I have to say, I have difficulty seeing the other side of the visa situation. Microsoft is an international company. They're going to hire who they want, where they can. If that's in Redmond, then the US gets the benefit of their income taxes, good education, trickle-down effects, etc. If that's in Microsoft Canada or Microsoft China or Microsoft Wherever, the US doesn't get it. Even the most die-hard isolationist bigot has to realize that growing the US economy is, on the whole, a good thing for them, right?

Quote: Original post by Sneftel
Even the most die-hard isolationist bigot has to realize that growing the US economy is, on the whole, a good thing for them, right?

I would like to believe you are right. On the other hand, this theory is a complete variance with observed facts.

Quote: Original post by Ravyne
I disagree with that statement quite strongly for the simple fact that many, if not most, parents these days are barely even involved in their kids lives

Thing is, kids take their cue from their parents regardless how much control said parents exert over their kids. Don't know how this was felt in the US but here people lost fortunes in Nortel and Internet-related ventures in 1999 - 2000, not to mention the thousands of layoffs in 2000 - 2001 in this sector alone. Still today, mentionning the name 'Nortel' brings back painful memories.

-cb

Quote: Original post by Sneftel
I have to say, I have difficulty seeing the other side of the visa situation.

Near as I can tell, the thought process is that if the US offices can't hire the foreign people they'd like to, they will instead hire people locally to fill those positions. This is, of course, throughly ignorant, but some people are stupid like that.

Sorry to veer off slightly but I'm hoping to relocate to the US, mainly seattle, to continue my work in the games industry & so i think this thread is kinda relevant to me..

How easy hard is it to get a visa for work?

How do I go about it & what kind of criteria is required to help my application go through smoothly?

How long does the process take & how early can/should I apply?

Thanks & sorry to hijack the thread..

Quote: Original post by ArchangelMorph
Sorry to veer off slightly but I'm hoping to relocate to the US, mainly seattle, to continue my work in the games industry & so i think this thread is kinda relevant to me..

How easy hard is it to get a visa for work?

How do I go about it & what kind of criteria is required to help my application go through smoothly?

How long does the process take & how early can/should I apply?

Thanks & sorry to hijack the thread..

The hiring company handles all of it for you; it easier for them if they're a bigger company but either way they're limited by a cap on # of visas issued per year). You have zero ability to get an H1-B visa without a company "sponsoring" you; so it's completely out of your hands.

-me

Quote: Original post by ArchangelMorph
How easy hard is it to get a visa for work?

It depends on the type of visa you are going for. The H1-B is fairly normal and requires a degree, or the equivalent experience of a 4 year degree, which is considered to be twelve years of employment in the industry/job you are working in.

The biggest problem with H1-B in recent years is the over-subscription. You really need to talk with the immigration attorney that a potential employer sends your way should you be offered a job.

An O visa is possibly more realistic in that they don't suffer the same restrictions in number issued. However, they are much harder to get as you have to be an 'Alien of Extraordinary Ability' or a nobel prize winner, sports star, rockstar. That being said if you have worked on top games with top reviews you might be in with a chance. Let me know if you want more details.

If you are working for a company with a US office, by far the easiest and most successful way of getting a visa is an intracompany transfer, typically an L visa. If you are married, your Wife can work while you are on this visa and the greencard path is smoother.

Quote:
How do I go about it & what kind of criteria is required to help my application go through smoothly?

If you meet the above criteria for H1-B then you qualify for that, although attorneys will usually ask for supporting materials such as payslips (useful when proving you have industry experience), letters from previous employers, credited game details, product reviews and professional memberships (so join IGDA and ACM now okay).

If you are going for an O try these in addition to the H1-B details

- Details of any published white papers.
- Details of articles you might have had published in magazines or industry journals (so write that Game Developer article now okay).
- Details of any industry speaking engagements (so offer to speak at your local IGDA chapter, try for game developer conference and so on).
- Any magazine articles that mentioned your name, indicating your significance in the industry or interviewed.
- Lists of review scores, photocopies of game reviews - particularly 90%+ and 'game of the month' types.
- Letters from other people, explaining who they are, how they know you and accounting for the idea that you are the 'cream of the crop'. These should be former employers, great academics, researchers, key industry people, nobel prize winners themselves if you know any.
- Details of your previous jobs you held that were critical to the running of that company.
- Details of any awards that you won (either you or your products, AIAS awards for example).

Basically, you have to establish a level of notability and notoriety. Again, speak to the attorney of the employer who gives you a job. You won't be on your own in this.

Quote: How long does the process take & how early can/should I apply?

You should get a job offer first and they will guide you through assembling everything you need. If you are to be a H1-B candidate then you might find hiring can only take place at certain times of the year. Be prepared to wait a while before an application even goes in.

[Edited by - freakchild on March 18, 2008 4:13:28 PM]

- How easy hard is it to get a visa for work?

Surprisingly hard. I've gone through this process. H-1B's are allocated once per year I think and this year they apparently ran out of H-1B's within the first day. I would say H-1B's are available 1 day per year and that's it. Miss it and you'll have to wait a year. Even if it's handed in on that day there's no guarantees. This is mostly because of Indian consulting firms importing large number of workers. The company I was with had lawyers working my case so I did absolutely nothing. They literally wrote the recommendations from previous employers and just sent them out for the signature. If you're applying at the wrong time you could use a J-1 visa which can be paid but is more of a cultural exchange type visa but it's offered year round.

- How do I go about it & what kind of criteria is required to help my application go through smoothly?

Education, at least a B.Sc. within the field of work you're entering. I had a M.Sc. and apparently that helped a lot. I would say, first create something that is extraordinary, find a sponsor who's willing to devote resources to your case and get lawyers. They'll make sure everything goes through on the first try and make it as smooth as possible. They'll also recommend alternative visas and will do a lot of fancy stuff to get you established, some which may not be available to you. When I went through it the lawyers basically knew the people approving the visa. They go to great lengths to make sure your odds are as close to 100% of getting in as possible. The firm dealing with my case had never failed. Cost is about 10,000 USD. Something I learned while in the US is that there's always a shortcut to everything and it always involves paying extra.

- How long does the process take & how early can/should I apply?

It's fairly quick, a month or so. You can't apply at all on your own. You have to have a sponsor for all the visas I know of.

I heard it is possible to transfer also your family (wife and kids) when the company offering you a job is willing to sponsor you. Is that true and is it possible that you can all (the family) enter USA at the same period of time (give or take few weeks) ?