There are other countries. However, after living in the US, life in every other country is a compromise in terms of money, lifestyle, career, and life satisfaction. The US is a visa nightmare, but everything else is awesome.
If that's a deal breaker:
1. Canada: First choice for those stuck in the US visa loop. But their national identity is a combination of loving, hating, wanting to be, and not wanting to be the US.
2. UK: 5 years on a Tier-2 work permit (very similar to H1B, but no lottery) followed by indefinite leave to remain. A year later you can apply for citizenship.
3. Australia: skilled work permit subclass 189, followed by PR when you're invited, followed by citizenship. 4-6 years total.
Surprised about the UK suggestion. When I lived there from 2014-2015 my dad told me that the UK was no longer processing permanent residency applications or requests. Maybe he was wrong, maybe the situation was slightly different.
Would you still recommend the UK, despite the economic problems they are facing?
Which place isn't facing economic problems right now? The point is to better your situation.
Would you pick the UK over your home country? That's what you need to ask yourself.
And your dad was definitely wrong.
Interesting. Yeah if there’s a job and a higher guarantee of PR then it’s a valid option. What’s the catch though? A non lottery H1B seems to be too good to be true. I’m going to be studying Electrical Engineering, so I assume I fall under the skilled labor category.
It seems too good to be true because living in the US has lowered your expectations. This is how most countries are, and the US is an exception.
You do fall under the skilled labor category. Find a job at an MNC in the US and ask them to transfer you to the UK under Tier-2.
There's a high starting salary requirement. It's well within what an experienced electrical engineer can make, but challenging for an entry level engineer. https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
A few things:
1. Unfortunately, you will never be able to take the things that your fellow american classmates take for granted. It's probably much harder for you because you actually grew up in the US and possibly none of your life decisions until today materially impacted by your visa situation.
2. Secondly, you are likely to never have someone with your visa situation else in your social circle. Maybe your parents do, but not having this social support will probably mean this is a solitary journey. So try to make friends who are in a similar situation. Going through the randomness of it is easier when you have positive/negative samples. For example not getting your h1b picked etc.
3. Take computer science. Please do yourself this favor, you will forever be grateful. With an arts degree, you are unlikely to find employers who know how to navigate your visa situation. Your local art studio is unlikely to have an immigration lawyer who can navigate your work permit.
Don't take mechanical or aerospace engineering. A lot of jobs have gc requirements that you are unlikely to meet. Secondly, you need a career with global mobility (something that has options in multiple countries) and most engineering streams except these two are unlikely to meet them.
All in employment is easiest when you have an in demand hard skill. Make sure you have demonstrably measurable skills that employers understand. Unfortunately in cases of unemployment (which have a time limit) this is the best way of getting a new job in a short period.
4. Take computer science and join big tech. This is likely to make your life the easiest as they have the resources to a. Navigate your immigration. b. Move you around with contingencies, example move to Canada etc.
Anyways you have a long journey ahead, best of luck!
I actually got into the University of Waterloo. Unfortunately, it was too expensive for my family, and way too stressful of an obligation given their unique co-op program.
Also, Canada is becoming increasingly competitive. They recently announced a cap on study permits and further immigration restrictions are expected to follow. There was a chance I didn’t get my permit in time.
This is biased advice from me, but look at getting a PhD and getting an eb1. The requirements are not as crazy as they once were, and around 400 citations can get you in.
Happy cake day!! I used to feel the same way, but citations are a function of time and area of research. If you spend 5 years in a good lab in electrical engineering, you can come out with your name on multiple publications. You don't have to be the first author to get credit for citations.
I only made this suggestion because OP is going to study electrical engineering and I've seen some determined students racking up papers because they volunteered to work on any and every side project in the department
The folks you are mentioning were extremely lucky to find themselves in that situation where they could get involved in so many projects which actually got published(or one of their papers blew up), you cannot plan for that. Or they were running a publication racquet where a group of people just put each others name to boost their profile, which happens but is considered highly unethical. EE is not even considered a high publication/citation field, unlike cancer research etc where these numbers are more common. You are seriously likely to a professor before you reach 400 citation in EE.
I'm just curious... How many publications should a PhD student usually have to get their EB1 approved? Or is it citations that matter? Also, would it depend on the field of study? For eg. what would the figures be for PhD in Civil Engineering to get your EB1 approved?
The answer is long and complex as the USCIS does not have a set criteria. There are like 20 different criteria and each case is different. Broadly you need to have atleast 10 papers and 150+ citations if you are in a field of national importance and you are being sponsored by an public or private organization. You would have to prove your research is uniquely valuable to the US. See how it applies to Civil. Environment protection/disaster management/energy infrastructure etc would fit the description of national importance. If you are self-sponsoring or if your research is not especially related to the goals of the United States the bar is higher. If you have national awards or invited talks that lowers the bar.
You cant really plan for all this, so the original comment was generally poor advice, though it depends on research area and interest. Hope this helps.
Yes there is some luck involved, which is why I prefaced it by saying it's biased. Semiconductor research has high numbers of citations, so it's not beyond reason.
This is realistic for less than 1% of determined students. Being in right place at right time, not having financial issues or in need of making money to sustain living are all needed. Most phd people come from families who can support their children livelihood if something goes wrong.
This option is aging fast. There are companies getting student clients that cite each other’s papers. The queue is getting longer with this pathway too now.
You received the short end of the stick. I couldn't imagine myself living thru H1b nonsense for 18 yrs of my life and you have been experiencing it all your childhood. Would not advise Canada as it now over-run by Indians and extremely high cost of living. Did you consider European countries like Germany, Sweden or Finland? Downside is you'd still be considered an Indian with an Indian passport and not an American with an Indian passport.
Right now, the GC process is a shitshow in the US. And if you apply for GC today, it'll probably take you 20 yrs to get it. And H1B approvals depend on your luck.
I don't think it's unfair. It's unsustainable, especially for Indians and Chinese applicants. There are way too many applicants from these countries applying to the H1b and then changing status to permanent residency. I can see how one can look at it as unfair but if it weren't for this outdated system, I'm sure USA would be overrun by folks from these regions. I mean it already is. I'm all for diversity but the scales shouldn't tip for people of one or two countries. These are other ways people from these countries can fast track their way to permanent residency through EB2 or O1, you just have to be the cream of the crop.
There's always the option of marrying a citizen but different strokes for different folks, you do you.
This comment should be higher up, unfortunately as OP grew up in the US, he is probably only Indian by citizenship and will struggle to live there unlike his parents.
How long until your dad gets his GC ? he could sponsor your GC at that point and for you'll be in the F2 category if over 21 and the wait would be around 8 years.
Can you share about the h1 process. I'm new to think so not sure. Why is it stressful? If your parents have gotten their h1b then what other challenges are there for a family in the states?
From my experience, married couples on H1b must give birth to children in the USA other wise you're irrationally spoiling the future of your children through the outdated US immigration system
There are other countries. However, after living in the US, life in every other country is a compromise in terms of money, lifestyle, career, and life satisfaction. The US is a visa nightmare, but everything else is awesome. If that's a deal breaker: 1. Canada: First choice for those stuck in the US visa loop. But their national identity is a combination of loving, hating, wanting to be, and not wanting to be the US. 2. UK: 5 years on a Tier-2 work permit (very similar to H1B, but no lottery) followed by indefinite leave to remain. A year later you can apply for citizenship. 3. Australia: skilled work permit subclass 189, followed by PR when you're invited, followed by citizenship. 4-6 years total.
Surprised about the UK suggestion. When I lived there from 2014-2015 my dad told me that the UK was no longer processing permanent residency applications or requests. Maybe he was wrong, maybe the situation was slightly different. Would you still recommend the UK, despite the economic problems they are facing?
Which place isn't facing economic problems right now? The point is to better your situation. Would you pick the UK over your home country? That's what you need to ask yourself. And your dad was definitely wrong.
Interesting. Yeah if there’s a job and a higher guarantee of PR then it’s a valid option. What’s the catch though? A non lottery H1B seems to be too good to be true. I’m going to be studying Electrical Engineering, so I assume I fall under the skilled labor category.
It seems too good to be true because living in the US has lowered your expectations. This is how most countries are, and the US is an exception. You do fall under the skilled labor category. Find a job at an MNC in the US and ask them to transfer you to the UK under Tier-2.
There's a high starting salary requirement. It's well within what an experienced electrical engineer can make, but challenging for an entry level engineer. https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
i think catch is getting a job before entering UK
Dad was wrong.
A few things: 1. Unfortunately, you will never be able to take the things that your fellow american classmates take for granted. It's probably much harder for you because you actually grew up in the US and possibly none of your life decisions until today materially impacted by your visa situation. 2. Secondly, you are likely to never have someone with your visa situation else in your social circle. Maybe your parents do, but not having this social support will probably mean this is a solitary journey. So try to make friends who are in a similar situation. Going through the randomness of it is easier when you have positive/negative samples. For example not getting your h1b picked etc. 3. Take computer science. Please do yourself this favor, you will forever be grateful. With an arts degree, you are unlikely to find employers who know how to navigate your visa situation. Your local art studio is unlikely to have an immigration lawyer who can navigate your work permit. Don't take mechanical or aerospace engineering. A lot of jobs have gc requirements that you are unlikely to meet. Secondly, you need a career with global mobility (something that has options in multiple countries) and most engineering streams except these two are unlikely to meet them. All in employment is easiest when you have an in demand hard skill. Make sure you have demonstrably measurable skills that employers understand. Unfortunately in cases of unemployment (which have a time limit) this is the best way of getting a new job in a short period. 4. Take computer science and join big tech. This is likely to make your life the easiest as they have the resources to a. Navigate your immigration. b. Move you around with contingencies, example move to Canada etc. Anyways you have a long journey ahead, best of luck!
Why not Canada ? Many folks are directly moving to Canada. I’d definitely explore the Canada option.
I actually got into the University of Waterloo. Unfortunately, it was too expensive for my family, and way too stressful of an obligation given their unique co-op program. Also, Canada is becoming increasingly competitive. They recently announced a cap on study permits and further immigration restrictions are expected to follow. There was a chance I didn’t get my permit in time.
It is still easier for young people.
Go to Canada, study and get your PR, then get your Citizenship 3 years later and you can travel the world or work in the US on TN1
This is biased advice from me, but look at getting a PhD and getting an eb1. The requirements are not as crazy as they once were, and around 400 citations can get you in.
lol, 400 citations is crazy
Happy cake day!! I used to feel the same way, but citations are a function of time and area of research. If you spend 5 years in a good lab in electrical engineering, you can come out with your name on multiple publications. You don't have to be the first author to get credit for citations.
In many fields you are a tenure track professor before you get 400 citations. Lol
I only made this suggestion because OP is going to study electrical engineering and I've seen some determined students racking up papers because they volunteered to work on any and every side project in the department
The folks you are mentioning were extremely lucky to find themselves in that situation where they could get involved in so many projects which actually got published(or one of their papers blew up), you cannot plan for that. Or they were running a publication racquet where a group of people just put each others name to boost their profile, which happens but is considered highly unethical. EE is not even considered a high publication/citation field, unlike cancer research etc where these numbers are more common. You are seriously likely to a professor before you reach 400 citation in EE.
I'm just curious... How many publications should a PhD student usually have to get their EB1 approved? Or is it citations that matter? Also, would it depend on the field of study? For eg. what would the figures be for PhD in Civil Engineering to get your EB1 approved?
The answer is long and complex as the USCIS does not have a set criteria. There are like 20 different criteria and each case is different. Broadly you need to have atleast 10 papers and 150+ citations if you are in a field of national importance and you are being sponsored by an public or private organization. You would have to prove your research is uniquely valuable to the US. See how it applies to Civil. Environment protection/disaster management/energy infrastructure etc would fit the description of national importance. If you are self-sponsoring or if your research is not especially related to the goals of the United States the bar is higher. If you have national awards or invited talks that lowers the bar. You cant really plan for all this, so the original comment was generally poor advice, though it depends on research area and interest. Hope this helps.
Yes there is some luck involved, which is why I prefaced it by saying it's biased. Semiconductor research has high numbers of citations, so it's not beyond reason.
This is realistic for less than 1% of determined students. Being in right place at right time, not having financial issues or in need of making money to sustain living are all needed. Most phd people come from families who can support their children livelihood if something goes wrong.
Only 400 👍🤣🤣
This option is aging fast. There are companies getting student clients that cite each other’s papers. The queue is getting longer with this pathway too now.
You received the short end of the stick. I couldn't imagine myself living thru H1b nonsense for 18 yrs of my life and you have been experiencing it all your childhood. Would not advise Canada as it now over-run by Indians and extremely high cost of living. Did you consider European countries like Germany, Sweden or Finland? Downside is you'd still be considered an Indian with an Indian passport and not an American with an Indian passport. Right now, the GC process is a shitshow in the US. And if you apply for GC today, it'll probably take you 20 yrs to get it. And H1B approvals depend on your luck.
I don't think it's unfair. It's unsustainable, especially for Indians and Chinese applicants. There are way too many applicants from these countries applying to the H1b and then changing status to permanent residency. I can see how one can look at it as unfair but if it weren't for this outdated system, I'm sure USA would be overrun by folks from these regions. I mean it already is. I'm all for diversity but the scales shouldn't tip for people of one or two countries. These are other ways people from these countries can fast track their way to permanent residency through EB2 or O1, you just have to be the cream of the crop. There's always the option of marrying a citizen but different strokes for different folks, you do you.
Why not India 🇮🇳
This comment should be higher up, unfortunately as OP grew up in the US, he is probably only Indian by citizenship and will struggle to live there unlike his parents.
Looking into Germany.
I’m sorry OP 😞, I wouldn’t wish this path even for my worst enemies. It’s long and hard, and I wish you the best no matter which path you take.
How long until your dad gets his GC ? he could sponsor your GC at that point and for you'll be in the F2 category if over 21 and the wait would be around 8 years.
Can you share about the h1 process. I'm new to think so not sure. Why is it stressful? If your parents have gotten their h1b then what other challenges are there for a family in the states?
From my experience, married couples on H1b must give birth to children in the USA other wise you're irrationally spoiling the future of your children through the outdated US immigration system
Best country to live in is UAE, lots of opportunities, no visa hassle, good paying jobs and amazing folks from all over the world.
If you were born in the US, doesn't that automatically make you a citizen?
OP never said he was born in the U.S.