Game dev seeking USA/UK/Canada work visa advice.

DesignerWatts · 2009-04-26T23:07:30

G'day awesome peoples, I wanted to make a post that both chin-wags and asks some questions to fellow gamedev.net peoples. I'm hoping to draw on the experience and musings of you guys. :) So what's this post all about? Well, As a young game designer I've began a mighty quest to seek adventure in a new land and to find a job in professional game development overseas. Currently an Australian resident, I have just over two years experience in the professional game development scene as a level designer. My reasons for wishing to work aboard are purely adventurous and to work and live in an new environment. The Australian industry is an awesome place to operate, but being 22 I'd like to explore a bit of the world. :D Of course however, immigration and work visas for game designers like me can be a tricky thing. A designer like myself was self taught and learned most of my current skills from my previous game dev workplace. and as it stands I have no after-highschool education, A tricky and large strike against immigration chances to anywhere it seems and that's fair enough. So I'll explain my plan and what I've found out so far, And perhaps some of you guys can offer advice or musings. :) I'm currently working on a large-scale design folio project. When this project finishes in November I'll be using it as a folio to showcase my professional design abilities. I have confidence that by the end of this folio I'll be able to present a perspective UK, USA or Canadian studio to sponsor a work visa and take me on as a young, enthusiastic Australian gameplay designer. Also helps that I'm willing to pay for relocation costs. :D So my plan would be to get them to sponsor me for a temporary skilled work visa. From taking the general tests from the website Migration Expert I currently qualify for the following: USA: EB-3 VISA - SKILLED WORKER - This is on the consensus that I both have an employment sponsor and my 2 years previous experience in the same sector. Which is game development. UK: YOUTH MOBILITY SCHEME (TIER 5) On the consensus that I have a employment sponsor and just the fact I'm currently 22 years old. This visa isn't to hard to obtain. CANADA: FAIL! Due to having no credible education past high-school, I am currently under the basic requirements for immigration for skilled workers into Canada. Game development is also not listed as a high need job, which strikes another blow. This brings me to a question about immigration for people in these sorts of creative industries, I don't condone the requirements for these visas, they're quite fair and logical to ask for higher education. But I think for my odd position as a game designer and being in Australia where there is no game design specific courses that go to a bachelors degree I'm in a tough place, [I'm also not to keen on the idea of further education as I could just as well spend the time racking up more experience in the Australian game dev scene.] Is there anything I can do to prove my professional abilities to government immigration systems like Canada as so to be considered for a company sponsored temporary work visa at the very least? It's a tricky question I know. I was wondering if anyone has encountered such a situation or similar immigration experience. I would hate to cut off an entire country of opportunity just because I don't have a credited education past high-school. What do you guys think? Cheers, Chris Watts Game Designer Game Design Project: Tower City Summery: Immigration Pros: - Young, 22 years old. - Experienced. 2 years industry experience. - Will obtain a work sponsor before applying. - Nationally - Australians are generally well received in immigration processing. Immigration Cons: - Lack of accredited education. - Only spoken language is English. [Canada likes it if you speak some French.] - Occupation is not one that's critically needed. [Edited by - DesignerWatts on April 24, 2009 10:25:40 AM]

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Started by DesignerWatts April 24, 2009 09:58 AM

9 comments, last by 6divide9 15 years, 6 months ago

6divide9

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April 26, 2009 11:07 PM

Also, something you may want to check out about Eastern Canada game developers.

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=97272≻=98

There is a pretty big push from the government here in Prince Edward Island to get the industry moving. Might be worth an extended look.

---------------------------Follow me as I start from scratch on a quest to create my first game at thearchivistgaming.blogspot.com

Game dev seeking USA/UK/Canada work visa advice.

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