how difficult is it to get a H1B or H2B visa from an employerr? how long does it take?
439047
With the shortage of skilled people in US, employers are quite willing to sponsor H1 visas. I donot know if there is a shortage in biochemistry. Also there might be restrictions based on your field of work.\n\nThe preference for visas is given to students who have studied in the US and have a US degree. \nIf you are really interested you could come on a J1, but I don't know if finding a job would be easy.
807543
That's unlikely - any such agencies are more than like scam artists, looking to take your money without fear of prosecution.\n\nI came here on an L-1 visa; that is an intercompany transfer on the basis of special skills (I have special skills in computing). Companies can also hire on a limited work status H1-B visa, but again only if you have special skills.\n\nFor a regular job, the company must advertise the position locally for at least three months; they must conduct 'good faith' interviews, and they must not turn down a qualified candidate in order to hire you. They must keep paper records of the ads placed, and they must have records of each candidate that applies, and each interview. They must be able to demonstrate that none of the US candidates could fill the position.\n\nThis is a lot of work and companies are rarely willing to do this unless there is a really good reason to - such as you having a skill that they require and which is not available locally.
945082
Always a chance to get rejected. The only sure thing in life is that death will come for you some day. But mostly the will look for:\n\nAre You qualified for the job? Your credentials are in order?\nIs the employer willing to sponsor you at the prevailing wage, full time, and in a job category covered under H-1b\nDo you have any history of immigration violations or pose a threat to national security? You must have, of course an approved Form I-129, a valid passport, and pay the costs of the visa. Once the visa is granted you must enter the USA within 90 days or lose your H-1b.\nHope it helps.
779776
Its better to consult US visa issuing authority on the  subject. But apparently it seems that both visas cant be there same time.\n As in VISIT application form there is a check-box asking 'wud you work over there'.\nHow that question be replied in 'NO', where there is H1 on the passport.\nAnd how that can be 'Yes', when you are applying for VISIT Visa.
961783
You can give it a shot, but chances are it won't speed up the process.  I work for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and I get people who call me once a week asking about the status of their case.  Repeated phone calls or letters won't make me put their case in front of anyone else's.  The rule is first-in-first-out.  It's going to take some time, so the best advice I can give you is to be patient and realize most Federal workers have huge backlogs in their workload.
1159032
I'm surprise no one has answered your question yet if there seems to be so many erudits out these on immigration issues.\n\nThere are three types of work visas avaible.  They are called H1B visas.  One of them is for people with advance degrees (PhD or doctorate degrees) and people with extraordinary abilities (have won novel prices, for instance.\n\nThere is another type of visa for people who have been offered a job in the U.S. and their employers wants to sponsor them.  The employer; however, needs to fill out a Labor Certification where they state that your abilities cannot be found in any American.  That means that you will not be taking a job away form a CAPABLE America.  You usually need to have a Master's degree to have better changes to get this visa.\n\nThen the other visa type is for people who work in agriculture.\n\nOther than that.  It would be hard for you to get a US work visa if you are in your country and have no employer to sponsor you.
1127902
It took me about a month from the time I applied through a visa service agency. Check out 'Benmar' based in London, they're on the web though you can fill in and print the forms online with the official American Embassy website if you want to save money. Once you are at the embassy expect a wait of between 2 to 5 hours. Depending on what visa you want its bit of a formality, the main thing is for them to fingerprint you so don't go for your interview with any scratches on your index fingers or you will be turned away.
333763
B1/B2 (visitor visa) change of status to H1B(employment visa) is possible but beware that you must prove to the USCIS that your original intent when you came to the US was not to change status (i.e. you had legitimate reasons to come to the US as a visitor and didn't come there to look for a job)\n\nIf you are eligible to apply for H1B (must have bachelor degree and work experience), you need an H1B sponsor (employer) to file a Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker (USCIS Form I-129) with required supporting documents like copy of your educational certificates, passport, experience etc. You can start working for your employer ONLY after your H1B approval. If your application is denied, you will receive a letter that will tell you why the application was denied.
429760
Frequently updated info on H1B Visa availability:\n\nhttp://www.uscis.gov/graphics/services/tempbenefits/cap.htm
634898
You cannot have two visas at the same time. The visa that is later in time will supercede the older visa. \n\nIf your employer intends to send you to the U.S. for six months or less, then you can simply apply for a B1/B2 visitors visa (just be sure you are paid through the company in India, and not the U.S.). In such a case, it would also be in your best interest to amend the H1 petition to indicate a start date of March 2007.\n\nGood luck!
76636
You could come to the U.S. on a work visa (H1-B) but you must be sponsored by your employer in the U.S. The H1-B visa is valid for up to 6 years.\n\n"The H-1B is a nonimmigrant classification used by an alien who will be employed temporarily in a specialty occupation or as a fashion model of distinguished merit and ability. A specialty occupation requires theoretical and practical application of a body of specialized knowledge along with at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. For example, architecture, engineering, mathematics, physical sciences, social sciences, medicine and health, education, business specialties, accounting, law, theology, and the arts are specialty occupations."
767940
H1 visas don't work that way.  There is no list of companies that are looking for foreign employees, and the H1 category is oversubscribed:  even if you found an employer who wanted to go to all the trouble of petitioning for you, the soonest you could have a visa would be October 2007.
935463
I doubt if anyone in YA can sponsor your husband. \n\nInstead of asking here, I suggest your husband starts scouting for job sites such as Monster.com http://www.monster.com and find employers who  are looking for someone with his qualifications. If your husband is talented and experienced enough (and no American can fill his position), the company may want to sponsor him. \n\nNote though that your husband has to be extra special for an employer to actually fly to him for the interview.\n\nOtherwise, it might be useful to try to get a tourist visa first. Come to the USA and use that visit as a springboard for interviewing with potential employers. Be careful though when applying for a tourist visa not to mention that your husband is planning to look for work. Once the consul detects that you're planning to work in the US, you will not receive a tourist visa.\n\nSponsoring an alien for employment is not without any expense, both time and resources. The H1B route is quick and you can get your visa in 3 months or even less. But you are allowed to stay for 3 years renewable for another 3 years. \n\nThe better route is immigration through employment, as that leads to green card immediately. But the process is long and tedious as you first have to get a Labor Certification to prove that no American will do the job better. Labor Certification alone can take up anywhere from 2-5 years depending on the backlog in the state. \n\nI suggest you read the following instructions on employment based immigration -- and yes, an employer who will sponsor your husband is the requirement\n\nhttp://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1323.html
233897
A freind of mine just recently had his interview. The consulate in Hong Kong took 6 working days to request the interview. But times will probably depend on how many applicants they have.
402363
It is hard to get a visa to the UK too, which I'm trying to do.  Could you possibly get your former NYC employer to sponsor you for a work visa?  That would be your easiest (legal) route.  Good luck, I LOVE NYC!  (But everyone should leave before they become bitter and hard.)
539336
You will need an employer to sponsor you to get an H1B visa. Agencies hiring teachers to work in the US may help.
606440
This is a tricky one, Your not supposed to be able to get an interview until Oct 01, However if you call the US embassy in you country of residence, they may give you an interview.\nWhen getting mine, I applied for an interview in May, got an appointment for Aug, and the H1b was also issued in Aug, 2 months before it should have been valid. This made the visa 3 years and 2 months. \n\nGood luck, it's tough to get into the US LEGALLY.