunities, most are English speaking and you don't have to worry about dying of cancer because you can't afford to go to the doctor... 

 

[Melbakry 0]

Thank you! I am looking into schooling as a last resort and if I hear positive responses about having the opportunity to find work once the course is complete because you're right ideally I would like to be earning. But i'll do what I've got to do.

Regarding Qatar - life here is pretty good especially if you just want to come for a few years, save some money and then move as it's tax free living and the packages are pretty appealing as they benefit from foreign workers. However, I am not being challenged and that doesn't motivate me. If you're referring to the political situation it honestly hasn't affected me, my family or my friends' day to day life.

[Boiler 45,902]

A basic requirement of a H1b is that the hob requires a certain degree and you have that degree.

 

If you are getting no traction maybe get a job with a Company who will move you over later, L1, you need to have worked for the company for a year before moving.

 

Otherwise network, why would a recruiter specialise in people who are not that attractive to employers?

[Melbakry 0]

6 minutes ago, mallafri76 said:

Sorry but I don't see you getting a work visa to the US.

 

H1B is for special occupations and you're in sales. There are plenty of Americans and LPRs to do sales.

 

For EB2/3, you don't have an advanced degree and you don't have particularly exceptional ability.

 

Depending on your age, you can try a J1. 

 

It's extremely difficult to get a green card unless you have immediate relatives in the US.  And you're from a western country, why would you want to come here anyway without an immediate relative here??? When you're from a western country and you're used to that standard of living, the US is pretty tough to live in and extremely expensive. Trust me, it is NOTHING like you see in the movies.... If you want to live somewhere else besides Ireland, why not try somewhere else in Europe, Canada, Australia or maybe New Zealand? It's easier to get work visas to those places, plenty of job opportunities, most are English speaking and you don't have to worry about dying of cancer because you can't afford to go to the doctor... 

 

Thanks for your response. From the information I've read about the EB2/3 options I thought I qualified as I have a Bachelors degree and at least 2 years work experience - is this incorrect?

Honestly, I've lived in the UK for 6 years and Qatar and have been visiting friends in the states almost every year since 2010. I recently spent 3 months there to make sure I could really see myself living there and I do. 

[Boiler 45,902]

7 minutes ago, Melbakry said:

Thanks for your response. From the information I've read about the EB2/3 options I thought I qualified as I have a Bachelors degree and at least 2 years work experience - is this incorrect?

Honestly, I've lived in the UK for 6 years and Qatar and have been visiting friends in the states almost every year since 2010. I recently spent 3 months there to make sure I could really see myself living there and I do. 

Not many Employers will directly sponsor an Immigrant Visa unless you are somebody the really want, living here and visiting is different.

[jan22 3,056]

2 hours ago, Melbakry said:

Thank you! I am looking into schooling as a last resort and if I hear positive responses about having the opportunity to find work once the course is complete because you're right ideally I would like to be earning. But i'll do what I've got to do.

Regarding Qatar - life here is pretty good especially if you just want to come for a few years, save some money and then move as it's tax free living and the packages are pretty appealing as they benefit from foreign workers. However, I am not being challenged and that doesn't motivate me. If you're referring to the political situation it honestly hasn't affected me, my family or my friends' day to day life.

A visa to study is not an immigrant visa. One of the requirements for a student visa is that you prove ties that will take you back to your own country or country of residence after you complete your studies. If you cannot demonstrate that, the visa likely will be denied.

Edited July 17, 2017 by jan22

[Coco8 1,042]

3 hours ago, Melbakry said:

I am open to doing a year long course/study in sales as a last resort however all the information I've read states that I would not be able to earn money during this year and may only have 30 days at the end of the course to find work (even though I have read conflicting information saying you can have 60 days to a year) has anyone been in this situation where they have done a course on a student visa not a Bachelors degree or Masters in a non STEM field and managed to stay in the US afterwards to find work?

 

I know people who have done an MBA in prestigious programs and got jobs in the US after doing that. They took (huge) student loans because the programs are super expensive so it  is a risky move.

 

 

Edited July 17, 2017 by Coco8

[databit 328]

Since you are an Irish citizen, you could apply for the Diversity Visa (US visa lottery). You may get lucky!

[Ryan H 3,819]

***Post advocating visa fraud removed along with post quoting.***

[HackyMoto 13]

Hi Mariam,

 

I'm not sure what type of sales you are doing but maybe it would worth your while looking for a Company with presence overseas as well as in the US. Spend a few years with that company before looking to move on a L1 as some have suggested. 

 

I spent a few months in Doha while waiting for my visa waaay back in the day...was certainly an interesting place.

 

good luck