Seeking your advice - Immigration & Corona

[Darion 2]

Hello,

 

I'm from Germany (still living there) and I seek to immigrate to the USA as soon as possible. I'm single, I have a master's degree and I would like to work in a tech company or a startup.

 

I see two employment-based options for me to become authorized to work in the US:

• An EB-2 visa (would be my preferred option because I want to live in the US long-term)
• or an H1-B visa

 

My questions:

• Do I see this correctly that both options are impossible to pursue at the moment - at least until the beginning of next year - because of the recent executive orders?
• Do you think it would still make sense to continue applying for jobs in the US under the current conditions? Or should I wait until the bans are lifted because no employer would give me a job offer under these uncertain circumstances, where it is unclear when or if I can actually start working for my employer.

 

Any advice on how to proceed would be very helpful. Is waiting the only option right now?

 

Thank you very much in advance!

 

 

[milimelo 4,477]

You’re late for H1B as deadline for employers to apply for the lottery was back in April. 

[Darion 2]

Yes, trying to attain a H1B is probably to late for this year. But I would guess that if I aimed for a H1B next year that I would need to get a job offer some months in advance of April 2021.

Edited July 12, 2020 by Darion

[payxibka 10,045]

12 minutes ago, Darion said:

Yes, trying to attain a H1B is probably to late for this year. But I would guess that if I aimed for a H1B next year that I would need to get a job offer some months in advance of April 2021.

You need an employer sponsor,  this is something the employer does on behalf of the employee 

[Darion 2]

7 minutes ago, payxibka said:

You need an employer sponsor,  this is something the employer does on behalf of the employee 

Yes, I'm aware of this. That's why finding an employer is my first priority. But I'm unsure if it makes sense to seek an employer/visa sponsor right now, or if I should wait with the job seeking until the current situation clears up.

Edited July 12, 2020 by Darion

[Doublepike 53]

3 minutes ago, Darion said:

Yes, I'm aware of this. That's why finding an employer is my first priority. But I'm unsure if it makes sense to seek an employer/visa sponsor right now, or if I should wait with the job seeking until the current situation clears up.

I’d say just do it now. There’ll never be a “perfect” time to apply for anything. You got nothing to lose. It’s that simple. Don’t overthink it.  

[Darion 2]

4 minutes ago, Doublepike said:

I’d say just do it now. There’ll never be a “perfect” time to apply for anything. You got nothing to lose. It’s that simple. Don’t overthink it.  

Yeah, that's good advice in general 😃 maybe I should just continue to apply - but I fear the chances to get a job offer as a visa applicant are very slim at the moment, but maybe my fears are wrong

[AJ2019 58]

Job market is tough in America due to covid-19 situation and massive layoffs. However, your best bet is to keep applying, who knows you maybe the only one in your skillset for the job they are seeking. Good luck!

[Darion 2]

5 minutes ago, AJ2019 said:

Job market is tough in America due to covid-19 situation and massive layoffs. However, your best bet is to keep applying, who knows you maybe the only one in your skillset for the job they are seeking. Good luck!

Thank you for your encouragement!

[millefleur 5,046]

**Moved from General Immigration-Related Discussion to Work Visas**

[igoyougoduke 1,656]

3 hours ago, Darion said:

Thank you for your encouragement!

You can apply  for job. Best choice would be to find a company that is in germany and willing to send you to US through intra company transfer. in that case you can use L- Visa. H1b is lottery based as you will have to wait until next october even if you get the lottery next year.

 

 

[Henry357 70]

11 hours ago, James120383 said:

You can apply  for job. Best choice would be to find a company that is in germany and willing to send you to US through intra company transfer. in that case you can use L- Visa. H1b is lottery based as you will have to wait until next october even if you get the lottery next year.

 

 

This.  Try to get a job at a US tech company, there are lots with offices in London, Amsterdam of Berlin.   I will point out based on experience I found that the US professional job market is much more competitive than Europe even if the  pay is also higher US. 
 

Normally people get a H1B and move to EB2 Green card once in US.  If you really want to move to US find a US Masters program, 

Edited July 13, 2020 by Henry357

[doggieandsam 765]

hi. look into the diversity visa program, too. that one is not tied to any employer and you come in as an immigrant (vs on a working visa like the L/EB/H1B visas). ALso, as a German citizen, i imagine you have a good chance of getting in. 

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

10 minutes ago, doggieandsam said:

hi. look into the diversity visa program, too. that one is not tied to any employer and you come in as an immigrant (vs on a working visa like the L/EB/H1B visas). ALso, as a German citizen, i imagine you have a good chance of getting in. 

Well, as good a chance as anyone else, around 0.5%. 

[kiwibean 48]

I was going to suggest the diversity lottery as well.  It's free, so even if the chances aren't good it's not much time or effort to apply.