HACKER Q&A
📣 throwaway_654

What are my options for working in the US as a European?


Dear community,

thank you for inspiring me to improve my life. Today I am living the life I dreamed of 10 years ago. Except I am living in Europe and not the US. What are my options to migrate to the US?

About me:

- I am in my late 30s.

- I don't have family so I am flexible and willing to work long hours.

- I hold a master's degree in computer science from a respectable northern European university, but my grades are undeniably average. - I have only a couple of years experience as software developer.

- A pro forma marriage for a spouse visa is not an option for me.

In my research of obtaining a working visa I have identified the following options:

- DV: I have applied for the Diversity Visa for a number of years and will continue to do so, but I can expect to be dead before I succeed.

- H-2B: I always search through the "Who's hiring" threads for "visa", but it seems nobody is sponsoring H-2B visas anymore.

- F-1: I have savings so I am considering if I can get another degree: either a one year master's or a three years Ph.D. in a related field such as software engineering, and get access to the US labor market on a F-1 visa. My understanding is that this is popular among the Indians and the Chinese. I know of nobody in my country of origin who have done this, so I don't know where to start. Do I just call a random US university?

- TN-1: Through Canada/Mexico: By gaining permanent residence in Canada I can eventually apply for citizenship, provided I have been living in the country for at least three years (1095 days) within the five years preceding the citizenship application. Once citizenship is attained, I can move to the USA through the TN-1 visa, given I obtain job offer at an US employer.

Would these work and do you know of any other approaches?

Thank you for reading.


  👤 mtmail Accepted Answer ✓
Get hired by a subsidary of a US company. After a year you can apply within the company for an internal transfer (L-1 visa). As soon as you moved to the US you can apply for 'greencard'. That takes years but a L-1 is valid for up to 7.