I'm a linguist in the US on a J-1 visa and am looking to get an industry job that would qualify me for an H1-B. Complicated question within about how the time frame would work, how to address this in my job search, whether this is even doable etc.
I'm currently teaching at university level in the US on a J-1 visa. This visa currently expires in August, but could be extended for two more years if my employer was willing to do so; however, they've told me they won't be needing my services after this academic year. Since the academic job market is sparse, I'm looking to find a job in industry that would qualify me for an H1-B visa. I have a PhD in linguistics from a prestigious university and know several fellow linguists who have made the transition into working in tech, so finding such a job seems quite possible, especially since I'm in SF Bay where there are zillions of tech jobs. But I'm trying to figure out whether this is doable given the visa issue and the time frame that involves.
As far as I can determine, and I may well be wrong about some or all of this, here's how the visa process would work. I'd get a job offer and my employer would then apply for an H1-B on my behalf. But they would need to do this before April 1 of a given year because there's only a short window in which applications are considered (unless they were a cap-exempt employer, which most aren't). Realistically that's not going to be this year, so it would be 2020. Then there's a lottery, and if I was selected (the chances would be good since I have an advanced degree), I'd be able to start working in August of that year.
If this is right, it means the earliest I could start working would be August 2020. Questions this raises include, but are not limited to, the following:
How do I approach this in my job search? Why would anyone hire me when I can't start work for a year and half?
Is there any workaround (temporary visa, etc.) which would allow me to start work earlier?
If my J-1 expires and I don't yet have another visa, could I stay in the US without working while an H1-B or other visa application was in process?
Does it even make sense to be thinking about this, or should I forget it and make another plan?
Who can I consult about this? Are there recruiters who specialize in the visa process, and/or who specialize in matching humanities-type candidates like me to jobs in industry? Specific recommendations here would be great. |
Video
Web
Image
Music
BlogU
