B Mitul

In my opinion, you can go through consulting firms, as long as they are not charging you for the visa fees or relocation. Getting a job directly from a big company will be a bit difficult, esp if yu have not got a higher degree from US universities.

It depends on where you are based:- If you are based in US, then you can transfer the visa, ie, a fresh petition can be filed for you by a different organization and you are eligible to start working for them as soon as the petition is applied for, and a receipt is obtained. On the other hand if you are in India and have never been to US on H1-B visa, then you are not eligible to transfer the visa. In the latter case, you have to first get the visa stamped from your present employer and go to USA and then only you can transfer that visa.

Hi,

This has been asked by one of my fellow ranchers; I just thought of posting the question as a new thread in this forum to seek opinion from other ranchers - what is the best time to land in the USA for getting a job assignment without too much delay? This is more of a concern this year for a large number of new H1-B workers who have gone through the lottery process for this year's quota and who will be ready to start work around October-November '07. Is it possible that due to the large number of highly skilled resources available in the job market around this time that there will be a crunch in job market, and it will affect the whole IT job market in the United States? Is Dec-Jan a better time to start work?

Thanks,
Mitul

It depends on your long term goals. If you wish to migrate and settle down in US, then getting an H1B sponsorship from one of the better known consultants/bodyshppers is a good option, as long as you are not paying up for the visa fees and the consultant is ready to file for your green card. On the other hand if you just want to take up an onsite opportunity for the additional income, then it is better to play it safe and go with your present employer (I assume that being a large company your present employer as a policy will not sponsor for your permanent residency abroad).

Originally posted by vjy chin:

Not always everyone is happy with their job profile. Also it does not depend on place. Even in US, only some like their job so much. Also even if you work as a contractor there is no gurantee that you will work in development as most the devlopment has been offshored. I dont know if this is true, but I heared it from couple of high level persons.

I agree that job profile does not depend on place, but it is my personal experience that you get more exposure to latest technologies in US than in India, probably because when you work as an independent contractor at client site, you are allowed more freedom to innovate than when you work from offshore for a large vendor who has well defined processes beyond which you are not allowed to explore. Also, the perception that most of development jobs are being outsourced is only half true, US market is still very hot and the recent mad rush for work visa (H1-B) is an indication of the same.

Originally posted by vjy chin:

Of course it is your decision to go anywhere you like, but think of all possibilities before leaving home.

Thanks for the suggestion, I am still keeping all options open.

Originally posted by vjy chin:

Insecurity in India is the one I cannot really think of. Its in US that people can fire easily. So if you mean any other thing, I apologize.

I mean social security, not job security. Agreed that in US they have a "at will employment" i.e. both employer nd employee can terminate the job anytime "at will". At first thought this is quite scary especially if you are not a permanent resident of that country, but again, let me assert, if you are smart and if your technical base is sound then you need not worry. In contrast try to compare the social security in US (or any other first world country) and in India and you will know what I am talking about.

Originally posted by Ayub ali khan:
Hi Mitul,

I have 4yrs of experience and never been onsite. I feel you should not quit your current company for an onsite reasons as follows:

1)If you are well settled here, I did not understand why to go US ?
2)If you have earned well, no point in going onsite if you cannot save.
3)You can be close to your family (parents) in india and take good care of them.
4)Stable life in the current company than unsure future in the small company.

Above were my thoughts.

Best Wishes !!
Regards
Ayub

Hi Ayub,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. However, would like to answer your concerns as below:-
1) Yes, I am well settled in my personal life, but not very happy with my job profile. Even after having sufficient development experience in latest MS ans well as Java technologies, I am still having to mentor a team in a support environment which is not ideal for me. Also most of the projects run by my company are similar support/maintenance projects and hence very little chance of getting some good exposure in my field.
2) Sometimes earning well or saving money does not mean everything in life :-( especially if you have seen the good and bad of both the worlds
3) Yes that is true, and to be frank that is the sole reason I am still thinking of staying back in India
4) As mentioned in point (1) & (2), stability isn't everything if you consider career growth and job satisfaction. From my experience, work in India (at least in the software industry) is mostly stereotype with long working hours and with very little flexibility or recognition. Also, no matter how much one earns & saves, there would still be a great deal of insecurity in terms of living in India. So although the future is unsure with most of these body-shoppers (or "blood-suckers" as someone else puts it), US is still a preferred destination for people who can act smart and have a good technical base.

Comments are welcome from other ranchers as well!

Best Regards/Mitul

Hi,

Would like to hear from other members as well before taking this important decision in my career!

Cheers.

Originally posted by Mav Rick:
and also people told me if one has more than 10 lakhs p.a. here in india then there is no point going there

I dont agree with this opinion, unless the discussion is solely about SAVING MONEY. On the other hand, if you consider the living standards, work environment, career growth, and other qualities like good governance, social security, etc then even if you are saving 100 times as much in India you can never match those in US (or any other first world country, for that matter). So, unless you have other pressing reasons (like an ailing family member or ties with relatives/friends, etc) you should seriously consider the offer from US.

The other important thing you need to consider is whether you want to stay back in your country or permanently move to US to get GC/citizenship, etc. If the latter is of high priority in your life then going for a small company in US who will sponsor your visa, GC etc is better. If only saving money is the priority then you may think of negotiating with your present management/HR or moving on to some other organization with a better offer.

Thanks Rahul for your valued inputs. Will definitely keep this in mind while making the final decision.

Hi,

Some advise/inputs from other members regarding my queries will be highly appreciated.

Thanks,
Mitul

Hi,

I am having over 8 years of of experience in software and have previously worked in USA on H-1B visa for various companies. Currently I am employed by a MNC based in India who, as per policy would apply only for L1 visa for me depending on project requirement and not H1, and that too with a legal contract for commitment of continued service during my stay in USA.
Currently I am working in support environment and my role is technical leader.

I have an offer from a small US based consultancy firm (in all probability a body-shopper) who are willing to sponsor my H1 and provide me with an opportunity to work in USA for its clients. The salary offered by this company is not very attractive, but enough for survival with my wife and kid. They would also file GC for me as I am willing to settle down in USA but this is not possible with my present employer.

My questions are:-
1) Is it worth leaving my present employer, who are among the top 3 companies in India for a small sized consulting company? (Please answer both from a career and living perspective, I am well settled in India, but from past experience I feel that USA has a better life to offer for me and my family)
2) Since my present employer, as per its policy won't file for my H1 visa, what other options I have (I am not willing to travel on L1 and then switch job, as it might attract monetary/legal implications for breaking a contract)