Non-Migrant Visas (US)

[radionausea]

Has anybody on here had an experience of applying for a non-migrant visa to work in the US?

I know that I'll need a H-1B visa (specialist worker), need my employer to sponsor me etc but beyond that I know little.  Such as timeframes and, most crucially, how stringent the US border agency is on the whole 'must not be any american willing to do the job'. 

I'll be travelling over to PA as a tourist in April for three months to apply for jobs, go to interviews etc.  Not moving is not an option as my fiancé is studying for her PhD at UPenn for the next 4+ years and I want to be with her.

Oh, and I'm a social worker - specifically adult social work and hospital discharge planning: are hospitals more likely to employ foreign nationals?

Lots of questions and I don't really expect anyone to answer all/any of them but if you have any specialist knowledge (like being an immigration lawyer?!) I'd greatly appreciate it

[radionausea]

Just realised just how ¬fun this post is 

[bhu]

dont worry bout it being fun, lets just hope you get some knowledgeable advice.

[radionausea]

Thanks! Did some rooting around and, oddly, it actually appears easier to apply for and be granted a migrant visa...by sponsoring myself?!   I don't understand. 

[awaken_D_M_golem]

It is not supposed to be understand-able. Intentionally. ( no wink !! )


There is still a shortage of Nurses, and there are colleges with short
1 year or so bridge programs between say Social Work and Nursing.
I don't know Philadelphia but there are at least 5 division 1 schools there.
~7 million people metro area, is plenty of work of that type.
Philly has one of the immigration headquarters where visa processing happens.
Convenient ... well let's not get that excited.

Careful who or what you get help from.
Hershey PA has the Hershey's Kisses chocolate factory,
that had front page new coverage about striking workers.
Hard Labor scam, too many hours, too little pay, legally.
I'm not saying you'd get roped into something like that, but it happens.

[radionausea]

Immigration law. 

I'm particularly 'fond' of the ESTA.  I think the UK should start charging american tourists to enter the country despite not needing a visa as well.  At £10 a head it'd soon add up...

Well, fiancé is going to the international student office for advice - they get paid for it after all. And in the mean time the liver transplant social worker has given me a list of people with whom she thinks her name will open doors to jobs.   Yatta!